Cardiff Tour 2023

CARDIFF TOUR REPORT 2023

Cardiff may have had Blondie in the castle grounds, Peter Kay at the theatre, Wales losing at Ninian Park and Gay Pride ‘kineverywhere but the main event? Pershore Golf Society on tour!

First up was WHITCHURCH a tight running parkland course with many a tree to assist. It had been decided to have a sweep on the number of balls that would be lost over the 4 days and starting on a par-3 with pond, it wasn’t long before the count was underway.

Doddy, using analysis, knowledge and experience built up from many years in business, decided that 27 would be lost over 4 days. The only thing stranger than that was Vic’s legs seeing the light of day for the first time since WW2.

Starting on a par-3 means everyone must wait until the green is clear. Following two 3-balls me, Nev, Gaz, Robin, were surprised to find ourselves waiting on the 2nd tee. Apparently, the captain, vice and Darren had played off 17 instead of 2. Easy mistake to make when you can’t read numbers.

Waiting on the tee we saw Vic and his carer Simon, driving their buggy up the fairway, when a bag falls off, they carry on not seeing it was missing until they got to Vic’s ball. Apparently, it was Cuth’s fault having taken responsibility for fastening it on and unfortunately for Vic it damaged his driver which fell apart a few holes later.

We were doing our bit for the ball count, with 3 of us hitting into the trees on one hole but only finding two. Gaz also put one into a garden on another hole but as they had removed the hedge at that point, we were able to retrieve it.

At one point it was welcome to Cardiff with annoying alarms going off outside and inside the course, added to by the constant bleating of the 4 behind us about slow play.

As it was only a warmup day the scores were irrelevant, apart from the ball count of 36, which was the end of Doddy’s participation.

1st – Robbo - 39
2nd – Spud - 37
3rd – Redge – 36

Friday was another hot day; a few bleary eyes and we were joined by Bromsgrove winner Nick Moody at PYLE & KENFIG.

A links course, it was very crispy and with the ball running, there were at least two drives of well over 300 yards being reported by Gaz and Robbo.

No one was allowed to go to the tee until it was your turn, which meant there was none of the usual “encouragement” from those waiting.

The back 9 in particular was tight with deep ferns just off the fairways, accounting for a total of 90 lost balls, with back-to-back tour champ Robin having a mare, losing 12 of them, making a total of 21 for our group and 90 for the day.

Our group which included Robin “where did that go?” together with Keyo and one of the tour virgins, Chris Scarratt, were harassed by the group behind, which included the Chairperson, driving through us on more than one occasion, even though we had nowhere to go.

The course has a road that runs between the front and back 9 and it was reported that Rick sent one down it after a wayward drive. Chris who was striking the ball well, using only irons for some reason decided to take his driver on 17, result two lost balls.

Eventually getting back for a pint it was a pleasant surprise, having blobbed the last two holes, which included an appearance by Jack Douglas on 18, to see the result.

1st – Brazier - 35
2nd – Captain Steve - 35
3rd – Doddy - 32

Not far from Gavin & Stacey at Barry Island is BRYNHILL where even more bleary eyes and a few upset stomachs arrived for R2. Killer complaining how slow the toaster was at breakfast.

No one had played here before, so it was going to be interesting, especially with the 1st crossing the 18th, the green hugging the club house patio and some internal OB.

Al “bucket hat” duly obliged on the 1st sending one OB to add to the ball tally and he wouldn’t be the last. Vice Robbo should have been breath tested before driving but started like a train with two birdies and a par for 9 points after 3 holes, which incidentally is the same front 9 total Nev had on day 1.

As well as Robbo our group comprised Meady and Rich Marshall who decided to have a crack at Robins ball losing record but came up a few short but adding to the days total of 61.

It had been decided there would be no fines which was just as well for Terry and JV, who were persistent offenders with shirts out and in JV’s case walking round the clubhouse with a hat on!

The course had some interesting holes which included two par-3’s across valleys which looked stunning from the tee, but not so clever when your shot either ended up in a bunker or rolled all the way back to the bottom.

There were a lot of trees on this course which was just as well for Keyo who got caught short and had to leave a present for the members, much to the hilarity of his playing partners.

The course obviously suited Chris Scarratt, who left the driver in the bag and play was obviously at an acceptable pace for Killer. There were also good scores from McD – 38. Gaz – 37. Vic – 37.

1st – Ironman Chris - 40
2nd – Killer - 39
3rd – Sam - 38

Even more fat heads arrived at NEWPORT for the final round, so much so that Keyo and John Cashion found a buggy with tyres inflated to a pressure that could cope and off they went.

Apparently, Redge put two tee shots so far left they were nearly in the clubhouse that wasn’t even considered to be in danger.

Yours truly had somehow scrambled into the last group with the Captain, Sam and Gaz, who’s combined age almost reached mine. I did manage to get to some of their drives in only two shots on the odd occasion.

Tree lined and undulating can describe the course, but it is a good test even if the greens were not in the best nick according to some members we encountered on the course.

We were all going along nicely, but Jack couldn’t stay away, turning up after putting my tee shot to 4 feet on hole 6. However, that paled into insignificance on the next par-3, hole 8 a 200 yarder.

Captain Steve was last to go on this hole and after a beautiful practice swing, he had an air shot! He looked at us in disbelief and everyone just fell about laughing, Steve included. It took him 5 minutes to compose himself and then hit a presentable shot.

Fatigue was definitely setting in on the back 9 and a few would-be champs started to fall away, hitting trees, bunkers and the wrong fairway. One person however stuck steadfastly to the task.

Having spent the previous 3 days just under the radar Josh stepped up when it mattered to be crowned Tour Champion 2023.

1st – Matt S - 35
2nd – Rick - 35
3rd – Josh – 33

Congratulations and well played Josh.

Thanks to JV for his organisation, the Welsh weather for behaving and all who participated, joining in with the true spirit of the society.

The total balls lost? – 236 meaning only one person was close, Dave Adams, who made a generous donation to the charity, with our money!