This year several of us have celebrated our 60th birthday. The latest of us decided to invite eight golfing friends to Breedon Priory Golf Club. We spilt into three teams and played Stableford, with an overall winner and the best team. It was a very close competition with AC winning with 37 points and the team of AC, JR and the birthday boy the best by just one point. Breedon Priory is a parkland course with quite a few tight shots and some opportunities for the big hitters to open their shoulders. When we started conditions were overcast with a noticeable breeze and a hint of drizzle but after about 9 holes we enjoyed unbroken sunshine and ate our meal outside.
In our three we all played quite well and all contributed to the team score. My personal highlight was sinking a long putt for a 2 on the par 3 twelfth..
A very good day.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Friday, 31 August 2012
2012 August Mesters Day Three
The final day of the August Mesters came to a conclusion with TR predictably extending his lead to carry of most of the prizes with good consistent golf. All the excitement came in the battle for minor placings with JW dramatically snatching the runner up prize with a birdie on the 17th and NT and AC tying for the wooden spoon. Other drama occurred on the 18th as JR was nearly decapitated by RH's successful attempt to gain the nearest the pin prize. The other awards went to SG for winning the first day and AC and JW for nearest the pin prizes. CH unfortunately had to give up after four holes of the final round to a battery malfunction.
The conditions on the last day were the best of the three. Bright sunshine was only slightly marred by a fresh breeze which blew a few shots off target. Drying greens made putting a bit of a lottery and there was still quite a bit of standing water.
It was a good three days with sufficient variety in the conditions to make it interesting playing the same course three times. The Mathern remained closed throughout our stay. The hotel was interesting and very comfortable with good rooms and more than acceptable food. Why, though, is everything so expensive in hotels? Prices at the bar and in the restaurant are well above other pub and equivalent restaurant prices - the food is rarely exceptional; and charging for wi-fi in this day and age when you can get on line for free an any high street and many other places is profiteering at its worst.
The conditions on the last day were the best of the three. Bright sunshine was only slightly marred by a fresh breeze which blew a few shots off target. Drying greens made putting a bit of a lottery and there was still quite a bit of standing water.
It was a good three days with sufficient variety in the conditions to make it interesting playing the same course three times. The Mathern remained closed throughout our stay. The hotel was interesting and very comfortable with good rooms and more than acceptable food. Why, though, is everything so expensive in hotels? Prices at the bar and in the restaurant are well above other pub and equivalent restaurant prices - the food is rarely exceptional; and charging for wi-fi in this day and age when you can get on line for free an any high street and many other places is profiteering at its worst.
Thursday, 30 August 2012
August Mesters Day Two
Touch and go whether today's round would go ahead. Rain had closed the Mathern Course so we were rescheduled to the Old Course, starting on the 10th. Conditions began to take effect on the scores. TR consolidated his lead taking an advantage of 5 points into the final day.
It was a miracle that we managed 18 holes as rain was never far away. Waterproofs and umbrellas came on and off and up and down like BOGOF in a brothel during the first nine. After a delay at the halfway point because of the amount of people playing we then had to shelter under trees for 15 minutes while a heavy downpour blew its way through. After that though the weather improved and we finished in bright sunshine.
Expensive beer and sandwich in the bar, rest and an improved meal completed the day.
It was a miracle that we managed 18 holes as rain was never far away. Waterproofs and umbrellas came on and off and up and down like BOGOF in a brothel during the first nine. After a delay at the halfway point because of the amount of people playing we then had to shelter under trees for 15 minutes while a heavy downpour blew its way through. After that though the weather improved and we finished in bright sunshine.
Expensive beer and sandwich in the bar, rest and an improved meal completed the day.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
2012 August Mesters Day One
The venue for this year's annual competition is St Pierre at Chepstow. Eight golfers are competing. TR and SG head the leader board with 33 points inspite of the early distraction of a mix up at a fuel pump. With two further rounds all the others are still in contention.
Conditions were good with sunny intervals and a light breeze. The ground was very wet after a morning down pour with quite a lot of standing water to negotiate. A lot of trees and quite a few bunkers along with narrow fairways meant that the straight hitters were most likely to do well.
Golf was followed by a pleasant dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Conditions were good with sunny intervals and a light breeze. The ground was very wet after a morning down pour with quite a lot of standing water to negotiate. A lot of trees and quite a few bunkers along with narrow fairways meant that the straight hitters were most likely to do well.
Golf was followed by a pleasant dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Stop start season
Stop, start sums up the season so far. When ever I can play the rain hampers progress. It is ages since I have been able to play 18 holes. I have managed to play the 9 hole Par 3 a few times and occasionally a few holes of the big course. The good news is that I am usually somewhere near my handicap. My short game seems to be much improved, although putting is still hit and miss - not much hit and a lot of miss!! If the rain relents I am scheduled to play 36 holes in the next couple of days.
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Champion loses in Croc shocker
The Green Crocodile didn't stay long in my possession. In a high scoring match on the short Par 3 Westwood course at Norwood there were only two points in it on the last tee. Matthew's chip to six feet was good enough as the other two were still off the green after three. Another close competition on a beautiful, still morning.
Friday, 17 February 2012
The Green Croc home with daddy
There was a tense finish to the latest round of the Green Croc. Just one point ahead coming to the par three 18th at Saltford I shanked the drive into the scrub. Matthew over hit his drive into the wood behind the green. My reload then ended up in a green side bunker. Matt's ball was plugged needing a penalty drop, he played out then chipped to four feet. My bunker shot left a very long putt for a point, it was two feet left. Matt missed the putt so I triumphed.
The Green Croc is a head cover that is the trophy that is competed for whenever the three of us (my two sons and I) play golf. Unfortunately Edward doesn't play much at the moment so has a disadvantage but the trophy changed hands regularly between the three of us.
This was the first time at Saltford, where Matt is a member. Quite a pleasant course. The first nine is fairly ordinary with a lot of straight up and down holes but there are some interesting challenges on the back nine.
The Green Croc is a head cover that is the trophy that is competed for whenever the three of us (my two sons and I) play golf. Unfortunately Edward doesn't play much at the moment so has a disadvantage but the trophy changed hands regularly between the three of us.
This was the first time at Saltford, where Matt is a member. Quite a pleasant course. The first nine is fairly ordinary with a lot of straight up and down holes but there are some interesting challenges on the back nine.
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