An absolutely sun drenched afternoon at the traditional finishing post, Cotgrave Masters, the venue for a lucky and youthful 13. Dessaur was hoping for some ‘ginger time’ – cloud cover! As the sun beat relentlessly down. A midweek call from the pro offering a switch to the Open course due to the poor state of the greens was turned down, nothing to do with A.T. sitting pretty in ze Black Forest trying to make it more favourable!
It was a hive of activity as an air of excitement swept the fairways with news that Meadows was in town, minus 4 iron after trying a spot of late night DIY but completely shafting it... The main man seem unfazed and had time to spare around the practice green. Trev looked sprightly a 5 o' clock wake up call and pre-game jog all part of the new fitness regime.
None could beat the eager beavers of Duffin and Vin who arrived at 9.30, the latter not storing the previous evenings phone call to brother Tuckwell as to the 11.30 tee off… Where is everyone? Couldn’t even pin it on the clocks going back! Still if the bars open...
Naaman made another splendid return with clubs on board moped as did Wood Jnr making his season debut and definite best turned out: a post round change of clothes – nice touch!
The young bucks of Duffin, Wood, Vin and Naaman flew out the traps in a blaze of sunshine before the photographer could arrive. Naaman the first to show with his broad shoulders generating some power and accuracy for a blinding 12 point 4 hole showing and even bigger grin than usual.
All 4 filled their boots on 2 - a tasty par for Vin notched a bumper 4 point haul. Naaman plateaud with a disappointing run of 2 pointers as everyones favourite Irishman, Duffin, produced a mixed bag of 3-2-1, Ted Rogers and Dusty Bin. Wood stablilised with the lions share of the ‘shots du jour.’ But it was left to Naaman with a monsterous TGS course record of 23 points and a 6 shot advantage over Wood.
It turned into a mini horribulus for Vin after the turn, as the first of 7 balls decided to go missing – maybe one eye on the charms of Central America, 14 days and counting. Although a sterling job to keep the quarter moving at a canter may also have contributed. Naaman continued in explosive fashion with more 3 point mayhem on 10 but the weight of expectation fell heavily with a gargantuan score on the horizon.
Back to back snowmen on 11 and 12 (8’s… keep up…) curtailed Duffin’s charge but was clearly enjoying the late autumn sun before heading back off to the Alps for another season of après Ski and chalet maids, oh, and managing some resorts.
Wood slipped on the shades for a sparkling back 9 and one of the few contenders to tame the beast: stroke 1, double laked 17th. A no score up 18 was a slightly sour end but enough to triumph on countback despite Naaman’s heroic 1 point save. Some leafy shade under the mango trees and a bit of grazing as the remaining groups appeared on the horizon seemed just the ticket.
I bet he doesn't make as big a mess as I did...KCC connection of Tuckwell Jnr, powerful Kiwi, Garland and Romeo Dessaur were guarateed of a giggle. Dessuar appearing from behind the bins last seen heading for the tee just the hors d’oevres.
Dessaur’s latest dating antics held conversation through 6 putting Davey G off his swing. Some nakedness and removal of layers was not enough from preventing a blockbusting Garland drive becoming part of the Shepherd’s Sunday Carvery as the 3 iron was being contemplated off the next tee.
Tuckwell was perhaps the only man to not fill his boots on 2 despite predicting it is a certain 3 pointer. Greenside in 2, 4 shots later – thanks for coming and keep your mouth shut! The ever consistent Dessaur was finding sublime form from tee to green put couldn’t get the chips to land close enough and putts within dustbin lid distance as a multitude of 3 putts were accumulated.
One last throw with the driver, with the disdain usually reserved for a pie chucker up the slope at the field of dreams saw Garland well and truly knock the back doors out of one up 7, definite 300+ setting up a 3 for 1 for 5 opportunity which just slid past, still 12 points for the final 4 holes of the 9 not to be sniffed at. All the measure of the greens had been met by picking the line of courdrouy you wanted and firing away! A late flury by Tuckwell kept him interested but it was Dessaur by 1 from Garland.
More barbarity from Garland with some huge prop forward drives that exploded down the centre of the fairway, 14 points in the first 5 holes on the back 9 looking ominous. Tuckwell managed to Barnes Wallis one across the pond 10 yards in front of the 11th nearly escaping with a par. More nearlies but not quite was the back 9 story, with the putts not quite falling but another pleasing 18.
