Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017. Round 23 at Bungay

The South Norfolk North Suffolk Classic at Bungay

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2017 round 23 took place at Bungay on Tuesday. It was the last round before the grand finale as the RNSG tour races to Sheringham next week. For stats fans there is a round up of who can win what at the end of the post. But first how did we get there?

A good field of 6 turned up for today's event. Balls in the air selected the pairings before Robert and Jo asked if they could go out in first group due to urgent restraurant action happening later in the day. Balls in the air groupings were abandoned and it became a free for all to choose the groupings. With RNSG tour officials in tears in the car park, Robert, Jo and Tracey marched purposefully off to the first tee.

Due to recent cancellations then it would now only be 5 rounds (a quarter of rounds played by the player who plays the most rounds) required to qualify for the average stableford and blobs competitions meaning Robert could now win the Average stableford points if he could get about 58 pts today (he didn't). But he did put together his best 9 this year as he scored 17 pts on the front 9 including a birdie on the 7th.

Robert makes his Birdie on the 7th.

However Jo was in a strong position in several of this years competitions and clearly meant business as she started off with a par and followed it with two more before a blob on the long 8th restricted her to 19 pts but was still enough for the half way lead.

Jo failing to make par for once on the 4th

Latest tour recruit Tracey also started with a good par but despite some solid play couldn't find another one in the front 9 ending on 14 pts.

Tracey not holding back with her opening drive

Meanwhile in the group behind Bob and Kevin were keen to match each other as only 0.01 currently separated them in the Average stableford competition (in 2nd and 3rd place behind Jo). However it was quickly advantage Bob as Kevin had a golfing breakdown over the opening holes as he only managed 3 pts in the first 5 holes accompanied by the requisite huffing. puffing and stomping. Things improved slightly as he scraped up to 11 after 9.

Kevin getting out of the 5th bunker he had found in first 6 holes.

Bob took advantage by scoring on every front 9 hole but didn't make the most of his opportunity to finish Kevin off as his putter deserted him as he missed everything from 3 foot out. He had 16 pts at the turn.

Despite it not looking like this Bob hit an excellent shot out rough on the 3rd.

Whilst this was going on Chris was quietly going about her work and after a slow start really got going finishing the front 9 with an excellent par and 17 pts for a share of second place.

Chris teeing off on the 5th

As with the front 9 Tracey set off with an opening par and followed up with a blob free 9. However the 4 one point holes kept her score down to 30 pts which wasn't enough for the prizes today.

Tracey's approach to the last

Robert short game was going well but his longer game was not so hot as he failed to reach the Ladies tee on the 11th. He did however, sign off his first year on tour with a finishing birdie and the 33pts he scored gave him 3rd place and added 50p to his seasons winnings. The £2.25 total earnings means he will easily get to keep his tour card for next year.

As it was Ladies day Robert decided to forgo the traditional punishment
for not reach the ladies tee with his drive off the 11th

Chris was now in full flow with five 3 point holes on the back 9 and the only blob free round of the day with nothing worse than a bogey. She was excited to see her score of 38 equal the highest score on tour this year. Bob became worried working out what to do as there was only one trophy available (he needn't have worried).

A poor chip followed by an excellent putt saves a point on the short 14th

Bob and Kevin had lost interest in todays competition as they locked antlers trying to keep up with each other. Kevin knew if he waited long enough Bob was sure to blow up but after the 15th Bob had a healthy 7 point lead and it looked like Kevin was out the running.

One of Bob's many putts on the 10th after Chris had chipped in for her par

However Bob rarely lets people down and failed to score on the next two holes while Kevin managed a pair of pars to close that gap to 1.

A finishing birdie for Kevin meant he finished on 31 to Bobs 30 and now held a 0.02 lead over him going into next week.

However it was all a complete waste of time as Jo had gone points crazy up ahead. Cleverly avoiding any club selection suggestions from Robert she popped in 4 pars and also chipped in for a birdie on the 14th as well. 

Jo's approach to 18 and another par

It was clear something was up when Jo insisted on waiting in the car park for the second group to finish rather than dashing off to their now not so urgent restaurant appointment. Not only had she crushed Chris's hopes of a RNSG prize this year but also took away her Bungay course record of 40 points set in 2015. She also spoiled Bob and Kevins chances in the average pts comp as well, but none of them were bitter as they sulked off for a post round cup of tea.

With the Race to Sheringham climaxing next week here is a summary of who can win what and how

Money list: Bob has a big lead but Kevin could catch him if he wins next weeks round and Bob isn't placed.

Average Stableford points: Todays round put Jo in a massive lead with Kevin, Bob or Mike needing to beat her by about 15 points next week, which seems unlikely.

Most points in a round: Any of next weeks players could still win with a 42 point round. (or tie with 41pts which would give Bob a shared trophy nightmare). But Jo looks a clear favourite.

Eclectic: Is between Kevin and Bob. Kevin needs to get at least one birdie and then one more than Bob on the day.

Lowest average Blobs: Another two horse race between Jo and Mike. Jo wins if she has a blob free round. But if not Mike will win if he gets one blob less than Jo.

Best 3 front and back 9's: Jo has a 3 point lead but Kevin has an outside chance but would need at least 20 points on the front 9 

But of course the big question is can Jill finally par a 4th hole at the 14th time of asking.

As only Jo, Kevin, Bob and Mike can now win anything then RNSG committee has decided that they will tee off last next week. But as it is double money comp there is a big £5 first prize available to keep all 10 entrants interested.