We used our Chichester priv cards to play free on the 9 hole par 3. I played quite well but as usual this was no reflection on the final outcome in the game proper.
The weather was cold with a nasty wind. I had forgotten my wooly hat so was forced to purchase one at Selsey Pro Shop. We were the only ones there so there was no excuse about waiting for people. This was the first time for about a year when M decided his feet had recovered enough to carry his bag and walk .. lots more social than the buggy! The course is not flat (links?) and due to the rain it was boggy in places. There were a few temporary greens (with large holes) and a few tees on muddy ground and a couple on mats.
The wind was worst on the 1st 2 long holes away from the clubhouse. We played here just after we started golf (4 years ago now?) and we both had terrible memories. But 4 years on we made good progress and M won the first I won the 2nd. The 3rd par 3 we both scored 3. The 4th and 5th come back towards the clubhouse with the wind behind. The 6th is again back into the wind. The 7th is across some barren land an easy par 3. The 8th is closer to the clubhouse and the 9th is over a hedge to the clubhouse front garden. At the end of the front 9 we were all square with 5 drawn holes and 2 wins each. I was particularly pleased to have completed 3 par 3's in par.
The coffee and rolls were quite acceptable and we had a good chat about Scottish golf with the chap in the bar. The break however did neither of us any good.
The wind seemed worse on the 1st 2 holes and M had a nightmare down the right losing balls. I joined him with one lost on the 10th for no good reason. This set the tone and I was worse on every hole on the 2nd 9. We did not draw a single hole on the back 9 with one disaster or another. M had some very bad luck when we were unable to find a ball hit into the sun. On several holes there was an alternative tee. Notably on the 17th, the tee was on the other side of a small pond. I panicked and put my first tee shot in the water.. grr. M got over easily. This may have been OK except for my pitch onto the green went nicely over the green and into a ditch. So M won the 17th and restored the score to all equal with the last hole to play. The 18th tee was a lot further back than the 9th and M went short from the tee, I went long and had a lucky escape from the ditch. However M's 2nd shot was good enough to win the hole by 1 shot and the match by 1 hole. Fair!
The course would be a lot more pleasant on a summers day so I expect we will return especially for a bargain price. My score is click here.
I was pleased that I was on form with putting. I had several that could have gone in if the hole had been an inch bigger. Still I had no 3 putts and 5, 1 putts (a record?). I managed 6 proper golf scores 3 pars and 3 bogeys. I only messed 2 holes up, the 10th due to a lost ball. The 17th due to 2 lost balls. Could have been 4 better without bunker and lost ball problems.
Cold but good to be out. And it was not as difficult as we remembered.
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| Looks like a nice day (without the wind chill!) |
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| Nice open course, |
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| Long way to go yet. |
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| A bit of sunshine! (M lost a ball due to the sun) |
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| The 3rd with a bit more sun |
