Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 7 at Halesworth

Yesterday saw Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 round 7 take place at Halesworth. It was a day of excitement, drama and controversy but mainly golf.

There was a Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 record entrant of 7 players meaning it would be hard work to add to tour earnings for the year as prize money remained at £2.50, £1.00 and 50p for the first three places.

After groupings had been decided Chris, Phil (on his Debt) and Ian set off from the first tee. At least Phil and Ian did as it was a considerable walk to the ladies tee which appeared to be just in front of the green. A pattern that continued throughout the course.

Chris teeing off on the first as taken from the mens tee, on maximum zoom

Phil and Ian both started solidly and were around handicap after 6 holes. Phil then appeared to become disorientated by the loop of 3 holes over the road and wanted to play them again for a second time before being escorted to the correct tee. This seemed to put him off his game as he fell away to have 14 pts at the turn.

One of the many annoying peacocks on the 3 hole loop over the road

Ian was still going well before forgetting he had two shots on the 9th (the hardest hole) and picking up when he still had a shot left. This potential lost point would come back to haunt him as he finished on 16 pts.

Chris was having the opposite opening, scoring just 2 pts in the first 4 holes before a birdie on the 5th put her back on track and up to 13 pts at half way.

Mean while in the group behind there was a real contrast. Andrew, despite being on his 3rd different handicap in the competition, this time 11,  couldn't stop scoring points and if his putting had been a little sharper he would have built up an unassailable lead although he was still at the top of the leader board with his 20 pts.

Andrew missing the first of many birdie putts, this time on the second

Kevin wasn't far behind and playing well, a good birdie on 7 kept him in touch on 19.

Kevin getting out the bunker before 3 putting the 4th green

Bob had started the round with a blob but then followed this up with 3 pars in 4 holes to keep him in the hunt on 17.

Bobs approach to the 5th and another Par

This just left John who was making his first appearance of the season after being out in Spain horning his game. The tour had certainly missed his colourful language and it was good to hear plenty of Effing and Jeffing once again out on the fairways. Unfortunately the cold British conditions were not to his liking as he started off with 5 straight 1 pointers before things got worse and he found him self with only 6 pts at halfway.

Johns tee shot on the first leading to a point

Johns game didn't improve on the 10th when his ball disappeared into a pond. The sight of his car and an escape opportunity was too much and he decided to abandon at this point rather than punish himself any further. Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 rule 6.1.1a states that in these circumstances your round still counts in the average blob and points competition but is prorated accordingly.

Meanwhile up front Phil had picked up the 1 point per hole mantle from John recording 7 on the back 9 to finish with 24 points and out the prizes.

Ian was just about keeping in touch but with just 1 par and 2 blobs he fell just short on 30 pts. If only he hadn't forgotten about his extra shot on the 9th he could be 25p the richer.

Lead group heading towards 15th green

By now Chris was well into her stride with a very respectable 18 back 9 points and 31 overall. But would this get her into the prizes.

You know the saying, golf is a game of two halves, (or is that football) well Andrew certainly demonstrated this by getting 5 blobs in 6 holes and from looking like he had the game for the taking on the front half he only added 9 more points to finish with 29 and 5th place.

Andrew having ditch difficulties on 13

It was now left to Kevin and Bob to battle out the top prize. When Kevin started the back 9 with back to back blobs it didn't look like it would be his day but another birdie on the 12th put him back in the mix especially when Bob soon had two blobs himself.

Kevin making his birdie on 12

Standing on the 17th tee Kevin had a 3 point lead over Bob but then sliced his drive and lost his ball. Bob then had some putting problems and could only add one point as they went down the last. Bob kept the pressure on as he parred the last but as had happened at Diss the week before Kevin also parred the hole to win by 2 points on 34.

Bob chipping on to 14th green for 2 pts

With so many entrants Golf pig is extremely full and the prize pots have increased meaning that winning these comps will be critical in finding this years tour winner on the road to Sheringham.

Next week the tour moves on to Richmond Park and with only a small field it's a real opportunity to get a high points total and increase their seasons earnings.

