Round Norfolk summer golf round 17 The Open at Felixstowe Ferry

The Open

It promised to be the hottest day ever but would the golf also be hot for the final major of the year. It was also hotting up at the top of the money list as Bob has not been able to extend his lead in recent weeks with others now starting to close in. The big £5 first prize today could alter things dramatically in either direction.

There were 7 tour members signed up for this prestigious event. Armed with water bottles and sun cream it was balls in the air to decide the two groupings before heading to the first tee. It was perfect links conditions hot, dry and windy so would be the ideal golfing test for the Open.

Greg got us underway, followed by Andrew both of which hit the fairway. However despite his recent successes by keeping his driver in the bag, Kevin opted to get it out but sliced into the rough before hitting his next into deep rough. After a search Greg found it. On the next he tried his 3 wood which he topped into the long grass just in front of the tee which again required a search and Greg found. So he tried his rescue on the next tee with the same result and Greg 3 lost ball credit finds in the bank which Kevin is yet to repay. From here things picked up for him a bit until he missed a very short putt on the 9th (more of the significance of this latter). However thanks to some excellent recovery work he somehow had 15 points at the turn.

When Greg wasn’t looking for Kevin’s balls he was playing well. He was obviously still struggling with his bad back and could regularly be found rolling around on the ground trying to loosen up. Apparently his physio thinks it is caused by the way he picks up his tee and ball, which we all know is strenuous work, he has been told to do some strengthening exercises using a heavy feather. His only blemish was when he lost a ball on the 3rd which he was upset about as no one repaid the lost ball credits they owed (who knew that this was a thing). He had 17 points at halfway.

Andrew had arrived today as the form player having scored 41 points yesterday and been cut to 13. He was certainly playing with confidence and only a couple of 3 putts on the par 3s restricted his score to 17 points as well.

In the group behind Robert started strongly with an opening par and was well placed with 8 points after 4 holes and a nice foundation. However inexplicably the wheels then came off as he only managed a further 7 points in the next 10 holes. Coming on to the 16th he was well out of the running for the title but there was still the matter of the nearest the pin, which was a rollover jackpot. On hearing this he rolled up his sleeves and hit his shot of the day to claim the £4  prize (stop press Golf Dinosaur Monster has just informed me it should have been £5 so Robert is owed a quid). He finished strongly nearly doubling his score over the last 4 holes to finish on 24 points.

Bob was having a typical Bob round mixing some fantastic shots with others putting him out of the hole. When on the back 9 he found his putting boots and really started scoring well. But with a round including 4 blobs he was going to struggle to be in the prizes finishing on 31.

Chris was having the opposite problem having left her normally strong putting game at home. It didn’t help when her opening drive went down the road leading to an opening blob. I have often wondered what would happen on the par 3 12th (where you have to hit in over the road) if you smash your ball into the net, well very kindly Chris found out by whacking he tee shot into it. If you want to know it drops straight down and you have to play 3 off the tee, which she did for her only other blob. Apart from that she missed a lot of little putts leading to a number of single point holes so again was never really in the running as she also finished on 31 points.

Jill was hoping to be the first player to complete the RNSG career grand slam. She was clearly nervous getting off to a slow start but with her normal solid game clicking back in place she soon had things under control. However after going into a bunker on the 9th she thinned her bunker shot almost into the road for a blob and 15 points at halfway. Her back 9 also started slowly but 14 points over the closing 6 holes gave her a win in the group on 32 points but would it be enough.

Kevin also had 15 at halfway but that short missed putt on the 9th had clearly got to him as he missed another short one on the 10th and 3 putted the 12th after being the only one with a tee shot on the green. It looked like he was out of the running until a birdie on the 13th got him back in contention. However missing more short putts on 16 and 17 meant he too finished on 31 points and 4 lost ball credits in debt to Greg..

The real battle was between Andrew and Greg who were matching each other shot for shot. However you need some luck to win a major and Andrew got his bit when he thinned a chip from the edge of the 12th green which got beautifully slowed down by the long grass as it trickled up to the hole and toppled in. Even the members sitting out side the club house could be heard muttering “outrageous”.

However Greg had his luck too as his drive on the 14th skimmed the top of a gorse bush before taking a big kick into the middle of the fairway, while Andrews pushed drive missed the bush but was never seen again and he ended with a blob.

This gave Greg a 2 point lead but it was all to change again on the 16th where Greg’s pulled tee shot lead to a blob while Andrew managed a par to once again take the lead.

Coming on to the 18 th he had a two point lead and when Greg’s birdie putt stopped right on the edge of the hole it was all over as Andrew made his par for 37 points (a new course record) against Greg’s 35. Well done to Andrew for taking home the imaginary claret jug and his first major.

