Round Norfolk summer golf round 19 at Ufford Park

The Hot and Humid Cup

Round Norfolk summer golf round 19  took place at Ufford Park on Thursday. It was a record entry of 11 making it difficult to throw the balls in the air and once landed even more difficult to establish what the groupings were.

However once decided John H, Vince and Tracey were sent off to the first tee. The less said about Vince's round the better as 4 successive blobs at the end of the back 9 had him on 7 points and he finished in last place on 20. As he is not playing in the final major at Kings Lynn next week his lead at top of money list could be cut further.

Although several photos of Vince were taken 'playing golf'
it didn't feel right to use any of them

It was another typical Tracey round as she was on handicap after 8 holes with 16 points before once again deciding she had played enough golf for the day getting only 6 more points in the last 10 holes (3 of which came on the 15th!). Her 22 points were a long way short of the prizes.

Traceys shot to 15th green and 3 of the 6 points she got in last 10 holes

John was going along nicely building on his win at the British Open but inexplicably he then had 3 blobs in a row on holes 6-8. His back 9 was then the best of the day with 19 pts and 32 in total but would those 3 blobs come back to haunt him.

John shows am interesting follow through

The second and third groupings were much closer with all 8 players in with a chance at various stages during the round. In group 2 Robert had his game face on as he aimed to extend his lead at the top of the average points competition. He started with 4 opening pars and then made a miraculous recovery on the monster par 5 6th to get down in 6 after playing his 5th from nearly 200 yards away. 

Robert driving from the 2nd tee (on to 17th Fairway) during his high scoring part of the round

However with 15 pts after 6 holes he then foolishly stated that he couldn't believe how well he was scoring and promptly stopped scoring well. His next 12 holes only yielded anoth 16 pts and 31 pts and two blobs not only left him off the podium but lost him his lead on the average blobs and points comps.

Robert, on the low scoring part of the round, decides to go for the green with a driver on the 15th
 but the ball was never seen again. Jo was appalled

The group were put off several times by other very noisey groups of golfers (non from RNSG I hasten to add) and I could also write a blog on their behalf having heard a number of the holes described, but I will concentrate on our action instead.

Bob ticked over nicely but never quite got into the lead as his 3 blobs held him back. He did get a birdie on the 9th but already had one on that hole so didn't improve eclectic (shame). He ended on 30 pts.

Bob blobs on 3rd as for once a tree didn't help him

Jo started with a birdie on the 1st before putting her ball into the water hazzard twice on the 2nd. However she kept her score ticking over and after a par on the short par 3 16th found herself leading her group. She reached the par 5 18th in 3 and despite 3 putting was leader on the 18th green.

Jo teeing off on the par 3 3rd

Kevin was also having a tidy round but couldn't get to grips with the slow greens leaving several putts tantalisingly short. As he reached the 15th tee he was still in contention but after taking a safety first approach all day and having just watched Robert fail to hit the green he inexplicably decided to take his driver in an all or nothing strategy. For once it paid off as from nowhere his Sunday best drive popped in for a visit as he hit the green and birdied the hole. Sadly he already had one on that hole so didn't improve eclectic (shame). 

Kevin Tees off on long par 5 6th.

After a lucky par on 17 (his chip stopped by the flagpole) and bouncing off a tree to middle of the 18th fairway he found himself needing a 3 foot putt to tie the lead which he duly made.

Kevin's 2nd shot on 14th clears the water as he over clubs but keeps his ball dry

The last group was also a ding dong battle. Chris had a couple of blobs midway through the front 9 that kept her off the pace as she finished on 29 pts. But her birdie on 13 (4th of the season) brought her back into contention for the eclectic trophy.

Chris tee shot on 16th

Sandie was also ticking over nicely with 17 pts on the front 9 but two blobs on the back kept her out of the prizes with 30 pts.

Sandie putting on 2nd

Greg was also going well with 17 on the opening 9 and kept it going on the back 9 until he decided not to go for the green on the 15th (did I mention Kevin did and made it?) before plonking his next in the water for a blob. However with a birdie on the next he had 30 pts with two to play.

Greg drives off on tricky 8th leading to a par

Unfortunately he could only gain a point on each of the last two holes to once again finish in the low 30's (32) and out the running.

Greg foolishly lays up on the 15th

This just left Mike who, like Robert, set off like a house on fire with 16 points after 7 holes. A birdie on the 10th, although he already had one on that hole so didn't improve eclectic (shame), put him into a big lead but from here he started to fade.

Mike tees off on 9th

 As he stood on the 18th tee he had 33 pts and only need a point for a win which he somehow failed to achieve as the round ended in a 3 way tie for only the 3rd time ever on the RNSG summer tour.

Next week sees the final major of the year (US PGA) take place at Kings Lynn for what promises to be another exciting day.