flamstead end golF society

Saturday 3rd October 2009...

Flamstead End Golf Day #7, 24 players. Conditions: Dry / Very Windy 

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The 7^th Flamstead End Golf society day was to be played at the Hertfordshire golf club in Broxbourne.  This was the societies 2^nd visit to the Hertfordshire returning a year later when last June Ian Shorey captured the JP Classic Cup in 2008.  A year or so on Dave Kenney was here to defend his trophy in some of the windiest conditions the FEGS had ever faced. Despite recent good weather the day had turned and although the rain held off the wind was going to make this a very challenging day for 24 players.

 

The first nine holes all players had to deal with the strong wind in their faces on the majority of tee shots.  A good start in these conditions would put anyone in a good position for the second nine. The best of the starters was the in-form Scott Major, playing off 11 hitting 3 consecutive pars on the outwards nine seeing him leading at the half way stage with 20 points.  The birdie table was getting a beating, Nic Coppola hit a 4 on the par 5 5^th hole to go level with Duncan Morris at the top of the chart. Harry Langham and Chris Pitt did the same , both on debut.  Harry had a good first nine coming in with 19pts level with James Needham, both playing the course for the first time. Lying just behind was Danny Adams on 18 points, this was despite hitting blobs on the second and third holes, champion Dave Kenney hit a consistent 16points and would need a few more to be the first player to regain the trophy. 

 

Nearest the pin 1# was on the long 166 yard 4^th Hole. A little brook runs just in front of the hole and with a strong side wind this would be a difficult green to hit. The first three groups failed to find the green with your ball being blown from left to ride. Group 4 peppered the flag with all but one tee shot hitting the green. Once measurements were taken Steve Reeves was closest. However this was going to be a battle of the travelling minibus crew as despite Steves excellent iron shot in with a hint of spin Jon Tuffee in the next group went inside Steves ball to take the first bit of prize money.

 

The 9^th Hole was the longest drive, and is normally the perfect hole for this competition. However today with the wind behind long tee shots were being punished as the fair way got thinner as you neared the green. Major blasted his tee short within 40 yards of the 364 yard par 4 green but missing the fair way. Nic Coppola did the same. First to record a long drive was Si Arthur with a beauty right down the middle.  However once again the travelling crowd went well over this with Martin Hall hitting a monster and keeping it on the fairway.

 

The turn saw a halfway house, a sausage sandwich and a golf course with plenty of wind which was seeing a mixed bag of scoring. Some were struggling in the conditions with even putting being made difficult. Mark Rogers only managed to grab 3 points on the back nice and saw him take the wooden spoon with 11 points. Ian Shorey the last Hertfordshire winner was having a frustrating round only managing 21 points, (disappointing after his last to round seeing him finishing1^st and then 2^nd). Jon Tuffee may of netted the first nearest the pin but he ran out of gas on the 2^nd half coming back with 6 points and 21 points in total.

 

The final nearest the pin was a 125 yard over the water par 3,  which saw players in two minds what club to use. After collecting this award last year Matt Pemberton did not have any joyt this time hitting the water twice. Jamie hit a beauty here last time but it was his second tee shot, this time it was his first and put a early target for players to beat.  This was beaten by Chris Pitt in the 5^th group who collected the prize money on this good looking golf hole.  Chris then putted in for his 2^nd birdie of the day, only the third players to ever do this on the FEGS.

 

The final few holes with plenty of water was going to make and break a few. Steve Reeves hit a birdie on the 18^th hole for his 5^th on FEGS which puts him in overall third place on the birdie league but well off the points pace for the day.  Champ David Kenney came in with a respectable 32 points and 7^th place.  James Needham, Harry Langham and Matt Tuffee all came in with 33 points and joint 4^th place. Marc Harrington came in with 33 points also having a good round with no blobbed holes.  

 

The top three places were going to be made up of Scott Major and a surprise of Dan Adams or Paul Stevens. Paul who took the wooden spoon on the first ever golf day has been putting in some practice after playing well at Manor of Groves. He stormed in with 18 points and third place with 34 points.  Scot Major fell away a little in the inward nine taking 15 points for a total of 35 but still shot a 82 for the lowest round of the day, (his 2^nd lowest score on the spin).

This left Danny Adams to be the ?JP Classic Cup champion?. Dan got a par on all but one of the par 3?s and scored many 3 pointers on his round despite getting three blobs came in with 19 points and a total of 37 points winning by a clear two points. In true rock star fashion Dan had to rush off for a gig at the end so was not there to except the trophy. However he seems happy with his round and was surprised he had won. Well done to Dan who gets chopped down to a 26 handicap and we look forward to him defending the trophy in 2010.

 

Thanks to everyone who came and helped contribute another ?67 to the Isabelle Hospice, until next time?..