Taming of the Course

Always a pleasure, an evenings golf at Wollaton Park. Frame, 100% Mcloughlin, and Horsburgh Snr opened up proceedings. The handicap committee hoping to have clipped the wings of free scoring McLoughlin. Bob already provided the entertainment announcing that he had missed the initial Wollaton turn off but took the next left so that was fine. . . bearing in mind this was the one way slip road entering the dual carriage way, fine may not have been the appropriate choice of words! McLoughlin once again flew out of the traps, single figures proving unproblematic, firing a level par, 23 point, opening 9 total, and a 7 point lead. A rare errant drive on 10, left the door ajar as Bob joined the exclusive 5 point club with a 3 for 1 for 5 on 12. A very profitable hole all round as 11 points were amassed by the 3 ball, easy – easy – easy! Horsburgh now hot in pursuit of McLoughlin was 3 behind standing on the last and fired a 4 net 3 for 3 to bridge the gap, Mcloughlin dug deep for a 2 pointer to sneak home by 2 and grab pole. . . (a familiar position!)

Proud Grand parent Baker Snr, Hall and a slim line, best turned out Jenkinson set off full of optimism. Hall, unfortunately, with one eye on the ‘unwanted record’, saved a few reloads and finished the front 9 with a minor flurry. Jenkinson’s highlight of a steady 9 was the birdie 2 on the tricky 8th. Baker held the early impetus with a smattering of 3 pointers in a solid opening 9 and a 5 point lead. Hall apparently had some memory lapses: forgetting balls/head covers/clubs and was frequently spotted scurrying back to previous holes to retrieve. But, finished with an excellent 4 for 4 on 18. Baker produced a masterful back 9, a superb birdie 2 on the tricky 11th contributing nicely, apparently pitching 2 foot behind the pin and spinning back. . . Baker having wrestled the initiative into his corner waited with anticipation.

Tuckwell Jnr, Horsburgh Jnr, and Hepburn teed off in front of the big guns, and all drives were dispatched confidently, Tuckwell hoping his topped second that rolled 10 yards went unnoticed! Horsey was on fire, stating anything less than a 24 point opening 9 would be unsatisfactory. If not for a couple of short ones that slid passed the total would have been attained. Hepburn ever the gent, cracked the alcohol on 5 and duly sent down a putt with extra coal onboard! Tuckwell was slowly finding his rhythm but could only look on, trailing by 5. Hepburn had more to contend with on the back 9, embroiled in a legal dispute, as he appeared to be a magnet for small white golf balls! Heppers wondered if the ankle was sore from kicking balls away or burying them 6 feet under. The trio had a ‘mare’ on 16 all finding the thick stuff not very far from the tee causing a minor tail back, Horsey was very disappointed as it ruined his 2 and 3 pointers! Parity restored with a strong finish and another monster score.

Ladd, new father Baker Jnr and never-a-dull-moment Phoenix, were relegated to the rear due to last minute shredding and faxing duties from Ladd, who appeased the restless crowds with some very tasty cherry oatcakes. Baker unaccustomed and slightly wary of the rutting stags on course, introduced a 3 point bonus if one was struck obviously fearing the worst! (more profitable would’ve been a 3 point Hepburn striking bonus!) Beware: A double ‘fore right’ was dispatched on the 3rd, two innocent members stared in disbelief: surely not meant for us... then were scattered as it surely was meant for them! Ladd and Phoenix were 4 clear at the turn with a succession of 3 pointers (Legitimate: not through stags hit.) The fun didn’t stop there. From the elevated 12th another ‘Ladd bomb’ was launched: with Hepburn square in the sighters. Hepburn with a deft dance floor shuffle with the trolley avoided the pill and with the outside of the boot sent it rough bound. Cue hysterics from the tee! Ladd unnerved by the ‘hope your golf planned up!’ note left on the next tee carried on his points tally. Baker getting some good ‘rip’ on the greens thanked the group ahead for wasting a good 30mins of his life on 16 due to some waywardness! Ladd goaded by his playing partners once again ‘locked on’ for Hepburn down the centre of 18, and the ball trickled gently passed: Therefore it was somewhat surprising that it ended up a rather nasty plug mark. . . surrounded by a size 10 imprint! Not to be outdone Baker sent a further reminder. Cue laughter and fist shaking! Amidst the frivolity was some high quality golf with 2 more huge scores from Phoenix and Ladd.

There it was, each group housing the clubhouse leader until last man in Laddy reigned victorious with a TGS record: a 43 point haul and a superb 78 gross. Baker Snr (40) with the strongest back 9 was joined by Phoenix (40) and Horsburgh Jnr (40). McLoughlin (39) and Horsburgh (37) can be very pleased with scoring round a difficult course. Good golf!