Scores for Saturday 30 April 2022

 A find frosty start to the morning, blue skies and warm weather forecast but you wouldn't think so when the early group started out on a 07:32 tee time. 

We started with a slight hiccup, at least I did! In my bid to be efficient and make sure I had everything I needed for an early round followed by a trip up the M1 for Cobblers duty, I broke from my normal routine and placed all my items of clothing, drinks, food etc. in a bag by the door. I then proceeded to leave the house and head to the golf club, unloaded my belongings it discover I'd forgotten everything. Never fear though, Emma was straight in the car and up to the club with my things just in time for me to tee off. The disruption to my schedule proved to be a bit much for me this week and I deserved the title Calamity Geddes on the day. The highlight was hitting my ball out of a divot on the 5th hole straight at my own back incurring a 2 stroke penalty leading to my 2nd of my 6 blobs on the day. My only consolation on that hole was that Pete Creighton was having a much worst time of it, losing a ball off the first tee and having to head back and take a provisional leading to an inevitable blob. 

We had a birthday boy in our group today, Duncan started his celebrations with two pars out of three on the first 3 holes and by the fifth tee was looking like he was going to have a good birthday indeed despite nearly slipping over on the ice going down the first. Then the wheels came off and he managed only 1 point on the next 3 holes. He had a solid par on 8 and scrambled par on 9 but gave himself too much to do on the back 9 and failed in any case to make double digits on what turned out to be a difficult birthday golf day. 

The moral is gentlemen, the early bird potentially catches a cold but doesn't necessarily catch a break!

The statistics today were surprising given the lack of wind and favourable conditions but probably reflect the difficulty of playing on a rock hard course. The average gross score was up at 95.3 and the average stableford score was down at 28.5. There were 5 birdies, 42 pars, 85 bogies and 84 doubles or worse. The birdies went to Steve Brewerton (11) Pete Laurence (17) Steve Reynolds (17) and Martin Deery (9 and 17) Well done gents.

Today's winner seems to be in a rich vein of form and I can only guess that he was great company for his group as he trundled round the course to post 35 points. Yes, it was none other than the ever popular, self congratulating Andy Simpkin. No need to congratulate you Andy as I'm sure you've already done so!

Steve Brewerton turned up in time to swipe second place with 31 points on countback from Pete Laurence. Pete's blobs on 10 and 11 found the same trees/hazard and did not want to be found, costing him at lease second. Well done Steve!

Richard Hyne won the front 9 with 17 points on countback from Martin Deery and Pete Laurence. Well done Richard.

Steve Reynolds was pipped to second place today and had to settle for a back 9 with 17 points. Hopefully he fairs better on his delayed 50th birthday celebrations next week. Well done Steve.

Looks like the fair weather will continue for the next week so hopefully there will be good weather for the trip up to the midlands. Sadly I'll not be joining you as I have an competing commitment. Have a great trip those of you that are travelling to Forest of Arden, hope it goes really well.