Frame By 2, As Harris Opens An Advantage

With Beeston and Rushcliffe falling through it was a second time return to Stanton. Harris nearly missed the tee off, roaring up the drive in full paramedic gear with Frame adamant he should be a non starter for being late - now, now!

With the wind whistling and dark clouds circling it was a youthful 4 who opened up. In stetsons and ponchos, Daft and Frame decided to take on Rotton and Chubb to spice it up a little.

Rotton, fresh from his maiden victory, started scoring on the 3rd keen to not rile those who believed his handicap mark should be nearer the 12 (or 14) area!

Daft was once again unable to find his 2010 levels instead puting plan B in to action - keep below 30, get the handicap up to 12, win again next year, but beat Rotton and Chubb in the process.

Frame was in no mood to be messing about and hit 5, 3 pointers on the way to an impressive 20 point opening 9 total - three on the trot through 6, 7 and 8 importantly took the match from 2 down to all square.

Chubb, fresh from honeymooning in Borneo, including a game of golf - good man, set your stall out early, couldn't find his rhythm, only notching 2 pars. However, both were for the win, including one up the 9th, which saw the pair 1 up at the turn.

With only Frame setting his sights on a big score it came down to a tense matchplay situation. Back to back hole wins saw Rotton and Chubb go 2 up with 5 to play. Daft and Frame saddled up their trusty steeds and cantered straight back winning 3 of the next 4 holes, to stand on the 18th 1 up. Daft played the hole of his evening to birdie the 18th (and getting a sixth of his total points - answers on a postcard), in to the gale and close the match out.

Frame kept his composure amongst the matchplay to head home the group by a massive 9 points and keep his title hopes very much alive.

Tuckwell, Hoenigmann and Phoenix were the second group out. Tuckwell was fortunate to remain in bounds on the first and then sandwiched a birdie in between 2 doubles as trees and missed putts were the order of the front 9.

Hoenigmann duly had his one for the car park before starting properly on the second. With the drives 'tinging' sweetly off the middle the momentum built and 11 points over the closing 4 holes meant a fine return.

Phoenix was to endure 7 holes of completely bliss. Sublime golf led to a sumptious 17 points and 2 over par before some tree trouble started to cause the pressure gauge to slide alarmingly towards danger. The warning signs were there after 15 continuous left handed swipes beneath a conifer.

Phoenix (19) holding a 2 point lead from Hoenigmann (17) with Tuckwell (15) a further 2 points adrift.

The 'Pheonixometer' went off the charts on 13 after the approach to the green hurtled out of bounds, with the bag copping some pent up aggression.

A solitary par on 17, accounted for as many points as the previous 7 holes, after a huge one potato drive full of adrenalin.

Hoenigmann was in fine form keeping the ball in play with great distance. A thoroughly deserved par up the 18th concluded an excellent round of 35 points and back 9 of 18. Get yourself a pint sir!

Tuckwell started with a semi shank and feared the worst before rembering he was on home turf and then capitalised for the second time this year .A 2 under par final 8 holes was thanks mainly to some clutch putts. Bizarrely, an expletive followed as a 20 foot down hiller on the 18th that was drained. The realisation that a shot would be docked had just sunk in and pretty much ruling out any chances of competing (apart from round Stanton) for the next 3 years.

Horsburgh was joined by a fellow Tollerton parent, Marriot and Harris. Marriott, playing off 28, single handedly accounted for Horsburgh after accumulating 24 points over the front 9, having decided not to score on the 5th. Nearly driving the ditch on the first, then hitting the 4th green from 210 yards may have given you an indication Jay!

Horsburgh was clearly rattled and decided to enter the neatest card of the night competion which he won comprehensively. The only brief highlight on the front 9 was a chip and putt nett birdie on 4.

Harris was still in the car park for the opening 3 holes, but I don't suppose it matters if you can score 16 points in 5 other holes! 19 points was an excellent return but astonishingly 5 points adrift of Marriot.

Horsburgh slung the reigns on Marriot, to prevent the scoring hitting the 50 point barrier, while notching up 3 3 pointers of his own. After an initial flurry of nett birdies Harris hit the simmer button before a massive nett eagle for 4 points up the 18th and another great total but more importantly a shot docked!

The Stanton rearguard weren't used to much merriment in the bar and delayed their pool playing and carpet bowls untill the TGS contigent had had their fill!

Frame (38) scooped the pot and his second win of the year. Tuckwell (36:B9 21) ousted Harris (36:B9 17) into 3rd with debutant Marriot (36:B9 12) finishing a very creditable 4th. Hoenigmann (35) had his best round of the year and intelligently finished under handicappers eye.