Dessaur was directionally alert undermining the job of a caddy as it was ‘clearly this way, there's the pin, what can be more difficult than that! The radar still wouldn’t work on the greens but the points kept building – a fantastic 3 iron to 6 feet on the tricky par 3 13th was exceptional after looking tired, emotional and disconcelate during 12, which could have bee renamed ‘tete’ in his honour. The next par 3, was equally entertaining with Dessaur first up. With 8 iron in hand, convinced it was a 7, and with playing partners watching through closed fingers. The ball was fired into its usual rsesting place, safely over the water but 40 yards into the adjoining field and out of town. Garland followed suit before both reloads found the baize and brought adulation from Horsburgh Snr, who was not informed that they were indeed the second attempt.
Dessaur found water on 17 but recovered superbly, Tuckwell acting as caddy instructed the left handed maestro in no uncertain terms to not aim for the flag with his approach, due to perilously placed pin – advice unheeded as one arrowed to within 4 foot and high fives. Garland rather limped home but an excellent card for handicap purposes and a 3 shot group win with a strong looking back 9.
Horsburgh Snr, Daft and Hefter, the latter two harbouring outside title aspirations, were left in the shade by their playing partner who was intent on showing the field what they had been missing – 3 nett birdies and a tasty nett eagle on the way to matching Naaman’s Cotgrave Masters front 9 record of 23 points.
Hefter bravely hung in there, a no score on 4 the only blemish to an otherwise very tidy front 9 – nett eagle on 7 the highlight.
Daft showed signs of promise with a flurry of points but was derailed by the two large trees guarding the front of the 8th and was left to tally Horsburgh’s 4 shot halfway advantage.
A further nett eagle – birdie combination on 11 and 13 catapulted Horsburgh to a sublime 37 points with the testing final two holes to finish. Daft started very solidly, a nett birdie on 15 very helpful before finding water on the delicate 16th. A great response up 17, and one of the few to tackle it successfully, was finished with a TFC up 18, still plenty of promise for next weekend.
Hefter couldn't quite repeat a back 9 charge but boosted his average by 10 shots for a jump up the leaderboard.
Horsburgh found trouble up 17 and looked in good shape on 18 as an approach rolled close, a little putt took the unintended line and glided past, the significance of this outcome was to prove costly but still a welcome return to form and a commanding group victory.
The final trio, Meadows, Marriot and Horsburgh Jnr, set off with the destiny in their own hands. Horsburgh needing a massive 42 points was probably undone on the 4th and took up a commentatory / coach / mentoring role and tried to remain as impartial as possible as the drama unfolded. Rumours of chanting, ‘Meadows’, ‘Meadows’, ‘Meadows’ on each tee were unfounded.
THE SHOWDOWN
MEADOWS v MARRIOTWith both needing over 30 points to overhaul Tour leader A.T. it was Meadows in the box seat with what equated to a 3 shot advantage over Trev.
Hole 1: Ominous Trev found the ditch guarding the fairway as Meadows arrowed his approach to the front edge of the green. A remarkable recovery from Trev saw his approach land inches from the pin and a cast iron 4 nett 3. Meadows carded a 4 himself… unfortunately 4 putts, no points and lead evaporated!
All square
Hole 2: Immediate response from Meadows – nett birdie against par.
Meds - 1 up
Hole 3: 2 shot swing. Trev makes his shot count for nett birdie as Meds scrambles a bogey.
Trev - 1 up
Hole 4: A scrappy 4th sees Meds level courtesy of par to Trev’s bogey, but 6 points in total sees Meds at rock bottom and sought wise words from Horsburgh to refocus.
All square.
Hole 5: A kick in the pills! Horsburgh levels up the fairness stakes with an unmarked ball on the green, with Meds already gone Trev had a treacherous pitch which was flying handsomely into next week before hitting Horsey’s ball full on and stopping dead, feet from the hole and allowing unlikely 2 bonus points for Trev.
Trev – 2 up.
Hole 6: More misery for Meds as equal pars are not enough to prevent Trev gaining further momentum courtesy of a shot.
Trev – 3 up
Hole 7: Level pegging as a pair of nett birdies mean no change
Trev - 3 up
Hole 8: Locked again on the well guarded 8th as a pair of pars are both registered, Trev relentless as another shot consolidates the advantage.
