A hot, almost cloudless sky saw Leatherhead play host to the Kestrel Cup for 2013. The course was in excellent condition but appeared to play tougher than before as the scores were the lowest since we started playing here. 15 Players ventured out - a low turnout but did include our captain Mark Harris this time - obviously he has mastered the holiday booking form. Also, our first member of the 100 club, yours truly has now played in 100 events for Bunkers.
Excuses before the first Tee, Mark Turvill pulled out his 9 Iron from the bag only to find the handle was somewhat flexible and had to leave early for another engagement - was this a premonition of what was to come ? On the first Tee his Driver went a long way and the next shot was a simple flick with - guess what - a 9 Iron, so he tried to manufacture something - a shank was not quite what he had in mind, it obviously set him up for the round as he limped home with a low score of 21 and became the strongest man. He did have some luck, on the par 3-9th, he badly hooked his tee shot only to strike a tree and rebound in front of the green -round did not improve much. To think it was only 2 matches ago he won the event, as they say; 'After the Lords Mayor Show comes the Dustcart' Not being able to stay saved from some considerable ribbing.
Peter Carfrae & Michael Prevost tried to psych players out with some very quick witted yet sharp comments like 'Laurel & Hardy', 'Ian Woosnam' look alike, 'Greg Norman' Styled head gear, all good harmless banter.
Chris T took three shots to get to the first green, all in regulation as it was a par five, but he used a pitching driver followed by two pitching wedges!!
As usual a couple of Trolley incidents, yours truly pushed the trolley out of eye line only to flick the switch and watch the trolley gather pace - fortunately towards Risky who calmly stopped it, turned it round and sent it back from whence it came. It would not be a bunkers event without Paul Beard running after a trolley, only this time he was a hero, chasing Tony Browne's trolley.
Other happenings:
- Paul Risk on the fourth, approach shot to the green bounced into the ditch in front only to bounce twice more in the ditch before ending up on the top fringe of said ditch. Also the same player on the short, uphill hole, where it states a driver is not recommended, 2nd shot pitched towards the green only to land a yard short and we all watched as his ball rolled back further than his drive.
- Prev was seen testing out his knee reflexes in the trees not far from the 16th Tee, his second shot hit a tree square on to rebound straight back towards him, seen nimbly jumping to avoid contact - the operation was a success.
- On the nearest the pin hole, Frazer quoted on the tee, 'I have the wrong club but hey'. He then proceeded to hit a dream shot and yes, won Nearest the pin, to go with his nearest the pin in two and nearest the pin in three. Quite a feat for a round that started so disastrously, big slices on holes 1 & 2. Asked by Bryan, Frazer must be playing well with reference to nearest the pin's, yours truly stated 'Frazer had burned up the back 9 so far' only to hit his tee shot into the rough just in front of the ladies Tee.
- Chris T, on the nearest the pin hole holed his second shot from the greenside bunker, which was more than Frazer did who was closer to the hole with his drive.
- Paul Beard chose his slicing Driver on the dog leg 7th only to hit a straight one to the far side of the 8th fairway. Well it has to happen once a round - hitting something straight!
- John Waghorn thought Peter Carfrae was playing too well and so tried to take him out by hitting him on the legs with one of his errant shots. Called errant by Peter, who incidentally chose to walk down the middle fairway where Wags had not been all day!!
- Dave 'Exocet' Shorter was like the missile as he guided putts from all over the green to the hole.
- We had reports of two 'Air Shots', Paul Beard and Dave Shorter. Pauls fortunately was played with his provisional ball then Bryan found his first ball so it did not count towards his total, but the report records it.
- Bryan was ready to putt when the, not so skill full Tony Browne, flicked his ball up with the back of his putter to see it sail over his head and bounce in front of his partner, who then missed the putt. Was this an expensive miss - count back proves it was. Is Bryan still talking to Tony?
- Dave Shorter continues to show signs of recovery from his incident earlier in the year and scored a Bunker's career high for him of 32 points. Well Done Dave.
Time for a joke, courtesy of Peter C:
Golfer: 'I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course'
Caddy: 'Try Heaven, you've already moved most of the earth'
So to the Prizes:
Longest Drive - Chris T for the 13th Time
Nearest the pins - yes all three, Frazer Webb
Runner Up - The Eternal Bridesmaid Bryan Carter - lost on count back with 35 points
Winner - Paul Risk with 35 points
Raffle was won by John Waghorn.
Our next event is the strokeplay event at Lambourne. 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
