Meet in time to play about 20 practice ball each. The range at Downshire is techno and even has an app. I am not much keen on the ball feeder as I like to practice at a slower pace and putting the ball on the tee slows things down. In the end it did no harm but I did not hit many good warm up shots.
M paid for game and balls so thats for the other halves to sort out.
Today was the shortest day so it was always going to be a challenge to finish in the light.
The weather had been poor on the drive to the game and was pretty poor the whole way round. I had a cover for my sticks but M had forgotten his. It rained/showered for most of the way round especially on the dreaded 16th.
We were almost the last off for the day only a 3 ball behind that never caught up (perhaps didn't finish). We were following the last couple in a competition but they stopped after the first 9.
M played with irons only which is always a problem for me as he plays better. He started with a par on the first, but the rest of the first 9 was pretty even. On the back 9 it was a different story and I managed to win by 3 clear holes (will check when all scores are in). If so its M up by 1 hole after 2 matches.
The course was very boggy in places and we both found this to be a problem, bring back the hard summer fairways! On the back 9 the weather turned pretty horrible and it was getting quite dark as we got back onto the 18th green. We both had a nightmare on the 16th crossing the brook (made worse by the wind and rain). Given the conditions I was pleased with my score just on the 110 boundary. My score is here. My putting let me down by a few shots (1x4putt) and I had a penalty on the 7th when the wind stopped my nice shot from carrying over the pond. On another day my score could easily have been 5 better.
I make a note here that another 2 of my Titlist balls from Lakeballs cracked thats the 4th in this batch.
Once M's score is in I will confirm that M is 1 hole up with 3 matches left to play.
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| Rain! |
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| Its Christmas! |
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| Waiting for the wind to die down on the 7th |
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| A break in the rain. |