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 6 at Diss

Wednesday saw Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 round 6 take place at Diss golf club. A disappointing field of 3 turned up on the 1st tee so all would be adding to their season winnings but by how much?

Things started nicely for all the players with points being scored on all the opening holes with the first blob of the day not coming until the 7th.

Although Ian was getting points he was finding pars hard to come by and only his excellent scrambling skills had kept him in the game. When his luck ran out on the 9th, where he spent sometime trying to get his ball out of the woods, he recorded his first blob and finished the front 9 on 12 pts.

Ians pulled tee shot on the 2nd hole

Kevin was playing well tee to green but three 3 putts in the first 5 holes put his putting on edge and kept his points tally down. He did sink an outrageous putt from off the green for a par on the 8th as it seemed the best way of avoiding 3 putting was by not actually getting on the green. He had 15 pts at the turn.

Kevin 3 putting on the 5th

Bob was going nicely with his normal mix of excellent pars and not so excellent double bogeys but he led at half way on 16 pts.

Good bunker work from Bob on the 2nd and 2pts

Unfortunately Ian's game didn't pick up with one of his famous Bishop charges and he only managed 8 more points although he did a lot of work to help the other players find their lost balls on many holes.

Ian admiring a good approach to the 11th and 2pts

Bob soon extended his lead to 2 pts until he managed to lose two balls on the 13th (including laying up into the crater he was trying to avoid).

Bob's teeshot on 13th was never seen again

This gave Kevin the chance to draw level and it stayed this way to the 17th,

Kevins teeshot to par 3 15th led to a birdie chance (which he missed)

Bob had been chipping particularly well but it unfortunately took him 4 shots before he was able to use this skill on the long par 5 17th. However a good chip and a couple of putts secured a point. However Kevin was on in 3 and had the game in his grasp when his 3 putt problems returned although still gave him a one point lead.

On the final hole, another par 5, Bob again demonstrated his chipping skills putting his 3rd shot 6 foot from the flag. Kevin responded well and secured his par and 33 pts, meaning Bob had to hole the putt to share 1st place, which he didn't giving Kevin the big £2.50 winners cheque.

It's all change on the leader boards as Ian fell away meaning Kevin now leads the average Stableford points table. However despite not playing Chris retains her place at the top of the earnings list on the race to Sheringham.

Next week it's off to Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 favourite, Halesworth where a good turn out looks on the cards.

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 5 at The Suffolk

Last year the Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2015 visited the Suffolk for the first time. Tour officials should have been concerned as it was only £10 a round which clearly meant the Suffolk couldn't afford to cut the fairways or greens as it was like playing every shot from the rough and putting on temporary greens. Therefore the Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp committee agreed it would not get a place on this years tour. However when the players turned up for today's event at Bury St Edmunds they were shocked to find the course full and an alternative was needed so the whole tour re located half a mile up the road to the Suffolk.

When they arrived it was discovered the course was under new management and they were spending a lot of money on it. However all the bunkers (which were just full of mud last year) were all out action and GUR and the greens were top dressed and very slow. Everyone agreed it will be a great course when it's finished.

As today's field of 4 lined up on the first tee it was no surprise that the new venue and rushed rearrangement had un nerved them as balls went flying into trees and ditches with only Kevin ending up with his original ball. For Kevin things got little better  on the next as his chips flew back and forth across the green ending in a blob and a club slamming incident. From here things picked up and with the help of some pars he ended with a respectable outward 17 pts.

Kevin 2 putting for a par on the 5th.

Ian did not settle down at all at the start with a few wild shots and a couple of mis hits meaning he had still not registered a point after 3 holes. He is not the first and won't be the last player who has done this on a tour round. However he came back exceptionally well being 3 under handicap over the next 6 ending with a respectable 15 pts.

Ian getting his round underway proper on the par 5 4th hole

Chris also had a poor start blobing the first hole but as the round went on her game got stronger and stronger. The only blot being a silly 3 putt on the 8th when rushing a short downhill putt before recovering with an excellent par on the 9th and tied the halfway lead on 17 pts as well.

