While the cat was away, fourteen mice came out to play. It seems that Madge’s birthday and, possibly the bit of rain over night and with a few sprinkles still around early served to keep the numbers down a bit. But, the course management deemed the ground damp enough to warrant preferred lies. So, that would have made those calling for that relief over the last couple of weeks happy as a result. The big question would have to be, did the relief make for better scoring or not?
Perhaps the conclusion could be that it didn’t as, in line with recent weeks, the number of players breaking their handicap was pretty low. In fact, only one person managed to do so and, in the process of winning the day with 37 points, Damo propelled himself to the top of the Championship Table and he also boasts a very impressive strike rate of over three points per round to head the table of all comers in the Vardon Trophy. Now all he has to do is to turn up a few more times to join the ‘qualifiers’. Maybe it was the warm head and ears that allowed him to maintain focus.
But obviously not focussed enough to pull of a ‘slam-dunk’ on the 7th. A picture is worth a thousand words so that saves the agony of having to write (and read) that many on the subject. Needless to say, Damien made the birdie and contributed to the total of 9 that were made for the day.
Captain Pugwash managed not to sink his barge in the canals of France but he did manage to sink large quantities of cheese and wine. He claims not to have touched a club while away so French wine and cheese is obviously good for your game. The other thing that might be good for your game is knee surgery although a boating holiday in France is probably to be preferred. Ryan wasted no time after his return to the playing field snaring the second place alongside Gordon to put himself to the top of the Championship Table beside Damo and a couple of birdies did his position in the Eclectic no harm and he is now holding an impressive lead in that event.
JohnQ was doubly occupied today. Not only did he have to concentrate on the day’s event, he also had to concentrate on his semi-final match with Stefan. He played well enough to get third place on the day and also well enough to beat out Stef in the match 2 and 1. It was a close fought match with the lead changing several times and the position being all square after 14 holes. Consecutive wins by John made the match dormie two. Stef needed a birdie to win the 17th but didn’t quite manage it and the squared hole gave the match to John. And who’s been talking himself down for the last three rounds? Anyway, back to the day’s results. Joe also managed to get 35 points to share third place. Joe might be a tad disappointed though having started the round like a house on fire to card 22 points on the front only to fade on the back. Dale, on the other hand could have been forgiven for going home after the front only to come home with all guns blazing and making twenty points on the back to bring his total for the day to 29.
Simon has been consulting with his coach again and his driver was working a treat after a couple of little tweaks. Some dark mutterings could be heard around the greens which suggests that some more time in the back yard might be warranted. The cats are probably safe though as the second place in the Seniors gives him back a bit of a lead over Harry.
There were a swag of members lining up for the last point of the day and, although some Michaels might quibble about getting points for a card of 32 points, Stef, Noodles, Jason and Dennis will surely not complain.
The BallPin was on the 15th and JQ squeezed out Dale for the ball although he didn’t put it close enough to get the birdie. The first ProPin was on the 12th and Porks made a meal of it by getting to 2.26m. Joe snared the money from the 18th with a shot to 4.12m.
The practice putting green has been closed for maintenance and staff were being very vigilant to ensure that there was no trespassing. Perhaps the lack of pre-game practice contributed to the low scoring. Targe in particular missed several from close range although he did compensate a little by sinking a couple of ‘monsters’.
RodW decided to by-pass his putter on the 8th and chipped from the back of the green and right into the hole. Possibly one of the highlights of his day. Dennis is thinking of becoming an arborist after getting up close and personal with a rather large tree on the 9th.
Other than Her Madge, the Birthday Birdie has had little to do this week. There were no draughties reported so either everybody was very quiet or, like Si, their drivers were working well.
Results for Saturday, 09 June 2018
1st Damien Lee(37) 2nd Gordon Hill(36) 2nd Ryan Porker(36) 3rd John Quinlan(35) 3rd Joe Wagenecht(35) 4th Simon Powell(33) 5th Stefan Belevski(32) 5th Stephen Butterfield(32) 5th Jason Hopkins(32) 5th Dennis Ward(32)
Seniors Results: 1st Gordon Hill (36) 2nd Simon Powell (33) 3rd Dennis Ward (32)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin No 1 12th Ryan Porker ProPin No 2 18th Joe Wagenecht BallPin 15th John Quinlan