Trev – 4 up
Hole 9: Bite back: Stroke index 2 proves no problems for Meadows as a nett birdie against bogey claws two welcome points back.
Trev - 2 up
Trev 2 up at the turn thanks to a huge 21 points opening blast, Meadows regrouped after being shell shocked and on to the more tricky back 9...
Hole 10: The comeback. Nett birdie for Meds to Trev’s par, despite finding the thick rough off the tee.
Trev – 2 up
Hole 11: Advantage: Two solid drives but with the adrenalin flowing, Trev overclubbed and flew through the back of the green not to be found again. Another nett birdie for Meds wiped out the advantage.
Meds - 1 up.
Hole 12: Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Meds finds the fairway as Trev hits the fairway bunker, amidst wry smiles from Meds and an extra swagger in the walk. Meds find s the green 10 foot away as a good approach from the sand finds the front edge with a 30 foot looming – which snaked, hopped, bobbled and jumped its way into the back of the cup for a nett eagle and the smiles wiped from Meds’ face as nett birdie was all he could register.
All square
Hole 13: With the pressure beginning to tell. A solitary point for Meadows on the straight forward par 3.
Meds - 1 up.
Hole 14: No change, both tackling the long par 5 without difficulty – 2 more points each.
Meds - 1 up
Hole 15: Swings… a tidy approach and 2 solid putts and nett birdie for Meds who opens up a 3 shot advantage: Trouble in the rough problematic for Trev.
Meds – 3 up
Hole 16 … and roundabouts. The blood clearly pumping for Meadows, who cleared the water but also cleared the green and out of bounds markers leaving the door firmly ajar. 2 welcome points for Trev 1 behind with 2 to play.
Meds - 1 up
Hole 17: Treacherous tee shot as 2 wormburners were safely bailed out to the left. Horsey, feeling left out, played Trev’s ball and hit a pearler. With the error being realized the ball was replaced but the damage done! As the ball wouldn’t appear to want to leave the ground. Meadows dug deep securing a nett par and advantage down the last.
Meds – 3 up.
Hole 18: Meadows inhaled a cigarette in 3 breaths as the equivalent of a Madras was making things twitch. Meadows with the honour, regrouped and fired the 3 iron of his life down the centre of the fairway. Trev found rough, right hand side past the first trap. With the crowd assembled in the shade and eagerly awaiting Trev fired majestically, the sound of trees clattering long and le
ft will have eased the Meadows nerves as out of bounds the resting place. The provisional scattered the crowd as a ‘fore’ shout scattered the on lookers like wildebeest in a big game reserve with a predator on the prowl. The disturbance was nearly too much for Meadows and ‘Quiet Please’ was bellowed from down the fairway.
An approach found the second first cut inches off the green and a handshake from Horsey indicated a done deal. Trev nearly rescued a point with an exquisite chip from behind the green. Meadows played a brilliant chip across the green to 3 foot leaving an uphill putt which was left a foot short! But if you’ve got 2 for it!
Meadows - 4 up.
Emotional scenes indeed and handshakes all round with shades of 2005 as Meadows seals the deal with a terrific late season run of form matched all the way from TGS 2008 debutant Marriot, in a great finale.
With the matter of the days victor, Garland (37 B9:19) on home territory did just enough to oust Horsburgh Snr (37 B9:14) who will have rued the final green but been pleased with the overall performance. Another tie for 3rd - Young guns Wood (35 B9:18) and Naaman (35 B9:12) sharing the same score but with Wood victorious through a superior back 9.
Chef’s Pie and chips were promised at the champions feast but a heavy run on it at lunch meant it was hot beef cobs and chips which didn’t draw too many complaints from the assembled. Naaman 4 times having trouble when liberally applying the English Mustard and blowing his lid, too much amusement.
I should have remembered after the first time!
In true carry on fashion the drama didn’t stop there as 12 managed to depart the course, with unlucky 13 detained due to mechanical failure. Horsbugh Snr having problems with the electrics had to wait an hour for the recovery truck to arrive!
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Hood, Horsburgh Jnr, Daft and A.T were the sandwich fillers with A.T. on record that Morley wasn’t one of his favourite tracks; despite a win and second in two TGS outings and opened with a nice nett birdie. 2 more followed in the next 3 holes to begin ominously. Daft also opened with a nett birdie and a tidy first few holes before starting to feel the heat.
