In his match report for last Wednesday the Boss reported on an unwitnessed birdie by Andy on the 11th. We now have photographic evidence which proves Andy's claim beyond any reasonable doubt. There was definitely hail on the green.
Results from Wednesday 25th March
A lovely day for golf, cold, gale force winds, hailstones and sunshine. A team event was the order for the day but good scores were hard to come by - 25 players averaged a meagre 28.4 stableford points. A welcome return to form by Kelvin (39pts) and an excellent 35pts from Ali helped their team to a convincing 3 shot winning margin. Andy Wyatt and Graham Waller were grateful beneficiaries all receiving £9.50. Andy also claims to have got a birdie on the 11th in the height of the hail storm - alas visibility was so poor and no witnesses have come forward!
The first 3 groups failed to put a nearest the pin marker down on the 3rd hole leaving the door open for Gary Fowler to scoop up £5 and Tom Walters snuck in with 34pts to win the best individual stableford score - £5 too.
Well done to everyone for completing their rounds even though averages took a pasting.
We say goodbye to APGC's Professional - Robin Turley is moving to new pastures at the Shropshire Golf Centre near Telford and we wish him well.
A Pair of Swindles
A double header this week, with an Awayday outing to Brickendon Grange on March 16th, followed by the regular Wednesday Swindle on March 18th.
I didn't play at Brickendon myself but I'm told it's a nice parkland course, with some similarities to APGC but with fewer trees and a bit less trouble when straying off the fairway. This wasn't fully in tune with the scoring however, with the highest score being 34 points by Gary Fowler. Gary was in the winning team with Dave Robson and Stuart Insall - they each took home £11. Crofty picked up the fiver for his stapleford score of 33 points and our favourite Irishman Eugene collected his customary prize for nearest-the-pin on the 6th. Well done sir!
A reminder to our newer playing members - there are no cuts nor shots back in team competitions, though individual scores do count for the leaderboard averages, and this includes Awaydays.
Wednesday Swindle
At last, a glorious sunny day! The temperature reached 17 degrees by mid-afternoon, fully justifying the sight of a few knobbly knees as some pairs of shorts made their seasonal debuts. Conditions were very good - a little breezy, but the greens were fast and true and there was a little carry to be had on the fairways. Michael Vallance certainly took advantage, with a superb score of 41 points to take the honours along with £22. Michael will now be playing off a maximum of 23 for the rest of the season. Tony took 2nd and £10 with his 38 points whilst the evergreen Brynmeister, making his bow for this season, looked like he'd never been away with a lovely 37 points for £6. A splendid effort and great to see him back.
Crofty shot 20 on the front nine for a fiver and Al Wright also shot 20 points to take the back nine. Al's round was not without controversy amid dark mutterings from the Boss about balls being thrown in bunkers but it was all tongue-in-cheek and harmony was restored! At least one swindler commented that it was better then clubs being thrown!
Next week is a team game - have a look on the website for the scoring system and let's hope for more of the same glorious weather.
Parish Notice - April 8th
We won't be playing at APGC on this date owing to the Pro Tour event at Aldwickbury. The Boss has managed to nab 5 tee-times at Redbourn which may not be enough to go around. The first tee is at 11.40 though, so if that's too late for you then please enter a "no" on the website via the player entry form. If we still have too many players, bank account details will be provided for greasing the Boss's palm!
Wednesday Swindle March 11th
The posts and ropes didn't disappear and there was some confusion over winter wheels, but none of that bothered Kim who topped the day's scores with a nice 37 points, for £23 and a permanent 3-shot cut. Kim was followed home by Steve Mummery with a very tidy 36 points for £12 and a temporary 1-shot cut.
Dave Robson scored a lovely 21 points on the front nine for a fiver (shame about the back nine Dave!) while Crofty cleaned up the back nine with 18 points.
The 12th hole was popular this time around, with 4 birdies registered. A special mention to Gary Fowler who didn't have his best scoring day but birdied the 13th hole, which is no mean feat in these conditions. It's challenging enough for most of us just to get over the hedge at all in 2 shots, never mind leaving a birdie chance!
No major changes on the leaderboards this week, with Jeff and Michael well out in front in Red and Blue respectively.
Results from Wednesday March 4th
Although 22 swindlers set out, 5 of them fell away after the 9th leaving a slightly depleted field of 17 to complete the course. That made no difference to Jeff, who scored a splendid 41 points for a dominant 4-shot victory and a prize of £18. Having started the season on a handicap of 21, Jeff will now be playing off 18 and if he wins a few more quid he'll be at risk of a further "moneybags" cut! A little bird tells me that Jeff has been having some lessons. Whenever I try that, my game is messed up for months so good on you Jeff!
