Captain's Blog
Star Date ..... June 2009 ............ The Continuing Voyage !!
Here we are again, another busy month !!
Saturday 30th May and our fourth SLGL team match away at Belton Park. It’s always a very competitive match against the Belton lads and on this occasion we came out top by 4 games to 2. It’s the first away win at Belton for as long as I can recall. I played with Knappy again and we managed to keep our unbeaten run going a little longer, winning 3&2. Whilst good to be top of the league, we mustn’t get carried away though – still 6 games to go !!
Tuesday 2nd June and the Scratch Singles match at Greetham Valley. I unfortunately couldn’t make the game – work trip to London – and despite a big effort, the lads lost 2-1. You know what they say..... we can concentrate on the League now !!
Friday 5th June and we had a very good turnout for the third Captains Presentation Evening. The new start time of 8 o’clock seems to be popular – Ian Braime collected his many scratch prizes, much to the detriment of the Captain’s Charity … !! Seriously, good to see you about Ian and hope to see you many more times this year !!
The next day was my birthday and Cate made her debut on a “proper” course on the Bracken at Woodhall Spa !! We got round in about 4 hours and the piccie shows there is some potential there !!
Following an enjoyable overnight stay at the Golf Hotel, we moved on to Lincoln GC at Torksey where I was looking forward to making my debut in the Mixed match. Playing with Lady Captain Dorne Werner, who was appropriately dressed in sowester and wellingtons, we finished 5 holes before the match was abandoned due to torrential rain.
Nevetheless, a fine meal and good company in the clubhouse with all the team who made Cate and I feel really welcome, it finished off a great weekend. To make up for the bad weather, Norma challenged me to play in a mixed match next year at Seacroft and I readily accepted ....... no really, I did !!!
The following Tuesday saw my first ever trip to a chiropractor as my back has been very sore this last couple of weeks. As a result of the trauma inflicted (man pain !!), I had to cancel my Victory Cup game with Arthur Wheeler the next day as I could hardly move when I got up the next morning.
By the Saturday I was feeling the benefit of the trip as we had a home SLGL game versus Sleaford. The team kept up their good performances to date by winning 4-2. Out last, Knappy & I managed yet another win 3&1 – 4½ points out of 5 sounds good but Mr Hallam kindly reminded everyone that he & Nick were the only ones with a 100% record as we only got a half at Burghley ! Get you ………!
Bad news from BPGC however as the B Team got rolled over but Martin’s lads are still top with 3 home games left out of 4 to play !
Why do I do this, I thought the next morning at 5.30am as I fall out of the pit to get up early to travel to play in the LUGC Amateur Championship at Holme Hall, Scunthorpe. Well it’s £25 for the day to play 36 holes on one of the best courses in the county. It was a very hot sunny & tiring day at a course set up to make things as hard as possible. I played not too bad, gross 79 and 75. The winner, 17 years old, did 11 under par so it couldn’t have been that hard eh ?
Stoke best player was Craig Hallam (that’s another mention then CH?) and he took the Stoke Sweep … easily !!
Thursday 18th June and a big day for the club – the Pro-Am. Angus Dow and Rod Rawson had pulled out all the stops to bring 47 teams to play in this annual event. Backed up by a large number of member volunteers, the course looking superb, everyone who attended had a great day. There were many plaudits from the visitors so well done everyone !!
I played with Angus, Mick Andrews & Kevin Bond and whilst we played ok, our scoring at times left a bit to be desired. (I should mention that someone from SRGC called Craig won a prize but I won't). Huge round of applause to Rod Rawson and his team for organising this event yet again !
Saturday comes again and this time I played in the Social Team friendly game away at Sutton Bridge, a lovely unique 9 hole course. I played with team captain Simon Glencross and whilst we scrapped through our game to win by 3&2, the team lost by 5 games to 3. Well done Smithy for collecting the money and thanks, the Tates are great !!
The relentless pace carries on and another early Sunday start for the Shotgun Foursomes. A busy clubhouse at 6.15am, whiskey galore ready for the 7.00am start for one of the best comps of the year. I partnered Mick Bailey but sadly we played appallingly, with a net 78 !!! One day Mick, it will all come together ! 38 pairs played, well done to DC and thanks to Mandy and the girls for a great breakfast ! Rumour has it that Knappy paid three visits ……?
The following day, I fitted in my re-arranged Victory Cup 2nd Round game against Arthur Wheeler. Having managed to win the first 4 holes, Arthur played really well to peg me back but I eventually got through 3&2, having been 2 under gross for the 16 holes – best I’ve played for weeks ! Shows you what a silly game this is sometimes.... I played so poorly the day before yet against Arthur I could do no wrong.
Cate and I managed to fit in a great couple of days away on a quick visit to Edinburgh at the end of a busy month and we got some brilliant news on the text from Andy Watson as we were on the train on the way back – a 12 up win v Kenwick Park in the 3rd Round of the Elsham Foursomes. This fine resounding victory takes the 6 man team to the semi final / final stage to be played at Elsham GC on Sunday 16th August. Well done to Rog, Steve, Craig, Nick, Paul & Jamie – and Andy as well of course !! Looking forward to a special day out !
The next edition will include a busy weekend of SLGL action at Boston, the Club Championship, my 4 Round Challenge for the GOSH Charity and of course, Captain's Weekend. Looking forward to all that immensely !!!
See you soon !! (thanks for reading this Craig ...... !!)