TGS Season 6, yes 6! Opened its doors at a sunny Stanton-on-the-Wolds met by Tuckwell in a very striking cerise number. Thacker and Ball, Ruddington partners in crime, started very much where they had left off some 12 hours earlier – in the bar.
A bit of a merry-go-round saw A.T. withdraw, back prevention, after 14 days straight and a 5 day golf trip to follow. Dessaur fell foul of alcohol poisoning while Hall was finalising the last details of a big money transfer back to Bridgford.
Having exchanged the customary pleasantries in the Pro-shop and dealing with a few handicap chunterings McLoughlin immediately had some explaining to do – driving the first. Phoenix had the wire wool on the irons midweek but scrubbed off a bit too much accuracy in the early stages before a nice net eagle up 6 lowered the pressure gauge.
Ever steady Bremner, was the mark of consistency any blip instantly followed by a 3 pointer. While Daft, still smarting off his mark of 10, produced a mixed bag. McLoughlin finished the front 9 firmly in charge, birdie, par, par, birdie – 2 under, 14 points – a total of 22 – with a blob. No you can’t be off more than 8.
With thoughts of a potentially hazardous first round handicap axe, the back 9 scores dipped below the front 9 highs, with only 2 nett birdies registered between the group in the first 7 holes. In danger of the round petering out and squandering the chance of a solid opening, Bremner, inspired by yesterdays Canaries promotion party, finished 17 and 18 with 6 points. McLouglin finished nett birdie. Daft saved the best ‘til last with birdie and 4 points.
A dangerous looking quartet consisting of reigning champion, Chubb. 2010 early favourite, Doc Brown, the returning Rotton - and 2008 Champion, Meadows set off full of promise. Although, Meadows was fighting through the pain barrier after a late night car park altercation left some bruised ribs but no clear details on the hows and whys!
A cagey start from the usual free scoring Chubb was merely a lull, as he became only the six man on the TGS circuit to register a 5 pointer. A drive, 5 iron, 8 footer – accomplishing the feat on the 469 yard Par 5 9th - Eagle with a shot. Meadows’ nett eagle insignificant!
Rotton, under the watchful eye of Meadows, was careful not to score too freely with the 18 handicap considered favourable. Four front 9 3 pointers were balanced with 3 1’s and a blob. It was left to the Doc to turn the screw; a rare 3 putt on the first was the only blemish in a one over gross front 9.
The pain got the better of Meds, who having easily surpassed the TGS all time low, opted out of the majority of the back 9 – not being drawn into a big hitting contest and careful not to let Rotton escape his attention. Rotton hit the coolers after 24 points after 12 holes – fearing the promised 5 shot handicap cull.
Likewise Chubb, who with 33 points through 16 must have been eying up 40 points, with 2 tameable par 5s to finish. A tepid, yet ideal finish, assured the 6 handicap would not be reduced! Richard – are you sure you played them to your full potential…
Brown, more than happy off his low single figure mark, consolidated on his excellent front 9 to shoot a top draw 4 over, gross 77 - and with it a handsome 38 points.
Tuckwell, Thacker, Ball and Radford set off on the back 9, with Thacker regretting the final pint / chaser.
Not one to hang about, Ball played some hit and run with great effect, practice swings deemed a waste of energy. Tuckwell was out of sorts a trio of 3 pointers only masking some early season rustiness.
Can we go yet? The bar's closing!
Thacker battling some inner turmoil tried every available cure but couldn’t shake an increasingly pounding headache. An approach to a foot on 13 briefly lifting the gloom. Radford, having wintered well on the Wii, hit some nice shots but couldn’t capitalise on the greens.
Ball appeared to be working on, a not conducive to good scoring formula of:
Shots to green = number of putts taken.Eye for the cup not as sharp as the eye for goal!
Although the spread went belly up on 17, with those who went high, as a snaking 25 footer found the back of the cup for birdie and a single putt – yes single putt!
Thacker was 2 ahead of the group ready to tackle the shorter front 9. 2 fantastic shanks coupled with a drilling headache left the resident pro with only one choice: Get the driver out and smash it as close to the green as possible. This yielded 3 birdies in 3 holes but could only mask the growing fatigue.
Tuckers 30 yard pitch to the 8th, which found the sand, 6 foot in front of him, summed up proceedings, so it was left to Ball and Radford to fly the flag. A cracking start and finish to the 9 saw Radford amass a healthy 20 points, 3 shy of last years opening effort, but excellent nonetheless.
Calypso time for Ball, who was seeing it like a football and giving his single figure partners a lesson in how to strike it. Four 3 pointers on the homeward stretch not bad for the annual outing!
Are we nearly there yet...
Horsburgh Jnr, Hefter, Hoenee and step-dad, Riddell, made up the final 4, starting on the front 9. Hefter had a tale two nines – securing the worst opening and best back of the day. Always finish in style Stats, a bit of class. You may look back on this when you’re in poll position coming down the Masters stretch in October!
Horsey, fresh from a 1 hole Friday victory, over Phoenix started with a tidy nett birdie, before a wobble, then recovery. Riddell was all about the 2s determined to get one over on Michael after being defeated in their last outing at Bondhay. But, hemust have stared in disbelief as a regulation par equated to nett eagle on the opener courtesy of it being stroke 10! Not usually a word associated with Hoenne – consistency – but consistent it was. Could 18 holes be strung together?
Horsey kept accumulating: a one pointer always followed by a 3 for a steady start, although the 2009 Runner-Up would always view it as a missed opportunity. Riddell was clinging to Hoenigmann’s coat tails, and could only watch on as his nett birdie was surpassed with nett eagle up 12. With the 18th to play Hoenne held a 2 point lead and his competitive instinct was not about to let it disappear. Nett birdie securing bragging rights until next time!
With the field split it meant a well timed gathering into the 19th, although there was only chance for one with barkeep heading back for his Sunday snap rather than add an extra £100 takings – although it did look like a rowdy lot…
With the scores all accounted for it was the Doctor, Jay Brown (38) who claimed the opening honours, and the pot, with a 3 shot victory over the ‘Handicap Protectors’ of Chubb (35 B9:17), Bremner (35 B9:16) Ball (35 B9:15) and McLoughlin (35 B9:13) Hoenigmann (34) another to finish impressively.
A select few swung back via the Jolly’s, while the others retired home thinking of what could have been.
With potentially the closest run tour to date, it will certainly go down to the wire. Brown stamped some early season authority but as ever with the best 5 out of 8 rounds to go forward, will everyone be able to fulfil the quota?
Ball appeared to be working on, a not conducive to good scoring formula of:
