Tollerton Golf Society: Hefter Leaves His Mark

The prophets of gloom were chuntering from Thursday afternoon, as the forecast seemed to be deteriorating with Friday pm predicted to experience the full wrath of the elements. Tuckwell was running on Nottingham being on the East of the Country rather than the Midlands as the phone calls kept arriving, and the numbers swelling to record highs.

Ar$e and elbow sprang to mind as the tee off seemed to vary from 11.30 to 1 o clock but proved to be a blessing.

Amidst light drizzle, Chubb, Doc Brown and Brown Jnr, with a miserly 18 shots between them, got Season 5 underway. Chubb, with course form after jointly scooping the Away Day Championship at Stanton, back in October, immediately found rhythm with a birdie 2 on the second. A mixed bag followed but 15 half way points was a steady opening. Another in the handicappers grip, North Shore 2007 Champion, J (Doc) Brown, clung on to the coat tails of Chubb to finish 1 back at the turn. This was matched by brother Anthony with trademark consistency.

Doc Brown hit the front, by 1, with a decisive 3 pointer up 12 and was 2 clear standing on 17, with it certain to go to the wire. A slice of fortune aided the Docs playing partners, who were full of sympathy… as a raking approach to the green nestled high into a fir tree and remained. Chubb and Brown Jnr drew level on 27 points with the Doc still one ahead, as the 481 yard par 5 18th waited. Sensing their reprieve, Brown Jnr hit a priceless wedge to 3 foot to set up a birdie, while Chubb matched with nett birdie. Brown Jnr edged it on the count back by 1, and impressively scoring every hole.

The high maintenance, serial handicap pests of Buttress and Frame were accompanied by partner in crime, Daft, and seasoned campaigner Dean. Daft, the joint 2008 Away Day Champion failed to trouble the scorecard down the first and remained sluggish through 3, before stepping on the gas. Frame, who was once again after a significantly higher handicap than was given, was sitting pretty with 16 points through 8 before carding a snowman (8) up 9, fearing that the handicap may be reduced further! Buttress couldn’t quite find his A-game but had enough quality in the locker to draw on the 3 pointers when necessary and keep in contention. Dean finished the nine strongly with 2, 3 pointers in an otherwise indifferent start. Frame by 1.

Despite a solid mid round showing, a no pointer up 18 left Buttress adrift as a 3 way shoot out ensued. The initiative swung to Daft after a prile of 3 pointers beat Frame’s 4 of a kind (of 2’s). Dean looked dead and buried after a no score up 13, but 12 points in 4 holes meant that the trio stood on the 18th locked on 32 points. Matching nett pars saw Daft oust Frame on count back and justify the handicappers’ decision!

Another closely run fourball was to follow as A.T. Horsburgh Jnr, Radford and debutant Cochrane teed off in full wets. A.T, as always, stepped up to the plate, and with home field advantage managed to find 3 net birdies in a solid opening 18 points. Horsburgh, the steady eddy metronome, couldn’t buy 2 points, but more 3 pointers than 1’s left him handily placed at the turn: the best firing into the heart of the green from sand 120 yards from the green on 6. More sand nearly signaled the end for Horsburgh up 8, this time greenside, as a McLoughlin exorcet whizzed past the ear finishing on the green, from the group behind. Cochrane started and finished the nine with 3’s in an all scoring 9 holes. But it was all about Radford in an inspired showing that filtered through to last years champ, Meadows, who made a bee line for the course in between shifts. A steady opening 4 holes was merely an hors d’oeuvre as a landmark first ever, non wii, birdie was registered: a 2 on the 140 yard par 3. A beaming smile and fully deserved, well done. A four footer for another birdie just slipped by on 8, but a nett eagle ensured 4 more points, 23 in total, and a 4 shot lead at the turn.

A mid 9 wobble halted Cochrane’s progress, but a pleasing debut nonetheless. 8 points in the opening 3 holes left Radford on an astonishing 31 points with 6 to play. However a Mickleson and Tigeresque charge from A.T and Horsburgh began to turn up the heat. A double up 15 halted A.T’s charge, but 7 points in the last 3 holes meant a competitive opening round. Horsburgh found his first 2 pointer up 15 but once again it was threesey does it, and a welcome return to form, to sneak home by a shot.

