Golf Day 2018

St John’s & St Bernadette’s Golf Day Thursday 20 September 2018 Cumberwell Park Golf Course

On a very blustery day 19 golfers were welcomed to Cumberwell Park Golf Course (CPGC) by Andy Barlow who sponsored the tournament and Brian Moore who organised the draw for the groups and verified the scores. 

Bacon buttees, tea and coffee were provided to set us up for what proved to be a testing four hours. The groups were made up of 2 x two balls and 5 x three balls playing to Stableford rules over the Red & Green course.

Playing in the tournament for the first time were Fr Tom, Pete and Carol Weightman, Paul Meehan, Neil Gillespie and Alberto La Barbera.

Brian Moore and Mike Heather led off from the 1st tee with high expectations, confidence and a great deal of enthusiasm. Other groups followed at 8 minute intervals but the timetable went for a burton before Mike could play his second shot (more on this later).

The gusting winds made play difficult but everyone soldiered on and enjoyed the bracing conditions. There were six scores in the thirties, eight in the twenties, four in the teens and one other. The rain stayed off and  the players finished at the 18th, tired, windblown, dry, happy and looking forward to the evening meal and the prizegiving. Danny Thomas was at the 18th to congratulate the players on sticking the course.

The two course meal provided by Cumberwell was excellent and was followed by coffee and mints.

Prizegiving followed the meal and the main winners were:

Best Team Score  with 86 points : Nigel Hunt, Steve Morris and Paul Bailey.

Best Individual Stableford Score with 38 points : Andy Barlow who also took the green jacket and became the first winner in the last 10 years whom the jacket actually fitted.

Best Lady Player : Carol Weightman

Best Newcomer : Alberto La Barbera

In another twist Frank Garbutt was awarded both the Pancho Villa (biggest bandit) and the equally coveted wooden spoon trophies. Both these trophies are retained by the winner and should be displayed in a prominent position in their home until the next parish outing when they will be passed on to the next winner(s)

Other prizes were awarded for Longest drives, nearest the pins and the best champagne moment.

 

This is a short account of what was easily  the best champagne moment of recent years. 

As Mike Heather was walking to his ball to play his second shot at the 1st hole his trolley decided to go on without him. Mike grabbed at the trolley handle but was just a little bit off and took his first tumble as the trolley had its own path to follow. It reared up like a frightened pony disgorging most of the clubs. Mike tenaciously held on and wrestled it to a halt. After he gathered himself and had given the trolley a right good talking to, he found that he had cut his hand and blood was flowing. The trolley stood silently watching as he fetched a bottle of witchhazel from the trolley pocket and dabbed at the bloody area. Brian offered to beat the trolley with a small branch (a la John Cleese) but Mike didn’t consider it appropriate. Play resumed and the hole was completed without further drama.

 

Thank you to all who turned out on the day, thank you to Andy Barlow for sponsoring the event and thank you to Cumberwell Park Golf Course for hosting the event and for providing the bacon buttees on arrival and for the superb meal after the match.

Roll on the next Parish golf day.

 

     Brian Moore

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