Swap Day at Northampton July 18 2022

Senior Section Captain Algy Grimes reports

On what was one of the hottest days ever in the UK, a group of 40 JOG Seniors were due to play at Northampton with a similar number from Northampton, playing at JOG. Well the weather forecast took its toll and reduced the numbers for both groups. It resulted in only 23 eventually playing at Northampton. It was hoped to be at least 24 but someone having drunk too much wine the previous day forgot to set their alarm. It was also reported that one of our members thought following a car with a private registration number ending TEE must surely be going to the same place, only to find it wasn’t, so ended up being a little later than expected.

We had agreed to play a 4bbb competition and re-worked the draw with the remaining players, 5 x 4’s and 1 x 3 ball. So off we went after a cup of coffee (or black tea in my case thinking I had poured coffee) and a bacon roll. To the first tee and up went the umbrellas, no not raining but as protection from the sun. It was only about 28 degrees as we started, with a gentle breeze helping us. It was in the high 30s when we finished. A halfway house and on course bottles of water were a welcome relief too, I have never drunk so much on a golf course before.

On one particular par 3 there is an area of lovely wild flowers to the right, there is a sign which states ‘Do Not Enter’ you are allowed a free drop to protect such lovely flowers. Well, as Andy Shilton testified to all that would listen in the clubhouse afterwards, your Captain did not read the sign correctly and went looking for his ball, didn’t find it but did find about 6 others, then went back to the tee as advised by one of my playing partners. This I did so 3 off the tee into a greenside bucker, then the other playing member of our group (we were the 3 ball) read the sign correctly pointing out the free drop message. Not therefore being totally up on the rules of golf, I took a free drop and put that on the green, yes I know now that my second tee shot was the ball in play. However, it didn’t matter what I scored on that hole because my partner David Streatfield scored for us on that hole. It did give Andy some humour for the afternoon and something to tell everyone. Obviously he had a very boring day if that was his main item of conversation!! 

It is just as well that David scored on that hole because it meant there could be no dispute about our winning score.

In the clubhouse after a brilliant shower we enjoyed a very nice cold buffet, plenty of it and there was lots left over. Apple pie and ice cream followed

So the results;

First place on 42 points – Algy Grimes and David Streatfield.  £10 each

Second place on 39 points – Paul Jones and David Streatfield.  £8 to Paul Jones as David is not allowed to win 2 prizes.

Three teams tied on third place with 38 points.  £3 each to the following:-

Rafe Bateson and Michael Newstead

Jonathan Lean and Bill Conway

Brian Bullen and Terry Sweeney

Well done to all who played, and those that didn’t missed a great day out.

Algy Grimes – Seniors’ Section Captain

 

Here we have a selection of photos of the day taken by Senior Section Captain Algy Grimes and David Streatfield.

Below are photos taken by Malcolm Lee of all the participants enjoying lunch, plus winners Algy Grimes and David Streatfield and in second place Paul Jones and David Streatfield.

Andy Shilton on a few lost souls and THAT wildflower incident

Playing the 6th we were aware that the group behind,  Messrs Issacson, Fuller, Kerr and Imray (probably but difficult to tell who they were they were so far behind), had fallen more than a hole behind and were playing the 4th.  Suddenly we noticed they were on the 6th tee... Then 5 mins later they disappeared.  Bob Issacson came up to us on the 7th to enquire if we realised we had missed the 5th 😳😳

Later in the round we came across our Captain Algy and his group deep in the wildflowers on a short par 3.  After several fruitless minutes of searching our Captain returned to the tee box to play his 3rd shot.  Then he discovered that he shouldn't have been searching for his ball in the wild flowers as prominent signs indicated.  'Don't search free drop....' So our Captain duly dropped a third ball and played on playing 2. Obviously he came in for a bit of stick from the group behind who had watched this 15 minute farago.  In the  clubhouse Captain Algy was unmoved as apparently his partner put in a better score on the hole😳

Jonathan Lean provides more detail on that mystery drive!

One member found themselves on the M1 following a car with a personalised number plate ending ‘TEE’.  This car took all the same turns off the motorway and subsequently towards the golf club that they assumed that they were going to the same golf club.  So convinced were they that they ignored their satnav when close to the final destination that they followed this car and turned right when the satnav instructed them to turn left.  I was therefore 10 minutes late arriving!