Stewards Enquiry

Sack the board! A turbulent day off the field couldn’t detract from the excellent on course play that was had at the might that was Norwood. Double Norwood winner, Daft, was unable to make it a triple, due to honeymooning in Cape Verde with some nursing sizeable hangovers from the aforementioned wedding and others from the KCC double champions promotion party. Nevertheless a neat 9 were accompanied by tour photographer Hepburn, fresh from some Twenty/20 action. Tuckwell experienced trouble first up with some ‘deposit’ discrepancy, unfortunately not the last admin error of the day.

With bacon consumed, buggies wheel spinning out the wild west car park and tripod erected, Tuckwell (S), Hall and Meadows were first to feel the camera’s glare and safely navigated the first. Player cam dropped in on 2 and 3 and Hepburn was seen on the blower to the editor, reportedly to hold the back page, with a big scoop in the offing. Meadows remained disciplined with the driver firmly in the cart, showing immense mental strength to quell the temptation, exorcet irons off the tee proved well founded. Hall struck the ball nicely, fresh from an a.m. football run out, local Tollerton leg end Jon Dann forced to sit out with alcoholic sickness. Tuckwell kept it steady; with all three comfortable with the ‘money shot’ when the camera appeared. Tuckwell and Meadows tied at the turn. A horror show on the moss, on 10, for the big hitters proved the adage ‘drive for show, putt for the dough’ correct: Hall showing the way. Tuckwell began spraying the big stick right, and loosened the larynx with some hefty ‘fore’ shouts, Hall less than happy with the undue attention whilst doing some ‘spraying’ of his own. (Hope you were down wind!) The elevated 17th tee proved an ideal chance to watch the second group out… until Vin over clubbed with a ‘buggy seeker’, Tuckwell panicked and tried to make like a shepherd and get the flock out of there, only succeeding in squaring Hall up in the path of the oncoming object, the ball fortunately landing safely between path and limbs. Another deft up and down from Meadows set up yet another nett eagle on the Par 5 last, after previously taming the Par 5, stroke one: a drive and mid iron landing to 15 foot. Hall finished with a flourish; a nett eagle concluded a personal best 9 holes and head held high. Tuckwell got excited with an 8 ft birdie putt of his own, racing it 4 ft past and missing the return, suggestions that it was for handicap protection were dispelled, after the ball was propelled over an adjacent hedge with the red mist gathering. Meadows by one.

Baker Snr provided the filling in a Tuckwell sandwich, with A.T. and the return of Vinny for companions: the latter with his first game back on home soil for 15 months. A midweek sighter down the range was all that was required as the perennial traveler hit some lusty blows. Some uncharacteristic ‘fats’ up the first unfortunately set the tone for Baker Snr as the other senior pro struggled to find his A-B-C or D game. Baker had a commendable, second ball, reload par, up the 8th. Returning to the tee in due course, Horsburgh thought that Baker had had enough of the Tollerton duo and was coming to make a 4! Vin by 1 at the turn and carried on with 2 nett birdies around Amen corner. Tuckwell Snr pulled himself together and delivered a solid back 9, a cracking par, way out of position, the highlight on 16. More balls lost in one round than the previous 5, limited the Baker charge. Vin was determined to take the group spoils by any means necessary: Having nearly decapitated the lead group on 17, his attempted second out of the thick stuff whizzed over the cart and passed between A.T’s and Barry’s ears, nearly accounting for a 5 man wipe out with one ball. With that attempt failed; Vin stepped up the gas down the last for the commendable group honours.

Hoenigmann found himself last up with Hefter and Horsburgh Jnr, due to the navigation of the latter: not for the first time ringing for directions after finding the course entrance elusive. Horsburgh started ominously, while Hefter questioned the handicap given, protesting 2 to many, what a gent! Hoenigmann burst into life with an exquisite nett eagle on the very tricky Par 5, 4th as they all sped for the turn and pole position. A dead heat saw the trio well placed on 17 points apiece, and the course record in sight. Hoenigmann raced into a 3 point lead on 12, which alerted the course photographer’s attention which in turn derailed the ‘Flying Scotsman’ Horsburgh found the going tough; reaching for the driver proving not to be answer. Hoenigmann regrouped surpassing the 30 point barrier for a career high total and the accolades from those gathered, well played. Hefter rediscovered some of his 2006 form, consolidating on a 9 point mid way stretch as the lesser spotted Meadows was once again seen prowling the 18th…

With Meadows having Tuckwell’s back 9 mark in mind rather than his own, it was Hefter who had apparently scooped the title for his first victory since the KCC Rushcliffe Open in 2006. With winnings paid out, compliments taken and post game synopsis on board it was the tricky task of navigating back south of the river. A closer inspection of the cards en route to Tollerton revealed Meadows had also equalled Hefter’s back 9, due to an incorrectly read card not an incorrectly marked card.

After much deliberation, phone calls and red faces it was Meadows (35) who scooped his second victory in two outings from Hefter (35) on the back 3 holes. Tuckwell, S (34) made up the podium with special mention to Hoenigmann (31) Tuckwell, V (30) and Hall (29) scoring so well around a notoriously difficult course.