Down In One Golf Society
Newsletter Issue 11 - October 2004
Introduction
The society is always striving to introduce new golfing events to those already held throughout the year and this being an Olympic games year it was appropriate that we held a competition for the Bristol Olympic Golfing Shield.
Bristol Olympic Golfing Shield
This event was held at the Bristol and Clifton golf club on Monday 21st June. Unfortunately, because of the short notice given for the final date of this event, the only members who could play on the day were Rod, Richard and Rob. However Andrzej did manage to join the players as they completed the course and in the evening all four enjoyed a fine Italian meal in a French restaurant close to Rod’s “apartment” in Bristol. Rod won the competition with 28 stableford points, with Richard coming a close second with 27 points. We hope to repeat this event in four years time, probably at a new venue.
President’s Real Invitational Annual Pro-Am International Classic
The PRIAPIC, held at Tyrrells Wood golf club on Friday 20th August, was attended by all of the members with the exception of the Junior and Country members. Their places were taken by guests Roger Lugg and John King. During the competition the veteran had two attempts at wiping out the opposition with his drives, once on the 13th and again on the 15th. In the end Rod won with 34 stableford points.
At a rowdy evening meal at SE HQ Andrzej presented a bottle of wine to the player whose score was closest to his. Ian and Rob tied for this prize but somehow Ian managed to walk off with the bottle.
Golf Break in Norfolk
The PRIAPIC dinner
By popular demand it was back to Norfolk again this Autumn. Whilst Andrzej and Rob stayed at the President’s Palace as usual, David, Ian, Richard and Rod opted to stay in the White Horse. At the last minute David decided to follow the lead of Andrzej and Rob and travel up to Norfolk on Friday evening, or in his case Friday afternoon. David’s keenness to get to Norfolk meant he had to wile away a few hours on his own in the Kings Arms. This probably explained his inability to perform his party trick of flipping beer mats, as even with only one mat he managed to tip the remains of Rob’s pint into his lap.
The presentation of the Secretary’s Cup
After a light lunch of soup and sandwiches, all six players entered the qualifying round for the President’s Putter and DIOGS Bowl competitions. This round was played over holes 1, 5 to 11, initially in a shower of freezing rain. Andrzej, Ian and Richard recorded the top three lowest net scores and qualified for the final of the President’s Putter leaving David, Rod and Rob to play in the final for the DIOGS Bowl.
Back in the clubhouse, after an exhausting day’s golf, David decided what we all needed was tea & teacakes. Nobody seemed ready to imbibe anything stronger than tea probably aware that the evening’s session was not far away.
On Saturday morning five of us (Ian decided to travel up later in the day) arrived at Sheringham golf club to play in the 18 hole stableford competition for the Secretary’s Cup. The conditions were fine but very windy, which probably explained why David’s tee shot from the 2nd tee ended up just short of the 4th tee.
Andrzej won the competition with 33 points, 10 points clear of David in second place. Andrzej also won the longest drive but no one managed to land their tee shot on the green on the 11th hole and so the prize for nearest the pin went unclaimed.
Tea and teacakes
Sure enough the evening meal in the White Horse gave everyone ample opportunity to stock up on both alcohol and food (the cheapest meal yet - not).
Relaxing after dinner
Do you think this hat suits me?
Technology is no barrier to success
I haven’t fallen asleep yet
With an afternoon tee time on Sunday we had time in the morning to try out alternative recreational pursuits. Andrzej claimed he had work to do and so the rest of us set off for Morston Quay where we took a boat ride to see the seals on Blakeney Point. This turned out to be a great success as we were rewarded with a fine display of seals basking on the point. On our next trip to Norfolk we must try a ride on the North Norfolk line steam train or perhaps a spot of hang gliding.
In the afternoon Royal Cromer golf club provided the setting for the 18 hole stableford competition for the Treasurer’s Trophy. More lost balls and shots veering towards the sea. Rod was declared the winner with 28 points and Richard drove the longest drive. Again nobody won nearest the pin despite adding a second attempt at the 17th hole. The Tous Trois Trophie was won by Rob with 14 points, which represents an average of 2 points per par 3 hole, so nothing special there.
The presentation of the Treasurer’s Trophy
The presentation of the Tous Trois trophie
On Sunday evening we dined in the Kings Arms and held our sixth AGM. The guardian watched over the proceedings from his exalted position on the bar. In a surprise move Rod nominated Ian for the presidency. This nomination was immediately seconded by one of the locals, a Mr Day, who happened to be passing at the time.
It was agreed that the society was in need of a Captain and a Welfare Officer. Rod was voted in as Captain and it was suggested that Mike’s wife would make an ideal Welfare Officer (no one has been brave enough to inform her of this honour yet though).
On Monday morning the dark clouds over Sheringham looked very ominous and nobody was keen to start playing. So, as the forecast was for an improvement in the weather later in the day, we decided to relocate the finals for the President’s Putter and DIOGS Bowl to Tyrrells Wood.
With three players in each final we played sixes. This is a game where six points are distributed amongst the players on each hole depending on their net scores. For example an outright winner gets 4 points and second place gets 2 points. Where there are ties the points are shared.
The presentation of the President’s Putter
Andrzej was one point ahead of Richard on the 14th tee, but after missing out the 15th & 16th, Richard eventually won with 37 points to Andrzej’s 33.
In the final for the DIOGS Bowl Rod was about to give up hope of winning after the 15th hole as Rob had a 7 point lead. Stupidly Rob persuaded him not to give up hope and then proceeded to play so badly that Rod caught him up on the last hole. With 37 points each, Rod won the trophy on countback.
Another great golf break.
The presentation of the DIOGS Bowl