From Zero to Hero

With history repeating itself on the weather front, the curse of Radcliffe appeared to have struck for the third year in succession. More curtain twitching ensued, as did back and forth calls between organisers, as the chance of another cancellation looked likely. Pockets of rain appeared to be saturating most of the county but Radcliffe seemed protected in a water tight bubble and game on as 14 began...

Horsburgh Snr missed out: a press release confirming a frozen shoulder from go-karting. A.T. was in the country but was attending a 60th, although did make the car park: dropping off Vin’s spikes that were left by the front door. CCTV shows, without stopping - the car circling the car park… braking… window wound down… shoes tossed out… the word ‘t-w-a-t’ mouthed… window up… acceleration. Hefter had work commitments, the thought of which brought a wry smile from the assembled!

Thacker, Cooke and Daft set off in a big hitting 3, a topped 3 wood off the 1st for Thacker was redeemed by a full 290yd driver out the semi onto the back of the green, class. A sticky start for Cooke, the handicappers grip looking tight, 6 points in 6 holes – stodgy. Horsburgh put the group on the clock after 4, after another Thacker missile disappeared and the search party were sent out. Daft found his Beedles form with a consistent opening 9 and a comfortable 4 point half way lead. Cooke kneaded to raise the mark, and blended a savoury choice of shots firmly applying the gas for a level par 9 hole stretch and 23 succulent points, through 15. There was not enough course for Thacker as huge drives were launched to all parts; 7 lost balls – always makes scoring tough. Daft faltered, but a good par on the tricky 17th ensured a good finish. Cooke once again with the clubhouse lead.

Horsburgh Jnr, Hall and Hood were off in short sleeves, a great 5 up the first from Horsburgh after a topped tee shot. Equally impressive by Hood after scurrying straight onto the tee, from the car park. Hall made the first move, nett eagle on 3 and was already eyeing up the 2 shots on the Par 3 ‘pond’ 11th. Horsburgh followed suit with birdie / nett eagle on the 6th as every green was being found in regulation. Nett birdie up 9 was the first of three back to back for Hood, with Horsburgh by 1 at the turn. Horsburgh ground out some 2 point metronomicness, putting for par on every hole. The moment had come for Hall, finally, with great excitement, the 11th and 2 shots on a Par 3, now just clear that pond… However the expectation proved too much; head lifted and ball fell off the tee peg and plum. ‘Never mind the pond Hally, watch out for the bin!’ was the response from Horsey. A further proclamation from Hall implying that he had the makings of a good round was met by another short tee shot. You never get this game beat! But a very tidy round nevertheless Matt. Back to back 3 point finish for Hood concluded another good round as Horsburgh finished top of the group.

Marriot and Radford were joined by the return of the cat, Hepburn, who had broken out into a cold sweat at the possibility of having to tee up with his nemesis Thacker. With Jenkinson hoping his yardage gauge was working significantly better than at Chilwell. Radford recovered excellently after a difficult opener and some tree trouble, as did Marriot who arrowed in some approaches. Hepburn must have feared the worst after an inauspicious start but began purring as the 3 pointers were racked up. Jenkinson, clearly in the zone, hit a high of the day 19 points for an opening 9, 4 point advantage. Hepburn registered on all but one hole up the stretch for a welcome return to some kind of form. Jenkinson, unperturbed by his only blemish on 11 finished strongly for a great round and awaited the barracking from Cooke to begin. Radford felt like a ten pin bowl skittle as the back group began forcing the pace and peppering some tee shots, with the light rapidly disappearing, but registered another solid round.

Tuckwell Jnr, wired up with a 24 hour heart monitor, Vin, Duffin and the mystery guest Naaman brought up the rear. Naaman, new to the game, hit the most immensely powered jet propelled tee shot off the first, that cleared the unclearable oak tree down the left, of which I am still chuckling at now. Tuckwell Jnr gave no cause for alarm with a procession of 2 pointers, the monitor may have briefly gone through the roof at 5.21pm as a 2 foot putt trickled poorly wide. Nett eagles for Naaman and Vin up the testing 3rd and Duffin got in on the act on 7, conquering ‘long straight’ with ease, the antique wooden headed Ping working at the correct altitude. Duffin by one. Mega profit for Vin round Amen corner as 2 holes brought 7 well needed points. Duffin stuttered and decided that putting was overrated so delivered a master class in flop shots. All aboard the showboat as pitch after pitch finished feet away from the pin. Tuckwell Jnr nearly flat lined on 11, as a 4 iron hit the flag finishing a foot away for a near ace. Naaman was determined 193 yards equaled 7 iron: 2 attempts at the green would suggest otherwise but the big fella was still adamant! Duffin scored every hole in a pleasing round, only the greens preventing a bumper score. Tuckwell Jnr faltered into the finish, pulse barely beating as Naaman kept up the entertainment and a very satisfying round, plenty of points to be had next time on the short stuff. Another nett eagle on 17 for Vin surpassed his previous TGS best and with it the group honours on count back, as the light faded. Well played.

So, from zero to hero and the difference a year makes. Radcliffe 2007 Jenkinson rock bottom, game in tatters. Radcliffe 2008 Jenkinson (36) victorious with a 3 shot triumph over Horsburgh Jnr (33) and possibly more importantly bragging rights over Cooke! A compact leaderboard saw Vin (32 B9:19) find his first podium finish ahead of Cooke (32 B9:18) and Tuckwell Jnr (32 B9:16). A thoroughly pleasing evening as the rain abstained and the light held out.

http://tuckers.fr33webhost.com/Radcliffe08_results.xls

Full list of results and leaderboard to the right.