Round Norfolk summer golf round 23 at Eaton

The Posh Goblet at Eaton

Round Norfolk summer golf round 23 took place at Eaton on Tuesday with a small group of five. Vince Ballester was taking part and hoping to improve his position at the top of the Money List and Eclectic competitions. Tour rookie Tim Sims was making his debut and John Butler was continuing his comeback following a long injury layoff. Some good scoring was achieved and a Tour first - but more of that later!

The ritual ball throwing paired Mike Hammond and Tim Sims in the first group with John Butler, Vince Ballester and Bob Spanner in the other.

Tim, playing off a 9 handicap, was first away and immediately blocked himself out on the right of the fairway. Some tree ping pong ensued resulting in his fourth shot ending up in a similar spot to his second. An unfortunate early blob, but undeterred, he fought back with 6 pars in the next 8 holes and finished the front nine on 18 points. Impressive play.

Tim hitting off the first tee

Mike had a familiar slow start making only 4 points from the first 4 holes but unusually for him, he was slow to improve and finished the first 9 holes with 12 points. 

Mike on the first tee

Meanwhile, in the second group, John, playing on his home course, was explaining to Vince and Bob how to play the first hole. Amazingly, everyone, including John, followed this advice. John proceeded to make a par and 3 points and Bob and Vince made 6's and 2 points. John continued to score on every hole but had some bad luck with his putting (that's what he said!) failing to make any more pars and finishing the front nine with 16 points. 

Vince started well but only scored 4 points over the middle 4 holes and then finished strongly on the last 3 holes to finish the front 9 with 15 points. His driving was a bit inconsistent but he scrambled well to stay in contention.

Bob decided to leave his driver in his bag and used his 5 wood off the tee to good effect. With 16 points after 8 holes, he was going well when he managed to make a mess of the par 3 9th and scored no points.

So at the halfway stage, it was all to play for with tour rookie Tim leading the way on 18 points.

The second group admiring their shot grouping on the 6th hole

Mike was much improved on the back 9 making 2 pars and a birdie but a blob on the 17th meant he scored 17 points, finishing with a total of 29 points.

Tim continued his good form over the next 3 holes and was on 25 points and still in the lead after 12 holes. However, a couple of double bogeys and a blob on the 18th left him with 15 points (despite making 5 pars) and a total of 33 points and a share of third place.

Meanwhile, things were hotting up in the second group. John made a good par on the 10th and Vince missed a short putt on the same hole (yes Kevin he was thinking about his eclectic score) but still scored 5 for 3 points!! After the 11th hole John, Vince and Bob were tied on 21 points. John then made a blob on the 12th but undeterred he hit a magnificent tee shot on the short par 3 13th. He was clearly disappointed when he reached the green and couldn't find his ball. But he shouldn't have worried as it was nestling in the hole! John had hit a tour first 'Hole in One'.

Where's my ball?

It's only gone in the hole!!!!!!!!!

Just to prove it

Bob's tee shot was not too shabby either and buoyed by John's success he sunk a 10-yard putt from off the green for a birdie (unfortunately this didn't improve his eclectic score).

Bob not quite as excited as John.

Vince had a good chance for a par but by the time all the photos had been taken he had lost concentration (and interest) and ended up with a 5.

All three players continued to score well and with one hole to play, Bob was 3 ahead of John and 1 ahead of Vince. However, the 18th was a 2 shot hole for Vince.

John hit a great tee shot and was on the green in 3 only to 3 putt for 1 point finishing with 17 points and tied in third place with Tim with 33 points.

Vince pulled his tee shot but recovered well to get close to the green in 4 only to duff his chip shot and end up not scoring. He finished with 34 points in second place.

Bob managed to reach the green in 3 and two good putts saw him finish his back 9 with 21 points and a total of 37 and first place. His best score of the season and equalling the course record set by himself in 2017.

So Vince has strengthened his position at the top of the 'Best Front and Back 9' comp as well as maintaining a good lead at the top of the Money List.

Next week the tour moves on to Newmarket.