Captain’s Log – July – It’s not Getting Any Quieter Jim !!

 

After the very busy Captain’s Weekend, I was kind of hoping for a quiet week at work. Come Wednesday afternoon I’m invited by Craig Hallam to join him and Jamie Collinson at Woodhall Spa for a freebie because of the Kymin. Jamie played out of his skin notching up 7 birdies to win the money – he was still looking for the rope in the tree on the last though – no pleasing some people !!
 
Friday afternoon, 10th July, I spent time at the club watching the final round of the Midland Youths Kymin Howell competition and was chuffed to see a great performance by Nick Watson to win the Hare Salver with a 68 ! Nick becomes only the second SRGC winner at the Kymin Week and follows in the footsteps of Uncle Steve Greenfield !!
 
Captain’s Presentation Evening completed a very hectic Friday and another of those late finishes.
 
The following day was very important for the “A” Team, a home fixture versus Burghley Park who would no doubt be looking for a result to keep them in the hunt for the league. Not to be for them as we got home comfortably by 5 games to 1, with Knappy and I maintaining the winning sequence with a victory of 3&2 !
 
Decided to have Sunday off as I was playing my next round of the Victory Cup on Monday evening against BA pilot Jeremy Wood. I flew round in 1 under gross to win after 16 to win 4&2. It was never easy against Jeremy who putted brilliantly but now looking forward to meeting Greg Ewart……
 
The Wednesday evening saw me back at Stoke playing in the 2nd Round of the Adult / Junior Goldsborough Cup, partnering Junior Capitano Dan Leahy. We played the Lost Boys – Chris and Will Jones - losing on the last after I left poor Dan with a horrible “Denis Wise” to halve the match. Sorry Dan ……. It wasn’t meant to be !!
 

Back again on the Thursday afternoon and another match in the Captain / Pro Challenge series of matches, this time versus Ernie Armstrong & Alan Church. We had an enjoyable evening discussing

1. numerous Rules queries from Ernie,

2. why I swing like I do hitting the ball down the middle when I’m not aiming it there (?) and

3. why Ernie aims down the middle and it doesn’t go there !!!
 
It was all good stuff and then we won 4&3 to keep the run going – 4 wins out of 5 now, Bob & Simon still smiling !!
 
Saturday 18th July and I played with Simon Glencross in the Social Team fixture v Belton Woods at home. Unusually for a home match the team lost 2-4. Simon and I managed a steady win by 5&4 but not a surprise that most people semed more interested in Tom Watson maintaining his lead at Turnberry !!
 
The following day was Lady Captains Day. LC Dorne booked fine weather but it failed to turn up !! Nevertheless, it was a brilliant PINK day and many thanks to Dorne (and Don) for putting on a great days entertainment.
 
We all reckoned a new section needs to be brought in to cater for these guys who can’t make their minds up about what clothing to wear and which tees to play off. Some of them were too convincing for my liking and obviously quite used to nights out on the Town looking out for unsuspecting gentlemen !! Numerous wo...men contributed huge amounts of money to the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Charity Fund as bribery to the Lady Captain to maintain a discreet silence and not publish the photos ............. (I have them .... any offers ??)
 
In the afternoon Greensomes comp, thanks to the delightful putting skills of partner Joan Lennard, I won me first prize of the season as we racked up 39 points (16 holes) – well done and thanks to Joan !!
 
A few days without a game followed before match 6 of the Captain / Pro Challenge – one I was really looking forward to against Vice Presidents Rod Rawson & Dick Skelton. Angus and I scrapped together a steady performance – we won 4&2 to keep our record going with a total of 8 birdies on the night … have we saved any for tomorrow ?
 
Bright and early the following morning I picked up Angus as we played in the Gulfair / BMW Pro-Captain Challenge – Midland Regional Qualifier at De Vere Staverton Park near Daventry, Northampton. An overcast, wet and thundery day with loads of sunshine too !
 
We played well scoring 3 under in difficult conditions but failed to convert a number of good chances and came up just short ! No trip to Bahrain this year then ……….
 
Grateful thanks to Angus for a great day out – I’m certainly learning a lot from playing golf with him this year. Angus always thinks about the next shot especially when’s he’s hit a bad one. Observing this (regularly !) at close quarters, I think my patience on the course has got a bit better when things don’t go right – there’s always the next shot / hole to bounce back at ... a lesson for all !!
 
The following Saturday and back to SLGL action with the biggest game of the season, away at Spalding our nearest rivals for the league. Very important game … can we keep our unbeaten record going at Spalding ?... always tough to get anything there !
 
Well we did, halving the match 3-3. Big crowd around the last green to watch Ian Braime & Nigel Illingworth win the last game on the course by 1 up to secure the halved result. Knappy and I managed to maintain our unbeaten run, winning 4&2 at the back. Team spirit is really high as you would expect as we now hold a 4 point lead with only 2 games to go. Not quite mathematically certain but we are on the verge now of securing the league title for the first time in quite a few years. (I won't mention you here Craig as you specifically asked me to leave out the fact that Knappy and I are still unbeaten and you're not ..... so I won't put it in ! Hard luck mate, keep it going !!  Ed)
 
Good news for the B Team as well who won 4-2 at home to Greetham putting them back on top of their league with one game left – at home to Belton Park … could be a great end to the season.
 
Another Sunday off …… must try and play a few comps before long …. as I’m down to make my debut in the Seniors Team on the Monday morning at Radcliffe-on-Trent (away). I was partnered with Seniors Captain Keith Dugmore against the Seniors Captain and Club Captain from Radcliffe. We pulled off a 2 up win at the front but unfortunately the team lost 5-3. Seems like a regular result from what Keith said !! Thanks to all the lads in Red Sweaters for their welcome and support ... I really enjoyed the day.
 
In the after dinner spot, Keith had a pop about my support for Nottingham Forest, the pride of the East Midlands …….. must find opportunity to have a go back … what was that one about you wearing a bright cap so we could stop losing you in the long rough Keith ??
 
Did a few days at work to keep the Council Tax Payers happy and concluded the month of July (are there only 31 days in July ?) with Angus and I paired up again in Match 7 of the Captain / Pro Challenge, this time expecting a hard match against “A” team partner Paul Knapp and “B” Team organiser Martin Harvey.
 
We got a very hard competitive match but won through 2&1 after a very enjoyable game - loads of birdies all around. Think I had 15 pars and just the one birdie – not too bad eh for an old ‘Un !!
We effectively won the game on the 16th green after Angus picked up his lipstick having left a 15 foot putt just inches short. Well he did have two to win the hole …. and just to rub it in, they made him tap it in as well ..…. never mind lads !!
 

Only 2 games left now – Bob & Simon must be getting really excited about being the only winners !! But I’m sure the last two pairs we are due to play will have something to say about that …………..

 
That’ll do for July … onto August and as you might expect the diary is full. Cate’s trying to remember what I look like, so much so she’s decided to caddy for me next week so we can have a day together .. !!