Kirby Lonsdale 2020 Match Report
A wet morning was in prospect at Kirkby Lonsdale, for the first 27 hole day of the year. But 14 players went out for a very early (8.24am tee off) nine holes, the weather being not as bad as expected with just a couple of light drizzly showers. However, Secretary Mike Barnes, and fierce advocate and protector of 27 hole society golf by the way, took the surprising decision to sit the morning out with a good book, claiming that old golfers excuse of a bad back!!
A couple of new boys joined us today (newer than even the new Blacktax taxi guys!), Al Kirkham and Mike Lovell being guests of Tom and Kev respectively, so welcome to them. But whilst the Blacktax guys have been studiously making sure they didn’t win any early rounds, lest they be accused of bandit handicaps, one of the new guests showed no such mercy. Having played with Pete Whiteside in the morning, and so witnessed him putting together a flawless nine holes for 22pts, imagine Pete’s shock to find newcomer Mike Lovell had posted a score of 23pts to take the morning prize!! Well done Mike, a great score!
After a socially distanced lunch (which in reality, felt like any other lunchtime at Kirkby Lonsdale!), there was the promise of more players for the afternoon. Trevor and David Baird made it, with Stuart’s night shift proving too much for him. Mel Johnson was to turn up for the afternoon, but when rung at 11.10 prior to an 11.44am tee off, Mel hadn’t yet set off for the 1hr journey to Kirkby (you do the maths!)
So it was 18 for the mainly dry afternoon round. Group 1’s best score was a 33pts from new boy Steve (matching his score at Bentham), just edging out Jim’s 32pts (matching his score at Bentham!). Group 2 upped that best score to 34pts with Pete Whiteside continuing his form from the morning, with two 31’s being the best from the third group in the shape of Trevor and Mike Lovell.
The fourth group was won by newcomer Tony Robinson with 33pts (matching his score at Bentham, what’s going on here?!!), but it has to be said all the action today was in the last group. The lowest score in this group was Gareth’s 31pts (matching his score at Bentham!!! – last one I promise), with the remaining three players claiming the top three places for the day.
Third place Marky T must be ruing the last two holes as he had amassed 34pts by the 17th tee, but didn’t trouble the scorer any further, another golfer’s tale of what might have been! Despite Frank’s driver misfiring for much of the afternoon, he still managed to battle his way to a fine 37pts with his new slim-line handicap of 12, to take the second prize. Well done Frank.
But it must have been just a joy for the other three lads in the group to watch the eventual winner play some scintillating golf today on his way to a gross 77 and 40pts to take the overall victory. 13 greens in regulation, remarkable! Who could this be? Of course it was none other than yours truly!
Despite me being painted as a bandit by my ‘so called’ mate during the presentations, because of previous achievements in the society, let it be known, this was the first day’s win I’ve had for 3 YEARS (Morecambe 2017), and only the third since 2012. Some bandit! Nevertheless, a very pleasing day for me on a course that seems to like me!
So, you will have noticed a change at the top of the leaderboard, with a couple of the Blacktax lads heading the rest of the field, but it’s early days yet!
I’m not aware that Mike has booked the next outing yet (when he does, I’ll let you know), but wherever it is, we’ll hopefully see you there!
Cheers Glenn
