A full field of 96 were very lucky to get a full days golf, without any rain, on one of the recent rare days between torrents of water putting the Trent into flood last week and the arrival of Storm Lorenzo tomorrow. In fact shorts and polo shirts were not uncommon.
The course is so free draining, you would never know there had been any rain at Whittington! Not only was it completely dry under foot but the general presentation of the course was outstanding; the best it has been for many years. All down to the Mark Fry, the new course manager. Mark learnt his trade as the number two at Worplesdon in Surrey; another magnificent Harry Colt heathland masterpiece.
Alan Pratt said the refurbished bunkers were a delight to play in (which was lucky given the number he found!)
The superstructure for the new clubhouse is up, the plans looks magnificent and the new 18th green is looking good (a little too good for Steve Smytherman)
Whittington is on the up. And for those who either enjoyed this visit or would like to see for themselves, There is another event in March.
An old fleece, covered in hay seeds and sporting the odd hole is Armani Dave Clark’s usual attire. He had clearly made a special effort for Whittington and was almost unrecognisably clean shaven and well turned out. (Making me wonder if he had been to Court before coming to the golf club).
Nuneaton chip shop mafioso, Peter Christoforou brought his twin brother Chris for his first Teetours event. Although they are almost indistinguishable from each other, Peter maintains he is the better looking. To back up this claim, Peter says he was arrested once for being the ugliest man in Warwickshire but the charges were dropped when his brother was produced as evidence for the defence.
Humour aside, it was the most eventful day yet at an event I have run:
Dave Rogers had to leave the course to deal with an emergency at work.
John and Phill Quinn had to leave the course as John’s wife had been taken to hospital with a heart attack - we all wish her well again soon.
Dave Barnett was uncontrollably sick, had to leave the course and was taken to Good Hope hospital by ambulance. Fortunately I spoke to him later in the day and he was expecting to be back on the course this weekend.
While out on the course taking photos, Alan Wrigley proudly presented me with the nearest the pin marker from the 4th - Having completely forgotten that half the field had yet to get there as they started on the 10th. Don’t worry Alan, I did exactly the same thing in a competition on the Isle of Man.
The scores were tight at the top with the top 37 teams remarkable separated by just seven points.
A podium finish for Robin Upton (16) and Andy page (10) with 43, beaten into third place on a count back by the quality performance of Darron Henn (6) and Dean Pointon (10).
Top slot went to Alan Freemen and Alan Wrigley with 44 points - A very creditable score from a pair with a combined handicap of only 8.
