Midland Golf Challenge 2024
What a delight it is to run this tournament!
So many happy, smiling faces; three immaculately presented golf courses and three days of sunshine, to make sure that beer on the terrace afterwards slips down beautifully.
Many regulars returned again this year, from all parts of the country - it was good to see the ever-jovial Frank Baptist from Crouch End in north London - I’m sure he’s grown again since last year.
And a delight to see some newcomers. A super group of eight for Howley Hall in Yorkshire. I hope they return next year, as they will be most welcome.
The three courses work well in the order they are played; gradually increasing in difficulty with the final test at Sherwood Forest being the sternest. Next year however, in respect of some of those (like me) who don’t hit the ball as far these days, Sherwood will be played off the YELLOW tees in 2025.
Steve Warner and Darren Rayner set a cracking pace on the day one at Kedleston. Their 45 point score lifted them two shots ahead of the pack; mainly down to Steve’s perfect hole-in-one, over the water on the 7th. They must have celebrated too well on Tuesday night however, as their 34 points at Little Aston denied them further contention.
In second place, with 43, was a pair of Teetours regulars; Martin Chattin (H.I. 7.1) and Steve Pidcock (H.I. 12.4). They are both members at Rushcliffe and started playing Teetours golf seven years ago.
On day two at Little Aston, Martin and Steve dovetailed perfectly and without the aid of a hole-in-one or even a two, they posted a blistering 48 points. In a Lichfield restaurant that night, John Avill was heard to express his disbelief at this, until his son and playing partner Jonathan, reminded him that they had scored 26 points that day on the front nine alone! (I think strong drink may have responsible for clouding John’s memory)
On day three, it was another father and son pairing, Hayden and Kevin Burford, that mastered the art of playing the back nine at Sherwood, with a solid 23 points and a winning total of 45.
And although Martin Chattin and Steve Pidcock only tied in 9th place at Sherwood, with 41 points, it was still sufficiently consistent to give them a winning total of 132, their names on the trophy and a trip to Sunningdale as my guests.
