Two of the TGS heavyweights locked horns in a birthday shootout around the PGA National at the Belfry, courtesy of a generous 30th birthday present: a round for two for Meadows. Tuckwell, with a little bit of time on his hands, didn't need to be asked twice when the invitation arrived.
A steady hours drive up the M42 and a spot of lunch before hitting the range to get the most out of the experience, and not being made a fool of on the testing course... The conditions were blustery, similar to Birkdale and the sun blazing in the clear blue skies.
Textbook in the nets, straight and accurate, what could go wrong... Well the 220 carry over water, into a force 10 gale on 4 didn't help for a start...
The pair contempleted playing off the whites as the yellows were a meagre 6,153 yards before the starter implied that the yellows would provide ample test!
Fear of the unknown, reputation of the course, nerves, testing greens, the money at stake (£1 to the winner) or just simple c**p play! may have contributed to an indifferent opening 9. The greens were slick and true and gives some indication as to the toughness pro's face - anything above the hole racing past, anything off line - punished or wet.
Tuckwell was consistent with 5's and 7's (dreadful!) as Meadows found the driver difficult to control. Tuckwell by 3 as the aim became try and shoot in the 90's!
New 9, new start, as the groupings started to pile up and there became a wait on each tee. The duo decided to make a conscious effort to add to the 3 pars recorded on the front 9. It all started well for Tuckwell before 4 lost balls in 4 holes (only 1 was my fault, the rest were from decent shots, honest) ended any realistic hopes of a decent score despite playing fairly well. Meadows on the otherhand played astute and tactical golf, leaving the big stick in the bag when danger threatened and fantastically closed with 7 straight pars for a 4 over 39 gross back 9, quality and 90 broken. This was played out with the Hollingwell Ladies Captain over the closing few holes after it became unbearably slow, although a free round wasn't forthcoming despite obvious small talk!
Meadows full of optimism, and a pound better off, can firmly set his sights on a Morley Hayes victory especially playing off his TGS mark of 14, rather than club mark of 11.
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