The finale of the TGS 2009 Season, at Cotgrave Masters, saw 6 wily campaigners all vying for the title. Tuckwell struggled with his admin, again, in no way trying to gain a psychological advantage. Only checking the exact tee off the day before and finding it was an hour earlier than broadcast, but pre match bacon butties were included – every cloud!
A.T. withdrew due to back complaints, with Horsburgh Snr and Radford on family duties. Innaugral 2005 winner, Baker, was on season debut with all previous TGS champions on parade and was surprised to see a rife drinking culture with beers lined up before 12. Pike persisted with the shorts but did not fall foul of the laws on his second outing. An honourable tie and shared trophy was discussed before a motion passed that it would be back down the first if it couldn’t be separated...
Baker, Pike, Duffin and Vin opened up with some flawless front 9 golf. 14 - 3 pointers and 3 - 4 pointers easy going (how the final four could have done with some of that!). Vin rather disheartened to be 3 points adrift at the turn with 18 points. Pike, 21, Baker, 22 and Duffin 23. It was a case of contrasting styles with Baker and Duffin launching with the big dogs and Vin and Pike ‘The Iron Kings’ smashing it slightly straighter but just as far.
Baker made the first move on the back 9, holing a monster birdie put, down, round and across the tricky 11th green. This inspired Duffin to drive the 12th – but 4 putts weren’t part of the equation. Pike once again showed his second row power by hitting a 9 iron to the 170 yard par 3, 13th.
Entering the toughest stretch, Baker held a 2 shot lead (already on 36 points) with the tricky last 3 to play. A worm burner made it not 5 yards above the ground, but safely carried the pond on the signature 16th. Vin was high but dry before Pike had 6 of the best: top to the path, fat – inches before the reeds. An awkward stance but managed 8 skims across the pond before falling agonizingly short, before reloading to a foot and holing out – nice. Duffin completed the set by firing high and handsome into the field beyond!
An attacking approach to the monsterous 17 saw Vin march off with 3 points – how welcome that would have been to some of the leading pack – as the others all scored with arrows into the green over more water.
Baker held his composure up the last to sign off in style with a nett birdie and a 42 bumper points, ably supported by Vin (37) Pike (36) and Duffin (35) Good scores boys.
The outsiders of Chubb and Brown were partnered by a ‘dry’ Hepburn. Brown still at a club in Oxford at 3am that morning finishing off wedding celebrations – impressive. Needing a score near the 40’s Chubb exploded into life with birdies on 2 and 3 and 12 points in 4 holes – which was relayed via text to Horsburgh and Co, and promptly followed by a blob – karma! Brown kept in touch with some 3 pointers of his own as Heppers rekindled some of his old magic with 13 points in 4 holes from the 4th. Chubb (21) by 1 from Heppers (20) and Brown (18)
Heppers recorded his second nett eagle of the day up 11 as Brown lost his way through the opening 5 holes. Chubb kept on the throttle, 1 over through 7 leaving himself very handily placed with 2 to play. Hepburn left 14 alone but finished strongly for his best round in possibly 4 years – anything to do with the lack of beer fridge? Brown regrouped for a 10 point last 4 hole stretch as Chubb lost sight of one down 17, a point was scrambled and a par to finish off but would it be enough?
Thacker, Meadows and Dean were off and running. Meadows quickly into his stride, fresh off the 18th at Stanton, with 16 points in 6 holes. Thacker, still ruing his handicap cut, showed his professional streak with a steady 18 point opening. Dean, with fully functioning trolley, used all his experience to hold on to the young whipper snappers. Meadows by 3.
The bogey express awaited Dean on platform 10 to be finally departed on 14. Meadows opened with back to back nett birdies as Thacker raised the bar: 1 under through the back 7 and to tie Meadows with 2 to play. 4 points for Thacker to Meadows 3 meant a 1 shot victory with more good scores in excess of 36 points. I’m sorry Neil but that’s another shot gone! Well played both.
