Fortune Favours the Brave

Stanton-on-the-Wolds was the return after the Summer?!? break.

The scene of some exceptional golf, with last year 'Pistol Pete Dennis' scorching round in a mammoth TGS course record of 47 points including another record of 26 points, highest for 9 holes. McLoughlin holds the back 9 Stanton high of 23 points.

It is also the scene of the current TGS low but we'll leave it at that...

It's traditionally favours the ex/current Stanton contingent with course knowledge seemingly important, with 7 out of the 9 winners / places coming from the home grown players. Drury, Baker Jnr, McLoughlin, Meadows, Tuckwell Jnr, Alldred and A.T. all taking advantage. Frame and Dennis the others to feature.

With the forecast bleak and worsening and still many on holidays it was a brave 9 that braved the elements determined to make it round. Ex-Stanton legend and Bar Manager Dan Whitfield made his debut and return to the club and there was also a debut for one of Stanton's top juniors, and part of the McLoughlin clan, Paul Towle. Trev made it after a quick visit to Rudd as Buttress and Frame pulled up fashionably late in a classic motor. Tuckwell Jnr was there but only as secretary -a back injury causing the first none appearance of the season.

Meadows, Whitfield, Towle and McLoughlin got underway, amidst light drizzle, in a Stanton 4. Whitfield dusting off the driver after a 5+ year golfing absence proceeded to shape the most glorious drawn drive down the centre of the fairway - you don't lose it! and followed up draining a 15 footer on 2 for par.

Meadows started off reserved despite being surrounded by some propeller like club head speed from his partners, and soon resorted to waiting in turn for the greens to be cleared on Par 4's before bombing the baize. A tidy 2, on 2, got McLoughlin up and running before the latest addition to his bag was revealed: a Golden Bear driver - £1.20 from the car boot, which was launched massive distances. Drive, 8 iron to the 470 yard 6th setting up another birdie.

Towle seemed troubled by the rain and decided the best way to stay dry would be to take as fewer shots as possible so 'sh*t or bust' off the tee with a full blooded swing: A couple of birdies, couple of bogeys for a steady start. McLoughlin by 2 in a high scoring opening 4 ball.

The persistent drizzle took care of Towle, who was beginning to resemble the dulux dog with his shaggy main, the rain dampening his spirits. Whitfield's only rush of blood to the head came on 12 - losing focus round the green, when in prime position. 5 nett birdies and a nett eagle soon got things back on track for a quality return and a handicap reassessment!

Meadows, with no room for error, and once again the second round of the day, manoeuvred into position with an excellent nett birdie on 13 and 17. The temptation got the better of T1m VK and a final swish with McLoughlin's Golden Bear disappeared into the hedgerow and with it any points up 18... Still a solid round. McLoughlin with probably the best conversion rate, podium finishes and average on tour, cruised home with another 40 point showing.

Hoenigmann took advantage of the 'mates rates' buggy hire and was joined by Chubb and Marriot. A slow start by Trev around the field was followed up with an equally impressive finish to the 9 as the shoulders began to loosen - 3 out of 4 '3' pointers to conclude. Hoenigmann served up his usual bag of big scores and no scores - unfortunately slightly favouring the latter, free wheeling to the turn.

Chubb once again proved his consistent scoring and shot making ability with a very tidy opening 9. Birdie nett eagle up 6 and nett birdie up 9 giving him the halfway honours by 2.

Hoenigmann had a mid 9 flourish sandwiched between some abstinence as the bar and the light drew ever closer. Chubb couldn't quite find the rhythm until two nett birdies to close rounded off another excellent round, not low enough to avoid the handicappers axe!

Trev kept the revs high with chance to leapfrog into to top spot in the standings, with his closest rivals not travelling. Back to back nett birdies midway through the back 9 were followed by another to finish for a TGS personal high, and group leader. Well played.

Frame and Buttress brought up the rear and Frame launched a spectacular shot off the first, unfortunately it must have caught the wind...mmmhh... as it bounced off the changing room roof and hit Tuckwell's car - at the putting green side of the car park! Some shot. This may have set the tone for the round as 11 holes were managed before returning back to the clubhouse.

Buttress was having a steady round but maybe Frame was playing devils advocate with the lure of some wamth, a couple of pints, the football on the box- whilst still not having to be home for another couple of hours proving too much temptation and 11 holes completed.

Whitfield (42) Played 1 - won 1, opened his TGS account in style and will hopefully feature in the remaining fixtures. McLoughlin (40) never far from top spot produced another crushing round followed by Mariott (38) who catapulted himself into pole position on the leaderboard.

http://tuckers.fr33webhost.com/Stanton08results.xls