Biggest wettest windiest GM Forum outing yet. The report

[John_Findlay]

Hi chaps,

Just back from the forum outing at Craigielaw GC. I'm still drying out.

To say that the weather was inclement would be to put it mildly. It all started so promisingly with 17 of the expected 19 turning out in perfect order. 14 forumers and 3 guests. A dry but windy day was expected. Here's what we actually got. Someone gimme shelter!

You'll see from the lack of photos that photography was not on my mind in these conditions. Two particularly bad squalls unfortunately put paid to the hopes of our last two fourballs, who suffered most..... so only 9 out of 17 scored! The conditions were truly hard work. My most used club was my 2 iron...and that was mainly from 130 yards! When the sun broke through the wind remained at top speed.

Did we have fun, though? Course we did. Good banter.

Just for the record, our leader, Mike Harris picked up the winners spot with 27 (count them...27) points. Well done, Mike. Just shows you southerners can play in the wind! I was 2nd on 26, Atticus was 3rd on 24, Toad, IM02 & Brian on 23, Clarky on 22, StuartD on 20 and BIGDEAN on 19. The rest....well.

Psychojoe won the nearest the pin on the 17th. Well done, Joe.
Atticus bombed a drive 387 yards to win longest drive....with a light helping breeze. Cracker, Alan. Well done.


There was a lovely rainbow at one point, though. Here, look.
http://gallery.me.com/johnfindlay#100228

Thanks to all for turning out and to Mike for putting up some prizes too. You are heroes, all, especially those who travelled some distance. One day we'll get the weather just right, lads. Portugal anyone?


Stories of 4 putting, lost balls, dodgy pin placements and ludicrous wind to follow, I'm sure.

Great to see all the regulars again and Ivan (not Ivor) who travelled all the way from Goswick to battle it out manfully. Top show, sir.

 

[birdieman]

John,

You should all get Campaign Medals for getting on the course today, a brave effort!

Unlucky about the weather but I'm sure it was better than working...wasn't it?

 

[DCB]

Well, we survived, just!

A tad breezy at times but still good fun and good banter with all concerned.

The weather was a bit inclement so there arent as many pics as I'd intended to take today.

Boabski sank some of his best putts before the off. Practice green was easy though!

The first hole awaited. Easy downwind par 4. Only several cavernous bunkers to avoid before hitting the right to left sloping green. Easy.

J_F launching into his opening drive, he did hit the green but two putted, tut,tut.

The sensible ones out for a wee challenge after the storm! We were fed, watered and warmed up by this point.

A new form of golf, the sixsome! Great to be in front of a twoball cause there's more of us than them!

Great day out other than the weather. Good to see everyone again. After Atticus_Finch's drive at the 5th see the new thread, Is Atticus_Finch a Cheat? Must be something in his porridge !

Thanks for organising the event John.

ps Madandra, did that camera on the A1 flash at you?

 

[John_Findlay]

It's a sad day when the highlight of your round is your first shot, Dave! Very proud, very proud.

Good photos, those.

Here's Ivan, after he's dried out.

And Dean in full flow.

 

[Tommo21]

Madandra said it was okay and sent me out in the rain. So I'm still in the bath and I'll post later.....much later.

Monday or so.

 

[big_russ]

DCB
You sure that is J_F in the second picture? Looks more like Norman Wisdom to me.

From the pictures the weather looked super although wind and rain can soil any good day.
Hope you all enjoyed it.

 

[Toad]

Had a great day thanks for organising it John.

Apart from the odd rain shower and 60Mph wind it was a very enjoyable day with great company as usual.

Looking forward to the next one.

 

[thomas1981]

Working today in cumbernauld near falkirk so got a good gauge on just how bad the weather was today.
Well done lads and sure a great time was had by all.

 

[USER1999]

Dean, your trousers look full of wind!

Ooh, er.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Great pictures and great stories

 

[madandra]

The only thing that flashed at me was my life before my eyes when faced with arctic weather.

 

[flandango]

looks like you all had a great day boys!

 

[TonyN]

Argh you scottish lads, you go on aboot the wind and temps up there like it's nothin but wen it's gets a little wet, jebus ya like little girls

Just kiddin guys am only jealous. Great pics and sounds like you had alot of fun.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

Another excellent day out, regardless of the weather.
Big thanks go out to John and Mike for the organizing and to the rest of the guys for making it another successful meet. Can't wait for the next one, although perhaps we can play somewhere a wee bit warmer next time? Here's my suggestion..... Somewhere warmer

 

[John_Findlay]

I'm loving Dave's photos of the guys in the long shadows. I just think that's a very emotive golfing scene for some reason. Maybe takes me back to playing twilight golf as a youngster. It makes those bunkers look very menacing.

Great photography, Dave. Did you get any more or were the hands too numb?

 

[DCB]

Just woke up this morning and thought it was all a bad dream, however the drying waterproofs and clubs around the place this morning tell a different story.

There's a few more pics worth putting up, so,here we go,

Toad, StuartD, Atticus _Finch before the storm!

J_F, BigDean, Ivan

It's Friday, It's 5 oclock and it's time for.....


Other than that, the weather took its toll on the number and quality of the pics taken.

Looking back it was an awful day, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Feel free to copy any of the pics you want guys.

 

[Smiffy]

Well done for braving it as you did.
Rather you than me!
Awful when crap weather spoils a day that you have been looking forward to for ages.

 

[HTL]

Good stuff lads, sounds like you all had a blast! We so need to arrange a big forum meet!

Liverpool, next year?

 

[John_Findlay]

Mike was talking about the Manchester area maybe for a Grand Summer Forum Outing. Would be great to get together for an overnighter so that we can have an aftermatch beer and not need to rush off straight afterwards.

 

[RGuk]

Mike was talking about the Manchester area maybe for a Grand Summer Forum Outing. Would be great to get together for an overnighter so that we can have an aftermatch beer and not need to rush off straight afterwards.

I approve! I would have come up J_F but the journey was bad enough last time.....I reckon it's quicker from London.

Thanks for posting the report and well done to all on those pics....