Next week we return to Norfolk and back to parkland at Swaffham. All this seasons competitions remain tight and hard to call with several players in contention for each one, so it really is all to play for.

Round Norfolk summer golf round 16 at Rookery Park

Victor Vince is Back in the Groove at a Birdie Packed Rook-less Park

 

As the British Open got underway 5 hopefuls headed towards Rookery Park for the latest RSNG summer tour event. With a 60% female presence, the ladies were getting 2 extra shots on the SSS adjustment added to their handicaps. All kittens and recipes, 4-packs of lager and Sporting Life editions were left at home in this gender free event. Without a Frazer or Spanner in sight Greg was in the chair to get things underway, but with traffic jams en route there was no ball draw as Sandie and Jo were late arriving. Greg, Jill and Vince went first followed by Sandie and Jo just behind.

 

The weather was mizzly but warm, making a light covering of moisture on a bone dry surface tricky to master. Sadly with the stands having been shipped over to Portrush and the crowds watching golf on TV there was another disappointing spectator audience of zero to support this event, although rather irritatingly greenkeepers did their best to noisily follow the groups and fulfil that golfing prediction of a good walk spoiled. Zero was a popular number as it was the amount of rooks spotted at Rookery Park. Strangely the golf pro was not up for rebating green fees for that blatant piece of mis-selling.

 

In group 1 Greg stormed away with a fairway and green hit in regulation but missed the 4 foot birdie putt. Decentish play continued on much of the first 5 holes for Greg until rumblings of a bad back re-surfaced limiting his swing. Unable to even put the ball down on the tee Greg gave it up as a bad job after 7 holes and retired hurt. His goose was cooked, his race was run and the larger body shaped lady had sung. With 3 back interruptions in 3 months it looks like more detailed medical opinions are needed.

 

Meantime back with those playing all 18, there was a friendly approach to the game with Jill, Sandie and Vincento all getting 12 points, and Jo on 15 points. Jill managed a birdie on a par 5, Vince had his normal collection of good scores and blobs. Jo was the most consistent with no blobs at all, and it has to be said a very neatly marked card that was handed in. The Tour has not yet awarded a handwriting prize but that’s one for consideration for sure.

 

On the 9th hole the 2 x 2 balls came together as a 4 ball to complete the round as Greg miserably slunk off home for 48 hours of ceiling watching.

 

Vince had just returned from a couple of weeks in the Arctic and with endless sun boosting his melanin levels to an all timehigh, he had clearly de-frosted posting a devastating run of 12 points in 3 holes, including a birdie 2 for 5, a 4 for 4 and a paltry six for 3. With the risk of securing at least 3 more rounds of significant verbal abuse for having too many shotsVince decided to ease back and protect the handicap with 8 points in the next 7 holes to finish on 20 points for the 9 and 32 points overall.

 

Jill produced the kind of form we are used to – steady, solid and 17 points towards the best front and back 9 holechallenge, to get to 29 in total.

 

Jo stumbled early on in the back 9 with a couple of blobs but a strong 9 points in 3 holes finish including her own birdie saw her repeat the 15 point score for 30 overall.

 

Sandie who had played well but struggled on the greens on the first 9 put together her best back 9 of the season. Quick off the blocks with 9 points in 3 holes including a birdie 2, :Sanders” had 18 points after 8 holes, …. And 18 after 9 too. That made 30 points for Sandie.

 

So with every one getting a birdie and with the newly introduced SSS adjustment law coming into play and giving the ladies 2 extra points it made the outcome amazingly close.Vince had 32 + 0 (£2.50), Sandie and Jo 28 + 2 each in a tie for the imaginery silver medal (.75p).  Jill with 27 + 2 had 29 points just a smidgeon behind (0p).

STOP PRESS: Sadly there were 2 mistakes in terms of points allocated on the cards. Jill wrongly gave herself  5 for 1 on a ladies par 5 so should have had 2 points and a total of 30. While Sandie had a 6 for 2 on a par 4 with only 1 shot so should have been 1 point for total 29. Therefore Jill and Sandie swap places. 

 

No photos this week due to injured photographer issues. Apologies.

 

So we head further south to warmer climes and to the beach next week to Felixstowe. A good turnout is shaping up, have fun.

Round Norfolk summer golf round 15 at Bury St Edmunds

The Sunshine Salver

Round Norfolk summer golf round 14 took place at Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday. With the potential of the odd spot of rain then today’s field had been reduced to just 6 but as it turned out it was fine and sunny all day. There had been after a number of late withdrawals due to illness, work and housework pressure. It was a welcome return for 4 players as Chris and Kevin (cycle trip), Greg (holiday) and Sandie (not had a better offer) we’re back in the line up. Jo and Bob were the only players left from last week's trip to Barnham Broom where they had added £1 to this weeks nearest the pin jackpot rollover. 

