Last Sunday saw the eagerly awaited annual Divots v Rabbits match. Played off the white boxes in a Chapman Foursome format, it gives a chance to renew old acquaintances, as almost half the Divots section is made up of ex-Rabbits. With familiarity comes a steely determination to win and this match proved no exception. A shotgun start at 8:15 prompt was the order of the day, playing off the tee that was appropriate to the league positions.
When daylight began to break, the Rabbits' trump card had worked. John Murphy, poor chap, had been up all night wandering all over the course puffing like Chief Sitting Bull on his peace pipe, going through about five pounds of tobacco. The fog was so thick that it was almost impossible to make out the marker post on the first. With captain Ron Murphy used to it, coming from the smoke, all talk of a postponement by the Divots was shouted down. Nevertheless, with St. John Ambulance on stand by, Mark Hawkey and his team sounded the hooter. It must be confessed that due to jet lag, your scribe missed the first hole of his game, as the hooter was sounded just as he was passing Heatherton!
On the first tee were the respective league leaders and prospective champions of each section, Richard Morton and Clive Law playing against Simon Evans, substituting for Fred Adlam, and Bill Beynon. With Simon and Bill driving as long as Richard and Clive, it was the short game that was the only difference, and as Richard and Clive were only one over par for the game, calls were made for Bill the Bandit to have a serious reduction in handicap and Simon to have a new eye test as he almost twice played the wrong ball within a couple of holes - thank god for silly mistakes. First Divots points on the board.
The second tee saw Stephen Davies and Mike Anthony playing against Colin Smith and Leighton Harries, substituting for Paul Greenwood. The Davies/Anthony partnership have of late been used to big wins and with a level par performance on the day, got what they wanted. Although it must be said, Colin and Leighton did make a brave fightback from dormie seven to reduce the deficit by a couple of holes. Mike's reply was to sink a 30- footer on the 16th - what a way to treat a pensioner!
Teeing-off the third hole were Richard Day and Steve Evans playing against the staunchest of Rabbits, Peter Watkins and Steve Harries. Richard and Steve were having to play par golf to have a hope, and a mix of the shots, Peter's experience and Steve's enthusiasm, it proved too much of an ask.
"You had to birdie it to win it," was the comment - no chance there then! First points on the Rabbits board.
The fourth tee saw Elvis and Ron Johns playing against Dave Moran and Rhys Davies. With determination oozing from Elvis, the cry of don't give them anything was the benchmark. Dave and Rhys said that they never saw Elvis's ball from the tee, then come to think of it neither did Elvis or Ron.
"Like playing golf with David Coleman," was the quote of the day; he never stopped talking.
It wasn't a case of Elvis has left the building - he never entered it! Sunday's lunch didn't taste good last week! A second point on the Rabbits board.
The fifth tee saw Allan Morton and Barrie Frayne playing against George Pegg and Dorian Thomas. This was a game that turned into a putting competition, with George and Dorian shaking their heads in disbelief at the putts sunk by Allan and Barrie. This, coupled with their flying start, ensured a victory for the Divots. With bottles of red wine in full flow, it was a good start to the new year!
The sixth tee saw Michael Schooling and Gavin Field-Thomas playing against Derrick Farley and Bud French. A battle of the beards this, and with Michael's electric trolley breaking down over the line, the strain of carrying that heavy bag really took its toll on poor Michael and Gavin, although Gavin's spirits were lifted when an impromptu visit to the bushes revealed six Pro-V's as a reward. Now, as excuses go, blaming the trolley is a poor one, especially as Derrick and Bud put in a dazzling display to record seven pars in 13 holes. Incidentally, Bud also won the battle of the beards! although he is now unemployed until next Christmas, Ho, Ho, Ho!
The seventh tee saw Richard Chapman and Rob Hall playing against Steve Bennett and John Hunt. Now they must have had the worst of the fog, as the first two holes were played in Trefloyne, and with John hitting Steve on the shoulder with his approach to the green, the steadiness of Richard and Rob prevailed. It is always tough when they play it down the middle all the time!
The eighth tee saw Chris Hughes and Nigel Ayers playing against Glyn Price and Chris Smith. Chris and Nigel got off to a flying start, going four up in as many holes. Glyn and Chris then woke up and the match was pretty much nip and tuck from then on in, although Glyn's massive 30-footer on the 16th must deserve a mention.
Next match off started on the 10th tee, with Kenny Breaker playing the first hole on his own in better ball format due to the delayed appearance of Ian Thomas, playing against Tim Davies, substituting for Dave Morgan and Mike Munro. A nice half to start, despite giving a shot, Kenny was pleased to see Ian on the 11th tee, although when he was put in the greenside bunker and lost the hole, he wished that he had stayed away. Ian made amends, however, with an embarrassingly good putting display, the cream of the crop being a downhill 40-footer on the 16th. No playing against that, is there!
The 11th hole saw David Douglas-Law and Neil Dickinson playing against Stephen Watkins and Anthony Allen. The game was probably decided when David and Neil found out that they had to give 15 shots, and promptly went four down after five holes. Gutted apparently, especially when Stephen and Anthony put in a performance that didn't require more than half the shots. Up with us driving, chipping it stiff, not a prayer! Ah well you are a big single figure boy!
