The Prophecy is Fulfilled

‘I’d bring your wellies to Six Hills, time to fill your boots’
(C. Ladd ’06 : Rufford)

Horsburgh Jnr set off in a Baker sandwich, with Snr and Jnr making up the trio. Baker Snr set off with purpose: an opening net eagle as Horsburgh educated Baker Jnr in the ways of the ‘utility’ wood. Baker Jnr unruffled stuck to his proper golf and reaped the usual rewards! A high scoring front 9 saw Baker Snr clear by 1. Baker Jnr stalled with a succession of waywardness but regained optimism with a birdie, birdie finish for 7 points and more importantly 29 points and another shot back as North Shore approaches! Horsey wobbled mid way through (probably due to missing a fairway!) but finished strongly: unfortunately the elation of draining a 40 footer off the back of the 18th gave way to despair as it gave the Horse 37 points and a further shot docked! Baker Snr joined the exclusive 5 point club with a wonderful birdie on the ‘Everest’ shaped 15th green and also finished strongly for the group lead.

‘Practice Makes Perfect’ Meadows, ‘Sleep Deprived Romeo’ Dessaur and ‘Form Man’ Daft were eager to impress. Meadows set the tone with a monster up the first as Daft kept it where it needed to be. Dessaur running on empty: remained in the hunt with a procession of 3 pointers. Meadows led the charge by 3 at halfway. Daft and Meadows were head to head until the yardage got the better of the latter: A bunker too far led to what was reported as a ‘daddy long leg dance’ from the group behind, but was soon revealed as meltdown as bag, clubs then sand went flying! Dessaur, visibly and mentally drained, found the last a hole too much as the young pups were separated by 1. Meadows found water off the tee, but a wedge to a foot saved par. Daft powered home with a closing birdie for 4 points.

Hefter and Jenkinson were wondering how they could coax Frame round: Framey a little ashen and green around the gills form the previous nights wedding reception. The golf did the talking with the trio inseparable at the turn. A birdie for 4 points the highlight from Frame at the 9th. Jenko was inches short for his eagle attempt on 11 as he attempted to open a gap and was cruising with 4 to play. Hefter clung on to the shirt tails with a much improved short game. Fitness was beginning to tell for Frame although a positive par gave faint hope. However Jenkinson limped across the line with the group accolades but will be disappointed with 3 points in the last 4 holes.

Tuckwell & Ladd were drawn last with late arrivals Phoenix and Hall, the latter fresh from 90 mins against Arnold ex-Servicemen and a coolly slotted penalty to boot. The awesome foursome had a very American feel to it after Phoenix opened up with a ditty about a U.S of A President, a one legged and no legged Private and a foul mouthed cranium awaiting the dentist. Cue hysterics! Hall set off on a flier amidst ‘whoops & hollers’, only for (Arfur) Ladd to match him shot for shot with his half set (logic: ‘I don’t have to decide if it is a 7 or an 8 if I only have a 5 and a 9!) leading the fairways hit stats. Phoenix got off to a scrappy start but topped the sand saves honours with 3 majestic up and downs in 4 holes earning the nickname of ‘Les Ferret’. However it was Ladd by 1 at the turn. An errant Phoenix ‘OB’ on 11 was softened with 9 brand new balls whilst ferreting on private property as Ladd was a foot short with his eagle putt. Hall began to feel the pace as Ladd cranked it up a notch: 15 points in 5 holes yielding the ‘bearded clam’ award. Ladd birdied 17 and looked to have one eye on his own TGS high score but finished with a disappointing double. Phoenix and Hall both finished strongly: Matt with a career high score. Meanwhile… Tuckwell seemed to be practising for a new game show ‘Putts win Prizes’ but failed to realise that ‘less is more’. Also visits to the water are as useful as going lower on a 3: Going out of bounds the equivalent of a hot spot and bounding over the perimeter fence regularly as valuable as your ‘BFH’. In desperation he turned to a Top Flite ‘Infinity’ but that was soon sent to the back of beyond and a career low round – TFC! The Messiah had spoken and indeed delivered, even with a half set of clubs and the ever lively Phoenix and erratic Tuckwell to contend with. Ladd (41) home again for his second victory of the year, a renewed interest in the business end shake up but a rather low mark to be approaching North Shore with!

Daft (40) compiled another top draw round with a blob and a couple of 1 pointers and Baker Snr (39) out shot his younger playing partners to make up the rostrum. Meadows (38) had his sights set on the 40’s and could figure with confidence at a high could figure with 2 to play. Horsburgh Jnr (37) also had his winged clipped but enhanced his status at the top of the standings.