Kedleston Park 13.5.24
Three days before this event the forecast was not brilliant. Five weeks before the event the course was barely playable. But on Monday it was absolutely faultless.
The greens staff had clearly put in an inordinate effort to revive every bit of this magnificent parkland course, to standard that befitted its selection for the last five years as an Open Qualifying track.
We were also privileged to enjoy a day of warm sunshine that tempted everyone to sit outside on the terrace with a beer; the perfect end to a day on the course.
I was a little surprised that we did not have a full filed of 80 plus as this was really good value at less than half the daily green fee. Those who did play were full of praise for the condition and presentation of the course.
There were a lot of Teetours virgins at Kedleston, and some younger faces too - always a good thing and those who played are very welcome to return.
First team out in the morning was under the ever efficient guidance of Peter Douglas. Peter is a captain of industry with a razor sharp memory - until it involves golf shoes. Peter will go down in history as a benevolent businessman; always capable of making money but more than happy to redistribute his wealth, among the golf professionals of the world, in exchange for yet another pair of new shoes. I think Peter needs a bigger vehicle, so that he can leave a pair permanently in the car; it must be tricky trying to find somewhere to store a pair of golf shoes in a Range Rover. The alternative is the purchase of a controlling share of Footjoy?
With prizes to 4th place, Nigel Wensley’s team came south from the wilds of Yorkshire to take home four bottles. Uttoxeter’s team under the captaincy of Alan Kyte managed to sneak onto the podium with a count back. Stalwart Teetours regulars under the calm guidance of Walmley’s Derek Pedley were second with 87 points but spraying the crowd with champagne this week was Chris Mander’s team of young Teetours virgins.
