The Captains Day was, for this occasion, renamed Macca's day and our thoughts were always with our good friend as we played.
With East Berks dry in most areas (just like all the other courses in the South East at the moment) tee shots were carrying 150 yards, but rolling out twice as far. Greens were fast and in good health. Barry the starter did a splendid job of keeping the troops honest on the 1st tee and received a special mention at dinner.
The Captain did a really great job in organising all of the 'in-game' competitions. The Captain had also invented a significant number of ways that members could win and was particularly generous with the prizes. The yellow ball competition was fiercely competitive, especially as John T. had lost his teams ball with the first drive on the 1st. In particular, the longest drive competition with the strangest ball on the market and a hickory club proved a short lived favourite. But, with a club head speed faster than a Tongan warrior on kava, Alan B. managed to fracture the hickory club and Dave S. finished it off a short time later. Good job that Matt T. had already launched a tremendous drive that nobody was going to beat anyway!. Strongest man on the putting competition was Ray S.(with a 6! on one hole) and a collapsible putter was a suitable prize. First tee nerves caught out a number of players. John T. of course and Colin T. who should have gone to 'StrokeSavers'TM. At lunch, the Captain (unusually?) took so long to start eating that the temptation was too much for Paul B. and Ian T. who were fined for pre-emptive scoffing!.
Our resident fines maestros, Dave Shorter & Paul Beard, were on blistering form later in the day. Fines for odd choices of clothing included the 'man in the white suit trousers' (Tony P), very odd shoes (Alan S.), and flip flops for Matt T. and Daniel. A well known shirt rule for the day - white or pink - was broken by John T., Greg P., Rob, Patrick, Matt T. and Paul B. amongst others. On a really warm day, those in long trousers were severely punished by the heat and fines, although some in strange shorts - Ian T, Alan B and Daniel J. didn't escape. Peter G. was late on the tee and Ian T not only misled Paul B. on the par of the course but also talked really loudly on the tees. For some reason, that shall remain unknown, Dave S. (who on one hole took 3 shots to get off the tee) spent a while impersonating Alan S.
The winners pick draw raised £110 and there were a touching number of donations from members. The target figure of £200 was smashed with an amazing total of £400 being raised. A staggering amount from the field of 19 who stayed for dinner.
Full list of all the winners throughout the day:
AM Lighten the Load Stableford Individal - Patrick O'Hara (G)
AM Longest Drive - Matt Turvill
AM 18 hole putting competition - Dave Sturgeon
PM 18 hole stroke play individual winner - Peter Gray
PM 18 hole team Yellow Ball Stableford competition - Paul Healy, Alan Williams (G) & Alan Sutcliffe
PM Nearest The Pin (9th) - Matt Turvill (14)
PM Nearest The Pin in 3 shots (11th) - Alan Brunton (20)
PM Nearest The Pin in 2 shots (12th) - Rob Lamond (15)
PM Nearest The Pin (16th) - Alan Sutcliffe (28)
Below is Captain Healy with the winner of the main competition (the 18 hole individual stroke play) winner Peter Gray accepting the trophy.
Back in form rover: John Thorp