A return to Beedles Lakes and double figures for the opener. The midweek forecast looked unsettled at best but what unravelled was a pleasant afternoon with a brief hail interlude. Hepburn boarded the magic carpet from Oxford and the temperature was sufficiently warm for Baker Snr to make the starting grid. The media circus surrounding Horsburgh Snr arrived with time for a coffee before proceedings commenced. As per usual the drill sergeant was ready to inspect and cash in on absent pitch mark repairers in his brutal yet comedic fashion, this time adding a folder of ‘banned clubs’ to his repertoire. Do you get out much…?
2005 runner up Hepburn and drinks aficionado (without onboard cabinet!?), The Power – Baker Snr and the Metronome – 2006 winner Horsburgh Jnr got the 2008 Season underway, with the latter having the opening honours. Hepburn banished previous demons with a procession of two pointers as Horsburgh stumbled into the season, an early 4 putt setting the tone. Baker swung into an early groove with 9 points through 4 but was as good as it got as water formed a major part of the remainder. A double reload on 7 also proving troublesome. With all three on simmer, a rarity: HEPBURN BY ONE!!! At the turn – renaissance, is there something in the no pinocolada lark Chris? A rare glimpse of possible things to come, nett eagle for Horsburgh Jnr, followed by some consistency, unfortunately the only bit of salvation in an otherwise disappointing afternoon. Baker was hampered by water on 12: a miscued tee shot avoided the wet stuff but a 5 yard second didn’t. Hepburn rekindled some not to distant memories: a 90º wormburner collided spectacularly with the ladies yardage marker off the 15th tee and ricocheted handsomely down the fairway. With the tough back 9 gaining the upper hand, it was Hepburn who stole the group honours for the first time in over 3 years!
Amid the media frenzy and autographs, Horsburgh Snr plays it cool and loosens the shoulders
Horsburgh Snr, Hefter and 2007 North Shore starlet Hoenigmann set off with the dark clouds gathering. The customary ‘ting’ of the Hoenigma’s King Cobra echoed off the first and every other tee for that matter, proving it had wintered well. Hefter settled best into a rhythm; of two point regularity. The weight of expectation appeared to hang heavily on Horsburgh, although taking 4 holes to realise that the reason the 9 iron wasn’t going very high was because it was the 6 iron, probably didn't help! Hoenigmann waited patiently until the 7th before igniting his round: 10 points in 3 holes, including 2 nett eagles saw him catapult into the ascendancy by 2. Hefter looking for a tidy half way total came a cropper up 9, sitting comfortably in front of the green for 3: two trips to alternate sandy shores culminated in Eurovision’s finest – nil points. Horsburgh and Hoenigmann both went ‘fishing’ on 10 before a mini revival saw Horsburgh briefly threaten; although backers will be impressed with a relatively strong finish. With the round equivalent to Augusta in duration, the trio decided to analyse the first groups swings a la Butch Harmon: leans back on impact, arms too close to the body, too fast, before all missing the fairway and realising their own handicaps! Hefter finished strongly; one blemish sandwiched between three 3 pointers. Once again Hoenigmann played steadily before a flamboyant ending. A bullish nett eagle up 18 for his 3rd 4 pointer of the round tied Hefter for group honours, just missing out on the back 9.
Pre-tour favourite Daft, 2007 champion Tuckwell Jnr, 2 times 2007 tour winner Dean and the powerhouse Radford brought up the field. All good from tee to green; the quartet struggled to get to grips with the slick baize in the opening holes, before Dean made a meteoric rise up the leaderboard with a nett eagle/birdie double – the wand final producing the magic. Daft finally dusted off the winter rustiness with a trio of nett birdies to cling onto the coat tails in the latter part of the 9. Tuckwell was untidily unspectacular with a solid opening 9. Newcomer Radford was swinging freely and hitting shots uncharacteristic to a man new to the game, a definite ‘watch this space over the season’ especially when the short game slots into place. Dean limped to the turn but finished strongly for a 1 shot half way lead. Radford joined the fishing party on 10 as Daft produced the shot of the day – low, raking banana shot, dissecting two bunkers and finishing on the back of the green after being well and truly snookered by an ageing oak. Tuckwell couldn’t find any inspiration amidst a mild meltdown. Dean and Daft were inseparable through 15. The turning point fate/fortune on 16.
Dean rooted: the green 90º to the right.
Daft teetering: A handily placed sign.
A re-occurring knee injury derailed Dean up the stretch – Tuckwell offering to get it out for him if he holed it, was misconstrued! Daft decided on 17 whether to keep under the radar or go for handicap reduction – not best with the rules committee in close proximity. Decision made; with 2 bombs off the final two tees. A blob up 18 was Tuckwell’s only no score in a laboured title defence. Daft resolutely home.
An ominous and comprehensive victory from the bookies favourite, Daft (38) for his sixth win in 28 starts lifting him clear of A.T. in tournaments won. An equally impressive second for Dean (34) in tough conditions, with Hefter (31: B9-17) getting the better of Hoenigmann (31 B9-15) on the back 9.
An ominous and comprehensive victory from the bookies favourite, Daft (38) for his sixth win in 28 starts lifting him clear of A.T. in tournaments won. An equally impressive second for Dean (34) in tough conditions, with Hefter (31: B9-17) getting the better of Hoenigmann (31 B9-15) on the back 9.
After Round 1 Bangles Bookmakers was reportedly standing all prices… but Bob was being pushed out a bit!
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