2 pts for Chris on the 2nd as Ian sulks off after his second blob

Bob was the only player to not blob one of the first two holes and was leading on 4 pts at that stage. He more than made up for his lack of blobs by throwing in a regular no pointer throughout the rest of the round. After hitting his drive in the ditch a few yards in front of the tee he hit another drive before chipping short of the 9th green. Fortunately Kevin found his ball, with Bob clearly written on it, in the GUR bunker. Unfortunately this wasn't until the players were playing the 18th. It was agreed 2 hours to find a lost ball was a bit long and probably meant he couldn't now complete the hole.

Bob getting us underway at the 1st

Bob's form continued in this manor until the 17th where he hit an excellent teeshot on to the green to record his second par of the day but could only muster 24 pts overall and last place.

Bob playing from wrong side of a ditch on the 11th

Unfortunately Ian couldn't maintain his comeback and his round petered away. He eventually ended much as he started with two blobs and 26 pts. However he still won 50p keeping him near the top of the money list on the race to Sheringham (or somewhere else if it's a bit busy that day)

Ian hitting a reasonable tee shot towards the 12th green before a 3 putt started his bike 9 decline

Kevin was still playing well and with 3 successive pars was joint leader after 14 holes before fading over the last 4 holes to score a respectable 33 points.

Kevin in trouble on 18 where, much to everyone's disappointment,
only the ball and not him ended up in the ditch behind him

Chris needed a strong finish to win and didn't disappoint banging in 10 pts over the last 4 holes for an impressive 21 back 9 pts and 38 overall. Determined not to leave it short she gave her final putt on the 18th such a whack it would still be going now if it hadn't hit the back of the hole to then fly up in the air before bouncing behind the hole and spinning in for a well deserved par.

Chris has now taken the lead in the most points in a round comp and as Ian played his third round today he has qualified for several of the other prizes. It was also the first new course record of the season beating the magnificent 26 pts Kevin got here last year.

Please note some changes to the fixture list with Richmond park moving back a day to the Tuesday 24 th May, Thorpness replacing Dunston Hall on the 5th July and Bury St Edmunds replacing Caldecott Hall on August 2nd.

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 4 at Stoke-by-Nayland Constable course

Wednesday saw Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 round 4 take place at Stoke-by-Nayland Constable course in the foot hills of the Himalayas. A bumper entry of 5 made it to the start although Bob got lost on the way to Tibet and only arrived in enough time to race to the toilet and then the first tee.

The Ladies (Chris and Jill) went off in the first group as the chaps (Kevin, Bob and Andrew) waited on the first tee in the second group. However there appeared to be a mistake as when the second group arrived at the start, to see the ladies tee off, there was no sign of them. Using powerful binoculars they were eventually spotted on a tee box on the other side of the lake half way down the first fairway but too far away to see how the first shots went.

If you look closely you can just see the Ladies group on their first tee

Despite this outrageous advantage Chris started badly failing to score on any of the first 3 holes. before playing the next 6 to handicap and 12 pts at the turn.

Chris Teeing off on par 5 7th on way to 2 pts

Jill was fairing no better as the relentless up and down and blind shots took it's toll. After a good couple of opening holes she recorded her first blob on the 3rd where both players ended up in he pond in front of the green. She also had 3 blobs on the front 9 and 10 pts.

Jill getting proceedings under way on the first

Meanwhile the second group teed off with everyone making it over the lake on the first and all secured 2 pts to get their rounds under way. From there Andrew (who had foolishly got cut again since his last round on tour) played solidly but struggled to get on the greens in regulation so ended with no pars and 12 pts at halfway.

Andrew teeing off over the lake on the 1st tee

Kevin was going along nicely but two bad tee shots (one of about 5 yards) led to 2 blobs and a disappointing 14 pts.

Kevin approach shot to 6th hole and 2pts

Bob had announced he was going to play a conservative game using his 3 wood to tee off on many occasions.However this strategy proved to be a good one as he took the half way lead on 17.