In second place and again continuing his good form was Michael Vallance, with 37 points for a £9 prize. Front nine/back nine fivers went to Peter Miller with 21 points and Tony Coomber with 19, respectively. Well played to them.
With many people having played at least 4 or 5 rounds, the leaderboards have now been published and it's no surprise that Jeff and Michael are leading the way. There to be shot at boys!
Finally, with the recent (albeit marginal) improvement in the weather, trollies are again allowed on the course. Hedgehog wheels can be removed from Monday March 9th and I'm told by the club that the guide ropes should also disappear soon. Winter golf has been even more of a trial than usual this year so I'm sure like me you're all looking forward to dry lies and the ball running further again. Around 15 regular swindlers have yet to complete 18 holes this year, so we look forward to seeing you all back on the course soon.
Swindle Results Team Competition Wednesday Feb 25th
Some good scores this week, including a 40 and a 37 in the winning team. The 40 was for Glen, making a welcome return to the Wednesday Swindle. All that extra practice as Aldwicks captain has obviously paid off! Stuart and Malcolm made up the rest of Team B - £8.50 to each of them. The full results were as follows:-
Team B - 80 points
Team G - 74 points
Team D - 70 points
Team E - 67 points
Team A - 66 points
Team F - 65 points
Jeff continued his stellar form with 39 points to bag the fiver for the stapleford prize and Al Wright won the fiver for nearest the pin on the 17th.
The average score was just 30.5 despite the high scores mentioned above, so scoring is still pretty tricky.
With quite a few swindles being lost to the weather I will wait a little while yet to publish the league tables - watch this space.
Parish Notices
A couple of things to mention - firstly, last call for the next Awayday which is on Monday March 16th at Brickendon Grange. Get yourselves booked in via the normal webpage if you would like to play.
Secondly as I'm sure everyone knows by now, Robin Turley our head pro is moving on to pastures new after more than 20 years at APGC. Robin has been a great servant to the club and if you would like to contribute to his leaving gift, the suggestion is a fiver (or more if you like!) from your PSI account via HowDidiDo - just select booking then the Robin tab.
Carry on Golfing
The rain relented, the course opened, and the Wednesday Swindlers took to the fairways, bags slung over shoulders. Some folk manage to make this look the most natural way in the world to play golf, whilst those of us not accustomed to lugging the tools of the trade on our shoulders ended up more than a bit creaky by the 18th. I'm sure it's good for the course. I'm less sure it's good for the soul!
Once again golfing birdies were scarce though mudlarks abounded. It may not have been raining but there was plenty of soggy earth and even standing water to trap both ball and club, and scoring was again tricky. Hats off then to another of our newer members, Gary Fowler, for an excellent 38 points. £23 to Gary, and he'll be playing off a maximum of 11 for the rest of the season. In second place for £14 with a very creditable 36 points was the Sommelier.
Michael Vallance smashed the front nine with 22 points. Not quite as good on the back nine from Michael, but still a fiver to the good. The back nine prize went to Jeff Titman with 19 points.
A quick reminder that there is no official swindle next Wednesday 18 Feb as it is the day of Alex's funeral. Tee times are available, but scores won't count towards anything other than pride.
Another day, another downpour...
It never rains but it pours has never seemed so apt. At least the course was open last Wednesday, so 22 golfers set off with bags in hand - no trollies allowed. There were a couple of fallers along the way - or maybe they just sank into the mud! Of the 20 finishers, hats off to Chris Manners for a splendid 38 points playing off a handicap of 9. That equates to a gross round of 79, a great effort considering the conditions. £20 and a season-long 1-shot cut for his trouble.
In 2nd place and continuing his good form was Jeff Titman with 36 points. A tenner to Jeff, and he'll be playing off 20 for the next 4 outings. Graham Waller won the front-nine fiver with 18 points and Michael Vallance the back-nine honours with 19. Good to see a couple of the newer members hoovering up some prize money. Just watch out for the handicapper's axe should you keep on winning!
Since last week's swindle the rain has continued unabated and the course has been closed for 3 days and counting. The Beeb predicts rain on 4 of the next 5 days so it's anyone's guess when the course will re-open. I can't imagine we'll be using trollies anytime soon either, but fingers crossed we'll get some more golf before too long.
Alex's Funeral Arrangements
Most people will already know, but in case you don't, Alex's funeral will be at 12pm on Wednesday Feb 18th at Oak Hill Lawn Cemetery in Hatfield, and afterwards at our very own Golf Club. Alex's daughter Kate has asked us to make it clear that everyone who knew Alex is very welcome - the more the merrier is exactly how Alex would have wished it.
Wednesday being swindle day there will still be a game organised. So far we have 8 people signed up.