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13/02/05 |
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The 'TOGS' /
The 'WAGS'
I spotted the image in the top left of the page whilst visiting the 'Walk of fame' in Hilary's Harbour, Perth, Australia. Click on it for a closer look. Saturday 30th October Here's hoping the rain eases and the course is open because I feel a good score in my creaking bones. Next time I feel a good score in my creaking bones I will keep my thoughts to myself. I was hopeless and came in with a paltry 28 points, 10 shots behind today's winner. If you want the gory details, check out 'TOGS' and 'TOGS & Chat. My playing partners today were Dave Archbold, Duncan McCree and our jolly Caledonian, David Bavaird. Their scores were 32, 35 and 34 respectively so I am afraid my partner, Duncan, had the misfortune of losing the little side bet we played as a better ball. Congratulations - to Alan Higginbottom and Larry Page who have joined our happy little band this season. They won the Captain's Challenge competition with 47 points. This is played between all of the pairs who have beaten the Captain and Vice Captain on a Sunday morning in the weekly fourball throughout the season. Wel done lads. another scalp for the 'TOGS'. Friday 29th October Unfortunately due to heavy overnight rain the course was closed today and so the 'big game' was cancelled. Wednesday 27th October After nine holes we six wimps decided that the sky was looking very threatening and we headed for the sanctuary of the clubhouse and a nice hot pot of tea. I have to own up to being as guilty as the others and did not take much persuading. The other culprits were Dave Archbold, Ken Oliver, Vic Hillier, Brian Liddle and Terry Playford. I shall attempt another game on Friday when I am due to partner Archy in a cross county game against the 'Pirates of Cumbria'. Update - I mentioned that someone had put a question mark against Rosco's name after winning the medal on Saturday with a magnificent nett 61. It turns out that there was nothing sinister about this at all. The score had been posted incorrectly, it read 75 gross / nett 61 / hcp 15. It should have read 76 gross / nett 61 / hcp 15. My apologies to all and sundry. Monday 25th October I had the pleasure of playing with Messrs Archbold, Oliver and Liddle today and when the balls came down I partnered Brian Liddle in a better ball stableford against Archy and Olly. As it is now officially winter, play is from the yellow tees and preferred lies on the fairways are allowed. Even so the golf was of a very high standard. There was only 1 point in it at halfway 22 : 23 in favour of the cricketers. Undaunted Brian and I hung on and by the end of the round we emerged victors by 46 points : 39. I only dropped 2 shots on the back nine and Brian had done the bulk of the scoring the front, what teamwork, what class! As we trooped off for our cuppa Archbold and Oliver were beaten men. Archy would like me to point out that Brian and/or I did pinch the honour on three occasions when officially it should have been him to play. Seriously, good game. good chat and thanks for your donation boys. See you Wednesday at 12.30, weather permitting. Saturday 23rd October Despite the rain I shall be turning up expecting to play golf with my fellow 'TOGS'. If I manage a score anywhere near 30 points I will be reasonably happy, after all I have only had 3 games in 5 weeks. Positively a drought! Later on tonight, accompanied by Mrs Boggy, I shall be attending the 'TOGS' founder member and generally 'good egg', Willy Smith's 50th birthday celebrations. It is also Daz Ridley's 50th birthday today - Happy birthday Daz!!
Summary of 2004 season Having won the September midweek medal by 5
shots with another nett 66 I was pulled to 10 handicap (10.2).
I shall have to learn to play off 10 through the winter and my goal
for next season has got to be single figures. I will try
my best but am honestly not sure if I can make it. Back soon...gone golfing Matilda! Sunday 19th September The Chairman's Prize. I played in this competition before packing my clubs away for their trip to Australia. Playing with Daz and Archie in another very strong wind I was much improved on yesterday. I am delighted to inform everyone that although my 33 points will not win the competition it was good enough to take the money off moneybags Archbold and 'where's my wallet?' Ridley. just kidding chaps, thanks for an enjoyable round. Saturday 18th September Eight of us played in very difficult windy conditions and the top man was Willy Smith with a superb 36 points and Dave Rowntree second with 33. I was a 'winner' also but unfortunately it was the poxy commando ball for the worst score. I could only manage 26 today, no excuses I just wasn't very good. i actually think I did well to score 26 the way I played.
My partner today was Alan Higginbottom and we were hammered 8&6 by Willy and
Eddy Stothert. To complete our miserable afternoon they also
bagged 3 birdies to relieve us of our loose change.
