A collection of the match reports provided during the 2010 season.
Round 1, Sharpley Springs (Match winner and report composer Steve Grant)
For our opening game of the new season I don't think John could have picked a better course. This is a very new course, without too many obstacles in the way, apart from the water hazards that one of my playing partners, Ian the garden gnome, seemed to like a lot. Every time Kevin or I looked around Ian was perched by the side of the water with what looked like his fishing rod catching golf balls! At least I think that was what he was doing. It was a good turn out for the day, considering the high winds all the way around the course which did not help. The only down side of the day was the very unfair hacking of 6 points from my handicap for winning my first ever game (watch out Mr. Rooks). I thank my wife for buying the excellent putter for Christmas for me, which obviously helped. There were some good scores on the day, with a very good nearest the pin from Paul Baker and longest drive from Jim. I hope that we will be returning to this course in the near future and I can do the double!
Round 2, Ramside Hall (Paul Marshall)
An excellent turn out of 16 arrived with smiling faces (must have been the thought of the bacon sandwiches) in pleasant sunshine for our 2nd fixture of the year at Ramside. It was good to welcome the return of ‘el presidento' himself, Brian Sykes, recently back from the Saga Algarve Winter Sunshine Tour and his protégé Steve sporting a very unhealthy looking banana that had been in his bag since his last WWGS outing in October!! Thanks must go to Ramside Head Pro Kevin Jackson for allowing us to re-schedule at such short notice as our original course choice was considered in too poor condition to play. Whilst we where all grateful to get a game, it meant that we where playing the course a little earlier in the season than planned and we didn't see it at it's best; the greens in particular have yet to recover from the harsh winter. As we approached the 1st tee word must have been relayed to him upstairs that WWGS where in town as the pleasant sunny spells changed rapidly to drizzly rain and arctic temperatures (our usual Ramside weather). It must have been cold as even ‘Polar Bear Aberdeen' had his woolly top on; the only consolation was it didn't snow like last year!!! The going was tough as Sykes senior, complete with Algarve tan progressively put on more and more layers to combat the Siberian conditions and then when the drizzle turned to rain we all started wondering whether this was really such a good idea. The excess layers didn't prevent Brian's' nifty' footwork a little later in the round as he dodged one of my ‘shank' missiles and Ian's early contender for the ‘champion club chucker'!! Welcome back Brian!!! With the smiling faces long gone a bedraggled and frost bitten bunch gathered in the clubhouse to hear the results. My high handicap (which I'm sure will now disappear as Mr Secretary gets to work with his red ‘slashing' pen!!) seemed to help me on the day as I managed to sneak in with 40 points to secure the win.
Round 3, Mount Oswald (Kevin Hall)
After a heavy day of celebrations at the last Sunderland home game of the season what better way to finish the Bank Holiday than 18 holes at Mount Oswald. The course diary was set up to flush out a few high handicaps at the beginning of the season and its definitely started to do exactly that. The course has had a lot of work done during the winter and all the trees I've previously been in have been have been thinned out and put to good use around the course and with the weather holding it helped produce some good scoring. The meal (Including the spare one) was great as expected (except Ian's portion) and ended a great day.
Round 4, Moffat (Derek Griffiths)
The start of a great weekend [superbly organised by Ian Gunn] playing one of my favourite courses. The front nine was tricky in the wind, but the course was in excellent condition. Some very good scoring followed a substantial two course lunch, but it served me well with my best gross score since joining the society. The day concluded with soup and sandwiches at Moffat followed by Dinner in the pub and a few beers (and Drambuie's, Gin's, Whiskey's, Black Russian's etc. - IG) A Perfect Day !