Bob's approach shot to the 2nd

Progress was slow so all players joined up again on the 10th hole, where it was agreed what a nice if rather hilly and long course it was.

Looking down the valley of the 7th hole

Chris and Jill started the back 9 more solidly playing to their handicaps for the first few holes but with Jill only parring her no shot holes she failed to get a 3 pointer all day and ended on 24 pts.

Jill Parring the 13th

Chris finally cracked when hitting her ball in to a pond on the 15th which she didn't know was there as it was over yet another hill that she couldn't get to the top of with her drive (whinge, whinge, whinge...) and a couple of late blobs left her on 25pts and out of the prizes.

Chris putting on 16

Andrew still couldn't buy a par at the start of the back 9 until eventually securing one on the 15th, and then like Buses, 3 came along at once catapulting him into 3rd place on 28 pts and adding 50p to his tour winnings for the year.

Andrew having a problem with a tree leading to a blob on the 11th

It was now left to Bob and Kevin to battle it out for the win but with Bob again scoring on every hole Kevin had his work cut out. However with a couple of pars and a birdie he caught him up on 30pts with two to play.

Geese asleep on 13th green knowing it was the safest place to be 

After Kevin sunk a short par putt on 17 it looked like they would be going down the last still tied until Bob inexplicitly missed a very short putt to give Kevin the lead.

Bob approach to 10th and 2 more pts

A wayward teeshot by Bob on the Par 3 last took the pressure off as Kevin secured his par and won the big £2.50 first prize with 36 points. Bob finished on 33 pts with an excellent blob free round

Kevin getting up and down on last to secure the win

Next week the tour moves on to Bury St Edmunds where Chris won the most points in a round (42) on last years tour.

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 3 at Thetford

On a lovely spring afternoon, Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016  round 3 took place at Thetford. The same four competitors who had lined up at Royal Norwich had signed up again for yesterday's round.

As Ian had won last time out he rightfully took the honour on the first tee which is a long par 3. Selecting his favourite rescue club he majestically drove the ball nearly 5 yards to the back of the ladies tee box before regaining his composure to scramble a point. After that he played some very solid golf to take the halfway lead on 19 pts.

Ian playing 3rd shot, chipping on to opening hole 

Kevin was also having a good front nine playing well off the tee before a number of poor second shoots let him down but he still had a tidy 18 pts over the opening 9 holes.

Kevin's first of 3 putts on 5th hole

Chris was having trouble getting to grips with the lightning quick greens and had a few putting problems but back to back pars on the two consecutive par 5's kept her in the hunt on 17.

Chris teeing off on 2nd hole

As has been the way in both the other two rounds this year Bob had 15 pts after 9. He was a bit erratic as the only player to record any blobs on the front 9 but he chipped in from well off the back of the 6th green for an outrageous birdie and chants of lucky bugger from the galleries. This did enable him to keep in touch with the leaders.

Bob putting on 2nd hole for 2pts

The back 9 couldn't have been more exciting as the scores narrowed and all 4 players were within a point or two of each other right up until the end.

Despite being on or by the green in regulation on the opening 3 holes of the back 9 Kevin was having real problems getting the ball in the hole. He managed to putt off the green on one hole and shank an easy chip into a greenside bunker on another so recorded only 2 pts. This caused a familiar Kevin melt down with much stomping, ground thumping and ending by giving his pitching wedge a damn good talking too. He recovered over the closing holes to finish on 30 pts.

Kevin teeshot on 13 which luckily hit a tree keeping it out of the woods

As others faded Bob went on a famous Bob charge and was joint leader with Ian and Chris as he walked off the 16th green, However he then cracked under the pressure adding only 1 more point and 29 pts wasn't enough to enable him to add to his winnings for the year.

Bob's approach 4th shot to 14th, after tree issues, leading to a 6
but two points as it was somehow stroke index 2

It looked like Ian was going to win until 2 unexpected blobs in the middle of the round, including one when Chris refused to concede a short putt which he missed. An excellent par on 17 put him back in the lead and he finished on 32 pts.

