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.