Badgemore Park again hosted our all-day event, one major difference from last year - the Weather - it could not have been better - Sun Shining on a golf course in pristine condition.
Unfortunately our current Captain could not be there and Paul Healy had to pull out at the last minute due to ill health - get well soon Paul.
The day started with us all congregating on the terrace for breakfast -
And a nice panoramic one of the whole terrace group by Matt T
Frazer was not the only one eating - after completing cards for the event he was the last to eat.
So once all breakfast's were devoured clearing was necessary - Peter Carfrae opted to help the staff only to drop the ones he collected - so dutifully picked up the pieces and placed them back on the table where they came from!
Now for the first of the day's events. As usual we had our team competition with the first hole being played by all followed by Texas Scramble for holes 2-9, each player requiring two tee shots, plus our Hickory skill prizes. Much debate on the first Tee on which club - driver, wood, iron. John Thorp discussing tactic's with his driver (buggy not club!!). Brothers Colin and Ian are seen below checking how to play it - playing with the new Apps on their phones - did they go to the same outfitters too?
The team of Colin, Kevin and Wags saw a new golfing move - a back double pike - witnessed by Kevin and Colin as Wags performed the move - how could this move be done I hear you ask? Well, perform a shot, step backwards to admire it and fall backwards over you team mate's trolley - where is the video footage?!
The Hickory skill prize for nearest the pin won by Kevin Harris on the 4th -- several people hitting the green - an improvement from last year. Chris T drove into the greenside bunker, his second shot ended an inch from the pin - admired by his group. The longest drive won by Mark Turvill on the 7th where he hit further than I managed with a normal club in the afternoon!!
The competition was won by the group of Matthew T, Darren A and Paul Beard with a net score of 31, five other teams followed closely with 32 and 33 points, one group lagged with 38 points - Ian T, Tony P and Dave S.
So the main event of the day - The Captains Cup - 21 players contested, the usual raffle plus the individual betting saw bets only on a few people, Wags the only one bet on himself - ever the optimist. Could our defending champion - who also won last month's event, retain the title? Not much reported on the course, Ian putted a 25 foot putt on the 5th for a birdie, only thing he hit straight all day. John Thorp's longest drive attempt went through the tree in the fairway - well they are 90% air so I am told and landed just short of the fairway bunker where two players were playing out from! A couple of club throwing instances - one such will require a visit to the repair shop.
A few pictures from the 1st tee. The first is Macca showing his hairy legs, the second is Risky showing off his new stance at address! What is he doing with the club!?
To the prizes:
Longest Drive on the 14th - John Thorp
Nearest Pin on the 4th - Colin Turvill
Nearest the Pin in 3 on the 2nd - Mark Turvill
Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 18th - Frazer Webb in the final group
Winner: Mark Turvill with a very good 38 Points and a new winner (no player has won the event twice at Badgemore).
Second: Bryan the bridesmaid with a steady 36 Points.
The raffle was won by John Thorp and betting competition was not won by anyone - no one believed Mark T could do it. The monies now will help sponsor an event later in the year.
See you all at a brand new course for us Wokefield Park on 12th August.
The photo shows Viceroy Tony Peters presenting the 1st prize to winner Mark Turvill.
Roving reporter: Ian Turvill