First competition at new club

[Break90]

Played yesterday morning in my first competition since joining my new club. Comp was a stable ford, non-qualifier, on the Wandlebury course.

Teed off at 915 in a 3ball with two guys I'd never met until I walked onto the tee, a 6hcp and an 8hcp. Light rain showers for the first 5-6 holes, then sunshine all the way round, but very very windy.

Managed to control my nerves well enough up the first (par5) despite a low hooky drive, two decent strikes followed which saw me pin high in 3, a chip and two putts got me 2 points.

Two more followed at the second despite another scratchy drive, before a duck hook on the third tee saw me reload and eventually blob.

Settled down on the fourth with a par, bogeyed 5,6,7&8, and parred 9 to turn with 16 points.

Driving settled down on the back 9, one or two hooky ones but mainly ok and no really damaging ones. Some decent iron shots into greens, a couple of scrambles for pars and a lipped-out birdie putt on the last saw me finish with 19 on the back for a total of 35 points.

Don't think it will be enough to place, there were about 70 Div2 entrants, but I certainly didn't embarrass myself, and I'm learning more and more about the course every time I play it (4th round yesterday)

 

[anotherdouble]

Well done and a good start to your competition life at your new home. Long may it continue.

 

[bladeplayer]

nice start it will be good to get the first few comps under your belt , you will get more familiar & comfortable as it goes along ..

 

[Crow]

Well played, not easy in your first comp at the club and to be playing with two single figure guys, great scoring in the conditions.

 

[virtuocity]

Well done!

So, from what you witnessed, what made the other players better than you?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

First time out, playing with strangers off single figures and in tricky conditions. I'd be quite happy with that first performance

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Fantastic first competition, what a great start 35 points. :thup:

 

[richart]

More importantly have you made a couple of friends that you can play with again? You don't want to be the new boy for too long.

Well played.

 

[Break90]

Well done!

So, from what you witnessed, what made the other players better than you?

Consistency from the tee was the glaringly obvious difference, they both seemed to hit solid drives on every hole, not hitting every fairway but not putting themselves in any trouble. My driving was really iffy on the front nine, I reckon I lost at least 2 or 3 points on the front nine alone due to bad drives.

 

[Break90]

More importantly have you made a couple of friends that you can play with again? You don't want to be the new boy for too long.

Well played.

Good question, we got on pretty well, had a couple of drinks and a bit of lunch afterwards in the bar.

On the start sheets, most of the groups appear to be regular 3 balls who play together week in week out, so currently I'm finding gaps and joining a two ball. The two guys on Saturday normally play as a 3 ball, the third guy dropped out on Friday due to illness.


To be honest, i have no probs with playing with different people each week, I'm used to random draws each week at my previous club, so until I find a regular two ball that I get along well with I'll continue as I am.

What I definitely need to get sorted is a playing partner for the 4BBB and foursomes knockouts later in the year.

theres a 'new members evening' in a couple of weeks, so I'm hoping to be able to get something sorted then.

 

[Michael1227]

Very nice! Keep it up

 

[fenwayrich]

Well done with your first effort. I am in a similar position, recently got a handicap and playing my first comp for 20 odd years next Thursday, will be happy with mid 30's.

 

[Break90]

Very nice email came through today from howdidido, I ended up 3rd in Division 2, 36 points won the division in the end. 46 players in Div 2 so rather pleased with that.

 

[mcbroon]

Good going in your first comp and well done for jumping in and playing with randoms.

I did that for most of last year after my regular partner got injured and I'm certain I wouldn't have met as many people if he'd been fit.