Advantage Meadows

Two four balls were the order of the day with Tuckwell Jnr recovered sufficiently from back problems, Horsburgh Jnr back from holidays, Hall back from honeymoon and Dessaur back on the scene, to accompany Meadows, Marriot, Dean and Daft.

Hall's new RS Audi was the talk of the town, the Aston chopped in for a family estate that has more toys than a small child. If you want to watch Notts blow the cricket - you got it! Want to break the speed of sound - you got it! Want to do 8 miles to the gallon - you got it!

With the sun shining it was Meadows, who had abandoned the early Stanton match to focus on the TGS season end, who got things under way, determined not to be rattled by Horsburgh, Hall and Dean. Rumours of 15 combined putts on the opening hole surfaced, setting the tone for some. But not for Meadows, who, driver tucked away, amassed a tasty 5 '3' pointers on the way to a 21 point 2 over par front 9.

Hall did his best to cling on to the coat tails with a consistent opening tally as did Dean, amidst foot trouble. Horsburgh suffered on the heavy fairways, proving as big a nemesis as his ability to play off a 'mat'. Hopes of the predicted 40 point bumper haul were soon put on the back burner with an estimated 40 putts on the front 9.

A remarkable feat for the quartet with only '3' blobs between the foursome, although it was all aboard the Meadows freight train and full speed ahead with a 7 shot cushion. Such was the extent of the glittering golf that any such sledging or barracking wasn't even contemplated.

Horsburgh could find no answers and registered a season, if not career low, in rather consistent fashion - only failing to trouble the card on two occasions.

Hall found form mid way through the back 9 to help post a solid 6th score to help the average, 9 points in 3 holes proving the inspiration.

Dean remained consistent in the wake of the trailblazing Meadows with 29 points through 12 , who despite a wobble through 13 and 14 showed character to finish strongly and post a formidable total and honours by 11 points, wow.

Tour leader Marriot was joined by Daft, Tuckwell Jnr and every ones favourite 'lefty' Dessaur - minus wallet, which was under the sofa after a quiet Saturday night...

'I went out for a few drinks... At 12 o'clock we were drinking shots with the owner of the Colonial...Got back and ordered a curry...left the car and front door open...fell asleep 5 minutes after making the call..woke up with a curry on the lounge table...how did that get there...doors closed and everything hazy!'

Tuckwell was out of the traps with monotonous consistency trying to ride the wave until it came crashing down and wiping out. 1 over through 8 and all calm... Dessaur's touch was deft - clearly summered well with the ladies but was having some 'tete' trouble on the approach so much so that Mondays golf was close to postponement with work the favoured option.

Daft was solid tee to green but was having a 'Horsburgh Horribulus' on the greens, shaving the holes from all lengths and unfortunately repeating frequently - much to Dessaur's amusement! Marriot couldn't get the swing going but was rock solid on the green in his customary slow start, awaiting the big finish. 'Tete' trouble for Tuckwell off 9 resulted in a lost ball and no points but carried a 5 shot advantage through the turn.

Dessaur decided to raise the stakes after slipping unnoticed into group second place at halfway despite his ball making a awful 'clonk' off the club face. It may say 'Worlds Greatest Dad' on it but I think it should be replaced... 7 holes later... I think I'll swap my ball.

With 4 to go Dessaur needed focus and set a target of 8 points, 2 holes later and 7 points better off golf Monday was back on the agenda!

Daft finally got it going with a class birdie nett eagle on 12 and 4 welcome points thanks to an Exocet 8 iron and a well converted putt and started to become aggressive with fairway wood in hand to post an impressive back 9.

Marriot was regrouping before the shock of a text filtered through, the initial surprise that it wasn't Dessaur's phone and the information that an uncle in law just dropped $150,000 in Vegas momentarily shook the momentum, before finishing well.

Tuckwell carried on grinding out the points thanks to some clutch putts and managed to surpass the highest score for the season standing on 18. After waiting 6 holes for a shot it all proved too much, misfortune followed by misfortune, honestly, resulted in a tumultuous tourettes eruption and a barrage of expletives, good job the hearts stable and there weren't any parents of Willow Brook kids around... apologies been sent and mirror looked in. 0 points scored in case that was in doubt...

Meadows (40) with another victory to his name, in a career shaping season, sealed a huge 7 shot victory and a handicap axe from, red mist, Tuckwell Jnr (33) and Daft (31). Dessaur (29) and Hall (29) both finishing creditably.

Meadows launches into pole and a 3 shot lead from Marriot with 3 to play and more importantly still two 25 pointers in the average.

Will the new handicap be a hindrance? Will Horsburgh find some form (if it's not too wet) Will A.T deliver in his one last outing? All will be revealed.

Leaderboard and permutations to the right.

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