The weather was kind. Mainly sunny but with a significant wind that helped on some holes and hindered on others. The course was in great shape, the fairways were dry, the bunkers had proper sand in. We had a bit of problem with the greens early on as they had a few spike holes and were very fast.
We set off pretty even drawing the first 2 holes, both struggling with the speed of the greens. On the 3rd the wind helped me down to the green and gave me the first hole. On the 4th M went a long way left and gave me another. On the 4th I was very pleased to get to the back of the green from the tee while M took a dip in the pond. So I was 3 up after 5. The 6th was odd as the wind helped but I landed in the left-hand bunker again!. I must remember that over to the right there is no bunker, this has caught me out several times. In the end we drew this with a pair of 8's. On the next 2 par 4's M switched from 3W to 4i and the change was impressive. We both ended up with 5's on holes 7 and 8. On the 9th I went left into deep grass and duffed my way out and M got a hole back. So after 9 I was 2 up.
On the 10th M had a duff from the tee but still managed to get a draw with a 6. On the 11th I hit my best tee shot ever on this hole and managed a rare par and I was 3 up again. We drew the 12th despite a duff from the tee for me. On the13th I hit another nice tee shot and M went well right. Ms 2nd shot was good enough to end with a 5 where I went down death valley on the right and dropped a shot. I was just 2 up again. The cross wind on the next par 3 across the bunker helped me onto the green for a par while M dropped a shot coming out of the bunker. Back to 3 up. So with 4 to play I was 3 up. On the 15th we both played better than usual not worrying about the left hand bunkers, M went over them and I went right. My 2nd was a nice lay up for the green while M went way over to the right, however I chipped short and M landed on the green and I was down to 2 up with 3 to play. From the 16th tee M almost made it to the green with just a 4i. I went right and was lucky to find my ball, M made a par and I was 1 up with 2 to play. My tee shot at the 17th was one of my best but it was 2 feet short of the green and landed in the bunker. M went well right and we were both in trouble. I got out in one but went over, M got onto the green and I was in trouble. A poor chip from the hill fell short of the green and M made another par making it all square. I had lost my 3 shot lead in 3 holes.
On the last hole M had the only extra handicap shot of the day so I had to win the hole just to draw. Still anything can happen on this hole and its not unusual for either for both to take a dip in the pond.
M's tee shot with his 4i went as far as he has been before quite close to the lake. My tee shot was in a nice central position perhaps 40yds from the lake. My 2nd just made it over the lake to the left. Ms 2nd followed but was a little closer to the green. From 150 to go 1 gave it a good shot with my 4i but landed left of the green close to the clubhouse. M also went for the green but gave me a chance, landing in the green side bunker with an awkward lay. This was my best chance for a draw as we both have a tendency to duff our way out of bunkers. His shot came out well but landed short of the green, I did similar with my chip and we finished with a rare 6 each and a win for M. The Geller trophy goes back North.
This was the best combined 9 holes we have ever played with both less than 50. Makes us think that we are getting a bit better. Great fun and so close. I had better be careful that losing on the last holes does not become a habit! My score is click here.
My putting owed me 1 including 3, 3 putts but this was the quick greens. I had several edge chances to get a 1 putt that I failed to convert. I had 9 proper golf scores including 2 pars. My 2 messed holes were both due to bunkers.
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| Nice day for golf! |
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| Me from the 4th tee |
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| M getting over the dip |
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| M on the 14th tee for the 10th green? |
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| Looked like rain but it never did! |
