The middle of nowhere cup
With just 4 rounds left in the race to Sheringham and this year’s money list being the closest ever then it was a surprise that so many tour members declared they couldn’t be arsed to travel into deepest Suffolk for round 23 of the RNSG tour at Fynn Valley.
At one stage it looked like there would only be 3 players which would guarantee that they would all be adding to their season winnings. On hearing the news, which would put his lead at threat then, current money list leader Greg, decided that Big Business could wait as he rearranged his diary to make sure he would be in the mix today.
Fynn Valley was making its debut on tour so organisers were hoping it wouldn’t be the same debacle as when we visited West Suffolk “golf” course at the same time last year where the fairways had been replaced by a giant dandelion patch and Bob got 43 points, which were both equally annoying.
With no need to select groups then today’s trailblazers set off for the first tee to see what Fynn Valley had in store. Little did they know it would be a day of controversy, strops, sulks and much drama.
One of many over the hedge shots on the course as seen from the ladies 2nd tee
It was very different to any course on tour with many short holes, dog legs galore and ditches/hedges to avoid making it a challenge, especially as no one had played before.
Despite Vince having to drop out the trees on the first and playing from the dropping zone on the second he still managed to have 10 points from 4 holes. He was clearly not happy with his driving so took a provisional on virtually every hole. As he started to use more of them he had 3 blobs in the rest of thre back 9 although still had 16 points.
Chris and Greg were both going along nicely playing sensible golf.
Greg showing his bunker skills early in the round
Chris had one blemish on one of the many doglegs to restrict he to 17 while Greg was blob free for his 17 points.
Chris hits nice tee shot on the third
Kevin started badly and when he casually went to tap in from 6 inches and missed on the 3rd hole the red mist came down. No clubs were thrown but the air was blue as he stropped round the next few holes. Huffing and puffing reaches a peak as he thinned his tee shot through the back and out of bounds on the short par 3 6th. He was well off the pace with 13 points.
Kevin thins his tee shot out of bounds on the 6th
Standing on the 10th tee things were about to change as first Vince hooked his tee shot out of bounds before Kevin pulled his tee shot towards the woods. He stomped off after it and after exactly 2 mins and 59 secs he found it behind a pile of wood. It was quickly confirmed it was in bounds. More interestingly the area had a GUR sign and a white line on the fairway side but the full area of GUR could not be confirmed. But by a majority vote it was agreed a free drop would be allowed and he went on to make an outrageous par.
It was not clear how much of this area was GUR, you decide
Things got better still for Kevin as he birdied the 14th to bring himself back in contention and one of the lead. But it was to end in tears as his luck ran out and back to back blobs took him out the running as he finished on 30 points.
Kevin sinks a tricky 2 inch putt for two points
After GUR gate Greg put his game face on and set off with purpose to make sure he won the day. But suddenly the wheels came off as he started to follow Vince’s lead needing to play a series of provisionals as his normally solid long game and tee-shots deserted him. He found most of them but could never pull out a big lead.
Greg missed the green by some distance but found his ball to secure a point
Vince’s game had stated to deteriorate further and the lost ball and provisional count increase. After finding yet another bush off the tee we were treated to a swearing outburst and mini club throwing incident that we are more accustomed seeing from other tour members. As his score drained away he found the bunker in front of the long par 3 17th and, as Kevin stood near by he shanked it straight at him. A nifty swerve saw Kevin avoid getting it smack between the eyes but he still got it on the back to be the first golfer to be hit by a ball twice on tour. His final total of 26 left him out the prizes but he did set a new record having played 28 tee shots in his round.
One of many, many tee shots Vince played today
Chris was matching Greg hole for hole until a poor tee shot into a ditch on the par 3 14th led to a blob and put Greg in a clear lead. However on the next there was more controversy. After going through the green she appeared to duff her chip to the green. On closer inspection it transpired that her ball had been sitting on top of a rabbit hole that was covered in grass. Her suggestion that she should have relief and play the shot again feel on deaf ears and a most unusual outburst and sulk followed although when Kevin and Greg both blobbed the next she cheered up.
Chris’s follow up chip after rabbit hole gate
After none of the players hit the 17th green, meaning a £1.50 rollover jackpot added to Kings Lynn, Chris and Greg both had 30 points standing on the 18th tee. It was a par 5 for the ladies and both players hit good tee shots. Chris advanced her ball further before Greg cracked an excellent 3 wood straight at the flag. Sadly for him he didn’t realise it was a dog leg and he had been aiming for the 9th green.
However a good chip back left him with a long putt for his 4. Meanwhile Chris had an equally long putt for her par 5 which she confidently struck only for it to lip out leaving a tap in for 6. Greg had a chance for victory but his putt was never on line as they shared the win and more importantly £1.75 each.
For a short course it was a very long round but everyone agreed it was a good and quirky addition to the tour. If selected next year today’s players will have a distinct advantage next time round.
With Greg not playing again until the season finale there are still plenty in contention to be crowned tour champion.
Next week we are off to Kings Lynn for a very different challenge.
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