A Game of Two Halves

An unknown quantity for 2007 after a fixture error in 2006, saw the TGS ride into town for the Greater Cote d’Grave Open for the tricky Open Course (A+B). A notoriously tough opening stretch with an abundance of H2O was sure to make things tricky for this week’s ensemble.

Form player, Meadows had sights firmly on the first ever TGS triple win after last weeks money and accolades had changed hands, and was accompanied by 2007 starlet Dennis and local chef, Britten. A whole dish of ‘unsavouries’ and ‘shots d’mare’ must have been served up in the opening 4 holes: 4 points registered between the trio. Dennis was relieved to open the account on 5: The pressure of an English lesson at Major Oak entertaining the French Boss’s son becoming a fading memory, surely that should be Hoenigmann’s duty… With the driver still untouched, Meadows was finding the longer approaches more troublesome with the blustery wind, and showed restraint in not beating 7 barrels out of the bag, with the pressure gauge on ‘danger’. The trio split by 2 with double figures yet to be reached. Britten carved through the back 9 with some choice cuts and juicy blows, registering 14 points in the next 6 holes and a wholesome lead. Dennis consolidated up the stretch as Meadows responded with quality at the death: a monstrous 7 point final 2 holes, including a near ace, for the honours on count back.

Horsburgh Snr, Dean and the return of the self exiled gin swilling cat, Hepburn, fresh with alcohol chiller provided the meaty middle grouping. Hepburn banishing demons with a steady start and no sign of Thacker! Horsburgh, searching for some form, was seen strutting down the fairways accumulating on each hole. It was left to Dean to provide the fireworks, wide and wider off the tee was rescued with some exemplary touches on the green, the Potter’s wand working over time. A nett eagle up 9 the highlight. Dean by 2, with the pick of the front 9 scores. Hepburn delighted the trailing group, with still palatable, iced G&T on 14 as well as a wormburner that shot across the 13th with Hefter putting out, and nearly scalping Bob with the recovery. Horsburgh clawed back Dean’s advantage with a nett eagle on 15 to go one clear. A horror show from the back of 17 from Horsburgh left Dean 2 clear up the last, who duly closed it out. Hepburn finishing strongly with a nett birdie.

Tuckwell Jnr made it just in time for the final four with Rymer II, Hefter and Horsburgh Jnr as companions, and probably racked up more points on the way from Bingham to Cotgrave than in the first three holes. Rymer II and Horsburgh faired little better as Hefter wrestled the initiative. A birdie on 4 kicked Tuckwell into action before a watery tee shot on 7 well and truly put the skids on a disappointing front 9. With the big stick in hand Rymer II found there was not enough course to play with and the group racked up an impressive 8 ‘wet ones’ by the 8th. Hefter sublime from tee to green was at the other end of the scale on them, whilst Horsburgh took a shine to the sand. Tuckwell by one, in another low scoring opening 9. News that the quartet wouldn’t even be registering, score wise, with the trio in front proved the catalyst, as Hefter began to turn up the heat. Rymer II had the ball on a string during the back 9, positioning at will: the one that ran up the shin and nearly landed back on the tee peg was especially impressive. Although a best ever 9 holes with some immense putting was a great effort from the big man. A procession of 3 pointers made it interesting for Tuckwell although 2 visits to the sand in the final 2 holes prevented an under par back 9. Horsburgh looking for a handicap increase took out the driver up the last, but hit his best drive of the day, setting up par and a post 30 score much to his disappointment! Hefter finished strongly although the 33 points accumulated should have been nearer 53, and surely an odds on favourite for one of the last two tournaments.

Not to be for Meadows as Dean (35) made it played 2 won 2, with near perfection on the short stuff. Tuckwell Jnr (33) once again made the rostrum, pipping Hefter (33) and Horsburgh Snr (33) on count back.