Round Norfolk summer golf round 22 at Stowmarket

The Stowmarket Saucer

The Tour returned to the very popular Stowmarket Golf Club this week, although it's popularity was somewhat masked by the small field of just five. Playing off the red tees, the ladies would be receiving 2 courtesy shots and about 450 yards but, despite this, everyone looked forward to a good day's golf on a warm day and a course in excellent condition.

After a very kind offer from the Golf Manager - who wondered whether we would like to go out as a 5-ball - we decided to avoid the wrath of the members and divide into the more traditional 2-ball / 3-ball format; this was despite the random throw of the balls seemed to indicate an untried 1-ball / 4-ball theory!

Kevin - who mentioned he was the current course record holder with 39 - and Jill got proceedings under way. All seemed to be going well until Kevin hit his second shot to the opening par-5 way left into the rough. On the suggestion of Jill, he took a provisional ball, only to hit that way right into the pond. Neither were seen again and the first blob of the day was recorded. On the par-3 second, Kevin's tee shot was thinned into the stream that fed the aforementioned pond. He rescued a point, but his dream of breaking his own course record was quickly disappearing. Valiantly, he battled on scoring on the rest of the front holes, even managing a couple of 3 pointers for an outward total of 14. 

Kevins drive on the 4th barely gets airborne on the way to a scrambled point

Jill's driving was less consistent than usual meaning pars were hard to come by; just four 2 pointers and 1 on the others left her struggling on 13 points.

 

Jill had a few bunker problems in the early holes taking a bit much sand on each occasion

The course was obviously there for the taking, and the second group of Chris, Vince and Andrew set off with purpose. With the group in front not appearing to be firing on all cylinders, the possibility of an easy win should have encouraged some great scores. Alas, it was not to be. Andrew could not get any consistency, nudging the ball around for just 11 points. 

Andrew looking concerned as to where this one may have gone

Likewise, Vince's usual inconsistency had left him and his only 3 pointer came on the par-3 ninth, helping to amass just 12 points. 

Vince in early trouble in the deep rough on the first

Chris, whose mind seemed elsewhere, was not in the form that saw her claim second place at Newmarket last week - on the golf course, not on the racetrack obviously! She scored just one point in the first 5 holes and a fifth blob, when she went out of bounds on the par-3 9th, left her with just 7 points on the outward holes. She did visit several bunkers reminding her of the last week of coastal walking.

 

One of the several bunkers

We are please to report that half-time oranges and self-critical team talks led to much better scores for everyone on the back nine. Kevin and Jill, unaware of the problems behind, were having a proper ding-dong. Pars - yes pars - were being scored and an exchange of birdies on the 15th (Kevin) and 16th (Jill) meant they had 32 points each standing on the 18th tee. 

Kevin fluffed most of his chips from the edge of the green with this one a rare exception as he is a camera tart.

Kevin played to the par-3 first but missed the green to the right. Jill was less right, leaving her ball on the fringe but pin-high. Unfortunately, Kevin's chip was not as good as he hoped and sailed over the green into the pond that was fed by the aforementioned stream; Jill's confirmation of ripples in the water was met by Kevin with more heartache as he watched her 2-putt for a par and 34 points.

 

Jills Bunker play as well as her game improved as the round went on

The group behind also found encouragement with the realisation that at least one of them should win a prize today. Andrew started with a blob on the 10th but 13 points on the next 6 holes gave him some encouragement. However, 1 point on the last 2 holes left him on just 25 points. 

Andrew had to time his prep whack routine and actual shot between the sprinkler cycle, sadly he got it wrong.

Chris only managed one more blob on the back nine and her only 3-pointer on the 17th saw her rally to 21 points in total. 

Chris fats her chip to the 18th before slamming in an angry long put for a point

Vince, on the other hand, was making a charge. Following his 3-pointer par on the ninth, he managed five more 3's for a very commendable 18 points, and 30 in total. This secured 3rd place and his tee-shot on the par-3 18th hole won the nearest the pin prize as well. 

 

Vince was much improved over the back 9

The field retired to the bar for the prize ceremony and some well-earned - and generously sized - slices of cake. Congratulations to Jill on a deserved win today, keeping her with an outside chance of the overall championship. Next week it's Fynn Valley, when an even smaller field is expected ensuring everyone who plays should get a prize!