Alectric

Round 4 saw a short trip to Ruddington. Frame and Buttress were installed as joint favourites having just negotiated membership and acruing more than just a couple of sighters.

With Tuckwell running late through school duties (not for long!) Daft, Frame, Thacker and Buttress muscled onto the back 9 with the hordes gathering around the first. The tameable short par 5th 10th, tamed the illustrious quartet with only Buttress accumulating a big 3 pointer. This was to set the tone for his nine - 2 further 3 pointers enabling a tidy 19 points and setting the target.

Thacker went on a mini charge shooting one under through the mid section to match Framey's 15 point opening haul. Regular followers will be unsurprised that Frame's scoring was as follows: 0,0,1,3,0,3,2,3,3. Daft was consistent to the max, scoring on every hole, but an equal helping of 1 and 2 pointers did little to ignite a charge.

Six, 3 pointers between the fourball on the front 9 wasn't conducive to big scoring. Daft couldn't find his 2010 form and finished with an eye on getting a shot back. Thacker can be pleased with a solid 30 point return having not swung a club in anger for a significant period.

Buttress couldn't find the opening 9 consistency, the 3 pointers remained but 2 blobs and 2, 1 pointers meant a very steady 34 points.

Framey was disappointed with a below par 28 points, and had nearly thrown the towel in for the end of season silver jug. A quick recalculation saw that the card was short of not 1 but 4 points! - cheers Dafty, I'll mark my own card next time!

Rotton, Doc Brown, Pike and Harris also managed to sneak out on the back 9. Harris immediately alerting the handicap committee with a birdie, nett eagle, down 10, followed by nett birdie on 11 - 7 points through 2 holes, a dream start.

Brown matched the birdie for a tidy start and followed it up with a further brace of 3 pointers. Rotton indicated nothing of the stellar show that was to follow after 8 points through 6 holes as Pike peaked with an opening 3 points and determined to use the woods.

At the half way stage Harris (18) held a 2 point advantage over Brown (16) with Rotton (15) a point adrift.

Pike offered improvement and doubled his 3 point stakes but couldn't find the consistency off the tee to set up a charge. Meanwhile, Harris proved that he was human with 5 points through the opening 4 holes. This was to be a false dawn as 13 points in the remaining 5 holes posted another good total.

Well in the handicappers grasp, Brown produced a rock solid display of consistency despite not capitalising on the greens. 2 halves of 16 points and a gross 79 - a good evenings work.

Spurred by a nett birdie on his 9th hole, Rotton hit the turbo boosters and produced a faultless dispaly of golf which Pike in no way suggested that it contained any element of luck... Regardless, an immense 3 over par, gross 39 reaped a TGS season high 23 points - 17 points in 6 magic holes proving the catalyst and the clubhouse lead on 38 points.

Tuckwell, Horsburgh and Hoenigmann tried to muscle in on the 10th but were busted by a pair of irate lady members and duly stepped aside after pleading innocence! Tuckwell promised much with 8 points in 4 holes but then lost the plot completely, limping to the turn without much direction apart from an ugly pull hook.

Hoenigmann for once delivered on his opening hole after usually requiring 1 to warm up. A steady run was derailed by the sand, marginally more sand displacement could have been caused by 50 children with bucket and spade.

More high jinxed followed after a ball found a 'dry ditch' the shot was being contemplated before the surface broke and Michael disappeared shin deep - I think I'll take a drop! A 3 pointer up 9 tidied up the card.

Horsey was his usual mark of consistency but shocking didn't score on one hole, unbelievable. 2, 3 pointers redressed the balance for a comfortable 5 shot lead.

Hoenigmann upped his game after the turn although found an equal amount of sand, fortunately safety was recovered at the first time of asking. A steady 15 points and surely only a matter of time before the 100 is broken and a big score accumulated.

Tuckwell opened up with 8 points in the opening 4 holes again and narrowly missed an eagle on 2 after an excellent approach. This time a succession of pars followed in an attempt to reel Horsey in.

Horsey uncharacteristically stuttered after the turn with all touch and feel deserting him but showed his steely determination down the last as Tuckwell had drawn level. A cool nett birdie slamming the door on Tuckwell who crumbled with a bogey.

A sensational 10 holes from Rotton (38) saw him cruise to his maiden TGS victory with a 2 shot victory over the ever consistent Harris (36) Pre tournament favourite, Buttress (34), finished comfortably in the top 3 ahead of Horsburgh (32) Brown (32) and Frame (32)