Round 5, Brampton (Tim Aberdeen)
I think I speak for everyone who played at Brampton that it was one of the best courses we have visited to date. An excellent layout with fantastic views plus the course was in great shape and yet again the weather was kind to us apart from the hail stones on the 18th tee.The buggies were a good idea as most Billy Goats could not have walked the course with hangovers like ours. Overall it was an excellent weekend with both days counting towards the 2010 Borders Championship which finished very close this year. In 3rd place with 72pts was Derek, in 2nd place with 73pts was John and the winner also with 73pts but having won one of the rounds was myself, so I get my old friend "THE CLAW" back again.
Round 6, Castle Eden (Kevin Hall)
Another great day at Caste Eden and as usual the course and the facilities were up there with the best. (I'm told only bettered by Brampton so far) and a great booking by John to start the Bank Holiday weekend. As an added benefit the club added a prize (2 ball at the course) for the winner which was a nice gesture (For me). Before you say it I had a shocking first 6 holes, and joked to Paul Baker on the 15th, “If I score 3 points a hole on the last three holes I could win this”. 25 points on the back nine and I only halved the 2 ball with Mr Baker, what do you need to do, the buggy wars on the 11th fairway must have put me off. Thanks again to the foot soldier Mr Harrison who corrected the shortage of buggies for a second year running and walked the afternoon round (Although I did see him with an electric trolley which is a first).
Round 7, Slaley Hall (John Ford)
10 members made the trip to a hot and humid Slaley Hall last Saturday only to find it at its most punishing best. When we got there it really looked as though it could be a high scoring round. However, when we got going it was very obvious it was going to be tough. Once we got started it was clear it was going to be a very slow round, which it proved to be. The greens, although running true, were very firm and the rough was up and very difficult to play out of. So on a tough day there were some notable scores and achievements. I did have the extra handicap of there being an extra competition within my playing group. The competition was ‘see who can throw the club the most and furthest'. The winner on the day for the furthest was Jim and Ian won for the most thrown – kids?
Round 8, Beamish Park (Steve Sykes)
An almost perfect afternoon for golf, the temperature was in the… I don't know but it was hot! As my bright red face would be testament later. 16 turned up to play, including two guests Michael and Simon unknowns in terms of handicaps. However the handicap committee seemed to have it down to a TEE .. having only played twice in a year it was nice to see I'd finally joined the 30's club, a mark I had been aspiring to achieve for some time, a mark that many people had been on for some time! Paired with John and Eddy, in the knowledge 13” putts would not be given and the new high standard of golf which has now been bestowed upon our society, it would be nice to just post a competitive score. 9 points after two holes, with Ed and John also posting good scores it seemed like we would be in for a moral boosting round of golf, with hopefully no sign of airborne golf clubs. It turned out to be like that, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't loose my golf ball. Although I did lose John's score card but after a quick jog I found it in the trees I was hacking out of. With John's luck with people marking his cards perhaps a new directive would be that John marks his own. It takes a lot of pressures out of the game when you play off the correct handicap, and not until the 18th when I was informed I had a good score did I go out of my way to ruin it, or maybe it's the savage 18th a killer for tired legs. But a fair score was finally posted and a well deserved cold one didn't last long. NOT as long as some of the disgruntled members rounds took, as I was informed in the bar. Anyway a good day was only ruined with the knowledge I'd be cut 6 shots, my trip to the 30's club short lived although fruitful…
Round 9, Heworth (Ian Hindley)
As the six competitors lined up on the first tee under the blazing sun, the tension mounted as these world class amateurs set forth to do battle. Both the fairways and greens were in very good condition and the weather was warm and sunny. This helped to bring out high standards of golf from each player, of which Dave Watt dealt a crushing blow to Tim Aberdeen to beat him in the longest drive. A monumental battle took place between Ian Gunn and Ian Hindley which lasted for most of the 18 holes, Ian H. taking nearest the pin (4.25m). Even under threat from the hatchet man himself (Ian Gunn) the victor, Ian Hindley, prevailed.
