Once again the test for the Members Open was to be a 4 Ball Florida Scramble, and if you have never played one you really have to try it, even if to say it is too tough and you will not play it again. The main difference from the conventional Scramble, as played in most areas, is that all players have to take 4 drives and the ball that is taken, that player cannot play the next shot. If the next ball is not on the green then only the three again who's ball was not taken can play. Of course once you are on the green all 4 players can put. Now we all understand, do we not?.
The day started as normal, all being greeted by a happy smiling Tim, then into the changing rooms and onto the start. With limited numbers, we had 60 players, the tee off was quite gentlemanly and the speed around was quite quick.
The Course at present is in good condition, however in their continued need to improve, the Course has laid in some temporary tees while extensive work is carried out on the regular tees. In fact the general consensus was that the temporary greens were every bit as good as the normal greens.
On the day the winds were very strong all through the 18 holes, however on several of the holes the winds approached gale force and all the players were blasted. The players who were not good wind players were blown totally off their game and all players suffered. I wondered how the scores would be as this was surely a leveller.
Back in the Clubhouse as I handed in the card to Tim, Tony said I should get showered as soon as possible as they were ready to go, this is the advantage of a scramble where the results can be sorted out very quickly.
Shower over and down to the dining area, indeed the prizes were laid out, and I just had time for a sip of coke, before it was time to find the microphone did not word. The best laid etc. That was finally sorted out and it was on with the show. It does not take long these days.
This was to be Tony Oakes last Members Open as Golf Chairman, as he will be not running for the position at next Saturdays A.G.M. Tony had some thanks to say. Firstly to the Eastern Star Course, then he thanked the people who had provided help during his tenure as Golf Chairman, to all he gave a bottle of Whisky from him personally. Mine is in the drink cabinet now, thanks Tony. Nigel Cannon, Alan Pearce and Tim were all thanked publicly and presented with their Whisky.
Then to the results.
In fourth place was the team of Henry O'Brien, Kevin Dinan, Ebrahim and Kris Helgasson and they came in with a fine net 60.3 not a bad score in the strong wind.
In third place we had the team of Paul Smith, John McDonald, John Hughes and Alan Sullivan who beat the team in fourth place by .2 of a shot when they scored a fine net 60.1.
It was tight at the top and in second place was the team of Geoff King, Michael Gray, Norman Best and Ian Halfpenny with a score of net 59.3.
So to the winners, and it was fitting that on his final Tournament the Golf Chairman, Tony Oakes, lead a team that included Dennis Willett The PSC President, Larry Willett and Sus Ige to a fine win with a net 58.4. Tony says this is his first win at a Monthly Tournament and his timing was indeed fine.
All was not over as we then had the part most of us like best, 'The Lucky Draw'. Then 'Home James' and another year was finished. T.T.F.N.
Long Drive 0 to 18 Tony Oakes 19 to 36 Nigel Cannon
Near Pin Graham Ramsey Geoff King Greg Richie Steve Hamstad Donald Wilson Keith Hodges