Ian admiring his drive down 15 which only led to a single point

Chris was having the best back 9 and was always within a point of the lead. Despite it being so close no one complained (much) when the other 3 players put there tee shots into the enormous bunker protecting the 150 yard 16th, only to find the ladies tee 50 yards closer and Chris flicking her ball on to the green. Nor did anyone mind (much) that the last hole was a 464 monster par 4 or a teenie weenie 426 par 5 off the ladies tee.  Chris took it in her stride catching up the points needed to tie with Ian on 32 pts.

Chris tee shot to par 3 11th and 2 pts

With all players still able to win as they came down the last it was a very exciting day of golf.

Things getting tense on the 18th faiway

The excitement moves on to a new tour venue next week at Stoke by Naylands on the Constable course where 10 holes involve water, so plenty of balls are likely to be needed.

Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016. Round 2 at Royal Norwich

Tuesday saw Round Norfolk Golf Tour summer comp 2016 round 2 take place in damp conditions at Royal Norwich. A decent field of four lined up on the first tee hoping to improve on the very low scores achieved at last weeks opening event at Hunstanton. It was good to see Ian making his first appearance on this years tour and pop his £5 subs into a very happy golf pig.

Kevin was first on the tee and full of confidence for what he expected to be an excellent round. A sliced  tee shot, shanked chip and poor putt later led to a no point start. Things didn't improve over the next few holes and after a 3 putt, 4 putt and 3 putt run at the end of the back 9 he lost the plot kicking his ball off the green and sulking off in the rough as he looked for where it had gone as it fly further then any drive had that day.

Kevin hitting a rare good tee shot on the 7th before at start of his 3 putt, 4 putt, 3 putt run

Chris started promisingly parring the first hole before also developing putting problems taking 23 on the front 9 but avoiding any blobs. She proudly pointed out she had taken more putts than Kevin without throwing any clubs or kicking any balls, which some thought was her loss.

Chris's second shot on the 2nd at the start of a run of five 1 point holes

Bob too started with a struggle and just 4 points from 4 holes. He too joined in the temper tantrums with an uncharacteristic outburst after duffing a tee shot into the bushes on the third but he recovered well to have 15 points after 9 with the help of points on his shot hole.

Bob missing a 2 point putt on the first

Ian was going along nicely ignoring the sulking and stomping going on all around him with 3 pars in the first 5 and posting 19 first half points.

Ian's good approach shot to the 5th leading to another 3 pts

For Chris the back 9 was much the same as the front as she scored on every hole but it took her to the 18th to finally get her second parr of the day and 28 pts.

Chris's second shot to the 18th and her second parr of the day

Kevin finally came to the party on the 14th with a run of 3 pars and a birdie putting him back in the game until another 3 putt and blob on 18 left him on 30 pts but with the 50p third place prize tucked into his back pock..

Kevin's approach to 16th during his mini good run of holes

After starting the back 9 with back to back blobs Bob started one of his legendary Bob charges as he made the most of his shot hole (again) with a 4 pointer plus another par meant he was only one point behind Ian with 3 to play.

Bob Teeing off on 17th when he thought he had gone in the bunker only to find he couldn't hit it that far

Ian kept his cool matching Bob shot for shot until they came down the 18th.

Ian (minus the top of his head) hitting it into the trees on 14 but still getting his 2pts

By this time Bobs yardage gadget had died so he foolishly asked Ian for the distance of his approach shot to the green. It is not altogether clear on what the yardage Ian gave actually represented but Bob claimed to have hit the right club perfectly only to find himself in the green side bunker short of the green. After much muttering both players then scrambled a point with Ian therefore coming out on top 34 points to 33. Bob will be making sure his yardage gadget is fully charged in future. 

Despite not adding to her winnings Chris still leads the Money list on the race to Sheringham.
The tour now moves on to Thetford next week to see if players can close the gap further.

Competition leader boards will now be shown on the side of the blog plus the honours board for previous years winners. Course records and other interesting facts will also appear shortly.