We gathered at Brampton Heath on a cool grey morning, with only a couple of members clamouring for a free bacon roll which did not exist, having interpreted Tony's final rallying call in its most generous context.
Eighteen of us prepared to play the first fixture of the season, fifteen "oldies" plus two new members , welcome to Craig and Paul, and Neil Edwards playing as a guest of John's. It was good to welcome back Philip Pritchett after an absence of a couple of years. It was noticeable that there was more than the usual interest in the use of the driving range before tee off, evidence perhaps of winter inactivity?
The weather forecast promised a real mixed bag - sunny intervals, rain showers and feeling cold in the brisk, gusting breeze. Well, we never saw the sun, some of us experienced the rain, and it was definitely cold, especially when the gale-force wind gusted around your knees and almost to the nether regions as you addressed your next shot.
Although there were a few very wet and muddy areas of the course roped off, (Friday's prolonged rainfall will not have helped), generally the course played well considering the recent weather, and winter rules ball-cleaning on the fairways was rare, a testament to the way Brampton drains and recovers quickly. Sand on the ball was a different matter, especially if like me you spent a lot of time as a beach bum in the many bunkers around the course. Greens were reasonable, if a little slow, the wind and its gusts being more of a problem.
The nearest the pin holes were a particular challenge, with the tee shot into the teeth of the wind each time.
Our buggy kept grinding to a halt, with what seemed to be the brakes locking up, necessitating a call for a change at the 11th tee. Sharing with Philip, it was unkindly suggested that between us we probably exceeded the safe weight limit for buggies anyway.
In case you missed them, some tales from the course. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9th hole: playing close to a tree, Craig bent his 6 iron in half (maybe should have used a "tree iron" Craig).
1st hole: Tony's out of control trolley took out Dave Williams' ball at the side of the green (you need to play more quickly, Dave!)
15th hole: John's chip to the green, caught so firmly that his ball went through the green, and the adjacent 7th green, and ended up by the 8th tee! (You only have to play the first nine once, John)
8th hole: Having already taken five shots, yours truly's second shot in the bunker climbed vertically instead of going forward, and the subsequent overhead volley with the sand iron made the best connection of any previous shot made on that hole.
Results on the day:
Nearest the Pin (7th): R. Pouncey
Nearest the Pin (16th): M. Crooke
There were no "2"s
Stableford Competition:
1st place and winner of the Ron Lewis Trophy: Martin Crooke (34pts)
Runner-up: Mike Landen (also 34pts)
3rd. A. Williams 4th. R. Pouncey 5th. G. Pritchard 6th. D. Williams
7th. R. Cubitt 8th. P. Stone 9th. T. Brock 10th. P. Pritchett
11th. D. England 12th. D. Crocker 13th. D. Chamberlain 14th. The Captain
15th. J. Simson
Singles and Doubles Knock-out Competitions
There is still time to enter if you haven't done so already. Please e-mail Bob Cubitt by no later than 20th March for inclusion. Entry fees (£4 each comp) can be paid at the first fixture you attend, along with membership fees (£17) if these haven't already been paid.
Our Next Fixture: Sunday 23rd March -
Bicester Hotel & Golf, Chesterton, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 1TE
Tel. 01280 241204
Arrive by 10:20 for 11:30 tee off. £30.00 includes "bits" - FREE coffee and bacon roll included
Directions: From the M40 Motorway Junction 10
Leave the M40 at Junction 10 and take the B430 towards Middleton Stoney. Go straight over the traffic lights at Middleton Stoney and then take the left turn at the second crossroads into Green Lane following the brown golf club signs. Bicester Hotel, Golf and Spa entrance is approximately 1 mile down this road on your left hand side.
Important - if using SAT NAVs
Please enter the postcode OX26 1TE to find us with your satellite navigation device. Please note this will take you to the back/goods entrance. You will need to follow the road around the golf course by turning first right then first right again and then the hotel entrance will be on your right.
That's all for now
See you next time
Regards
Alan