The traditional TGS weeked away had a slightly different feel for 2008 in that North Shore Skegness was not the destination but Cotgrave, West Bridgford and Stanton. An away weekend at home much to the disappointment of Hoenigmann!
Friday night was the informal start at the Plough at Normanton to make the draw for Saturdays team event. Tuckwell and Hefter had planned on it being leisurely until Hoenigmann arrived and forced the pace. Nevertheless the draw commenced at 9 pm. Draw Master Hoenigmann had the low handicappers, Hefter the bandits.
Horsburgh Jnr (16) and Frame (20)
Drury (13) and Marriot (19)
Buttress (11) and Hall (27)
Daft (13) and Hefter (23)
McLoughlin (8) and Dessaur (28)
Thacker (3) and Radford (28)
Chubb (10) and Hepburn (25)
Tuckwell (6) and Hoenigmann (28)
Bangles Ltd was immediately informed and odds hastily created with Horsburgh Snr first to place a phone bet on Daft and Hefter, due to not being able to bet on himself. Drury and Marriot were installed as early favourites with Daft and Chubb the favourites for the two day individual challenge.
The texts began early Saturday morning from Frame, the usual... 'What am I off?...' Before you answer that I am playing shocking' and 'Never too early for a handicap pitch!'
10am the rendevous at Cotgrave and to count all the contenders in, Tuckwell and Hepburn going down the alcohol route, Daft bring his fold away fine china and for a spot of Earl Gray. Drurs sat tight unhappy with the rate of return from the bookies, as a couple of potentially big hits on Buttress at a more than generous 16-1 outside rested heavily with Hepburn. Not much interest in Chubb and Hepburn, the bookmaker clearly aware of the state of his own game.
The format: Better Ball Stableford - with both scores to count on 1, 7, 11, 15 and 18.
News filtered through that Buttress was on fire which did little for the mindset of Hepburn. Chubb was nearly decapitated from a Radford 'fore right' but a bit of Matrix dodging spared a 999 call. Hoenigmann was about to pack it all in after 9 before patience proved beneficial and a pleasing back 9. As usual not enough course for Thacker and more putts than hot dinners.
With all safely back in the clubhouse it boiled down to a 2 horse race with the top 2 in a fourball together and watching each others every move: Buttress and Hall v Daft and Hefter. A one shot lead for the formers at the half way stage with Hall using his shots to perfection. blob, 3 for 3, 3 for 4, blob. Ideal betterball play and an early lead before Daft and Hefter clawed back 4 shots on 8 and 9.
A 5 point advantage after the 14th looked comfortable before the 15th and both scores to count. Daft and Hefter amassed 7 huge points, cutting the lead to 2 before, unfazed, Buttress and Hall stepped up a gear to ease home to be victorious with 53 points. Chubb (20) picked up the front 9 prize, with Buttress (21) the back 9 honours
http://tuckers.fr33webhost.com/Weekendchallenge_results.xls
Home made scotch pie and lager was the order of the early afternoon before the 5.30 Southbank meet. Hepburn disconcelate as to how he could prevent Buttress from bankrupting him after 39 points, sambuccas seemed the best option, £50 to save £200!
A cracking turn out at the Southbank saw the Baggies rolled over by United before hitting Amicis, the Larwood and Fire and Ice. Dessaur was struggling before venturing out with deli belly, but nothing compared to Hefter's majestic 'S' over the newly carpetted floor. Dog and house. Tuckwell had a midnight tumble and decided the carpet on the landing was the most comfortable place to rest, while Hepburn was last seen plying Buttress with more drinks and Hoenigmann showing no sign of tiring.
Sunday morning, bright and breezy, and the first of the non runners clocked in, McLoughlin and Whitfield as the 11 o'clock tee off loomed with no sign of Buttress. 11.15 and mission accomplished for Hepburn: Buttress non-runner. No sign of Thacker and Meadows just completing his first 18 of the day came into view at 11.30. Thacker with a herculean achievement arrived 4 holes late but very commendably after completing 90 minutes for Rempstone. The toys coming out the pram with 20 to go nothing to do with being tired and emotional but a terrific effort. Hoenigmann still remarkably fresh and kept his 100% last man standing record intact.
It was all shaping up for 1 of 3. Drury (34) and on home soil, followed by Daft (34) and Chubb (33). Marriot (30) couldn't be discounted. Drury was first to finish and sitting comfortably in the clubhouse with 35 points and a combined 69 total as Chubb and Daft came slogging it up the last, Horsburgh Snr amazed as to the drama that was unfolding.
Chubb v Daft
Daft with a slender 1 shot advantage immediately applied a choke hold, 12 points through 5 compared to Chubb's stuttering 8 points.
Daft 5 up thru 5
5's seemed to be the order of the day as Chubb registered 5 points on the 6th and 12 in the final 4 holes compared to 6 from Daft.
Chubb 1 up thru 9
10th: Birdie for Chubb to Daft's Bogey - Chubb 3 up.
11th: Imediate response and scores reversed - Chubb 1 up.
12th: Honours even after another nett birdie for Daft - All Square
13th: A pair of pars - All Square.
14th: Daft hits the front: nett birdie to par - Daft 1 up
15th: Pars all round - Daft 1 up
16th: Even stevens and nett pars - Daft 1 up.
17th: Momentous: A double from Daft to Chubb's birdie and a 2 shot swing - Chubb 1 up.
A howling gale into wind on the par 5 18th - Daft hits the 5 iron of his life to 10 foot to set up birdie as Chubb recovers well leaving himself a 30 footer for birdie and the victory. Chubbs effort glides past but stone dead for nett birdie, leaveing Daft the simple maths - 10 foot for the tie and down to the last action once again. IN IT DROPS and what a finish, what a battle, as Tuckwell hit the phones to decide what happens in the event of a tie! Countback or shared.
A shared trophy seemed the correct outcome after the sweat and toils of the weekends exertions as Chubb (40) is top man followed by Daft (39) and Drury (35) A great performance from the Potter, Dean (34) in tough conditions.
A quick relaxer in the Stanton lounge before heading off to the Plough at Normanton for whence it all began! A veritable feast laid on with the trimmings of Sunday Lunch plated up. Beef cobs and plenty of roast tatties and chips. Happy days. Hepburn arrived a relieved man, the tote breaking even. Tuckwell the major beneficiory of his investments, hey I didn't set the odds, merely advised! Still its all accounted for and in the wedding pot!
With prizes handed out it was an honorary tie between messrs Daft and Chubb (73) with Drury (69) picking up an excellent third.
Great effort all round and I hope everyone Winters well!
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