October 6th 2007
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER?
Guess what? Summer is officially over. Whilst we golfers traditionally only recognise two seasons; none of us really welcome the advent of winter golf (do we?). Playing off mats on “made up” tees, “pegging up” on the fairways, and on a shortened , 12 hole, course; whist not “proper” golf as we know it, it is still the most viable, and enjoyable, way of participating in our sport until next season. We all regret the passing of summer (ok, for “normal” people it may already be autumn), and we now hope that the forthcoming weeks and months are as kind to us (weather-wise) as possible. No gales, no snow or frost, and above all no incessant rain and flooded greens rendering the course unplayable, for roughly 26 weeks. Is that too much to ask? Quite possibly, so please then, just not on Saturdays.
The Winter League came about as a combination of ensuring the protection the course (from the elements listed above) and allowing as many folk as possible to take advantage of the limited daylight hours. It also helps keep many grown men sane for approximately six months of the year. It has been doing so for too many years to remember, but of late has seen some of it’s sparkle and “staying” power fade as the long winters amble towards a close. To refresh the competition that has sustained us so well, Match & Handicap have decided to revamp the tail end of the league this year, and everyone is asked to keep their eyes and ears open around the locker room for further details.
The usual rivalries will be rekindled once again, and with many pairs remaining unchanged, it is difficult to see any new challengers to the historically dominant “old-stagers”. Did I say this last year before the emergence of the two Chris’s who won in a canter? If I did, then I welcome the emergence, as I’m sure we all do, of any new pairings who can unsettle the established order.
This winter sees the change in regulations as to what does, and doesn’t, constitute a conforming driver. Whilst not law until 2008, I’m sure many will look to experiment over the duration of the league with the new technology available. No doubt Xmas will see Santa being called upon to “deliver”, and if not St Nic, then E-Bay will surely be getting many “hits” on its pages. If in doubt, then probably best to look at:
to save buying a “turkey” for Christmas.
On a subject totally unrelated from turkeys, I note my old mate DH, playing with league partner JW, managed to get himself lost, again, whilst golfing last Saturday.
Having started some seven minutes ahead of their group, we managed to hit the clubhouse in plenty of time to witness England (worryingly) defeat Australia at all-in wrestling. DH & Co managed to make it home (we believe) in time to witness the brilliant French defeat the home of Anchor Butter at something more akin to rugby.
Kris Kringle is apparently bringing a brand new TomTom sat-nav system down a chimney in Stile Walk this Christmas along with a powerful halogen miner’s helmet.
Ho-ho.
Members will have noted the first effects of the new verti-drainer on the course this past week. Employed fully for the first time since its purchase, its primary function is to reduce the compaction at the top layer of the soil and thereby increase the percolation to the deeper drains beneath. We have seen water lying on, and running over, the fairways in recent years; with the utilisation of this new tool we will hopefully ensure the water reaches the proper channels and leave us with a much more year-round, all weather playable, golf course.
One of the comments most heard in the clubhouse in previous seasons has been that the bunkers are “difficult”. Naturally, being hazards, we would expect them to not be “easy”, but the committee and greens staff accepts that some work needed to be done. Combined with the effects of heavy rainfall and poor surrounding drainage, our sand traps have taken heavy punishment, and as a result their overall condition has steadily deteriorated. This winter will see all the bunkers on the course being dug out, re-laid and re-faced, and before the advent of next summer’s season, re-instated to something more akin to the high standard of the rest of the course. This will result in all bunkers on the course being classed as G.U.R (Ground under repair), and anyone finding themselves in the hazards must take a free drop at the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole. And before you ask, NO, you should not be pegging your ball up after the drop.
Last Saturday saw the last competitive 18 holes of the season, and the conclusion of several remaining competitions. The Galloway Aggregate was tied on 386 by both Murdo O’Brien and Allan “Biddley” MacLeod. M & H are trying to work out whether there is a fair way to separate the pair, but given their fine play over the season, it may remain (fairly, I think) shared. Murdo shot an excellent gross 68 last Saturday for his second successive nett 63 which not only won him the sweep, but ensured his tie with Allan…well done to both.
The Junior Medal final was won by Kenneth MacLeod, his fifth win in his past six outings, and the culmination of a fine season which has seen him reduce his handicap by ten shots.
The Jackson Medal was claimed by Norrie”T” MacDonald who finished three shots ahead of Norrie “O” Macdonald. That’s right, after a long hard summer I finally won something. Virgil said that “fortune favours the brave”, and on this occasion his quote has never been so far off the mark. I have often heard it said that it often favours the insane, the undeserving, the plumb lucky and folk who happen to be in the right place at the right time.
My (good) fortune was probably a combination of the latter two, having witnessed my score being beaten by three other golfers on the day who hadn’t qualified for the medal final, and being in the right place last week ( second behind Cal Roberston to qualify).
Did it make up for a disappointing season? Probably not, but the Jackson is a lovely and much revered medal, and it will be all the nicer to turn up at the prize-giving for a “proper” award.
Sweep
1 Murdo O'Brien 68 - 05 = 63
2 Bryan Geddes 69 - 05 = 64
4 Scott Maciver 73 - 08 = 65
Final
1 Norrie”T”MacDonald 74 - 09 = 65
2 Norrie”O”MacDonald 69 - 01 = 68
Norrie ”T” Macdonald