RNSG Autumn tour 2020 Final round (Bungay)

Autumn Tour 2020 Final at Bungay

It's been nearly a year since the final round of the RNSG 2020 Autumn tour should have been played and at the third time of asking it finally got underway at Bungay on Thursday.

By now most tour members had long since lost interest in this tour except for Andrew who was keen for its completion as if he could manage a winning round of 38 points he would be the first person in the long history of the RNSG tour to win all 6 competitions.

With only 5 tour members able to play it was going to be an intermate day of golf as our tour was squeezed in-between two other societies as Bungay was packed. Kevin was making his tour and golf comeback after 8 weeks away with a dodgy knee, Chris had struggled out of bed with a bad cold (testing had shown it not to be covid) and Jill was suffering from a bad back so it was clear anything could happen.

Joining Andrew in the first group were Chris and Kevin, as they were the only golfers who could snatch some titles from him. Andrew was obviously nervous about the feat before him as he started slowly with just a couple of points from the first 2 holes. However he remembered there was history in the making and rolled up his metaphorical sleeves and got to work. 4 pars in the next 7 holes meant half the job was done as he left the 9th green on 19 points.

Despite not hitting a golf ball for 2 months Kevin started strongly and was already on 7 pts after 3 holes. However his lack of practice started to show as a delicate chip over the bunker on the 4th turned into a 60 yard thin and the first of 3 blobs in the next 4 holes to leave him on 13 at half way.

While waiting on the tee Kevin decides to celebrate the hole in one he was convinced he was about to get. He was nearly right as he did indeed only hit one shot on the hole, unfortunately it disappeared into the woods rather than the cup

Unable to speak due to her sore throat, Chris started poorly and decided to take drugs after a couple of  holes but a par on the 3rd proved to be a false dawn as she struggled round the front 9 to finish on 12 pts. However as the 2nd half started the drugs and kicked in and she played the last 10 holes 1 over handicap to finish on 28 pts, albeit in last place. A little pro tip to pass on might be to take drugs before you start the round not during it.

Early pre drug bunker problems for Chris on the first

In the group behind it was business as usual as Jill was playing solidly with out scoring well while Vince was mixing bad holes and good holes in equal measure. 

Vince continued this approach on the back 9 scoring 16 points in both halves for a respectable 32 points.

Vince on the way to a point (with a 7) on the 8th

Jill on the other hand started scoring well and popped in 19 points on the back 9 to just pip Vince with 33.

Jill waits patiently while Vince faffs about with his putter, before completing her par and 3 points on the 11th

Meanwhile Kevin was also playing more solidly on the back 9 although it was mainly his short game that saved him as he struggled off the tee to get any distance or hit it in the right direction (no change there then). This may have been a good thing as he was unable to hit it so far into the woods and rough as he normally manages. He was pleased to get to 30 points in the end.

But what of Andrew could he get another 19 pts on the back 9 to go down in the legends of the tour and become a RNSG hall of famer (if there was such a thing).

Despite early bunker problems Andrew was still in with a chance of the clean sweep

Well it certainly still looked possible as he stood on the 15th tee although he would need to par 3 of the last 4 holes. After coming up short of the green a chip and a putt would keep him in the running but incredibly he thinned his chip over the green and behind a tree for his only blob of the day and his chance of ultimate glory was in tatters (shame).

He went on to par the final two holes of the day for a winning total of 36 but it was only good enough to win half the comps with Kevin, Jo and Tim hanging on to their prizes.

So another tour is complete and with the nights drawing in thoughts now turn to the 2021-22 winter tour and the dramas that may contain.

RNSG round 10 finale at Kings Lynn

 2021 Finale at Kings Lynn

After a long and arduous season, the 2021 Summer Tour reached its final destination - Kings Lynn. A large field was expected, with many of the prizes still to be decided, but the fans were disappointed that injuries, holidays and (quite frankly) better alternatives had reduced the field to just six. 

The champion-elect Jo did make the trip, in a car suitable for the anticipated trophy haul, and was joined in the first group by Jill and Vince thanks to Bob's randomizer (or "bobomizer") old-school approach of who needs to leave early, separating the married couple and balls in the air. The second group would be made up of Chris, Bob and Andrew.

First tee nerves got the better of Vince as he pulled his first tee-shot into the trees and, despite his best efforts, the first of several blobs was recorded. Nerves got to Jo too, as she also blobbed the first while Jill made a steady 5 and 2 points. In fact, Jill was steady through the whole front nine, recording a couple of pars and no blobs for a score of 16. 

