On the previous Wednesday afternoon I teamed up with our new professional, Nicole Stewart, to take on the challenge from Raj Vara and Malcolm Turner. And what a challenge this turned out to be, with both players in fine form, and drive after drive being sent long down the middle of the fairway. We were lucky to be only 2 down after 9, and still ‘only’ 2 down after 11. It’s funny how changing the playing order can seem to make a difference and yes, Nicole and I changed our order, and won the next two holes though I had some good fortune with a chip out of the rough by the 12th green.
So, all square on the 15th tee, then 2 up standing on the 17th tee, and a half on 17 was enough to win this very competitive match. It was great to play with Nicole, an amazing ball striker and enthusiastic coach with lots of golf tips shared. Many thanks to Raj and Malcolm for a great afternoon’s golf.
Men’s Golf Blog
What a weekend of golf we have just had! Club Championship, a Club Roll-up, Captain and Pro match, 4BBB matches being played, and some chaps on TV from Torrey Pines battling for the US Open. What an amazing finish by the very talented Jon Rahm for a well-deserved and overdue major title, well done sir!
Meanwhile at Roehampton Club I spent Saturday watching our finest golfers compete for the Club Championship, with the course in perfect condition, and many tough pin positions to challenge them over 36 holes. By early evening, with all the scores in, we had a sudden death play-off between Max Stanley and Luke Gorman, who both finished on 1 over par gross for the two rounds. Fast forward an hour or so, and five playoff holes later, and the chaps were still locked in battle on their sixth playoff hole. Max was most unfortunate to find himself with an impossible lie, close to a sapling, off the right of the 18th fairway. His fine left-handed escape attempt did not quite make it out of the rough, and despite his power it just wasn’t possible to get to the green. A few minutes later Max stood ready to be first to congratulate Luke on holing his final putt for victory. Well done to both for their fine golf and sportsmanship throughout the day. In my case I was delighted to finally present somebody with a trophy at Roehampton! Congratulations to Luke, and all prize-winners from this terrific group of golfers.
To further brighten the weekend, the Scratch Team defeated Surbiton GC 5-0 playing early on Sunday morning. In the afternoon, 9 players competed in the Club Roll-up with Michael Lever continuing his fine form by winning with an excellent 43 points (82 gross) despite starting with a 7 on the 1st! Runner-up with 40 points was Michael’s Dad Alec, and Terry Dillon took third place with 38 points. Very impressive, guys, with the course still set up with the Club Championship pins.
Then Sunday morning, and the first match of the season with Ricky Pharo, challenged by my good friend and 4BBB partner Brian O’Boyle and his match partner Jo Cochrane. This was going to be tough! And so it was, with the challengers going 2 up after 5 with a fine birdie by Brian and we were very fortunate to keep at 2 up through 8 holes until my nett birdie on 9 won us our first hole, and Ricky’s birdie on 10 levelled the score. A purple patch from 12 to 14 put us 3 up, and the match concluded on the 16th. For once I managed to keep a proper record of the scores and Ricky was 2 under gross for the 18 holes with just one bogey on the 2nd, excellent golf. This was another really good competitive match, great fun, and many thanks to Brian and Jo for signing up to play.
Next weekend Ricky and I will be challenged by Richard Lurcott and Peter McGovern, and I expect a stern test! Note that there is a match date available on Sunday 18th July, if you would like to make a challenge? The signup sheet is on the noticeboard in the Men’s Changing Room.
On Tuesday last the inaugural Ping Mixed 4BBB event was played. Helen Maguire, my splendid playing partner, is a very patient woman indeed. I chose the first hole to test this out by playing her ball off the fairway to the heart of the green, and getting us a 2-shot penalty, and one point instead of three, just to make it interesting … Despite my incompetence we managed a respectable mid-table score of 40 points. Congratulations to all prize winners but particularly the winners, Therese Swanson and Nicholas Greenwood on scoring an excellent 47 Points.
Lots of 4BBB matches to be played over the next month chaps, don’t miss the play-by date …
Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Arthur Clarke Foursomes Medal on Saturday 3rd July, a great challenge and, I believe, the oldest golf trophy at the Club.
Finally, early reports of a hole in one were received on Saturday, but the 3rd tee was mentioned. Surely it was the 13th? But no, tee shot off the 3rd tee that holed out on the second green! I know Rob Savage won’t mind me bringing it up, and to his credit, he was more concerned that nobody on or near the 2nd green was struck. One step closer to the real thing, eh Rob?
I’m off to hack around Woodhall Spa, home of England Golf, will report in the next blog. Enjoy your golf!
Gerry Dennigan, Men’s Golf Captain