Grantwash

Three-quarters-of-a-dozen Rabbits were present last Sunday for the draw for playing order on a glorious winter morning (writes our links reporter, Warren Hacker). Who would be the Rabbits of the Day? There is a clue in the title.

The big-hitting trio of Ian, Wyndham and Grant led the way. Next off were Chris and the Steves (W & C) who have been known to hit big now and again, as have the third group of Mark, John and Peter - occasionally, in some cases.

The NNW two-and-a-half club wind meant the correct club-selection was important and it would have been an advantage to have been awake during geometry classes in bygone schooldays as some got their angles wrong trying to hit into/across/with the wind (someone hit the white 14th tee from the fifth yellow tee!).

In the absence of Paul C, the indisposed new captain, it fell to the vice-captain, Steve W, to announce the scores to the assembled nine-strong throng in time-honoured reverse order. It was noticeable that the Rabbits appeared to suffer from ‘clock-lag’ (they are used to being on the course an hour earlier!) and they only managed 40 points between them on the first four holes. Five managed to get scores in the 30s, but there was only a gap on 10 between best and least-best.

Just pipping Chris on countback (15/19 to 19/15) for bronze position on 34 was the vice-captain himself. In silver place with a decent back nine of 22 for a 36 was John, but the podium topper this week was Grant with total of 37, including a fine 23 point back nine, to take the prize pot. Not content with that, he also took the twos pot when he slotted a 10-foot putt on the 17th to make it really worth turning up! Secretary Peter matched the back eight performances of the top two by notching 21 from the 11th on, but he was suffering from the well-known ailment ‘Decorator’s Arm’ at the start of his round to scupper his chances of hitting the 30s.

We now find ourselves three weeks into the Winter League and 16 players have turned out so far, with six having played in all three. There are a potential further 14 weeks to register the best eight aggregate scores to win the title and the early leaders are: Chris (98), Ian (94), Mark (93) and Wyndham (91), with the Steves (W on 89 and C on 87) being the others to have three scores. Chris also leads the early Eclectic Table on 51, Steve W on 47 and Wyndham and Grant on 46.

Who will turn up next week and play well-ish to get their name in the paper?!

Ladies’ section

The second part of October has proved to be quite challenging with wet and windy weather and the arrival of Storms Ophelia and Brian. Thursday 12th saw the GUW Medal take place, coupled with the Dragon Brooch - the best scores from the competitions on Sunday 8th and Thursday 12th were ‘pooled together.’ The Thursday Medal was won by Denise Edwards with a nett 74, ahead of Heather Morgan with a 77 and Trevayne Keohane third on countback with a 79. Denise had the only birdie two of the day on the 17th hole. Fair Ball’s 69 from the Sunday comp meant that she won the Dragon Brooch with Denise second.

There was also a nine hole competition on the 12th with first place going to Liz Storey with 12 points, ahead of Dinah Reed in second and Izzy Lawrence in third.

There was a draw for partners on Thursday 19th in a stableford comp. Due to the poor weather forecast, a depleted field of 11 players took part with the best three scores coming from Anna Hubbard first on 37, Vicky Burks second on 32 and Sue Ensor third on 31.

Thursday 26th was the lady captain Linda Thomas’s charity day. Again the weather was not very enticing - coupled with a number of members laid low with various ailments - meaning only 14 ventured out. We lost one of those 14 when, on arriving at the seventh tee, Trevayne Keohane decided to demonstrate some acrobatics to her playing partners, but got the technique slightly wrong and ended up on the floor with a torn calf muscle for her efforts. After a frantic ’phone call to the club, Rhys Harry, the club professional was her ‘knight in shining armour’ and brought her in off the course to seek medical attention. Joking aside about the acrobatics, all the ladies in the section wish you Trevayne a speedy recovery and hope you’re back with us very soon. As for the results, in addition to prizes for the best three scores, Linda also gave prizes for longest drive (won by Denise Edwards), nearest the line on the 13th (also won by Denise) and nearest the pin on the 17th (won by Julie Tordoff). In third place with 32 points was Angie Gottwaltz and in second place with 34 points was Carol Beecher. However, the runaway winner with a stupendous 45 points (yes, 45 points!) was Louise Hill who started the day on a handicap of 34, but went home with a brand new handicap of six (yes, six) less - so next time out she’ll no longer be in the 30s, but off 28. Very well done, Louise! All the entry money, along with supplementary donations from those who played (and some who were unable to) were pooled together and the total of £167 will be donated to the Stroke Association. Linda is very grateful to everyone who played on the day and also to all the ladies for their generosity.

A reminder to all ladies that the ladies AGM will be held at the clubhouse on Tuesday, November 14, at 7.30 pm. The notice is up for the ladies Christmas dinner and prizegiving which will be held on Friday, December 1. Orders and seating plan need to be with the caterers by November 21 so please get your name and order down as soon as possible.

P.C.