9 out of 8 Balls Prefer the Water...

Photos to be added

A first time return to Rufford since Jenko’s all conquering previous TGS record of 42 points back in 2006. A small, yet quality field, was reduced in numbers courtesy of holidays and marathon running, but a fine 7, booked for 8 but Hoenigmann was running fashionably late, enjoyed some spicy tomato soup and a plate full of sandwiches to line the stomach.

The proud starter kindly informed Meadows, Daft, Dean and Hefter of the rules, blue stakes only potentially in range on 1, 2 and 18 – a free drop regardless of finding your ball all not.

4 top draw belting tee shots off the first from the opening quartet can’t pass without mention, Meadows a nett birdie for a tidy opening conversion. Dean was unrattled by a trolley malfunction on 3, with the handle falling off at least it wasn’t the wheels (they cracked later, I jest you not) A nett birdie sandwiched in between a solid run of pars kept the title dream alive. A no score on 7 was followed with a nett birdie up 9 for a great opening. With Daft sensing some late magic from Potter he quickly rebuffed a generous 2½ down hill gimme from Hefter with a ‘not acceptable’ comment. Dean holed to avoid controversy but the stall was set!

Meds finished as he started the 9 with a 3 pointer, the filling was a mixed bag which promised more but was still in the hunt for a back 9 assault. Hefter opened solidly and was one above the card after the first 4 holes but a par 3 hex seemed to have been cast and the shorter holes proved an undoing but like Meadows still in the mix.

Champion elect, Daft, was out of sorts with some heavy handed approach shorts but clung to the coat tails of Dean who led by 3.

Approaching the 10th tee Dean’s trolley problems seemed to be mounting and could be seen trying to hotwire the loose wires before holding/steering/guiding and powering in one movement. A visit to the water was not the start required with mind possibly elsewhere, although a second ball par kept the points accumulating. Unfortunately Dean joined the 5 point club on the way in but not for 5 points on one hole…

Meadows was clearly pumped up after a blob on 12. An all action blockbusting drive was launched a full 335 yards (GPS registered) down the 641 yard monster 13th. The rest of the hole went round the houses but a nett birdie was recorded nonetheless. 6 points over the next few holes left it delicately poised for the tough finish.

Daft had a near ace on the long par 3 15th, it had some coal on and had a large bounce but definitely jumped after hitting the cup – a square smack on the pin could have resulted in a totally different story.

Tuckwell, Hepburn, Doc Brown were joined 5 minutes late by a beaming Hoenigmann, but expected nothing less! The late start hampered the latter who finally regrouped and started his round on 4 – drawing the conclusion that late arrivals may not be conducive to good scoring. Finally in the swing – 10 points in the closing 3 holes was also nothing less than expected – nett eagle up the 9th the highlight after flirting with the trees

Doc Brown had a magnetism around the green with some deft links approaches hitting the pin and leaving tap in pars. Tuckwell on the other hand was atrocious round the green after pleasing approach play – frittering shot after shot away with untidy play.

Hepburn spluttered through the opening exchanges looking for that spark to ignite the kindling, whilst not picking up big points it was points on each hole before and excellent 3 pointer up 8 which resulted in a well deserved can of G&T to celebrate.

Comedy on 9 as Tuckwell first sent a tee shot skimming treewards and pleading for a fortuitous kick, which did so ricocheting 90 degrees back across the fairway. Hepburn repeated the exact feat with the very next tee shot with the ball finishing 5 yards away from Tuckwells. Tuckwell then proceeded to launch a 3 wood via the roof of the driving range/road/car which somehow finished on the other side of the putting green but in bounds. Hepburn and Hoenigmann tied by 2.

The group willed Hepburn’s tee shot over the water on 10, but proved too much hilarity for the pair of jockeys in the buggy behind who implied that a little less lairiness and more haste may be better. Tuckwell disagreed before opening with a birdie.

Hepburn and Hoenigmann were questioning Tuckwell’s decision not to let the buggy bandits through. Tuckwell relayed the scenario to Meadows who calmly concluded – phukem! Case closed.

Brown got tangled on 10 and 11 but 13 points through the next 5 holes catapulted him back in to the fray. Hepburn had a couple of revelations after launching a drive 15 off of a brand new large wooden blue tee peg declaring, “I thought I was sh!t but obviously it is the tee peg,” followed by proclaiming loudly on the tee of following par 3 that he would give a grand to anyone who hit the green, his playing partners were scrapping for the tee before the reality of the comment was realised and downgraded to a £1. No one did hit it though!

Hoenigmann continued his mini purple patch 4 times in 6 holes putting for 4 points and spectacularly managed his first 2 pointer on the 15th – unfortunately the elation / suprise was to prove too much and no further points were added.

It’s all about the 17th…

Standing 80 foot above the island fronted green is quite a test at the best of times and with it looking decisive: Hefter (25), Hepburn (26), Daft (27), Meadows (28), Brown (29) and Tuckwell (30)

Hepburn and Hoenigmann had already cast the spread with Heppers going for 4 wet balls and Hoenee lower.

Meadows was first to find a watery grave with Tuckwell’s motor mouth ringing in the distance, which was followed by one way left and on the cusp by Dean. Daft followed suit for another submerged effort for 3 in 3. Hefter sent one greenwards which looked just short all the way – it was short bit hit the rocks at such an angle that it leapt upwards with a mountain of top spin and found the green! What do you reckon to that Punch? - The that’s way to do it! The drop zone saw some action with Dean pitching back into the water twice before shoulders slumped and forlornly looking for the first one. 5 in and the spread looking expensive. Hefter the only one to capitalise with a 2 putt par for 3 points.

Brown was pumped off the back of a nett birdie but over clubbed finding some thick rough beyond the green. Hoenigmann found the centre of the pond and was followed by Hepburn who went for the Barnes Wallace approach but sank on the 5th skim. Tuckwell found the heart of the green with the benefit of going last. 7 balls in

Hoenigmann’s dropzone effort couldn’t find Hefter’s angle of rock approach with his pill agonisingly rebounding back into the pond. All was not finished, even with all men over the bridge, Brown’s effort out of the thick stuff seemed to gather speed across the green and trickled into the water for a tremendous 9 balls in the water! Amid all the excitement Tuckwell 3 stabbed!

Coming onto 18 it looked like a 4 horse race with Hefter and Meadows (28), Brown (29) and Tuckwell (31) Tuckwell decided to lose his cool and not add to his score whilst Hefter could only add a solitary point. Meadows hit a monster put couldn’t find the needed birdie while Brown holed out well for par.

A re-run of Wollaton saw Tuckwell on his 50th TGS appearance (31 B9:18) sneak a low scoring effort on countback from the Doc, Brown (31 B9:16) Meadows (30) was the other to hit the 30 point target with everyone sipping their pints and mulling over what could have been!