Horsburgh Snr once again started the season in optimistic fashion, well handicapped and in great form. An ace, congratulations, with the Old Peculiars the previous Tuesday leaving a spring in the step. McLoughlin, with a staggering 36 point average over 7 rounds was joined by Hefter, who was suffering from a previous night scissors/bacon/thumb incident which required heavy bandaging. 3 nett birdies were balanced with 3 no scores for Horsburgh as McLoughlin began his assault on the course with a show of class golf: No green was safe and watch out the group in front! A tentative showing on the short stuff prevented heavier scoring, but a 2 putt birdie on 8 was satisfying after finding the 305 yard green! Hefter, in obvious discomfort, waited for the blood to seep through before blocking out the pain and serving up a treat. Despite to 1 pointers early doors, 18 points at the halfway mark was to leave a 2 shot lead and a pint of blood less.

The sight of the claret proved too much for Horsburgh Snr who upped the anti and decided to hit 3 trees per hole instead of one. McLoughlin was one over through 8 and with a shot up the last was eyeing another post 36 score, but fearing another handicap reduction managed to keep his head below the radar. A nett eagle up 12 ensured Hefter’s momentum and nett birdies up 14, 15 and 17 guaranteed success. With 39 points after 17, the iron levels hit dangerously low levels with Guinness the only remedy. Pints not points was the priority up 18, with the scorecard untroubled.

Drury, Marriot and everyone’s favourite lefty, Dessaur, were joined, on debut, by local sporting legend, Graham – amidst some handicap wranglings! Dessaur lit up the proceedings with 16 points through 6 holes as Drury proved to be as consistent as ever. After a ‘solid’ opening, holes 3 and 4 were to be quite literally toilet for Graham, a ‘dicky chicken tikka’ perhaps responsible for a (pebble) dash to the commode! A TGS first but apparently not a personal first in a similar repeat, a year previous, at Stanton! A 2 hole exodus was followed with regularity and some wholesome scoring. Marriot started with aplomb, but started firing wildly off the tee, frequent reloads preventing meaningful scoring. Dessaur by one.

Marriot finished strongly as did Drury who, on home turf, produced an expected compact score. Dessaur could not reproduce the sparkling early round form and left another TGS first on 12 with p/u recorded on the card. That was to be the only no score on the way in. Graham showed what he was capable of and managed 9 holes without leaving the course or cause to find a dock leaf and be at one with nature. An 18 point return was very satisfying and a definite one to watch.

Tuckwell Jnr thought he had miscalculated, sending everyone out without partners for himself until KCC enforcer, Garland, and perennial last man standing and arriving, Hoenigmann, wheeled into view. Tuckwell began with a mark of consistency, one up on 2 points through 7, before trouble started brewing. Hoenigmann started brightly, in the gloom, before struggling after an extra practice swing on 2. Garland couldn’t string 2 shots together before law and order was restored on 4 and the points began accumulating, 6 points in the final 2 of the 9 offering promise. With the hordes of Stanton members gathering like the distant rain clouds Tuckwell began to feel the heat and was keen to keep a safe distance to avoid any accountability and reprisals. Unfortunately this had a negative effect on the golf and with blood pressure going through the roof; it appeared like a visit to the City Hospital would arrive sooner than next Wednesdays scheduled appointment. Angry Kid by 4.

The Tuckwell meltdown continued with 3 points in the next 4 holes which was 3 more than was deserved as Hoenigmann found his customary 6 hole flourish: 16 points, including 2 nett eagles, the best a birdie 2 on 15, with the putter hot. The big stick couldn’t rescue Garland although some lusty blows were dispatched, 3 points up the last led to a pleasing finish. Tuckwell somehow found back to back birdies up 16 and 17 as the pressure gauge hit simmer, with the clubhouse in sight.

A great showing in the bar, with much merriment and Amen corner on the flat screen, as tales of what could have been floated around. Hefter and his well bandaged thumb were surrounded by pound coins in an unbelievable effort! The Brown’s tucked into a hearty ploughman’s as Frame tried to recoup his losses on the snooker table and the plans for the evening were discussed.

With the dust all settled it was Hefter (39) who stole the show with his 3rd tour title and 9½ digits! With Horsburgh Jnr (37) sneaking second from A.T. (36 B9:18) and Radford (36 B9:13). McLoughlin (35) and Drury (35) notched very creditable scores along side Daft (34) and Frame (34) – 26 handicap my eye!