I know you all think I control the weather; I only wish it was true. It just so happened that Wollaton yesterday was bathed in Autumn sunshine all day. And after the round, it lit up the faces of all who sat, enjoying a beer, in the south-facing lounge, overlooking the putting green.
Today however it looks a little different; my weather app says I will play Little Aston this morning in 8 degrees with a 75% chance of rain - lovely!!
It always gives me great pleasure to take Teetours to Wollaton. It is a beautiful parkland course in the true sense of the word. The whole ambiance of the place is special, with magnificent views all round, majestic hardwood trees and herds of deer all overlooked by the Elizabethan, grade 1 listed, Wollaton Hall; designed by Robert Smythson, who was also responsible for Longleat and Hardwick.
Wollaton was the place I had my first golf lessons.
In 1989 I came to Nottingham to launch a new business. As publisher of the city’s property newspaper I was quickly invited to the Skipton Building Society golf day - which I declined as a non-golfer. The invitation remained open and I discovered that most of my customers not only played golf but also had invitations to the same event. Well you can’t talk to your customers if they are on the course and you are in the office.
A friend recommended I seek instruction from Roger Hastings, the pro at Wollaton, who was most curious when I went to book my first lesson as I told him I needed to play golf.
“I’ve been teaching for 25 years and you are the first person who has said they NEED to play golf. What do you do?” He asked.
“I’m the publisher of the Nottingham Property Guide newspaper” I told him.
“Bloody Hell!!” He said - “You definitely need to play golf”
I had ten lessons, played in the Skipton day, scored 15 points and I have been in love with the sport ever since. - Enough about me.
We were looked after very well by the team at Wollaton and the course was in lovely condition. Hopefully, we will be back again next year for both a spring and autumn event.
- Dave Farrell’s team were edged into 5th on a count back of 88 by Robin Fenn’s Branston raiders who came 4th.
- Martin Gadsby’s team just made the podium with 89.
- In a long-awaited return to form, Dean Pointon’s team came 2nd with 90
- Seconded into Martin Dunn’s team, 5-handicap Dean Miller had a very good day with 3 birdies on the par fives and 3 pars on the holes he got a shot on, he made a serious contribution to the 93 point total that put them in top spot.
Many thanks
Tony.
