When we went to pay (20 quid each and 24 for a buggy) we found M had booked to play the tough Cathedral course. We panicked and were quickly re-booked on our favourite Tower course. The chap in the pro-shop was quite encouraging to us and suggested we give the Cathedral a go sometime soon... Perhaps...
We were following a 3 ball in 2 buggies playing off white tees. They were good and had no trouble keeping ahead of us. The 3 behind were a bit slower than us so after the first we had no audience at the Tee.
I set off well with a 6i onto the green (wind behind). On the 2nd M hit a great drive and I followed steadily along the fairway. M's 2nd went too far over the green and we ended up with 6 each. We drew several holes on the front 9 including another pair of 6's on the most difficult hole (5th). I had a bit of a problem on the 6th with a duff from the tee followed by 2 more. This knocked my confidence a bit and M won holes 6,7 and 8 giving a 3 hole lead at the end of the front 9.
On holes 10 and 11 M was on great form (driver working well) with a par and a bogey (proper golf scores). I steadied the ship a little as M hit a duff from the 12 tee and I won a hole. M was quick to recover with another par 4 on the 13th with a chip into the hole that got some respect from the 3 golfers in front. On the 14th I did a great PW from 75 yds to within a couple of feet of the hole and got a round of applause from the 3 in front. (Good job they missed some of our less impressive moments!).
In the end we drew several more holes but M won by 5 clear holes. Thats 2 in a row so my handicap will be back at a more realistic 26. My score is click here.
I would be happy with any score less than 110 normally but this one was bad for many reasons. First of all my putting was terrible I lost 4 on the front 9 and 1 on the back. So even an average 36 would have saved 5 shots. I only managed 6 proper golf scores (4 bogeys and 1 par). I only failed to get to the green in regulation on 1 hole but had scores spoiled by poor putting. I messed up 3 holes. The 6th with 3 duffs could have been 1 or 2 better. The 10th had 2 duffs and a bunker (I put this down the the aerobatics in the light plane just above our heads). The 16th as usual I went into the lake from the tee (not unusual.. must remember to aim left!). On the plus side I played the17th as well as I ever have.
Great fun even though I was a bit knackered on the last few holes.
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| Lilly pond looking good on 8th |
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| Buggy cam almost on the 5th Fairway |
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| Buggy cam on the 5th Fairway |
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| Approaching the 9th |
