Coxmoor 1.6.23
Over the last few years, Coxmoor has seen much change. Change doesn’t suit everyone and I have listened to some disparaging comments about changes to the course and the clubhouse. Personally, I do not agree.
I first played here thirty years ago; I think the whole club is now in better condition than I have ever seen it. The removal of many trees has enhanced its appeal as a true heathland course. The new layout of certain holes, with the addition of some cleverly-placed bunkers have all contributed to the quality. Several times yesterday I heard the words
“I prefer this to Hollinwell”
The original clubhouse was well passed its sell-by date. Rather than trying to recreate the original, a bold decision was made to adopt a modern design. Sensibly sited near the new short game practice area, an expansive, first floor, club room with balconies on three sides give fabulous views of the course. The large modern kitchen must be a joy to work in and a smaller, ground floor, casual bar provides a suitable watering hole close the the closing green.
It was good to see Tim Worley and the Leisure Boys making a return to a Teetours event.
Matin Gadsby’s team are always keen to go out first, but as they very nearly managed to mess up the placement of the prize hole markers AGAIN - They have requested to go out second in future to avoid the embarrassment of another mention in dispatches!
99 players enjoyed the delights of Coxmoor yesterday. It should have been 100 but Dean Pointon’s team were only three, as their regular man, John Miles, was whisked away to Rome by his wife, who had booked a surprise trip for his 60th birthday - without consulting his golf calendar - talk about inconsiderate!!
The greens were in superb condition yesterday; so it is no surprise that fifteen players recorded a two.
- Longest Drive went to Martin Gadsby (funny how he managed to get that prize hole marker in the right place!!)
- Nearest the pin went to Phil Lucas
- Nearest in two went to Andy Bryan.
The eighteenth is a par 5 index 9. With a good drive and second you can find yourself close to the green, which is about 40 yards long. The pin was on the front yesterday so with all four to count, there were no less than seven teams that recorded 10 points or more on the last hole.
There were prizes to 5th place yesterday:
- Steve Morley’s team just edged ahead of Charlie Spear’s team on a count-back 93
- An amalgamated team of singles being Matt Cheffins, James Russell, Robert Austin and Mark McAnulty managed to edge onto the podium with 94
- John O’Callaghan’s team scored a commendable 95 points to come second
- Alan McPeake’s Uttoxeter raiders managed another consistent performance and with an 11-point contribution on the last hole were spraying champagne.