Round 10, Matfen Hall (Eddie Harrison)
On return to this beautiful course, at the start of July, hopes were high for a lovely summers day. The first group teed off at 1.30pm, in mild 45mph breeze, by the time the last group came off the 18th green, at 6:03pm, the only thing we didn't experience was snow. Sun, rain and 80mph gusts, kept all players entertained with caps blowing, balls rolling and trolleys having minds of their own. Firstly, may I congratulate all players for completing their rounds. Secondly, a big pat on the back must go to Mr Rooks for a fabulous tee shot on the 9th, which won the longest drive. Finally, a request to the committee, can you please ensure that we have similar or worse weather conditions at the next round at Tyneside Golf Club because they seem to help me more than others.
Round 11, Tyneside (Dave Sanders)
Another great turn out at Tyneside with 14 of us managing to make the day, plus guest. The weather was kind to us and the rain stayed off, sorry Eddie if it wasn't windy enough for you but after 3 years of trying it was finally my turn to win! Shame I blogged 3 holes, including the coffin! Paul M. and Tim A. were close behind., Jim won his 4th longest drive and is currently leading the championship. Congratulations to Phil Cobb who won his first Nearest the pin. Kevin Hall carded a two, only the second time it has been done this year, it could be a tie between Rico and Kevin for the two's pot.
Round 12, Houghton (Dave Sanders)
Well who would have thought it, you wait for a win and two come along at once! At least I saved Paul M. six shots off his handicap, as he finished runner up again with the same number of points. Jim came third which is his current position in the Championship behind John and Rico. It was surprisingly John's first nearest the Pin win, which is currently being lead by Ian H. with two wins. Longest Drive was won by Dave Watt and Tim carded an excellent 2 on the long par three 8th hole. Although it is holiday season it was another good turn out with 12 members and 3 guests, it is nice to tee off in the first group to avoid the hold ups behind. Thanks to John again for organising and booking the course which was in good condition as per normal. They tell me that nobody has won 3 times in a row, here's hoping.
Round 13, Bellingham (Tim Aberdeen)
For the first time in the 4 years of visiting this course we were blessed with perfect whether for golf which for most reflected in the scoring. A good turn out on the day which totaled 17 including 7 guests 3 of which traveled with me and all enjoyed the whole experience. Within the society members present we had one 2 on the day from Jim Rooks who must have realised the pot was getting big as he collects the money. There were 3 more 2's by guests who should be barred from joining the society as it has took the rest of us all year to get 4 between us. Must thank John for booking and organising the event and Ian G. for his usual hard work on the day and after, checking all our mistakes and updating the web sites. A final word for Ian G. for nearly lasting the whole round without chucking a single club then after chucking 3 together on the 18th hole he chipped in a blind shot from 30 yards ------- or did he chuck the ball ?
Round 14, Stocksfield (Steve Grant)
Yet again a very enjoyable return to a course in good condition. After being partnered with my very good friend Edd the duck, and what looked like an extra for “It ain't half hot mum”, Paul Marshall, we teed off at the back of the pack. Heading for the trees along with the rest of the old faithful, we heard the reassuring cries of the Wearside Wanderers in the distance “FORE LEFT, FORE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!” As we have all seen, it is now getting very interesting at the top of the leader board with John just hanging on with 351 points, followed closely behind by Paul M 348 points and Tim 347 points. This should hopefully mean that it will be yet another interesting finals day @ Wearside. Finally, a big thank you to John and Ian G for all the work that they put in so that the rest of us can just turn up and enjoy our day's golf. Apologies to John for having the pleasure of playing his round with Jim. I bet from now on you will be keeping a set of ear defenders in your golf bag!!!!!
Round 15, South Shields (Jim Rooks)
After checking Sky Sports news to see if our event was still being played I arrived at South Shields expecting a quick pint and a reschedule however in true Wanderers spirit we decided to tackle the elements and play the course (some had to be gently persuaded) after teeing off in a monsoon we completed our round in glorious sunshine. Thanks to Tim for his bunker dance, John for arranging this fantastic course and Ian for getting of his deathbed to organise the day.