The Attendees and Weekend Seedings for Dale Hill were:

The team competition (Fri/Sat/Sun)

 

Team One
Bryan Arthur / Brian Lock / Niall Campbell

 

Team Two
Jeff Hughes / Tony Dillien / Simon Wray

 

Team Three
Baz Hughes / Andre Clothier / Dave Abbott

 

The Texas Scramble (Sat)

 

Baz/Jeff/Niall/Dave v Bryan/Brian/Andre/Simon

 

Matchplay Event (Fri/Sat/Sun)

 

Bryan Arthur v Dave Lard
Jeff Hughes v Andre Clothier
Brian Lock v Barry Hughes
Niall Campbell v Simon Wray

Review of Friday – Bandit blasts clear

 

Friday began in bright sunshine on the Woosnam course and it was at this stage that Jeff decided to spoil the entire weekend by scoring a massive forty points – the bandit had made his intentions for the weekend clear !!!!!!!!

 

Niall decided the best way to cope with this onslaught was to mow down something in his buggy, although the choice of a sapling (which was clearly marked and staked) was a touch harsh.

 

The matchplay games were decided as expected with the only shock being the removal of the highly fancied Baz from the main draw (if I get to write the report then I can show bias…….).

 

In this game Brian Lock eventually triumphed by 3 and 1, despite losing a hole to a ten (that’s right 10 !!) and halving another in nine (who said par fives were easy !!!)

 

Nearest the pin took place on three holes……… and in each case ALL (eight) tee shots failed to make the green.

 

Matchplay Results

p.s Bryan Arthur spent all evening attempting to recount a story about rugby, refereeing and Wootton Bassett………least said the better.

Review of the Texas Scramble

 

The Texas Scramble was staged on the Old Course played over the first ten holes.

 

Baz/Niall/Jeff/Lard v Brian/Bryan/Andre/Simon

 

With each player required to hit three drives the pressure was immediately on. Jeff was the first to crack needing to hit a big shot into the par five he lashed it up the left only to discover out of bounds markers all round his ball. Despite a polite enquiry from Brian Lock about the legality of where Jeff's ball finished it was in deed in bounds and we were able to escape with par.

 

The Hughes team continued to scrap and escape with par on all holes until the long par five when the Lard was required to tee off. After lots of advice and encouragement a marvellous swing was made but contact with the ball was not and it remained on the tee. After much laughter and discussion it was decided to follow the letter of the law - play the ball from where it lies - on the tee, four good shots followed for another scrambling par.

 

Nearest the pin was carried over from the previous day and was won by Simon. A special mention to the Lard who hit a majestic shot into the heart of the green, only to be just outside Simon's marker.

 

The final hole was the tenth and with another majestic drive by Lard looking the likely shot to use, Jeff proceeded to belt the ball 260 yards on to the green, a cast iron birdie followed and a two shot victory. Brian Lock showed particular interest in Jeff's tee shot, (as he was putting at the time) even going as far as to offer to bash him up if he did it again...............EVER.

Saturday Afternoon and the rain came

 

After a speedy lunch the matchplay semi-finals took place. This was the day for ‘the Bandit’ to have his bad round and be rescued by the weather.

 

Everybody seemed to be struggling in the difficult conditions as it rained and rained and rained, the only person to perform really well was Baz who managed more points in 12 holes of dire conditions than he did in 18 holes of perfect conditions the previous day. As play was abandoned Baz was heard to be mumbling about a six foot putt for four more points and what a lucky ***** Jeff had been.

 

With the rain coming down play was abandoned after twelve holes with the matchplay results to stand as they were, and to hopefully play the outstanding holes for individual/team competition on Sunday afternoon.

 

In the matchplay semi-finals Bryan Arthur defeated Jeff as he came back toward the pack (scoring just 13 points in 12 holes), despite playing crap Jeff managed to find at least one quality shot as he won Nearest the pin.

Brian Lock came through to meet Bryan in the final with a solid victory against Niall.

 

In the matchplay plate semi-finals Baz came through in his match against Simon. And the Lard found the golfing performance of his life to defeat Andre and qualify for the final.

 

The team event took a twist as Tony Dillien arrived and put in a solid opening round.

Sunday morning – The gap is closing !!!!

 

Sunday morning started badly – lots of rain and some more rain, after some unsure moments it was decided that play would go ahead. Niall took the opportunity to rest cos he is a puff who did not want to get wet!!!!!!!

 

As play started the greens were holding a lot of surface water and the early holes were difficult and slow as several groups had to be waved through. Simon did develop a novel way to get the ball out of a hole filled with water, put your hand in...........however most people use the hand that does not have a glove on!!!!!!!!!!

 

As conditions improved both of the bandits started to play well and with Niall missing, the team competition was virtually sown up.

 

Baz and Dilly inspired each other to great heights, culminating in Birdie 2’s on hole 17 as they posted the best scores of the day.

 

Bryan Arthur and Baz continued to close the gap on Jeff but a solid 30 points prevented too much damage. Jeff would lead by 4 points from Bryan and 6 from Baz going into the final six holes of the afternoon. Jeff also decided that one nearest the pin in the weekend was not enough as he found another fine shot into a par 3 (a feat to be repeated again in the non competition round played on Monday).

 

In the matchplay final Bryan Arthur came through a tough battle to eventually beat Brian Lock by 3 & 1.

Baz came through to win the matchplay plate despite some early scares (level after five holes) to beat the Lard 6 & 5.

Sunday Afternoon – the bandit hangs on.

 

To make up for the shortfall in holes due to the weather on Saturday it was decided to play the back nine with only the last six to count in the competition.

 

Unfortunately Bryan and Baz left their form on the three practise holes, as they failed to make an impact, Bryan blobbing on the first competition hole whilst receiving two shots!!!! Just the cushion Jeff needed.

 

Bryan managed to steady himself and find 10 points on the last 5 holes while Baz fell away after a horrible slice (slice of the weekend by a mile), posting just six points on the last five holes.

 

Jeff put in a steady performance to score 12 points in the six holes played to give him a slightly flatteringly lead at the end of the competition. There was a slight moment of panic for Jeff when he blobbed on 18 and convinced himself he had blown it......................but he was home & dry by 6 points.

 

Bryan Arthur held on for second place and Tony came through for third in what was a tight finish as just six points separated the next four players.