The Final Four: Hefter opened up with some ditch trouble on 1 as Daft somehow hit 4 balls on 2 but still ended up with a par thanks to his eagle eyed partners. Tuckwell slipped in the first of his many 3 putts on 3, as Horsburgh talked himself out of a 2 footer insisting it could be given! Hole 4 was negotiated without hitch before Horsburgh holed a snaking, off the green, monster to consolidate a great start on 5.
Daft seemed to be circumnavigating 6 before canning a 12 footer for a point as Horsey kept pressing. Back to back nett birdies for Horsburgh had Daft scurrying for the notebook to see what the damage was. Horsey 3 up through 8! Hefter and Tuckwell were struggling brilliantly on the greens, Hefter just shading it – with another that agonizingly slipped by.
Ditch trouble on 9 was capitalised on by Daft with a sterling up and down for nett birdie as the pair finished the 9 neck and neck on 19 points, with Tuckwell (16) and Hefter (15) languishing.
The Final 9: Bounce back ability from Hefter with 12 points in 6 holes as Tuckwell shot himself in the foot with three 3 putts in the opening 4 holes. 5 points apiece for the leaders over the opening 2 holes before sand curtailed the scoring for both on 12.
Tuckwell, having putted himself out of the running, seemed to swing more easily and found some success with the wand. Birdie, par, birdie from 14 suddenly launched himself back into contention. Daft was clinging onto his game after some uncharacteristic shots as Horsburgh held firm.
2 to play
A.T. withdrew due to back complaints, with Horsburgh Snr and Radford on family duties. Innaugral 2005 winner, Baker, was on season debut with all previous TGS champions on parade and was surprised to see a rife drinking culture with beers lined up before 12. Pike persisted with the shorts but did not fall foul of the laws on his second outing. An honourable tie and shared trophy was discussed before a motion passed that it would be back down the first if it couldn’t be separated...
Baker, Pike, Duffin and Vin opened up with some flawless front 9 golf. 14 - 3 pointers and 3 - 4 pointers easy going (how the final four could have done with some of that!). Vin rather disheartened to be 3 points adrift at the turn with 18 points. Pike, 21, Baker, 22 and Duffin 23. It was a case of contrasting styles with Baker and Duffin launching with the big dogs and Vin and Pike ‘The Iron Kings’ smashing it slightly straighter but just as far.
Baker made the first move on the back 9, holing a monster birdie put, down, round and across the tricky 11th green. This inspired Duffin to drive the 12th – but 4 putts weren’t part of the equation. Pike once again showed his second row power by hitting a 9 iron to the 170 yard par 3, 13th.
Entering the toughest stretch, Baker held a 2 shot lead (already on 36 points) with the tricky last 3 to play. A worm burner made it not 5 yards above the ground, but safely carried the pond on the signature 16th. Vin was high but dry before Pike had 6 of the best: top to the path, fat – inches before the reeds. An awkward stance but managed 8 skims across the pond before falling agonizingly short, before reloading to a foot and holing out – nice. Duffin completed the set by firing high and handsome into the field beyond!
An attacking approach to the monsterous 17 saw Vin march off with 3 points – how welcome that would have been to some of the leading pack – as the others all scored with arrows into the green over more water.
Baker held his composure up the last to sign off in style with a nett birdie and a 42 bumper points, ably supported by Vin (37) Pike (36) and Duffin (35) Good scores boys.
The outsiders of Chubb and Brown were partnered by a ‘dry’ Hepburn. Brown still at a club in Oxford at 3am that morning finishing off wedding celebrations – impressive. Needing a score near the 40’s Chubb exploded into life with birdies on 2 and 3 and 12 points in 4 holes – which was relayed via text to Horsburgh and Co, and promptly followed by a blob – karma! Brown kept in touch with some 3 pointers of his own as Heppers rekindled some of his old magic with 13 points in 4 holes from the 4th. Chubb (21) by 1 from Heppers (20) and Brown (18)
Heppers recorded his second nett eagle of the day up 11 as Brown lost his way through the opening 5 holes. Chubb kept on the throttle, 1 over through 7 leaving himself very handily placed with 2 to play. Hepburn left 14 alone but finished strongly for his best round in possibly 4 years – anything to do with the lack of beer fridge? Brown regrouped for a 10 point last 4 hole stretch as Chubb lost sight of one down 17, a point was scrambled and a par to finish off but would it be enough?
