Wokefield Park near Reading hosted our August 2013 event. Our first visit and all looked forward to it. The course did not quite match our expectations with the greens and fairways very hard and so difficult to control - a reflection on the dry period we are in which the weather on the day showed also. The course housed a number of bunkers also which many people visted.
Once again our Captain - Mark Harris could not be there due to the strict management structure not allowing him time off - come on Beardy - train him on holiday form completion!! Mark - we miss you and yes we all had showers!
It was nice to see Michael Prevost back after 8 months without playing golf following knee surgery - below is a picture of proof - not a pretty sight:

The Chairman's Cup saw initially 22 players which dropped to 19 on the day, Colin once again put his back out and Dave Evans having to pull out, Tim Philips obviously got lost on route and never arrived - has anyone seen a lost soul with a golf bag on his back? It was nice to see Nigel Warren again and he has already signed up for Leatherhead. So 6 - 3balls took to the course.
Frazer, Nigel and Peter Carfre where the first to Tee off followed by - well we don't know - a 3 ball snuck in - where did they come from - society spies may be.
From the course:
- Tony Browne was caught playing off the ladies tee on the 5th - he was actually playing the 6th.
- John Waghorn played 3 shots on the 11th before he reached the ladies tee, a few words where heard being muttered.
- John Waghorn and Dave Shorter were put on suicide watch after Ian scored only 5 points after eight holes, there was even a suggestion he played the crazy golf course whilst walking between the 9th and 10th tees.
- Nigel Warren stormed the front nine with an Eagle on the second and birdie on the 3rd scoring 23 points, he was seen taking something on the way to the 10th - not that it helped him as he faded on the back 9.
- Chris T hit a tree with his ball ending in the bunker behind him.
- Matt T took protection behind a tree whilst Alan Wood took a shot - only for the ball to hit a tree in front of him and come back towards him.
- Peter Carfrae (neigh Yoda) believes he can make the ball go in the hole purely on the power of the mind - well he needed to as he forgot his putter on the 9th green - may the force be with you Peter.
- Peter and playing partner Nigel where coaching each other on the way round - on the 14th - the drive was crucial, bunkers on the right where the better option than water on the left - wrong both ended up in the water.
- The green keeper has a sense of humour - or knew how to confuse - only course I have played where flag colours where Red front - white middle and yellow back - confused me as white is normally back and yellow middle to match tee's.
- A Turvill Tantrum showed itself when Mark T lost it, whilst putting, a train siren sounded during his down stroke - missed the putt which was followed by a toy throwing scene and I can kick my sun glasses - lenses going in different directions.
- Our stand in Capitan Tony, on the 10th struck his pitching wedge perfectly only to see it bounce so high there was no way it was going to stop close to the hole.
- The nearest the pin hole proved tough, not many being able to hold the green, a long carry over water - Prev and playing partner Alan managed to drop into the water whist the 3rd team member Matthew managed to miss the green and rough ending on the adjacent fairway.
- Nearest the pin in 2 saw Chris T drive to within 20 feet of the green whilst Ian took 4 to get to the green.
- Dave Shorter continues to improve following his episode earlier in the year and has perfected the bounce over ditches shot.
To the prizes:
Longest Drive on the 11th - Mark Turvill
Nearest Pin on the 12th - Tony Browne
Nearest the Pin in 3 on the 18th - Bryan Carter - 12" from the pin
Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 7th - Chris T, again very close
Winner:
Michael Prevost - 36 points - so we will see him in another 8 months - practice not required!
Second:
Chris T on 35 on count back nudging Brother Matt into 3rd.
The raffle was won by Nigel Warren.
Our next event is the Kestrel Cup at Leatherhead. Get your names in quick but more importantly please pay - No Pay equals No Play as numbers being put forward will be limited to those who have paid.
Roving reporter: Ian Turvill