Pershore Golf Society
TOUR REPORT 2024
BLACKPOOL
Last year we stayed in the centre of Cardiff at The Holiday Inn. This year was almost identical, with the exception that we were nowhere near the centre, and we stayed at “The Holiday Grim.”
The hotel had seen better days but that didn’t worry all the Scots who were there, queuing for food and drink at all times of the day and night and it met our needs.
First course, before many checked in, was ST. ANNES OLD LINKS a traditional club with two loops of 9 and deep rough if you went astray.
When we arrived and looked towards the Tower and the big dipper, I recalled it? Robbo reminded me at the end that I was on a trip he organised 10 years ago.
Captain’s welcoming speech complete, including a reminder to self, “not to forget the NP markers,” which he did, off we set.
The 1st was a narrow par4, so many took a rescue or iron off the tee. Not me, driver, which went about as far as a wedge, setting the scene for the rest of my trip.
A couple of incidents out on the course were reported, one that I witnessed as Al hoicked his tee shot on 3 and almost hit us on the 4th tee. David “Aye” in his buggy, ignoring the GUR and being fined. Finally, Gaz putting one in the car park on 18.
One other incident in the clubhouse of which there is photographic evidence.
Our stickler for rules, etiquette, slow play etc. the Chairperson, holding court sitting in the captain’s chair, above which a sign read “if the captain comes in, you buy a round of drinks.” Al having spotted this went to find someone to impersonate the captain only to find the man himself in the next bar!
Friday was the start of the tour proper and off we went to FLEETWOOD. Another links with two
loops and rough, in places up to JV’s chest.
We were made welcome (to start with), and everyone received a bag of tees and a ball marker. The shop nearly sold out of water, when everyone went in to look at the girl behind the counter and Cuth later played his old fart card in the car park, so that she assisted him with his clubs.
On the 1st Dave Humphries (yes Robbo he is a member) could not find his ball. However, when he arrived at the green, he found that Robin had played it and putted out with it, then casually gave it back to him as if nothing had happened.
We were hit through by Gaz, Dave A, Darran and Joe, on more than one occasion, even though we had nowhere to go. Not a clever idea with the Fines Furher in our group.
The classic was on 18. We are putting out when a ball arrives on the green, off the tee, hit there by Gaz. When questioned he said he “couldn’t see the green!” but still hit it. As that was NP2, he must have won that? No, it was provisional. NP2 was won by Keyo with a magnificent 100-yard bunker shot.
The last group were caught up by the lady captain, playing a two-ball match, who insisted on being let through and then finished two holes later!
The ball sweep was underway with a magnificent 101 balls lost between us which “busted” four people.
· 1st – Defending champion Josh - 36
· 2nd – Tidy Greg - 34
· 3rd – Almost Dowdeswell – 33
After a quiet night in we arrived at HERONS REACH, aptly named after my performance in the car park and flower beds.
A hotel parkland course, with deep rough and the bonus of lakes. They had no buggies to rent as they were all being used to carry round the golfers with cool boxes that were in evidence. At one time there must have been 20 queuing to tee off. Quick it was not going to be.
Captain duly stepped up on the 1st and launched it over the trees into a watery grave and he would not be alone.
The 2nd was a short par 4, over water and was a call up hole. We were waiting on the tee and could see Nev above the bull rushes walking around looking for his ball. We were convinced he was walking on water.
When we did get the nod, I took the heads off a few rushes with a scabby drive but managed to get over. Josh having blobbed 1, nailed one left into the woods and Chris hit a 7 iron 180!
When we called the group behind through, Spud had to reload, he hit his second and we waited. Eventually it landed with a resounding thud, no run, about 20 feet from us, I nearly soiled myself.
We were following “walk on water Nev” Meady, Al and Bish, who by all accounts was murdering his drives. On one hole we were waiting for him to hit into the green, as he was well in range of Simon, Chris and Josh. While Bish waited Terry was already putting out!
When we eventually teed off, I roofed one into the hay left and Josh laid up just off the tee then hit his provisional 15 yards. His title defence was not going well.
After 4 holes, Ironman Scarrett decided to give his driver an outing. Last time I played with him he hit his driver so badly, it went back in the bag after one shot. Today?
On the 10th an uphill par 5, he hit this massive draw into the heart of the fairway, which Simon
measured at 330 yards, he then lipped the eagle putt to settle for birdie.
After a good round at Fleetwood Josh couldn’t manage two days with me and his game went south, not helped by the fact that he had a dodgy ankle and losing a ball that we saw land on the fairway.
On 18 he hit one into the driving range right, but I found a hole in the fence and retrieved his ball along with some much-needed ammo for me. Simon hit left into the tundra, did stroke and distance and hit it back in even further, to lose only his second and third balls of the tour.
We surpassed ourselves on the ball count adding 133, which eliminated another 14 people.
· 1st – JV – 35
· 2nd – Big Al – 35
· 3rd – McD – 33
Packing done, checked out, we arrive at NORTH SHORE which this time I knew I had played before. Like us by this stage, a bit scruffy, but a warm welcome and againwith magnificent rough.
Unloading the car JV can’t find his battery. He had left it on the wall outside the hotel, which luckily was only 5 minutes away and fortunately for him didn’t fit anyof the residents’ wheelchairs.
Having scored a magnificent 38 points in two rounds, I rightly found myself in the first group along with The Redge, Gaz and 21 ball Marshall.
Sam murdered his tee shot way left into the middle of an adjoining fairway and later did an identical shot on 10 into the 18th, splitting a group of codgers, who despite our shouts never flinched. They were either deaf or are used to it.
My form continued and I lost two balls on 2nd to do my bit for the ball count, however the classic came on 12th. A downhill par 3 of no more than 150 yards, with some houses and OB on the right. Gaz had hit wedge and come up a bit short. Sam took one more and put it in the hay, Redge went left over some gorse and Jack hit one into the gardens.
My reload was then duffed whilst Sam decided to hit a provo and sent it right, not only over the houses but down the road. We waited for a smash, heard nothing so swiftly moved on.
Coming to 16, we saw a marker at the top of the hill, which must be the marker behind the green, so aimed for it. It was, but behind another green so we were way off.
We had got 2 holes of the group behind so were enjoying lunch when they eventually arrived and Redge had found his lost wedge he had been bleating on about, in his bag!
A quiet day on lost balls today only 68 which left 4 in with a shout. Total ended up as 302 which was won by Bish on 310 with Spud “almost” there with 300.
· 1st – Darren - 37
· 2nd – Almost - 36
· 3rd – Chairperson - 32
After a great 4 days, not a drop of rain, a few beers with the younger guys understanding the tour banter and giving it back, the results were.
· 3rd – Tidy Michael – 94
· 2nd – Almost Dowdeswell – 97
· 1st – Nigel Farage Vincent – 98
Most balls lost. Sam with 26, followed by The Redge on 20, who also had the most lost on a single day, at 14. Least lost Farage with 2.