Jill playing solid golf

Jo steadied the ship, but another blob on the 6th hole and no 3-pointers left her trailing on 12. 

Jo on the front nine although a bit blurry- the photo not her

Unfortunately, Vince had 3 more blobs and not even a 3-point par on the 5th could help him and he finished halfway with just 10 points.

Vince didnt look super pleased with this teeshot

The first hole also caused problems for the second group. Andrew heeled his tee-shot just past the ladies tee, but somehow managed a 5, while Bob hit the first of several provisional balls after his first headed into the woods on the right. He found it, but then lost it for ever left of the green. Chris was in good form, scoring seven 2-pointers on the front nine, plus a 3-point par on the 2nd. However, the greenside bunker on the short 5th became a nuisance and led to her only blob in a total of 17.

Chris posing at the top of her swing 

Bob steadied the proverbial ship after the first, parring the 5th for 3 points and, despite playing a number of provisionals, found the originals for a score of 16.

Bob steading the ship

Andrew, meantime, also found some form and got through a non-eventful front nine with a score of 17.

Andrew being non eventful, as if that was possible

The back nine was better for the whole group. Vince, despite spending some time amongst - and sometimes behind - the many trees Kings Lynn has to offer, scrambled his way to a respectable 14 points and a total of 24.

vince was pleased not to actually be in the tress for once

Jo remained blob-free on the inward nine, and consistent play brought her a couple more 3-pointers and 18 points for a total of 30. Jill remained steady and, following brilliant birdies on the 10th and 16th, scored a very useful 17 points and a leader-in-the-clubhouse total of 33.

As the second group approached the back nine, confidence was high. 

Second group approaching back 9. Confidence was so high it wasn't actuallyabove the picture

Andrew scrambled a 7 on the 10th, while Chris and Bob scored very good par 5's. Chris's round was going well until she found two ditches on the 13th and had to pick up.

Good ball retrival work from Bob

Then, on the 14th hole - a par 5 for the ladies - she sensibly laid up her 2nd shot to take the ditch out of play, only to find it with a mis-hit 3rd shot leading to another blob. A good recovery with 9 points over the last 4 holes gave her a back-nine total of 15 and 32 overall. Andrew's round looked like it was crumbling until a birdie 3 and 4 points on the 15th got him back on track. Two more 3-point pars on the 17th & 18th gave him 18 points and the clubhouse lead on a blob-free 35. However, Bob was on a mission and played brilliantly on the back nine. Four 3-point pars and a superb Spanish birdie (four-for-four) on the par-5 13th meant he accumulated a blob-free 23 points for an overall winning score of 39.

Kings Lynn is always a tour favourite and the course was in great condition. The players relaxed in the sunshine afterwards as the scores were quickly added to the previous results so that trophies could be awarded (although not always correctly).

Jo won the most important Money List with £20.00 from 6 events, with Robert in second with £17.00. She also won the Average Blobs competition with 1.67, just ahead of Jill & Andrew, both of whom had 1.80. 

Not to be outdone, Robert won the Most Points in a Round, thanks to his 42 at Felixstowe Ferry and just beating Jo's 41 at Purdis Heath, and he won the Average Points with 33.33 from his 6 rounds, just ahead (again) of Jo and Jill on 33.00. 

Jill looking after Roberts average points trophy as she nearly won it and, after a bum steer from Golf Dinasour monster, Bob thought she had

Despite missing the last two rounds through injury Kevin's lead on the Eclectic was too good to be caught and his 12.63 under par meant he avoided being trophy-free for another year. Bob was second in that competition but, thanks to his 39 points at Kings Lynn, and especially his back-nine 23, he just pipped Chris by 1 point in the Best 3 Front & Back Nines.

All in all, another great season and our thanks go to Kevin and Bob for all their organisation. Attentions now turn to Royal Cromer on 6th October when, somewhat oddly, the 2020 Autumn Tour will reach its conclusion! How bizare.

RNSG round 9. Gog Magog

The venue for the penultimate RNSG 2021 Summer Tour match was the Gog Magog golf course, Welsh sounding but located in Cambrideshire. Despite the best attempts of tour members’ sat navs to hide the course, a small group (Chris, Jill, Robert and Bob) managed to arrive in good time. Handicaps for the day (Jill – 9, Chris – 14, Robert & Bob – 18) suggested the course was easier than Bawburgh. The sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky – come on – this was UK 2021 – overcast with a hint of autumn in the air.

Bob on the men’s tee as seen from Ladies tee on a beautiful late summers day

Only 3 balls were allowed which meant splitting into two groups with Jill and Robert off first. 

After 5 holes Jill had started slowly with 2 blobs and fallen foul of the bunker on the 3^rd. Bob and Chris both blobbed on one hole and Robert scoring on every hole was the early leader with 9 points. The course was in good condition but well placed bunkers, thick rough and a deep valley on the 2^nd as well as a strong wind meant the early holes were playing long. 

Leaderboard: 5 holes – Robert (9), Bob(8), Chris (7), Jill (5)

Jill having a few early struggles

By the half way stage, Chris had upped her game (finishing with 2 pars and a birdie), and was in a share of the lead with Robert on 18 points.  Jill had shrugged off her slow start and like Chris finished the front 9 with 2 pars and a birdie. Bob meanwhile was playing tidy golf until he came a cropper on the 9^th and struggled to get out of the greenside bunker.

Leaderboard: 9 holes – Robert (18), Chris (18), Jill (16), Bob (15)

Robert Teeing off

After 13 holes, Robert playing steady golf had retained the lead on 26. Jill had pulled back a shot on him with 3 pars in 4 holes, Bob had continued his tidy golf to get to 23 points but Chris had stuttered with 4 points in 4 holes to be in last place with 22. 

Leaderboard: 13 holes – Robert (26), Jill (25), Bob (23), Chris (22)

Chris tees off on 17

After the last 5 holes, Robert had hit his worst period in the match, making his first blob and only scoring 2 points on the last 3 holes. Robert finished with a respectable 32. Chris scored 7 points despite 2 blobs and finished with 29 points. Bob, hit his now familiar brick wall on the last 5 holes and 3 poor tee shots saw him manage only 3 points to finish last with 26 points. He did however manage to hit a 276 yard drive on the 16^th. 

Bob putting for a 7 on the last

Jill, despite getting a blob on the short par 3 17^th did keep her game together and finished with a par on the 18^thmaking a total of 35 points, snatching victory from Robert in an exciting finish. A great achievement as she  was playing off the lowest handicap. 

The Summer Tour now moves on to the final venue at Kings Lynn on 16^th September with all to play for in several of the competitions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RNSG round 8. Diss

Border Battle

Autumn seemed to have arrived early as a new Magnificent Seven crossed the southern border into the untamed wilderness of Suffolk. Jumpers and trousers, rather than ponchos and chaps, were the order of the day and, based on the scores, there wasn't a bandit in sight! The course looked (and, in fact, was) in excellent condition for our arrival and pre-match discussion was about how golf is trying to ensure the now not-so-new 3-minute search time is adhered to by players. It was agreed that everyone has a responsibility, and a stop-watch on their phone, so there was no excuse.

The not-so-randomizer continued to pair tour members with those they had been randomly selected to play with previously, though no-one really complained, and Jill, Kevin & Andrew headed out first. Diss opens with a gentle par-3, at which the all three made double bogeys! The use of the stop-watch was immediately put into use after Kevin's tee-shot at the 1st, and again at the 2nd and 4th.

Andrew and Kevin having fun in bunkers and rough while scoring nil points while Jill
waits to make a birdie

There were very few highlights during the first group's front-9. Jill made an excellent birdie-2 at the 4th, having waited patiently for Andrew & Kevin to spend far too much time (playing not looking) in the rough and/or bunker. Kevin made good 3-point pars and the 5th and 9th, 

Kevin about to duff the ball off 7th tee

whilst Andrew did likewise on the 7th and 9th,

Andrew struggling in rough on 8th as Jill looks on

but too many mistakes led them both to only 13 points; Jill led the way in the group with 14 points having blobbed the open two holes.

Jill had a few early issues getting her round going

The second group of Chris, Jo, Bob & Robert appeared to fare better. Chris and Jo both got a 3-point par on the 1st, and Chris followed this up with more of the same on the 5th and 6th whilst heading towards an impressive 18 on the front-9. 

Jill slaps away another good drive

Bob was not far behind and, despite a couple of blobs, scored 16 thanks to an excellent birdie-2 and 4 points on the 7th. 

Bob confronts his golf trolley in a stand-off over what club to use

Jo's good start was followed by another 3-point par at the 3rd, but she fell away to score just 15. Robert's score of 14 was impressive, bearing in mind the blobs at the 1st, 8th and 9th and, although disappointed, he was unaware that this would have been a competitive score in the other group!

Robert tees off on 4th

The back-9 started well for the first group - 5 points for each of them on the 10th and 11th - but poor shots, inconsistent swings and some unlucky lies would make the closing holes a struggle. Andrew blobbed the par-3 12th and failed to make any further progress, finishing on just 28 points. Jill could not find a 3-pointer after the 10th and her 16 points on the back-9 gave her a total of 30. Kevin's excellent pars on the 14th and 18th (including an up and down from the bunker) helped him amass a credible 18 points and 31 overall.

Jill photobombs Kevin’s tee shot 

In the group behind, Jo's struggles continued and, despite only blobbing the 18th, she could only score 13 points and join Andrew in joint 6th place on 28. Robert did manage to score on every hole on the back-9, but with only a 3-point par on the 12th, his 15 points left him in 5th place on 29.

As Kevin waited patiently to see if his score would be good enough for the main prizes, Bob was making good progress, despite 5 1-pointers; the 3-point pars on the 12th, 15th and 16th helped him score 16 points for a total of 32. Bob's par-3 record was excellent - 14 points over 5 holes - made him suggest afterwards that a new par-3 competition should be introduced, but there was little support from the others!

Meanwhile, it was becoming a comfortable and almost emphatic tour win for Chris. No blobs all day and three more 3-point pars on the back-9 saw her score 17 and a winning total of 35. Not even Kevin's mention on the 18th green that he had got up and down from the bunker could put her off - she just repeated the feat with a putt from off the green!

A fun, but tough, round for all the players and congratulations to Chris on her victory. The Tour heads to the Wild West next, and to a new venue - Gog Magog. Will the weather be warmer? Will the bandits reappear? Tune in next time!

Virus-free. www.avg.com

RNSG Round 7. The Olympics at Purdis Heath

 The Olympics at Purdis Heath

It had been a 5 year wait but the RNSG Olympic gold medal was finally up for grabs at Purdis Heath on Tuesday.

A small field of 6 had made it to the first tee where the randomizer once again paired the Bernard's together in group1, this time with Chris, while Greg, Kevin and Bob made up group 2.

It was perfect golfing conditions with light winds and sunny skies so Kevin's course record of 36 looked under threat and it turned out that it certainly was.

There had been several medical bulletins at the start of the day. Chris was suffering with blistered feet and swollen ankles after her walking break but still got off to a solid start. It then got a bit untidy and with no pars on the front 9 she only had 13 points.

Chris tees off on 10th for her first par of the day

Robert was complaining about his poor putting although being the only player who wanted the pin removed after months of it not being allowed may have been a clue. He did manage a couple of pars on the front 9 to be one of a cluster of players on 16 points at the turn.

Robert tees off on 6th for his second par of the day

Jo's medical update was that her bad back was getting better and there was no sign of a problem as she started to rack up the points. A birdie on the 7th helped her to 20 pts at half way.

Jo in action

As it turned out 20 pts was only good enough for a share of the halfway lead as Kevin (blistered little toe) also had 20 pts. This was all the more surprising as he was having trouble getting the ball off the tee, with shanks, mishits and daisy cutting drives being all on display. However his putter was red hot and a number of long single putts made up for the adventures getting to the green.

Kevin on way to par on short 9th as it was short

Bob had not reported any health issues but started off with a blob. He was also blowing hot and cold too but another player on 16 pts.

Bob in early bunker trouble

Greg reported he was pretty much over his dizziness that had effected him so much at The Open that he won it. He started strongly with 3 opening pars before fading slightly to another on 16 pts. The lowlight being going into 3 successive bunkers on the 8th hole for an unsurprising blob.

Greg in the 3rd of the bunkers he found on the 8th

However Greg's bunker troubles were only just starting as he tried to visit as many more as possible at the start of the back 9 as 3 successive sand filled blobs meant he only had 2 points from 5 holes. However after a bit of a talking to he then finished off with 4 more pars to restore some respectability with 28 points but still last place.

Greg, Bob and Kevin all hit the 15th green and end with pars as Greg's recovery begins

Chris started the back 9 with a couple of pars but her recovery was short lived as she faded and ended on 29 pts.

Chris, unlike her ball, was in the bunker at the 13th but still manged to scramble a point

The chickens came home to roost for Kevin on the back 9 as his poor tee work continued but he was now also finding plenty of bunkers as well. His putter couldn't save him and he limped in, literately, with only 11 back 9 points for 31 and out of the medals.

Another classic drive from Kevin put him in trouble again

Robert was still complaining about his putting until he agreed to the suggestion of keeping the pin in and suddenly the putts started to drop. With a strong finish he leapt up to 33 pts and secured the bronze medal for team Barnard.

Unfortunately I've no photo of Robert putting but this one will have to do

You never know with Bob if you are going to get a Bob charge or collapse on the back 9 but today it was the former as he started to get his game together and quickly move himself into medal contention. 19 points on the back 9 had him on 35 points but would it be enough for gold.

Bob makes a great bunker shot on the 11th

No. As Jo was the only player to hold in together over both 9's and the gold medal was never in doubt. A second birdie on the 18th was just the icing on the cake as she stood proud atop of the podium. 

Jo hits another excellent drive, probably

Due to Covid restrictions there was sadly no medal presentation (or medals) but hopefully there will be by the time the 2024 RNSG Olympic golf gets under way.

With 3 rounds left Jo is strongly placed in a number of competitions but the fat lady hasn't sung yet as the tour moves on to Diss in a fortnight.

RNSG Round 6. The Open at Thorpeness

RNSG – BRITISH OPEN – THURSDAY 15 JULY 2021 – THORPENESS – THE WAR ON THE SHORE

The final major of the year was expected to draw a strong field of entrants at this popular and testing venue. With 3 unique winners of the previous events it was all to play for. There was a large gathering of around 50 members of the public down in the village eager in anticipation of the days events. Alas with only 5 players appearing public interest was lost and they went off for walks, boating on the lake, and coffee in the café.

The lack of participants was particularly disappointing, as we know nothing is more important than the final RNSG major of the year. The BBC web site showed only a 3% likelihood of rain but clearly this was off-putting. To be fair Jill withdrew at the last minute due to waking up with a pain. Andrew has his flaws but that seemed harsh. We think Andrew had a good day on the sofa watching the lesser British Open on TV though. John was waiting by the phone for that late Olympic hockey team call up. Tim was golfed out after clocking up many rounds of late.

The pre-round eats got off to a bizarre start – Greg ordered “a simple sandwich, something plain like ham on brown bread” and was actually literally delivered a slice of brown bread, no butter with ham on! That was a much better outcome than the after round eats – a 25 minute wait due to a “printer error in the kitchen” for a scone to be “prepared” seemed to suggest a degree of technology sophistication not normally associated with putting a scone and butter on a plate. 

At the start every one declared their hand – Christine had been showing more form than Shergar  - before he was stolen. Kevin proclaimed his 35 points on the Old Course and 41 points on the Jubilee, and along with his impressive Woodhall Spa logo’d shirt hopes were high for the current course record holder. Bob had turned up in Tiger uniform with his red shirt promising a strong ending. As you will see later Bob indeed did create history with a record breaking last 5 holes. Tracey was just pleased to be along as an irregular player, and we were all pleased to catch up with her too. Greg was in his 5^th week of a dizziness illness, and 13^th consecutive day without a break from feeling giddy and was pleased just to have made the drive there with only 6 motorists honking him. His hopes were low.

The randomizer went into action and Kevin treated us to sound effects too for a change. Greg couldn’t recall actually pressing any buttons on the app but somehow ended up with the Frazer clan. Bob and Tracey having driven down together, were stuck together on the way home. too When they were paired together Bob smiled pleasantly, through gritted teeth and rolled his eyes. Tracey smiled pleasantly and muttered something which sounded like “unpaid carer duties”.

Bob gets the Open underway

Bob and Tracey shot off in the front of the field. Bob had 9 points after 4 holes, Tracey 6 points. Their progress halted on the 5^th tee as Bob told Tracey to wait as they had caught up the group in front who were on tee. After a few minutes waiting behind bushes keeping out of the way it was clear there had never been a group there at all. Tracey smiled pleasantly and muttered something which sounded like “unpaid carer duties”.

Back in the 3 ball group Greg adopted the approach of not falling over with his balance challenges and played within himself to keep the ball in play albeit with a few tops on the way. 3 woods off the tee, safe approach shots just short of the green, and the hope of chipping and putting to pick up an odd par were the order of the day. He had 6 points after 4 holes. Kevin adopted the approach of taking 3 rescue off the tee too, but safety is not a favoured club in his bag and business as usual was resumed as he blobbed 2 of the first 3 holes. Chis tried to make Kevin feel less bad by matching his blob regime. The choice of returning to the pro shop for a Frazer family ball top up was declined, although one kindly dog walker had found 3 balls and later left them on the tee in an attempt to be helpful. The Frazers declined to use them – apparently they were of far less quality than the ones they kept hitting into bushes and losing. For some reason the Frazers also prefer the yellow and green grass coloured camouflage balls and remain surprised when they cant be found. Hmmm.

Kevin hits his shining grass coloured ball into the long grass, again. Ho Hum

Greg kept plugging away and managed to score on every hole and mustered 15 points at half way. A few times Chris bailed Greg out with lucky ball finds when a lost ball looked more likely. Kevin’s pleasure at Chris’ help to Greg was hard to detect and he didn’t share the joy. The quality of play in that group of 3 was so poor that there was a competition to find lost balls taking place which seemed to be more interesting than the golf. Kevin had his normal feast or famine round threatening the all time blob record with 5 on the front 9 but managing 10 points on the 4 counting holes. Chris was steadily mediocre managing 11 points.

Greg keeps his balance as he sinks another putt

At the front of the field Tracey had put a run of 14 points together in 6 holes but only added one more for 15 at half way, one in front Bob who had tailed off with only 5 points in the last 5 holes.

Tracey in front 9 action

So onto the 2^nd 9. The Frazers traded long putts. Kevin from 20 foot, Chris from 15, Kevin from 25 feet which stopped on the lip of the hole for 8 seconds before giving itself up. Kevin then did a full 360 lip out from 20 feet which drew a consolation “bad luck” from Greg. Chris laughed far too loudly, and far too lengthily for it to be comfortable.

Chris in putting action

A bizarre incident midway through the 2^nd 9 was the finding of an unbroken hens egg in a bunker – complete with supermarket use by date.  The kind of mystery that is up there with Bigfoot, aliens and who abducted Mike and Sandie Hammond?, which will no doubt be the subject of a documentary.

Kevin found some form, just one more blob to keep him off the all time worst blob leaderboard  of 8 blobs and a fine homeward 18 points to get to 28 overall. Chris with 3x 3 pointers and a great birdie 3 for 4 points also had 18 points making 29 overall to take family honours. Greg kept plugging away using his driver only twice in the round, keeping to the boring but safe method. Despite a run of 1 pointers there were also a few more 3 pointers and he came to the last on 28 points – nervously close to both Kevin and Chris.

Greg was just pleased to find his ball (again, not that Kevin was bitter) as he selected his next weapon

Back at the front, if that makes sense, Bob had 9 points in the first 4 holes of the back 9, but then went into chipping and putting meltdown to blob 5 successive holes and tie Kevin on 6 blobs overall. No one has ever finished that badly we believe, although when Greg had to walk off with a bad back once and didn’t play the last 5 holes he didn’t score either. With just the 9 points on the back 9 Bob’s 23 point total won the “bottom trumps” prize. Tracey smiled pleasantly and muttered something like “unpaid carer”.

I think this pretty much sums up Bobs last 5 holes

Tracey herself played some nice back 9 golf. Helped by a 4 pointer to offset one blob she had 14 points coming to the last, which made for 29 points in total. So with Chris having 29 in the clubhouse, Kevin with 28 in the clubhouse, Tracey on 29 with one to play and Greg with 28 and one to play – it was nervy tense stuff. Padraig was due to drop by to see who had the steel to play well under such pressure and make the late call up to the Ryder Cup team, but remained hidden and no doubt observing in the bushes.

Tracey lost her first ball but somehow made a second ball net par for 2 points to get to 31 overall. Greg’s 3 wood method had let him down off the tee with a scaggy looking  150 yard semi duff. He followed it up with a safe 7 iron just short of the cross bunkers at 100 yards and a punched 9 iron pitch and run that looked perfect but ran through the green. With Bob, Tracey and a squirrel in a tree looking on Greg’s chip-back sand wedge nestled in the hole for a 3 pointer to tie Tracey on 31 points. Greg punched the air - before a mini giddy attack left him wishing he hadn’t.

Greg chips in on the last. (Yes actually a photo that matches the text!)

Countback showed identical 15 point / 16 point splits for Greg and Tracey, but Greg’s last 6 hole score of 12 points was enough to win. As it turned out with Tracey being an associate member (not paid the £20 tour card fee) she was not eligible for prizes but none-the-less it was a good effort and we may see more of Tracey in the weeks ahead.

 With a pair of major wins this year Greg moves up the leader board in the prize money, and with his safety approach first creating a blob free round that was helpful too. Chris and Kevin made good eclectic progress

So…  we roll on to the business end of the tour with some great venues ahead. Next up is Purdis Heath on Tuesday 3^rd August for the Olympics and another double prize money opportunity. Look forward to seeing you all there.