Wednesday 15th September I teed off at 12.30, as arranged with others. Unfortunately others have memory lapses as bad as mine and only Dave Archbold turned up. I cannot really complain because I have forgotten the starting time and who is playing when on more than one occasion. No-one does it on purpose and the unexpected should always be expected. So Archie and I had a game in what can only be described as perfect conditions. We agreed our wager and playing off full handicaps played a stableford format. I reached the turn in 33 shots and had 25 points on my card, easily the best I have ever played the front nine holes. Archie had 20 points and was uttering the odd expletive at his misfortune as he offered me a bar of chocolate. I could not possibly expect to play the back nine in the same manner but ended up with a respectable 77 gross for 39 points, including three birdies (6th, 7th, & 9th). Archie carded a respectable 34 points and with good humour bought me a cup of tea and a scone. Monday 13th September
Ken Oliver golf challenge - Brampton Golf Club. I was invited to take part in this normally exclusive high profile tournament by the organiser and fellow 'WAG' Ken Oliver. He puts together a team of four golfers and they play an equally matched foursome from Cumbria selected by his brother. I was partnered by Duncan McCree (14 hcp) and we were to play against Bob Rose (11) and Dick Cuckson (or was it Turpin?). As our handicaps balanced with Butch and Sundance we played with no shots given to either side. The wind was blowing a hooley and rain was falling at a very acute angle, otherwise it was a beautiful summer's day. The first hole is a tough par three and was birdied by Turpin. The second hole is no easy matter and was birdied by Jesse James. Duncan and I had started with a couple of very respectable pars and were already 2 down. I looked heavenwards for inspiration but could only see the vultures circling. The carnage continued to the fourteenth hole where we were wiped out 6&4, having dropped only 2 shots to par. We played out the round and when the dust settled and the outlaws had fed their horses, we checked our scorecards. Duncan and I had shot a gross 74 dropping only 2 shots. Turpin & James had a gross 67, an incredible 5 under par considering the conditions. Duncan and I took off our blindfolds and handed over our possessions as forfeit. The two outlaws did the honourable thing and bought us a drink and a bar of chocolate. Ken - next time ring someone else! Seriously, Bob and Dick played fantastic golf and holed some monster putts, chipped stone dead when needed and were probably unbeatable on this form. I look forward to the return encounter (I think). Sunday 12th September
The 'TOGS' v Percy Main XI cricket match and BBQ. Saturday 11th September - Irvin Salver Today's final competition of the summer, as far as I am concerned anyway, was a 'bogey' format, where a net birdie counts as a win, net par a half, bogey or worse is a loss. The conditions were extremely windy and the course was covered in grass cuttings, much to the anger of lots of members. My score was -7, which was the average among today's 'TOGS'. Today's winner with -5 was Steve Todd (on countback) from the ever steady Dave Rowntree. The winner of the commando ball for the worst score was Daz Ridley, who walked off the course after nine holes. I hope he doesn't walk off tomorrow when we play our cricket match! I intend to raise this matter at the AGM and have asked Willy to place it on the agenda. If anyone else has a particular point to make I suggest they contact Willy asap. The new 'TOGS' season winter league will start on Saturday 2nd October and run till early April 2005. The AGM is to be held next Saturday after our game of golf. So there is no confusion about the date, venue, time etc:
'TOGS' AGM - Saturday 18th September Wednesday 8th September I confirmed what I already knew, by coming straight from the locker room and teeing off without my customary 'swish and a swoosh', I think the technical term is warming up, I cannot play golf very well. The game is hard enough but when my body is not in synch with my brain I have got no chance. The reason for our hasty tee off was that the Tynemouth Senior Open was booked from 9am onwards. Having said all of that I enjoyed the company of my partners Brian Liddle and Le Hunt as always. it was also a gloriously sunny morning and the course was in the best condition it has been for at least 12 months, possibly longer.
Saturday 4th September - The Forces Tankard The golf course played deceptively tough if all of our scores are to be believed. The highest individual score, off full handicap, was 31 and was shared by three players, Le Hunt, Willy Smith and Dave Rowntree. Le H won on countback from Willy. Dave had to settle for a mention in dispatches and watch as the other two pocketed the pot. The winner of the Commando for the lowest score of the day went to young William Fletcher, and fully deserved it was too. The Forces Tankards competition is the combined score of two players. The results amongst the six pairs from the 'TOGS' was as follows:-
1st - Graham Marsh / Le Hunt - 59 points I reckon the winning score from the whole field will be 68 / 69 points. The wily old pro Doug Walker agrees and the not so wily Willy reckons it could be 71 / 72. Update: The winning total was 73 (good call Willy) The course was very quiet today and we played a round of golf at our own pace, which makes a refreshing change from the normal slow play on Saturday's. Where was everyone? I have a feeling they were all out helping the hapless Freddie 'the dog' Fletcher look for a new manager. Enjoy the barbeque tonight amigos Wednesday 1st September Meeting Vic / Brian & Raff for 12.30. PH came too. Playing off full handicap we had a stableford competition and strangely enough the victor was Victor with 35 points. How many of these points he would have secured if he had not (I am reliably informed) handled his his ball is open to question. I remember Graham Gooch was given out, as was Michael Vaughan, for handling the ball in a Test match. Slightly different I know, but thought I would impress you with my knowledge. The Rules of Golf clearly state that a player must not touch or interfere with his ball unless he has permission from his playing partner(s). Why he must pick up the ball to identify it on (reportedly) half a dozen occasions in a round of golf is beyond me. Perhaps his playing partners ought to penalise him as the Rules clearly state. I can categorically state that if it was a club competition, I would enforce this Rule - no problem. When we play for a pound I can't really see the difference. Happy chaps?
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This site was last updated 02/13/05
