Match Report 2014 Bentham Golf Club
The fifth Parrots Golf Society day of 2014 was held at Bentham Golf Club on Wednesday, and all that praying since Clitheroe seemed to have done the trick as an exceptionally fine day was forecast. Despite the rain dance taking place in Geoff Moyle’s front room (as he wasn’t playing at Bentham), the weather was sunny and boy was it HOT! However, whilst the heat seemed to suit some players others wilted as the hot day wore on....!
The ‘fart in the spacesuit’ this week was Luke Palmer, who made the 12 that arrived on time up to 13 when he arrived at the course just before the first group teed off in the morning, thanks to having to return home after forgetting his golf shoes! I thought it was only me who turned up late at Bentham......... Never mind Luke!
The morning saw the players taking on the new Bentham hole layout for the first time, which meant that the Par 4 up the steep hill would have to be scaled twice today. Generally scoring was good in the morning, with a fine 19 pts being scored by Martin Greenaway (off an 8 handicap, which is nearly as tough as 7!), but Martin was destined only for 2nd place again as that score was topped by Tony Johnson with an excellent 20 pts. Well done Tony, who is now a serious contender for Dave Bamber’s ‘morning specialist’ crown.
The afternoon saw the temperature rise even more, however, one three-ball group were scoring at a tremendous rate having the best three scores at the half way stage with Stuart Weston on 19 pts and Mike Barnes and Frank Healey on 18 pts each. Sadly for them though, Stuart and Frank wilted in the hot afternoon sun and only managed 12 pts each on the back nine. Could this mean then back to back wins for Mike Barnes?
Having been made to putt a one foot ‘gimme’ on a treacherous 18th green, after cries from the gallery that it was a ‘tricky one’, which he then proceeded to miss, Mike sat on the terrace with 34 pts and a beer in hand waiting for the last group to come in. This group had been the first out in the morning and last out in the afternoon, and hence there had been plenty of time for necessary re-hydration at lunch-time, so expectations of high scores were low!
But proving that a few beers at lunchtime can help your golf in the afternoon was Tony Duncan as he brought home an unassailable 35 pt haul with a splendid back nine which got off to a 12 pt start for the first four holes. Clearly that extra re-hydration on a hot day made all the difference!! Well done to Tony as our fifth winner of the year. The only consolation for Mike, as he had to settle for 2nd place, was that that missed putt on the 18th wouldn’t have seen him win, as Tony would still have won the now infamous card play-off.
Handicap changes from Bentham were :-
Tony Duncan 28 to 26
Mike Barnes 12 to 11
Tony Johnson 26 to 27
Geoff Moss 16 to 15
Glenn Wellard 7 to 8 (Phew!)
The new leaderboard has already been posted to the website by Phil, and see’s Mike Barnes as the new leader after having one win and two seconds already so far this season.
Next up will be Kirby Lonsdale on 2nd July, let’s hope it’s not quite so hot next time.... lol
Bye for now, Glenn