Thacker, Meadows and Dean were off and running. Meadows quickly into his stride, fresh off the 18th at Stanton, with 16 points in 6 holes. Thacker, still ruing his handicap cut, showed his professional streak with a steady 18 point opening. Dean, with fully functioning trolley, used all his experience to hold on to the young whipper snappers. Meadows by 3.
The bogey express awaited Dean on platform 10 to be finally departed on 14. Meadows opened with back to back nett birdies as Thacker raised the bar: 1 under through the back 7 and to tie Meadows with 2 to play. 4 points for Thacker to Meadows 3 meant a 1 shot victory with more good scores in excess of 36 points. I’m sorry Neil but that’s another shot gone! Well played both.
The Final Four: Hefter opened up with some ditch trouble on 1 as Daft somehow hit 4 balls on 2 but still ended up with a par thanks to his eagle eyed partners. Tuckwell slipped in the first of his many 3 putts on 3, as Horsburgh talked himself out of a 2 footer insisting it could be given! Hole 4 was negotiated without hitch before Horsburgh holed a snaking, off the green, monster to consolidate a great start on 5.
Daft seemed to be circumnavigating 6 before canning a 12 footer for a point as Horsey kept pressing. Back to back nett birdies for Horsburgh had Daft scurrying for the notebook to see what the damage was. Horsey 3 up through 8! Hefter and Tuckwell were struggling brilliantly on the greens, Hefter just shading it – with another that agonizingly slipped by.
Ditch trouble on 9 was capitalised on by Daft with a sterling up and down for nett birdie as the pair finished the 9 neck and neck on 19 points, with Tuckwell (16) and Hefter (15) languishing.
The Final 9: Bounce back ability from Hefter with 12 points in 6 holes as Tuckwell shot himself in the foot with three 3 putts in the opening 4 holes. 5 points apiece for the leaders over the opening 2 holes before sand curtailed the scoring for both on 12.
Tuckwell, having putted himself out of the running, seemed to swing more easily and found some success with the wand. Birdie, par, birdie from 14 suddenly launched himself back into contention. Daft was clinging onto his game after some uncharacteristic shots as Horsburgh held firm.
2 to play
Horsburgh (33) Tuckwell (32) Daft (30) Hefter (29)
17th
Tuckwell had the honour and the chance to turn the screw but bailed out massively left pulling the nuts off one and requiring a penalty drop. Daft and Horsburgh were safely away, before a routine lay up saw Daft find the water, followed by Hefter then Tuckwell. Horsburgh kept his composure to find the green in 4, 2 putts meant 2 points.
18th
4 drives dissected the middle of the fairway with the crowds gathered and chortling. Daft and Horsburgh both fired big and left in 2005 Hepburn territory. Hefter found sand via the tree as Tuckwell set up a 15 foot birdie opportunity. Hefter played a beauty, while Tuckwell finished agonizingly short. 2 heavy chips and 3 putts a piece meant a point was scrambled by Daft and Horsburgh as the crowd assembled and Tuckwell searched for the answers.
Little did he know - Horsey you've got 2 for it!
Chubb’s 40 pointer meant a huge 21 point jump up the leaderboard to 171. Tuckwell improved to 168, Brown 166 and Hefter 164. Daft could not add to his 31 point low and remained on 167. Horsburgh with a 6 point improvement joined Chubb at the top of the pile with 171! – A play off! Clubs were quickly discarded as all 14 rushed back to the first!