With groups drawn it was off to the first tee. There was early drama when Chris dropped her ball, marker, pencil and teess down the toilet (hopefully just before) a last minute wee.

Chris's golf bits and bobs going down the pan

Bob was put in charge of making sure Chris and Kevin didn’t get distracted with any romantic interludes during the round as the first group set off. Kevin had decided to adopt the ‘only user the driver in emergencies’ strategy that had gained him a surprise victory on his last appearance. Despite missing hitting most of his 3 wood tee shots he didn’t put himself out of any holes so thanks to some good approach work and solid putting had the halfway lead on 19 pts.

Kevin tees off on the first as Chris shows absolutely no interest

Chris and Bob were matching each other after both opened up with a Par on the first hole and there was never more than a couple of points between them. However Bob kept hitting his approach shots into the bunkers and had a run of 5 1 pointers in 7 holes to finish on 15 points.

Bob in another bunker, this time by the 7th green

Chris was struggling to finish holes off and had 4 1 pointers on the front 9 to be one point better off on 16.

Chris tees off down the 5th

In the group behind Greg was put in charge of looking after the ladies to make sure the focus was on the golf and not chatting about knitting and kittens etc. The responsibility combined with no one to be outraged with on the long march to many of the red tee boxes obviously affected his game as he only managed 6 pts in first 5 holes before recovering to 14 at halfway.

Greg beginning to get his game back together on the 5th

Sadly he fell away again on the back 9 with 3 blobs over the last few holes. His round was summed up on the last when after hitting a tree he ended up 100 yards further away from the hole than he had started. He ended with the wooden spoon and only 27 points that dented his average points comp challenge although he still hols a slender lead.

After starting with an opening blob Sandie then put in a solid run but with no 3 pointers also had 14 at halfway. 

Sandie in trouble on the first

It wasn’t the case on the back 9 where Sandie lived up to her name spending much time in the bunkers. Greg suggested that she could consider adding a deck chair to her bag to make full use of the facility. However on the non sandpit holes she was doing much better with several 3 pointers and, after unfortunately rolling off the back of the nearest the pin green, going on to make her birdie. On a high scoring day her 31 points was still some way short of the prizes.

Sandie in another bunker, by the 18th green

Jo had had a convincing win at Barnham Broom last week and was clearly keen to make the most of her good form as she built a good foundation with 19 points and a share of the lead at the turn. The highlight being a birdie on the par 5 4th.

Jo was in the bunker while her ball stayed out, very confusing

In the group ahead all the players got off to good back 9 starts. Kevin parred the first 4 holes (2 after driving into fairway bunkers) while Bob birdied the 13th. It was a hole he had birdied before so it didn’t help his eclectic(shame). On the following hole he had the only blob of any player in the group and this cost him as Chris pulled into the lead as he finished on 32 points.

Bob makes his birdie on the 13th.

On the 17th hole Chris remembered the SSS rule now used on tour and after consulting the score card claimed a courtesy shot for the day. Despite this and 10 points over the closing 4 holes she could only get to 35 points and third place.

Chris gets out the bunker on the 10th (there seem to be a lot of bunker photos today!)

It was now between the halfway leaders, Kevin and Jo to see who would come out on top. After taking the nearest the pin prize Jo finished strongly with 11 points in the last 4 holes for a 39 point total.

Jo finishes with a par on the last, but would it be enough

However Kevin was riding his luck as his no driver strategy was paying off with only Pars or bogeys on his back 9. As he stood over a short downhill put on the last he had a chance to equal the course record and take the lead in the best round of the year comp. But he bottled it to finish on 41 pts and his second win in a row.

Kevin hits the green from the fairway bunker on 11 for one of 6 back 9 pars

He now shares the lead with Andrew on 41 points for best round of the year. Executive chairman, Golf Dinosaur Monster confirmed that in the event of a tie then the players second best round will be used to decide the winner. This is currently Kevin with a 38 at Cromer.

Next week is a first for the RNSG tour as neither Bob or Kevin will be playing at Rookery park so Greg has kindly “volunteered"  to run the day. As the tour is a dictatorship and not a democracy then Greg’s ruling is final.

Things are certainly starting to hot up at the top of the leaderboards although Jo and Kevin have put down strong markers in the opening scrimmages of the best 3 front and back 9s in July, August and September (plus October this year).

