Friday 8th August - Mendip GC
We arrived at the Mendip golf club for a 9:00 tee off. The weather was decidedly grey but the clouds high enough to ensure a fine day of golf lay ahead. Up for grabs today were the Concorde cup and R S Brown trophy.
As per tradition I teed off first. My first shot proceeded a large amount of barracking (even my partner tried his best to put me off) and my shot was duly “duffed” reaching all of 100 meters down the first fairway. The morning round was underway!!
The course was in magnificent condition. The fairways were like carpet and the greens immaculately presented. The course had been prepared for a large competition the following day so no excuses for the BAGS golfers.
In the morning myself and Marc Funnell were up against a strong pairing of Nick Hancock and Simon Slade. Nick had initiated some good humoured banter prior to the game confidently predicting an easy victory. All I can say to you chaps is “I hoped you enjoyed your ‘whoop-ass’ and ‘humble pie’”!! Marc and Tim thrashed Simon and Nick scoring 38 points against their 37. Unfortunately this was not enough to win the mornings competition. Dave Gray and Dave Foot claimed the Concorde cup with 43 points from Dave Linsdey and Jody Frayne coming second with 39 on count back from ‘Mighty Wrighty’ and Marc Coombs. Both Dave’s were rewarded with a handicap cut for the afternoon competition. At this rate Dave Foot will be off scratch by the end of the year!
Both Nick Hancock and Marc Funnell found the sweat spots driving down the 9th fairway. A tie looked on the cards and after five minutes of measurements and discussions the node was given to Nick by an inch over Marc. Chris Sheahan won the A.M. nearest the pin on the tricky 17th drop hole.
After a quick lunch of sandwiches and chips we were ready for the afternoon’s R S Brown trophy. The course was now bathed in warm sunshine, which enhanced the picturesque course still further. The views were spectacular even if the golf was not!!
Marc Coombs (doing a good impression of Ian Poulter in a resplendent pink polo shirt and shades), Simon Slade and Andy Rattray won the afternoons R S Brown trophy scoring 77 points beating Dave Foot, Steve Griffiths and Nick Hancock into second place with 71 points. For the record, myself, Wrighty and Dave Gray finished last with a miserable 55 points. Not pretty I can tell you.
Dave Foot capped a profitable day’s golf hitting the winner for the P.M. longest drive with Steve Griffiths finding his range and accuracy on the drop hole to win the P.M. nearest the pin.
Other things of note from the day’s golf included Simon Slade hitting his tee shot on the 1st ‘into’ a tree ending three feet up off the ground. He got out his trusty ‘tree wood’ out but thought better of it and took a penalty drop.
Wrighty and Marc Funnell were both enjoying the local wild life. Wrighty was particularly taken by a group of cows and was heard saying (in a welsh accent) “what ‘butiful’ Heffers they are”. No sheep around for him to admire / menace.
Wrighty found Tim’s earlier lost ball in some bushes and handed it back in the afternoon. He omitted to say that he found it whilst answering a call of nature. I was wondering why the ball had turned a funny shade of yellow. Dave Foot missed an albatross putt on the 18th after hitting a ‘1’ iron (I didn’t think anyone could hit a one iron) to within four feet of the pin.
The food in the evening was fantastic. The lamb shanks (we had seen a few shanks earlier on the course but nowhere near as nice) were fantastic with piles of vegetables and roast potatoes. Apple crumble and coffee proceeded the prize giving.
All in all a great days golf at the Mendip Golf Club. I for one enjoyed the course immensely. It was in unbelievable condition with beautiful views on most holes. All three courses this year have been fantastic, easily exceeding my expectations.
Finally a big thanks to all the BAGS members who played today and for supporting me throughout my three captain’s days. I enjoyed arranging and playing in all three. Hopefully you did as well.
Regards,
Tim Wollaston
BAGS Captain 2008