Title Defence

The selected six, set off to last seasons’ hardest course for the Norwood Open, with clubs and pants just dried out from the rain affected Greater Radcliffe Open. With the buggies fully juiced, radio on for score updates and Horsey not on his way to Newark, the sextet began.

Horsburgh Jnr, Tuckwell Jnr and marathon man Jenkinson had the honours. A trio of doubles (unfortunately not JD’s) on the straight forward opener seemed ominous. Horsburgh adapted the quickest and steadied the ship with news of an early goal for the baggies and a profit on the spread bet. Tuckwell sparked into to life with a 4 pointer on 6 as Horsburgh had an uncharacteristic wobble. Jenko hit, on any other occasion the shot of the day, an immaculate 4 iron to the long Par 3 7th: to keep up a steady points score on every hole. Tuckwell and Horsburgh were tied at the turn and went wheel spinning into the back 9. Jenko appeared to have a flash back of last years horror show and failed to trouble the scorers past the turn before regaining composure and finishing steadily. Tuckwell and Horsburgh were embroiled in a tete a tete with the lead exchanging hands on every hole. Tied after 16, the inevitable occurred as Tuckwell horseshoed from the centre of the cup and Horsburgh confidently holed. Horsey turned the screw down the last to take victory after discounting the following group.

Hepburn, Hefter and Daft set off blazing down the centre of the fairway. Hefter started steadily enough but seemed more intent on scoring Dafty off scratch and himself off 28! And also having to contend with underhand tactics: Tuckwell disguising an approach with leaves, after being peppered with an approach. One is not amused! (Disclaimer: The whereabouts of the ball was eventually revealed!) Daft led by 3. Heppers began to ‘mount’ a charge as Hefter began to fade with one eye on the impending gloom that was appearing on the horizon and the other casting back to Radcliffe. The shot of the day was saved for the tricky Par 3, 174yd, 17th: On approach to the tee Hepburn stated that as yet no one had holed in one in TGS history; and was swiftly laughed out of town by his playing partners that it was unlikely to happen here! A couple of high, wide and handsomes were sent airborne by Daft and Hefter before Heppers stepped to the plate. 8 iron unsheathed: Wide arc: Crisp strike: Ball flag bound: An... 'in the hole/you the man/ go get ‘em Tiger/open a can of whoop ass’ type call from Daft was followed by one bounce and the ball hitting the pin square and dropping like a stone.

Unsure from the tee, a hasty hop in the buggies revealed a mixture of:

1) Disappointment: The ball finished 2 inches short of the pin.
2) Satisfaction: That was a mighty fine golf shot and a 2 for 1 for 4
3) Relief: Wasn’t ‘Golf Planned Up’ so could have cost a fortune!

Nonchalantly the group headed down the last as the black clouds skirted southwards and the lead group waited by the green. Tales recounted it became apparent that Daft was very much still in the reckoning, although a slippery 4 footer would needed to be holed to tie Horsburgh. With new putter in hand it was duly converted and fist pumped. Hefter tried his best to discredit Dafty’s score with some errant pencil work but the panel confirmed the following after checking the count back:

Daft (33: B9:18) was victorious and became the first man to retain his crown with a new joint course record. Horsburgh Jnr (33: B9: 17), also with the joint course record, can be very pleased with his approach play, robotically getting up and down from 60yds and in. Tuckwell (31) snuck a podium place from Hepburn (29)