Round Norfolk summer golf round 19 at Woodbridge

The Woodland Trophy

You may remember that there was some concern after the Swaffham tournament as to the whereabouts of Greg. I can now report that Greg’s head has been found and fortunately it is still attached to his body. He probably isn't playing for next few rounds but is looking forward to returning to the tour later this month at Stowmarket. 

With that mystery solved then Round Norfolk summer golf round 19 could take place, this time at Woodbridge on Tuesday. Always a popular venue as nearly half the tour had signed up for the round. Golf Dinosaur Monster had even made a new set of name labels for today’s two group draw.

As we enter the final third of the season there is much to be decided. With Bobs run of good form ending then it is now very tight at the top of the money list so would it close up further today. By use of his unfeasibly large handicap could Vince knock Bob off top of eclectic and could anyone improve their best front and back 9 rankings, all will be revealed. 

With groups sorted it was off to the first tee where Kevin got proceedings underway.  He soon found himself in bunker trouble on the first which set the tone for the day as many of the bunkers seemed mistakenly to have been filled with concrete and not sand. Although he got out of this one, by shanking it sideways this was not the case later in the round. After a tidy opening he had 16 points after 8 but then his bunker problems started as he failed to escape from 3 over the next 5 holes to add only 4 more points with 20 after 13 holes.

Kevin hits a good drive down the 6th

John H was certainly showing the benefits of playing most of the season on the round Spain summer golf tour as he made a rare appearance back on these shores. He opened with 2 pars with his only blemish being hitting 2 consecutive balls into the woods on the 5th.   Disappointingly there was little of his trademark effing and jeffing as he had 19 points at the turn.

Johns approach to the 3rd

Jill was playing her normal solid game but found 3 pointers hard to come by so a blob on the 9th restricted her to 14 points at that stage. She was making her first appearance at Woodbridge ever so considering the number of blind shots managed to keep things going well with a blob free back 9 and a 31 point total buton a high scoring day kept her just out the running.

Jills approach to the 2nd

Vince had clearly not warmed up before the round so came up with the idea of playing a provisional on most of the front 9 holes as he tried out a number of different swings none of which proved that effective.He ended the front 9 on just 9 points. Now warmed up the back 9 was much improved as he scored on every hole but even with 19 further points his 28 total still left him in joint last place.

Vinces 2nd attempt at an approach shot on the 10th

In the group behind both Chris and Bob got off to flyers with 8 points from the first 3 holes but then Bob got into an inconsistent phase with a number of poor drives into bunkers, trees and bushes. From here he either blobbed or parred the hole with 5 and 4 of them respectively. He also finished in joint last place with 28 points once again failing to add to his season winnings, but could any of the challengers take advantage today. Vince certainly didn’t in the eclectic once again failing to par any of the 5 holes he still needs to despite now having had 10 attempts at each of the 1st, 5th, 8th, 14th and 17th. Im sure no one will remind him of this as he stands on each of those tees next week (and until the end of the season).

Bob in heather trouble

Chris, on the other hand was able to consolidate on her good start, she did blob the 6th after taking two to get out the bunker but made up for it by birdieing the 9th to be one off the lead at halfway on 18.

Chris about to hit teeshot to birdie the 9th

In between updating his playing partners on his England very old persons hockey team appearances John B was playing very solidly. Although he did put his ball in the water on the second for his only blob of the day as he finished the front 9 on 16 points and well in the running.

Another solid drive by John on the front 9

Andrew was still finding it hard to cope with the pressure of being a major winner. All the media attention was clearly getting to him as he got off to a shocker with back to back blobs. However when he did complete a hole he was scoring big with 3 pars and a birdie over the next few holes. In fact coming on to the 11th tee he was back in contention with 16 points. And then disaster struck. After John had hit his ball into trouble Andrew hit a cracking drive down the 11th fairway. Bob then innocently asked why we were now playing off   the whites tees leading to a reload from the yellows and 2 shot penalty for the two culprits. This proved a turning point as Andrews attempt was never seen again whereas John went on to claim a point with his second ball.

Andrew in bunker trouble

John B continued to rack up the points scoring 19 on the back 9 and 35 in total but would£ it be enough.

John tees off down 13

Up ahead Kevin had got his game face on and decided to risk using the driver. Much to everyone’s surprise both times the ball remained on the fairway as he got his total up to 30 points after 17. With a blind shot to the 18th green Jill told him to aim for the big post at the back of the green. Which he did putting in with in a couple of feet but he failed to get up and down from there to finish on 32 points.

Kevins magic new putter showing in was possible to putt round the hole

John H had started to fade over the closing holes and also had 30 points after 17. However his approach shot landed on the green before sinking an outrageous 20 foot put for a birdie, 34 points and the 25p 3rd prize.

John can't bear to look to see where he chipped the ball but it did go on the green

With chaos all around her could Chris keep her cool to claim the win. Well she did better than that with no blobs and a couple of pars giving her a final total of 37 points. She also snuffled the nearest the pin prize from under Andrews and Bobs noses. The round moved her up the best front and back 9s leaderboard into 2nd place.

A great approach shot on the last left this little tap in for the win
(lets not mention some early bunker action meant it was for a 5)

Despite coming last it was a good day for Bob as no one closed the gap on the money list or eclectic. It was also a good day for Greg with challengers falling further away in the averages comps. Kevin was also happy as he still leads the best score and best front and back 9 comps.

Next week it’s off to the marmite course of Caldecott Hall where big points have been scored in the past so the race to Sheringham should hot up some more.