Foursome flops.

Yesterday two of Round Norfolk Golf Tour regulars (Bob and Chris) paired up in the qualifying round of the Bawburgh mixed pairs.

With the threat of rain the game got off to an early start. The men had decided to tee off on the odd holes and opponents John and Annie were teeing off first. John hit a solid tee shot down the middle but unfortunately Bobs tee shot headed towards the pond and rested on leaves just inside the hazard. 

Bob's opening tee shot heading for the Pond

One air-shot, duff and drop later the hole was lost and it was on to the second.

Good tee shots from both the ladies was followed by an exceptionally good shot to the green from John leading to a birdie and 2 up.

Chris Tee shot on 2nd

Bob and Chris were given 6 shots and this was the first shot hole. With a reasonable drive from Bob and Annie in the trees it looked like a hole would be clawed back. Unfortunately a shot into the trees and some duff chips meant the hole was only halved with a net 6.

Chris trying to hole a long putt on the third for a win but ended with a half

A good tee shot from Chris on the 4th saw the hole halved with pars.

Chris teeshot on 4th

The 5th was another shot hole but unfortunately Bob ballooned his tee-shot into the show-ground camp site. However with Annie and John struggling as well Chris had the chance of a putt to win the hole with a 7. Unfortunately she left it short so remained 2 down.

Chris putting to try and win the 5th but finished short

The sixth was played in a sharpe shower and with Chris heeling her drive off the tee they found themselves 3 down.

Brollies out

On the 7th John put his drive in the flower bed and Bob in a bunker but Chris recovered better and sunk a good putt to secure first win of the day to reduce the lead to two.

Chris sinking putt on 7th for first win

Another par for team Bob and Chris on the 8th further reduced the lead to 1.

The 9th was another shot hole and after a big drive from Bob both teams boggied the hole and it was a third win in a row and the match was all square after 9.

The back 9 started more tightly and apart from a sliced tee-shot by Chris on the 10th then solid golf from both teams meant the next two holes were halved.

Bob putting to half the 10th.

A fine tee shot from Annie on the par 3 12th ended with a par and a win to once again go 1 up.

Bob missing long putt in attempt to half the 12th

On the 13th both mens tee shots ended in the bunker

Both tee shots found same bunker on 13th

But thanks to an excellent bunker shot from Chris a par and win was secured and match was halved again.

The 14th was another shot hole and after good tee shots for the ladies both men put their partners into the trees.

Chris chipping back out of the trees

Chris and Bob recovered the better and for the first time in the match took the lead.

The 15th was a straight forward half for both teams.

Unfortunately Chris hit a duff drive off the Par 3 16 and with Annie putting her teeshot by the pin the match was again all square.

Chris about to duff tee shot on the 16th

Two great drives on the 17th meant the game was in the balance but once again Annie played a fine shot up to the pin and a par and win was secured to once again take the lead.

Chris trying to match Annie's good approach on the 17th

The 18th was the last shot hole and despite indifferent golf from both teams Bob and Chris secured the win with a double boggy 6. 

In the gloom on 18th Match was again all square.

The match was all square so it was back down the first. Unfortunately once again Bob hit a poor drive out to the right.

Bobs poor tee-shot on the 1st playoff hole.
 Note how his hands have got behind the weight transfer.

Bob and Chris could never recover as John and Annie played regulation golf to win the hole and match.

At least Chris and Bob can now concentrate on the Round Norfolk Golf  Summer Tour when it starts in June.