Hello golfers,
Last weekend saw the club championship on a very hot but blustery day on Saturday. It is worth adding at this point that the golf course was playing tough with the fairways and greens running fast and hard and with the rough still thick and deep. The wind just added to the players woes and the cores reflected this.
Two players stood out in the morning and then a different two in the afternoon. Former champion Nick Gladstone shot a very commendable 73 but his surprise chaser was Liam Dengate who was just one shot behind with a 74. Notably there were a bunch of players just behind including defending champion Alex Young, his brother Andy, the Italian stallion Gianni Vittiello and the club Captain, Richard Punyer.
36 holes in a day at the best of times can be hard going and in these conditions it was even more so. Nick came in quite early with a 77 making a two round total of 150, 10 over par, which even he thought would not be good enough to win overall. He then sat down to wait as the other players slowly came in. Firstly, he saw Andy Young shoot one of the rounds of the day, a 74 which was later matched by Alister McIlory, to agonisingly go second by just one shot.
Later Andy would tell us all of his near air-shot with his putter as he attempted to tap a tiny putt in. He only moved the ball an inch and this may have cost him a chance at the championship (I bet you won't do that again Andy?). Brother Alex couldn't bring it home and neither could the Captain, Richard Punyer so it was left for us all to wait for Liam Dengate to come home late in the day to possibly snatch it away from Nick.
With his drive on 18 going right he had to lay up short with his second and could only wedge in to 15 feet. At this point we all wondered if the putt was to win the championship and when he coolly slotted it home the noise from the patio told you what everyone watching was thinking. Sadly for Liam it wasn't good enough and so Nick Gladstone had reclaimed the crown he gave up to Alex a year ago.
I understand that the celebrations went on well into the evening with a large number of players and guests staying to help Nick with various concoctions that had to be consumed via the trophy! I also understand several had such good evenings that they haven't been the same since (has anyone seen Gianni yet??).
Many congratulations to Nick on his victory but I think Andy, Liam and Alister also need mentions after fine efforts.
Saturday's presentation ceremony also saw Club Captain Richard Punyer announcing that Stewart Reid had also been made an honorary life member of the club. Having been a member of the club for more than 45 years, a past captain, committee member and stalwart of several club teams he has rightly deserved the honour.
In other club news the Mitrebeens have been very busy as usual with another old stalwart Mick Wray getting into the winners circle recently. However, this week sees them taking on the ladies in one of the more bizarre competitions of the year. 'Midsummer Madness' has the ladies playing off white tees with their full handicaps and the Mitrebeens playing off the red tees off scratch!! We are split in the pro's shop but my money's on the ladies!! We will report next week.
Just a quick note regarding pro's day which is coming up soon - we are busy devising new dastardly plans to keep you all entertained! Last year's fun and games on and around the putting and 18th green will be repeated with special challenges this year so get your names down and your wedges and putters out!!
Shirt Amnesty 2015
The latest offer in the shop is a crazy one! You really are mad not to take advantage of this one as it gives you £10 off any shirt in the shop (not including crested shirts or shirts that are already at sale prices) just by trading in any old shirt!
That's not 10% off it's £10!!. In most cases that amounts to 25% off which makes me go a little bit queasy!!
We have just taken delivery of some of Nike's new July range so now is the time to come in and renew the wardrobe!