The tricky 12th hole start saw Scott Davies and Laurence Lindsay playing against Richard Caley and Jason Rolfe. A flying start by Richard and Jason saw them consistently play the ball down the middle and as a result they went three up in as many holes. With the ignominy of defeat to face, Scott and Laurence woke up. Laurence, complete with a new sponsorship deal with Taylor Made, courtesy of Father Christmas, started to dovetail nicely with Scott, who is quoted as saying "We were bloody brilliant!" Not that victory meant much then Scott!!
The 13th hole saw Andrew Morton and Julian Thomas playing against the Rabbits captain, Ron 'Fingers' Murphy, and Paul James. A flyer by Andrew and Julian saw them go four up in as many holes. The shots given came into play then and the match was soon squared. A very close game that went to the wire, with Andrew and Julian just edging it on the last!
The 14th hole saw Loz Phillips and Andrew North playing against Phillip 'I'll never be a Divot' Marsden and John 'Sitting Bull' Murphy. A steady performance by Loz and Andrew saw them comfortably secure the points, although the comment was: "No contest, Ace is right, he'll never be a Divot!" Only kidding, it must have been all the previous night's puffing that took it out of John.
The 15th hole saw subs Ray Muskett and Richard Davies making up a pairing and playing against Steven Price and Phil Watkins. Ray and Richard cruised into a five-up lead, but some dogged determination by Steven and Phil brought them back to one up, and with Steven and Phil happy making a five, it was Ray and Richard's putting performance that made the difference, although the comment was "Jammy so and sos!" No sour grapes then boys!!
The easiest points of the day for the Divots were secured by Niclas Thomas and Tony Morris, who only had to turn up as Brian Dooley's non appearance left Tom McClean without a partner and therefore having to forfeit the match!
The last match out started on the 18th, with Divots captain Gareth Rees and Brian Hartley playing against Ben Blake and Wyn Hopkins, substituting for Jonathon Broome. Gareth's comment was: "There was only one Divot playing in this match and that was Ben Blake! The only time he missed a green, Wyn chipped it stiff." No answer to that, is there.
A post-match drink and chat is always a high point and with Lynne and staff supplying a lovely meal, it was a great way to end the Christmas celebrations before the realisation of work the next day.
Rabbits captain Ron Murphy carried out the honourable speech, announcing the result as being 11 points to five in the Divots' favour.
Divots captain Gareth Rees gratefully accepted the annual shield with a round of applause from all players concerned, stating that golf was the winner on the day, and the tremendous bond between the Divots and Rabbits section remains as strong as ever! Although Bill and Ben aren't really flowerpot men, but just a pair of bandits playing in the Rabbits!
Results were as follows: R. Morton and C. Law beat S. Evans and B. Beynon 5 and 3; S. Davies and M. Anthony beat C. Smith and L. Harries 5 and 4; R. Day and S. Evans lost to P. Watkins and S. Harries 2 and 1; A. Joseph and R. Johns lost to D. Moran and R. Davies 1 down; A. Morton and B. Frayne beat G. Pegg and D. Thomas 5 and 4; M. Schooling and G. Field-Thomas lost to D. Farley and B. French 6 and 5; R. Chapman and R. Hall beat S. Bennett and J. Hunt 4 and 3; C. Hughes and N. Ayers beat G. Price and C. Smith 4 and 2; K. Breaker and I. Thomas beat T. Davies and M. Munro 4 and 3; D. Douglas-Law and N. Dickinson lost to S. Watkins and A. Allen 3 and 2; S. Davies and L. Lindsay beat R. Caley and J. Rolfe 1 up; A. P. Morton and J. Thomas beat R. Murphy and P. James 1 up; R. Muskett and R. Davies beat S. Price and P. Watkins 2 and 1; N. Thomas and T. Morris beat B. Dooley and T. McClean - walkover; G. Rees and B. Hartley lost to B. Blake and W. Hopkins 2 and 1.
Club report
The first competition of the New Year was held on Saturday; it was a yellow box medal. Despite the rather grey and wet weather, there were some very good scores in both the first and second divisions.
First division winner was O. H. Thomas with a very good net 65, joint second were five players with net 67s, J. A. Stenson, M. Nesbitt-Hawes, S. Toy, M. A. Morris and R. J. Ormond.
Second division winner was J. Webb with an excellent net 62, second was G. Mc Keown with a very good net 64, and joint third were R. James and C. Davies with net 66s.
Eighty-nine competitors took part and of those 12 got twos. They were: S. G. Amos (2), M. Argent, M. Barrett, J. M. Charnock, C. R. Clarke, S. Davies, B. Diment, R. James, G. McNeilly, M. A. Morris, M. Nesbitt-Hawes, R. A. Parsons, M. Schooling (2), O. H. Thomas and P. Watkins.
The New Year's Eve celebrations at the club were a success and enjoyed by all those who attended. As well as the company, the buffet and music were excellent.
The next social event at the club will be a St. Valentine's Dance on Saturday, February 14.