Captain’s Log – Half Way There Jim …. !!

Here we go again.......... the busiest month yet according to the calendar !!
 
Saturday, 1st August , the annual fixture against Tankersley Park, this year away. It was a very wet day and ended up in the first halved result in the 20 year history of the match ! As is tradition, I had to hit the first shot with the old wooden headed driver and won the Knob of the Day prize because I hit it so well I out drove most of the others !!
 

With Chairman Kevin, we played against the reigning British & European Amputee champ Maurice Lee & their Club Captain Angus Ferguson. Real pleasure to play against Maurice and made you think how lucky you are. Whilst there, we heard we had won the SLGL as Burghley Park had beaten Spalding to enable us to win the league…. Fast asleep on the bus home, back at 1.30am !!

 

5th August LUGC Presidents Day on the Bracken at Woodhall Spa. Played with the Captain from Market Rasen and …. we didn’t come anywhere. Took Nick Watson with me who had a great round of gross 70 in the individual competition to finish 4th against some of the best players in the County.
 

The next day I went to Lutterworth GC in Leicestershire for the Midland Regional event of the English Golf Captains national competition. To remind her of who I am, Cate came with me to caddy and we had a very enjoyable day. It got a bit wet towards the end but I probably had the better part of the day though. I finished 4th with 35 points to miss out on the National final by 2 places and a prize !! I should and could have done a lot better after 20 pts going out but the rain did have an influence !!

 

The following Saturday we entertained Belton Park in our last home SLGL match. Having now won the league, maybe a slight edge was taken out of the game but we did want to remain unbeaten. We managed that with a good 4.5 – 1.5 win and the Belton lads were very gracious in their praise for the way we’ve played this year – good on ‘em !! Knappy and I scrapped a half and Craig / Nick won their match so we go into the last game both having got 8 points out of 9 !
 
The next day was the Invitation Open and I got there early to perform starting duties for DC. Cate took me up to the club in her new toy ..... and the AA took her home again !!!!
Gave all a good larf and the car park a steam clean at the same time ..... !!
 
In the afternoon, I played with Mike, Cate’s big Bruvver ! He tried hard but Stoke can be a bit tough for those that don’t know it well and don't play a lot and he unfortunately lost 10 balls in the process !! Nevertheless it was good for Cate and I to have Mike and Carol there and we enjoyed the day regardless of the golf and the AA !!
 
On Tuesday 11th August I attended the club to present the prizes at the Junior Open. Sterling work by Steve Greenfield and James Footitt got a decent turnout on the day. Steve and David Greenfield were there all day looking after everything and did a great job. Stoke’s A Team got 2nd prize - well done to Nick Watson, Tom Greenfield and Oliver Duley who did a brilliant net 65 off 13 handicap.
 
A couple of days later Angus and I played our 8th Captain / Pro Challenge match this time against Mick Bailey and Robin Harris. Mick’s matchplay hoodoo sign over me continues and we suffered our second loss in the series by 4&2 – both Batman & Robin played well, Mick especially using his shots. Angus’ holiday break at Hunstanton obviously was not the right preparation !! At least we’ve now guaranteed a play off for the trophy .... sorry Bob & Simon !!
 
Saturday 15th August and I was very pleased to play in the Mixed match at home to Seacroft. I partnered Lady Captain Dorne Werner and we won by 5&3 in our match, gelling quite well. Took great pleasure in asking Seniors Captain Keith Dugmore to collect the money – well, it’s not the done thing to beat visitors so convincingly Keith …. !!
 
 
A busy weekend continued by dashing back to Ancaster after the Mixed match to pick Cate up and we travelled up to Scunthorpe to stay overnight with the team due to play in the Elsham County Finals the following day.
 
There was superb support from the many members who made the trip on the day but a disappointing finish to the finals day as the lads narrowly lost to Spalding by 2 down in the Semi Final and then went down to Boston in the afternoon 3rd / 4th play off. A great shame but all gave their best effort .... just didn't happen on the day !
 
 
August is just so busy ………. Tuesday evening and I had the pleasure of playing fellow Pheasant Plucker Greg Ewart in the Victory Cup quarter final and after a tough battle I scrapped through by 3&1. Tricky Marshall is next …………
 
Saturday 22nd and the final SLGL match of the season against Sleaford away …. could we keep our unbeaten tag, both the team and the Knapster and me ? After a fixed draw (I’m sure Craig Hallam had some hand in ensuring that Knappy and I were paired to play a young man off +3 who did a 66 off his own ball ….. !) we sadly lost on the 18th of a great game …. Well played James and his Dad !!
 
However….. the main event resulted in a brilliant 4-2 win for the team and a season record of Played 10, Won 8, Halved 2 … !!   Can't get much better than that.
 
Even better on the day, we heard that the “B Team” lads secured a win against Belton Park in their final match that means that both squads will be off to represent the South Lincs League in the County Final at Holme Hall on 4th October.
 
Knappy and I took slap off Craig all evening about him & Nick winning … again … and them finally achieving more points than us. Really pleased for Craig, he doesn’t win much – well only when he partners Penny !! What makes it worse is that the sad lad thinks Spurs are going to win the Premiership. Shows you what you’re up against !!
 
The following day was the first Gents Summer Open, brilliantly organised as ever by DC. A very tiring 36 hole day for me, age and August is catching up with me. I thought I played really well in the strong wind to record net 72 & 73 that could easily have been 2 69’s. Getting frustrated by not turning reasonably good play into good scoring but there you go … !! Well played to Nick Watson who won both net & gross – great play on the day young man !!
 
The pace continues and on Friday 28th we had a fantastic Captain’s Away Day at Elsham GC where 31 members joined me on a wet and very blustery day. 9 holes were played in the morning and my (allegedly) hand picked team of Robin Wright and Mike Nixon romped home to claim first prize. The afternoon individual stableford saw Farmer Chris Smith win easily with 40 points from Mr Bailey and Avis Griffin in second and third.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cate and the Ancaster lasses Clair and Jane joined us in the evening to witness Robin Harris achieve the Knob of the Day award – I had to get rid of it somehow - and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed a really good day. I can’t thank you all enough for being there on one of the highlights of the year for me. Thanks a lot everyone.....
 
 
 
 
 
A very hectic weekend following saw Cate and I have a day out at Stamford Bridge to see Chelski beat Burnley 3-0 and on the Sunday I played in Dad’s Memorial Trophy, scoring a 78-5-73 with Butch & Mick.
 
Bank Holiday Monday was the Mixed Open and I was paired up with Michele York and we played really well to get 40 points – sadly to finish 6th, one out of the prizes. Thanks Michele for putting up with me and playing so well, sinking a lot of really long putts !! Just for the record, Penny Hallam and some other guy won with 44 points…………. thoroughly deserved – well played both !!
 
 

Well that’s August done …….. on the downward slope now – looking forward to another busy month in September and a spot of Pheasant Plucking …… all will be revealed soon !!