week # 4
Stonehaven Golf Club’s tee-sheet spoke volumes on Monday, littered as it was with individuals looking to play their golf alone. This is often the way after a Saturday Medal, chastened members taking action to fix humbling horror shows. It’s an exorcism attempt really, 9 holes of solitary golf to deal with swing malfunctions which brought them to their knees 48 hours prior.
I for one placed my name on Monday’s tee-sheet following a lamentable performance on the Saturday, pitching up with my tail between my legs, hoping to find that ‘something’ to give me hope and comfort for the next competition to come. The course replete with one-balls, it cut rather a sorry look, akin to the Sunday morning walk of shame where late night revellers skulk home from their mate’s sofa, still resplendent in their going out gear, but looking like death warmed up.
Well I’m pleased to announce my exorcism appeared to work because in the midweek Stroke I compiled a splendid round of 72, two shots beneath my handicap. I announce this not simply as an ego trip, though there’s no denying I’m really rather pleased with myself, but to encourage other golfers who feel the world is falling apart after a Saturday collapse. I’m not prepared to share the specifics of my game changing techniques, a magician doesn’t give away his tricks, but suffice to say my game was transformed and I played splendidly. Not splendidly enough to win the competition however, Gary Taylor pipping me to the post with an excellent round of 70. Ironically we’d been bemoaning our form when in the clubhouse together registering for the competition before heading out. He too had needed a lie down in a darkened room after a shambles of a round the previous Saturday, yet knocked ten shots off his score to win the event. Well done Gary, and to top it off his beloved Everton turned Liverpool over that evening in the Merseyside derby. A memorable day indeed for the Taylor clan.
Last Saturday’s results proved pretty remarkable, testament perhaps to the decent weather we’ve been waiting for all these months. The top 3 players all notched sub 60 scores with the winner beating his handicap by a clear nine strokes. It can be a bitter pill for low handicap players to swallow when they beat their pans in to get beaten by higher handicappers who make a mockery of their own. Spare a thought for example for Ian Taylor who this week scored a gross, yes gross, six under par round of 60 …which didn’t even qualify him for a place on the podium! The course record remains unbeaten since the course is being played with winter placing rules and the 13th hole is currently just 80 yards long whilst the new hole is being rebuilt, but nevertheless, a round of 60 is quite sensational. Well done Ian, but no cigar!
Results
Cowie Cup Rd 2 & JM Low Qualifier
Scott Reid 57 (17)
Richard Gove 59 (18)
Malcolm Ritchie 59 (19)
Midweek Stroke
Div 1
Gary Taylor 63 (7)
Alex Russon 64 (8)
James Duguid 65 (10)
Div 2
Neil Fowler 62 (13)
Michael Watson 63 (17)
Kevin Duguid 64 (14)
Div 3
Ross Walker 63 (19)
Gordon Wood 64 (24)
Barry McLean 64 (29)