What a great few weeks it's been. After months of sunshine the contestants for the Club Championship on Saturday were greeted by some of the toughest conditions we've had this summer. After a tough morning we had a number of people in the frame - Ben Gillon, Matt Broadbent and James Snell were level on 75 with a number of notables just behind - Nick Gladstone the holder, Phil Hughes and Alex Young. In the afternoon experience kicked in and in the end it was Alex Young who prevailed with a great 73 beating Nick Gladstone by one shot and James by two. Top effort to everyone - the conditions really were hard and after a long day it was very close.
It's especially great for Alex as he and his late father Robin now become the first father and son to be on Chestfield's Club Championship Trophy - I was fortunate to play with Robin many years ago and I know he would be very proud - well done Alex (about time mind!!).
In other news we had our first official hole-in-one at a par 4. I believe it was a few weeks ago by Chris Broadbent at the 9th. It's a big hit to get the ball to the green at 9 but to actually get it close is a rarity. So to get a hole in one on a hole of around 280 yards is amazing - well done Chris, one to remember.
On Sunday this week we played the 5 club competition and despite the poor weather (it was raining early on and continued showering most of the morning) we had a reasonable turn out. I joined in as a gap presented itself and managed to get round in 3 over (bogeying the last two!). I thought any score over 36 points would be pretty good and I was interested to hear a few mentions on 34's and 35's. Imagine then, bearing in mind the conditions and only having 5 clubs, how ridiculously good a score of 45 points is then!! Stand up Pete Barnes (if your achilles will let you). You should be equally pleased and ashamed!! That really is an unbelievable score at the best of times and it does prove that we don't need 14 clubs to play well!
So what does it teach us though? I think that a lot of players benefit from having to use a longer club than they normally would and it means they actually get to the hole more often. Have a think about our course - how many holes would really penalise you if you went through the green instead of being short? I can only think of a few where I would definitely not want to be long - 5, 7, 14 and perhaps 16 because of the back bunker even though short means bunker as well - better to be playing uphill! So the lesson of the week is to club up people - get to the pin and don't worry what number is on the bottom of the club that you need to do it!
Pro's day is this Saturday. We have lots of prizes for you to win in an individual stableford and there will be the odd surprise for you during your round!! We also have a putting competition afterwards, entry is included in your entry fee for the day as is the finger buffet. The putting competition is sponsored by our good friends at PING who have kindly donated a PING bag for the best putter on the day and we are also offering a discount of 10% on any putter in the shop purchased on the day (they'll all be out for you to try). Let's hope we have a lovely day and I look forward to seeing you then.
This weekend is also the last before The Open starts so we will be selling sweep entries. Just to remind you it's £10 to enter but there is a Motocaddy for first prize and a TaylorMade driver for second.
Come in the shop or see me in the clubhouse over the weekend. My tip - Graeme McDowell after his recent win - his game is very suited to links golf and an outside one - Ricky Fowler, who has played well all year.
