Rules Quiz

Seniors Trophies – Engraving

Round 8 Autumn League

Reporter: Paul Foster

Friday’s round was held in conditions best described as ‘polar’. It was a beautiful day, cold, harsh, and oddly magical, with the winter sun spreading its tentacles across the land. A version of the golf course where nature has pressed the ‘pause’ button…and golf balls behaved in ways no rulebook could ever prepare you for. With early temperatures low enough to make a penguin shiver and greens harder than a week-old Christmas pudding, our brave competitors marched onto the course armed with thermals, a varied selection of silly woollen hats and enough hand warmers to heat the halfway house cabin. From the very first tee, it was clear this would not be a day for textbook golf, drives flew in all directions upon landing on the concrete fairways, chips onto the greens bounced like super bouncers, no chance of repairing any pitch marks, and putts skidded across the icy greens as if auditioning for an ice-hockey match. Today showcased a resilience and enthusiasm that defines seniors’ golf. Once the battle was over, players retreated to the clubhouse for hot drinks, defrosting sessions, and to concede that the greens had definitely won the day. Not one player beat their handicap. Indeed, only Alan ‘of the Antarctic’ Copeland and Jeff ‘Robert Peary’ Ashurst managed to play to par.

Lowest gross of the day goes to Mike Pigott (again) at 3 over gross (again).

Two 2s scored today, George Clarke with a tremendous 2 at the 9^th, and Dave Craggs (again) with a chip in at the 13^th.

Competitors on the day – a low 38, 14 from the 1^st division (wimps) and 24 from the 2^nd division (well hard). As we played 13 holes, all scores have been pro-rated up to 15 holes.

Two players put the wrong handicap on their scorecard, both 2^nd division players this week. Thirteen handicaps have changed for the next round (all up), so carefully check yours please. Largest handicap increase of the year awarded to our new chairman Les Williams, who gained a gargantuan 3.5 shots!

Results

Division 1

Winner	Mike Pigott	29 Pts
Runner up	Mark Pickles	28 Pts
3rd place	Paul Foster	27 Pts

Division 2

Winner	Alan Copeland	30 Pts (CPO)
Runner up	Jeff Ashurst	30 Pts
3rd place	Steve Bird	29 Pts (CPO with 5 others)

Only 2 rounds left to complete in the Autumn league. The leads at the top of both divisions are tighter than Paul Collins’ golf trousers after Christmas dinner. The competitors are separated by margins so small you’d need reading glasses to see them. The chasing packs are lurking, just a few points behind, ready to pounce if one of them benefits from a generous handicap adjustment (Editor’s note: “unlikely”) or should one of the leaders three putt (Editor’s note: “more likely”). All to play for, Russ Jones and Mark Pickles, Paul Lennie and Ian Goodman. Game on….

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 24 November

Reporter: Steve Bird

Weatherwise, a typical late November morning, dull and dreary but much better than the forecast which had predicted drizzle and a fresh breeze. The course was recovering after being closed for the whole weekend and we were able to play 13 holes.

Four teams of three took part and the winners with an average score of a remarkable 29 were Steve Gosling, Colin Chisnall and Steve Bramall. All scored on or under net par with Mr Bramall the days leading scorer on 33.

Runners up were Alan Copeland, Ron Thornton and John Hayes with an average score of 24.3. The remaining teams scored 24 and 23 so pretty close for the trailing pack. 

I now have £22 in my piggy bank representing unclaimed winnings from this and previous weeks. It appears that the need to get home outweighs the need for cash !! 

For the record the outstanding recipients are:

• Colin Chisnall £9
• Phil Perry £5
• Steve Gosling £4
• Steve Bramall £4 

I shall be around every Monday and Friday if you would like to claim your coin. 

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 27 November

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 30 November

Rules Quiz answer

False – See rule 19.2.  The relief area is measured from the spot of the ball.