We seem to have abandoned global warming in England and reverted to a more usual British summer that prompted the opening up of the Costa's in the 1970's. This year's mix of sunshine and showers means last Sunday's winner at Holylake was applauded by those who have mastered the art of clapping while holding an umbrella.
The golf courses remain lush for the time of year. Because of that incessant growth, courses are playing longer without the run; and even though this course sits on a very free-draining, sand base, it was very true of Worksop yesterday.
The course is very varied with many doglegs, so booming to off the tee is not always possible. More conservative first shots leave longer distances to the green and the game is won with a gap wedge.
I felt sorry for the green staff yesterday; they usually go to a lot of trouble to present the course for our visit. However, with incessant rain on Friday night and all of Saturday followed by more rain on Sunday night through to 8am Monday morning, meant the chance to cut and iron the greens was non-existent. Although they were slow, they were true and, as usual, the swing on the 18th caught out many players. Numbers were down this year but the 8 teams who made it were rewarded with a completely rain-free day and a good-value visit to North Nottinghamshire.
The eighteenth, par three has always presented more problems than it should and none more so than to Pete Murray, who looked closely at the hole before his round and decided the trouble was out to the right in the form of a rockery - Definitely to be avoided! - And avoid it with his tee shot he did, for brief period, but his ball ricocheted into the rockery off the clubhouse wall.
An embarrassed Dave Walker rang me on Sunday to say that he had cocked up his diary and hadn't organised a team. Gentleman that he is, he offered to compensate. However, he got busy and, with his grandson Nathaniel Rose as captain, they managed to raise a team of three from Aston Wood; They were rewarded with third place and Nathaniel won longest drive. Robin Fenn's team snuck into second on the podium on a count back with 85n points but Dean Pointon's raiders from Gaudet Luce were spraying champagne this week with 87 points.
Thank you for your support
Tony