The Barnham Broom Valley Vase. Round 14

The 14th round of the 2019 Round Norfolk Summer Golf Tour took place at Barnham Broom on Tuesday 2nd July. As a result of several withdrawals, the line-up was reduced to three – Jo, Robert and Bob. On the plus side, organising the groups was a lot quicker than normal.

Some discussion took place about the possibility of Jo receiving extra shots but after a lot of head scratching it was decided to refer it to Golf Dinosaur afterwards – leaving the possibility of a VAR like review affecting the outcome of the match.

Despite the low turnout, every effort had been made to prepare the course and limit its use by other golfers. It felt like we had the course to ourselves and the group wondered what it would be like to have your own golf course. Then some of the group realised that they did have their own golf course!

Expectations were high for an enjoyable round of golf. After 20 minutes of demanding stretches and practise shots (actually coffee in the Sports Bar), play got under way.

Group selfie taken by someone not used to taking selfies!! Robert's obviously done this before but Bob and Joe seem to have forgotten all of Golf Dinosaur's media training.

Robert started on the par 5 first hole with a strong drive but missed the fairway to the right. After an unsuccessful search he was forced to take a drop and despite a good shot into the green was not able to score. Bob started well and was on the green for three, just missed a birdie putt and sank the return for a par. Jo was through the green in 4 shots and got down to secure a 6 for two points. First blood to Bob.

Bob at the 1st starting his back-swing (or in the middle of his down-swing?) - answers on a postcard.

The next two holes offered plenty of water jeopardy which was avoided by everyone. However, Jo was the only one to make a par (on the 3^rd) which helped ease her into the lead.

Jo sending her 2nd shot on the 2nd hole over the water and on to the fringe of the green.

Meanwhile, Robert was quietly getting himself back into contention after a poor start and a magnificent tee shot on the long par 3 4th set him up for a narrow birdie miss and a tap in par. Bob hit a poor tee shot and ended up with a 5. Jo, despite landing in the hazard, still got onto the green and down for a 5 and 1 point to maintain her slender lead.

3 balls on the 4th green - Robert's (on the left) there in 1 and the other two there in 3

The next 5 holes looked like it could be the turning point in the game as everyone struggled to play to their handicaps. Both Robert and Bob had two blobs but Jo managed to score on every hole.

At the halfway stage the scores were:

Jo – 16      Robert – 12      Bob - 11  

Jo and Bob started the back 9 well, managing to hit the narrow fairway of the par 5 10th, and both comfortably scored 2 points. Robert on the other hand pushed his drive just into the rough on the right and then zig-zagged his way up to the green but ran out of shots. 

Robert trying to thread the needle on the 10th.

The par 4 11^th (the 2^nd hardest hole) saw Jo sink a long putt for par and then go on to recover from a green side bunker on the 12^th to make 5 and extend her lead. Bob dug out a 5 on the 11^th after a poor tee shot but failed to score on the 12^th after hitting a superb tee shot (that’s golf!). Robert only managed a point from a good position on the 11^th but recovered well on the 12^th from two poor shots to make a 5 and move into second place with Bob.

Jo rushing back from her pit stop on the 12th.

Robert looking like he's got too many clubs to choose from but actually managing two trolleys at once (while Jo ambles back from her pit stop) and proving that the age of chivalry is not dead.

After 12 holes the scores were:

Jo – 23      Robert – 15       Bob - 15

For the next 4 holes, Robert and Bob went toe to toe in pursuit of second place. By the start of the 17^th, Bob was leading by 1 point. At this point, Robert got careless off the tee and failed to score on the next two holes. Bob managed to score on both holes, finishing in what must be the lowest second place score ever (verification required by statto!).

Meanwhile, Jo was sailing serenely on, finishing with a par on the 18^th, and showing the boys how to play golf. The course record (held by the author) could have been at risk if a few more putts had dropped instead of slipping just by. Her only blemish came on the 16^th, just after Robert whispered to Bob that she hadn't had a blob!

The final scores were: 

Jo – 34      Bob – 25      Robert - 21

No-one made the green on the nearest the pin, although Jo was just inches off the green. So a huge sum of £1(?) will be carried forward to next week at Bury St Edmunds.

Footnote:

It turns out that the Bawburgh Ladies are playing Barnham Broom in a League match very soon so Jo was keen to play this round to check out the state of the course. Taking a leaf out of the USA soccer team play-book, she took the opportunity to sneak into the ladies changing room afterwards to look at who would be playing. That’s when it all unravelled as she bumped in to the Barnham Broom Ladies captain and tried to convince her she was looking for the toilet!!  Just make sure you win Jo.

Fun Fact:

It turns out that Robert’s nickname is ‘Bear’, so be careful next time you give him a hug!