North Norwich Open at Sprowston Manor
The smallest turnout of the season consisted of Ian, Vince and Bob. Ian was sporting his brand new 12.5 handicap having hit a net 66 in the previous day’s men’s medal at Bawburgh. Bob was sporting his new beard (that’s what he called it) and Vince was concentrating on maintaining his lead at the top of the money list.
As there were no women playing, the tee locations were not a topic of conversation.
The course looked in good condition. The sun was shining but a strong wind suggested challenges ahead.
Impressive grouping on the first hole.
Ian started proceedings with a majestic drive into the middle of the fairway avoiding all the trees. His second shot made the green and then, unfortunately, he three-putted. A massive drive on the second saw him with a short iron to the green. Unfortunately, he managed to clear the green and lose his ball. After this disappointment, he started the comeback recording 3 pars in the next 5 holes. Two double bogeys however on holes 8 and 9 (two of his no shot holes) left Ian with 16 points at the halfway stage.
Ian getting things underway.
Bob started by hitting his drive well but pulled it to the left. However, some good tree action left his ball in the middle of the fairway!! His subsequent shot was short of the green but a good chip and putt gave him a par 4. A 30-foot putt on the second also resulted in a par and a single bogey at the next meant Bob had taken an early lead. However, a misplaced second shot on the par 5 4th led to a blob and his momentum had gone. A succession of bunker visits then resulted in two double bogeys and a blob before he was able to recover with a par on the 9th. Bob hit the halfway stage with 15 points.
Bob hitting the fairway on the 1st via a tree (there's a surprise!).
Vince set about his business quietly, electing to use his 3 wood and despite blocking himself out on the 1st and finding the trees on the second, he still managed to keep his score ticking over nicely. With only one blob on his card and two pars, he found himself in the lead after the 9th hole with 19 points.
Vince showing some dainty footwork.
The match was won and lost over the next 4 holes. Ian got within 1 point of Vince and then hit a 7 on the par 5 13th. After that he only managed 1 more par and 5 points in all over the last 5 holes finishing with 27 points.
Bob didn’t fare any better getting within 2 points of Vince after the first two holes of the back nine but then only scoring 9 points on the next 7 holes. His only consolation was getting 2 points on the 18th to finish level with Ian on 27 points.
Meanwhile, Vince was made of sterner stuff. After getting only 1 point on holes 10 and 11 he ignored the knowing looks from Bob and Ian and proceeded to score 18 points on the last 7 holes and win by a country mile. Well done. A new course record for Sprowston. (We didn’t mention his handicap once).
Next week the Tour moves on to Stowmarket.
Vince remains on top of the money list as well as the Eclectic and ‘Best Front and Back Nine’ competitions. With only 6 more matches to be played, it’s looking like Vince and David are set to clean up all the trophies this year. However, Kevin and Tracey could still have something to say about the Eclectic and Robert could still win the average points with a couple of strong rounds.
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