Thankfully the afternoon showers held off until after players were homeward bound, and those experienced on the trip home were only light anyhow. So it was a a fine day, the temperature only reached 27 degrees and there was a welcome breeze throughout the day. Play got underway on time but one group almost didn’t make it when the driver got lost.
The field ended up being 108(89 Men and 19 Ladies), the best roll-up at City to date with 9 more men and 5 more ladies than last year. Two new players had their first game with us and there were also two guests from the Downs.
Overall, Fairways were in good condition, but not as good as last year because they were mown very short in some places. The rough was a little longer than usuaal and some time was lost looking for balls. The new first hole was in play and it would be interesting to know how many balls were lost there. The Greens were in excellent condition but those with downhill putts invariably had to add unplanned strokes on to their scores.
The Urn was boiling on our arrival and players made the most of some refreshment before the game. The Club’s lunch meal offering was very much appreciated by players.
Scoring was difficult again this year with the ball rundowns going to 30 and 25. The extra strokes on the day’s playing handicap didn’t help very much in most cases, but many players are still looking forward to the September game to try to improve their scores. Anita Ross’s 31 points was needed to take the Ladies trophy but only after a countback. 36 and 37 points were good enough to win the men’s trophies. Shirley Luhrman again took the Ladies Pin Shot on hole 8 but Paul Harbers had no chance to complete the treble when Ivan Keen’s ball finished 3cm short of a hole in one.
Photos.
1. This looks like an easy shot to the Green but it is the Par 5 18th hole.
2. One of you has to be going the wrong way.
3. Is Bernie really giving Dennis a line with his putter position?
4. Another one from the rough Ernie!
5. He seems to be concentrating, but he can’t stop thinking about the trip later in the week.
6. At this stage Col didn’t know he’d won the day, but he and Kev still seem to be happy with their games.
The next game is an 8.30am Shotgun start at Lowood on the 6th March.
