Hucknall Monopoly Continues

Tuckwell got one thing right when promising a sun soaked, high points scoring evening – ‘soaked’. Once again fairly lucky with the weather, a brief shower through the turn brought out a selection of brollies but nothing more, although it made the already heavy rough, even heavier.

As group by group made it back to the clubhouse; time in the rough could be equated to the water mark on the trousers. Dean and McLoughlin probably joint winners, just below the knee cap.

There was bacon to fuel the 17 although the caterers did create unnecessary panic as minutes to tee time ticked by without any produce arriving, a rather flustered lady trying to determine her a**e from her elbow finally delivered and with problem averted and all safely departed to the tee.

Cooke, A.T and Hoenigmann had the days honours with Cooke swinging better than Jimmy Anderson, but it was the touch round the green that proved the difference, with everything from anywhere be holed. The old putter begging for one last chance, with a new one having just been purchased and at this rate heading straight onto ebay. A 25 yard bunker shot that pitched twice, and span back to within inches of the pin on 13, showed class and indicated another handicap cull. A.T. possibly one of the only men, other than Framey, capable of combining the best and worst daily 9’s of the day managed to do so. Lost balls were the order of the day in an error strewn front 9. Into the pits, and a change to wets, saw an instant impact and a motor up the leaderboard. Hoenigmann, clocking up more miles on the road as the weeks go by, couldn’t find his usual rhythm and the driver not striking its usual tune. A nett eagle on the 4th was to be the highlight in a tough afternoon, although the smell of lager drifting down 17 proved to be a salvation. A storming back 9 from A.T couldn’t overturn Cooke’s 6 point half way advantage and with it Cooke sitting pretty… again!

Hefter, in search of his Horsley showing, Radford free swinging, and Tuckwell with every ailment going - aimed to keep up with the pace setters. Tuckwell Jnr, regretted the third extra rounders game of the day with the pollen count high would have faired significantly better if 2 points were given for every bunker entered and par 3’s weren’t invented. A tough day for Radford, the good shots were good but the heavy rough proved the undoing with frequent visits derailing the challenge. Hefter was once again immaculate from tee to green, making a great start but couldn’t find any consistency on the greens, once again putting the skids on a bumper score. Hefter by 2. Radford set a six point, last 3 hole target and with renewed focus it was surpassed, a monstrous snaking putt proving inspirational on 17. Tuckwell finally got his first 3 pointer down the last as Hefter held on for the group glory.

Rotton, out of the wilderness, Horsburgh Jnr on home soil and Marriot were all searching for bragging rights with handicaps relatively equal and it was to prove tight all the way. Marriot followed up a no score with nett birdie/par/eagle to wrestle the early advantage as Rotton was arrowing in some pearlers keeping up the pressure. Horsburgh was unmetronomic with an uncharacteristic mixed bag of 1 and 3 pointers. A point separating the trio at halfway with Rotton and Marriot tied. A titanic tussle ensued with the three split by two points max until the penultimate hole and the lead changing hands more often than met offices’ weather forecasts. All appeared lost for Marriot before a second birdie of the day catapulted him into a 1 shot lead with the final hole to play. Horsburgh set about the mind games, outlying to Trev the significance of every shot, ending with a 5 footer that was required for victory. It narrowly slipped by handing Horsburgh the group spoils on count back. Marriot’s best round to date and a solid debut from Rotton.

A regular Wollaton 4,including previous course winners, Frame, McLoughlin, Buttress and Daft tried on the usual handicap negotiations which fell on deaf ears and passed without incident as Buttress opened with style. McLoughlin gave the impression of having a shocker, but the good parts must have been good. ‘Did anyone see a ball come over here,’ the typical phrase - recorded on a tape would have saved a lot of talking as forlornly swishing in the rough with hands in pockets became a regularity. A typical Frame card was littered with 1’s and 3’s of equal measure producing a 2 point halfway advantage. A tidy nett eagle for McLoughlin offset some waywardness as Daft struggled to build any momentum. A 17 point back 9 return was impressive by Buttress considering it contained 2 no scores. Frame was the man – 29 points through 14 holes and cruising until, not for the first time of the day - Horsburgh interjected with more helpful hints; you've got it in the bag Framey...you won't blow it from here...I can't believe you'll win again... A par up the last would have sealed another Wollaton Frame victory, it was not to be and group honours the consolation, amongst ridiculous talk of a shot back!

The final four: Phoenix, Dean, Jenkinson and Hall had the light meters out and an eye on the clock as Jenkinson’s large new driver thundered down the fairways fresh from bay 14 at the driving range. Phoenix, off a tight mark, and lightly raced found the going heavy with rough a notable handicap, but laughed in the face of no pointers with a flurry of 3 pointers to conclude the 9. Hall was once again off to a flier with 8 points in two holes. Comments from playing partners a little harsh, ‘What was the Hally? 8 for 3 for 5!’ Dean was well and truly halted by the rough with the trouser legs weighing heavily, as Hall raced to the turn with a 5 shot advantage. Jenkinson was seen praying to the gods as the greens proved troublesome. There was brief respite for Dean as the light faded as Phoenix produced the strongest of the group back 9’s. Hall finished well down the last as another long day on the road was beginning to take its toll.

Round 4 concluded; and more north of the river magic as Cooke (36) added his second title in 3 outings – and a march into single figures, 2 clear of Frame (34) who had the title in his own hands up the stretch. Another compact leaderboard saw Uri Geller Horsburgh (33 B9:16) pip Marriot (33 B9:15) with the final putt. McLoughlin (32) claiming a shot back can have no case for the defense with a 5th placed finish.

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NEXT UP ROUND 5 @ BONDHAY (Worksop) THIS SUNDAY (15TH) TEE RESERVED FROM 2.30