THE PLAY OFF
Chubb won the toss and elected to insert Horsey (ooh er...) who teed up with a shot knowing a par would have to force a birdie.
The big tree proved Horsey’s foil, stopping it dead 100 yards down, as Chubb sailed one over, pulled slightly left into the rough – as the crowd followed and the members thought what the…
Heartbreak for Horsburgh as the approach was caught fat and trickled into Hefter’s ditch. A penalty drop was opted for rather than having 4 hacks at it and shaking hands amongst the fauna.
Chubb had chance to shut the door but a neat looking approach fell a foot short and back into the sand.
Horsburgh regained compsure and fired into the heart of the green for 4 nett 3 as the tension mounted.
17th
Tuckwell had the honour and the chance to turn the screw but bailed out massively left pulling the nuts off one and requiring a penalty drop. Daft and Horsburgh were safely away, before a routine lay up saw Daft find the water, followed by Hefter then Tuckwell. Horsburgh kept his composure to find the green in 4, 2 putts meant 2 points.
18th
4 drives dissected the middle of the fairway with the crowds gathered and chortling. Daft and Horsburgh both fired big and left in 2005 Hepburn territory. Hefter found sand via the tree as Tuckwell set up a 15 foot birdie opportunity. Hefter played a beauty, while Tuckwell finished agonizingly short. 2 heavy chips and 3 putts a piece meant a point was scrambled by Daft and Horsburgh as the crowd assembled and Tuckwell searched for the answers.
Little did he know - Horsey you've got 2 for it!Chubb’s 40 pointer meant a huge 21 point jump up the leaderboard to 171. Tuckwell improved to 168, Brown 166 and Hefter 164. Daft could not add to his 31 point low and remained on 167. Horsburgh with a 6 point improvement joined Chubb at the top of the pile with 171! – A play off! Clubs were quickly discarded as all 14 rushed back to the first!
THE PLAY OFF
Chubb won the toss and elected to insert Horsey (ooh er...) who teed up with a shot knowing a par would have to force a birdie.
The big tree proved Horsey’s foil, stopping it dead 100 yards down, as Chubb sailed one over, pulled slightly left into the rough – as the crowd followed and the members thought what the…
Heartbreak for Horsburgh as the approach was caught fat and trickled into Hefter’s ditch. A penalty drop was opted for rather than having 4 hacks at it and shaking hands amongst the fauna.
Chubb had chance to shut the door but a neat looking approach fell a foot short and back into the sand.
Horsburgh regained compsure and fired into the heart of the green for 4 nett 3 as the tension mounted.
Chubb played a beauty under the circumstances leaving both players 30 foot away with Horsey to throw first... It set off on a fantastic line but pulled up a knee trembling 3 foot short.
With the darkness gathering Chubb settled over a right to lefter as the assembled held their breath. It appeared to be on a superb line but with plenty of coal on it. The ball raced towards the hole as onlookers held their breath... as it disappeared into the bottom of the cup with half of the back of the hole on it.
Cap thrown in air, a jump for joy and ecstacy for Chubb as the applause rung out and both players embraced.
A tremendous, tremendous finish to an excellent season. Well done all as hot beef cobs and alcohol awaited at the 19th.
Steady on Meds, you'll not eat your dinner...
The high scoring daily honours went to Baker (42) from Chubb (40), Hepburn (39) Thacker (38), Vin (37 B9:19), Meadows (37 B9:16), Pike (36 B9:15) and Horsburgh Jnr (36 B9:15)
The final shake up was as close as close could be with all the top 6 wondering what could have been.
1st: R. Chubb – 171 – Ave 34.2 (£50 and trophy)
2nd: J. Horsburgh – 171 – Ave 34.2 (£30)
3rd: S. Tuckwell – 168 – Ave 33.6 (£20)
4th: R. Daft – 167 – Ave 33.4
5th: J. Brown – 166 – Ave 33.2
6th: M. Hefter – 164 – Ave 32.8
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