Match organiser Michael Newstead reports on the day’s action
It was a dull and dismal day when 32 of us ventured out into the wind and rain, 16 from Saffron Waldon dressed in their light blue, 16 from John O’Gaunt in our customary dark blue. Was it mere coincidence that each team was wearing colours associated with seats of learning, Cambridge for Saffron Walden, Oxford for JOG?
After an hour or so, the rain which had been threatening since the start finally came down and from then on it was up with the umbrellas for the remainder of the round. Despite the weather, there was much good humoured ribaldry from all the participants, with all the usual compliments for good shots and respectful silence greeting those that didn’t go exactly where intended, e.g the water hazards on the 4th and 13th in particular!
Having won their game by the sixteenth, the Captain’s team chose to take an early shower. Do I hear cries of “You Wimps”? Probably so, but all four of us decided that being warm in the clubhouse was better than making the journey down 17 and 18! We did of course give our guests the choice, but they were of like mind to the JOG pair.
When the scores started to come in it was looking very good for John O’Gaunt and we eagerly awaited each new pair handing in their card. Match 1 – 4 and 3 to JOG; Match 2 – 6 and 5 to JOG; Match 3 - 2 up to JOG. This was looking really good for JOG, then the tide turned.
In rapid succession – 1.0 to SF; next 1.0 to SF. next a larger margin also to SF. Now all was level and just two cards remaining to be counted. Along comes the Scotsman (yes you all know who I mean), and presented his 5 and 4 winning card. What would the last match show? Then it was in, another 1.0 to SF. Final result, an honourable draw. It is rumoured that all three 1.0 wins for SF hinged on the last put on the final green, the tension must have been palpable.
The day was rounded off with a two-course lunch, remarks and of course the mandatory bawdy jokes, not forgetting presentations to Jonathan Lean for nearest the pin on 16, although those within earshot did hear him admit he thinned it!!! Andy Edwards won nearest the pin on the visitors green, the 4th. All present, JOG and SF members gave high marks for the food and the service, not forgetting compliments to the Green Keeping staff for presenting the course in excellent condition.
We go to Saffron Waldon for the return on 18th May and I am sure we are looking forward to it with hopefully better weather.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment