HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Just back from a thoroughly enjoyable day at the GM Challenge at Royal Ascot. The weather was perfect and apart from 2 temporary greens the course was in perfect condition.
Before I reveal the outcome of the match between myself and Dave (realgolferuk) and Jezz Ellwood (GM equipment editor) and John Thynne (assistant editor) I should point out to anyone looking to play these guys that they are not only the nicest guys you could play with but some of the sharpest golfers. There got my excuse in early.
After the bacon rolls, coffee and usual pre-match banter it was onto the 1st for the obligatory picutres. Once these were out the way it was game on.
The 1st is 229 yards and Jezz hit his tee shot into the trap pin high. The forum lads both missed the target and when Jezz splashed close and holed out it was one down. Onthe 2nd (par 5 535 yards played to a temp green) I was on in regulation as was John for the mag but some 20 foot away. I two putted for a 5 net 4 and then recoiled in horror as John holed his putt for a 4 net 3 (eagle). 2 down
I managed to stop the bleeding with a half at the next. The 4th is 320 yards and Jezz proceeded to drive it to withing 5 yards of the green and 2 putt to put us 3 down. We hadn't done anything wrong!!!
We managed to stop the bleeding at the 5th thanks to a great long putt from Dave for a par. The 6th is 178 yards (par 3) and John managed to knock it stiff to get in on the act with a birdie. 4 down.
The 7th is stroke index 2 and with a decent drive and a shot just short I managed to 2 putt for a net 3 and finally a win for the GM forum team. It was shortlived as Jezz put his tee shot at the par 3 8th to about a foot and another birdie. Dave then came into his own and made a courageous half at the 9th to leave us trailing by 4 at the turn. At this point Jezz was 1 under gross.
Into the back 9 and hopefully a change of fortune. Sadly not as two bad tee shots by the forum team handed the GM team an easy win. On the 11th I managed to hit the green as did John and Jezza. Sadly my putter decided to go on strike and I 3 stabbed and when John made par (net birdie) it was 6 down and looking bleak.
On the 12th the GM team managed another half as both Dave and I made 5's (net pars). On the 13th (186 yard par 3) the green was a temp but Dave hit a great tee shot to within 1o foot. Jezz got up and down for a 3 and when Dave's putt didn't quite have the legs to drop it was time for handshakes and a 6&5 stuffing.
We played the remainder of the course and the tone continued. Jezz was bombing the ball miles of the tee and hitting every green. John was more erratic but played some great recoveries and every putt seemed to drop. I managed to finish with a nice par at 18 to match Jezz's and it was time to check the individual cards. Once the scores were added up Jezz had played the course in 1 over gross (4 under his handicap).
Neither Dave or I played as well as we had yesterday but in our defence we were blown away by a barrage of 5 birdies (either gross or net) in the space of 7 holes and never really recovered.
In the other game my regular partner Rob (the 28 handicap bandit) and his son Jamie took on Paul O'Hagan (who does much to maintain the forum and plays off 5) and Luke Norman (senior staff writer and off 8).
This match was much closer and evenly matched but was finally won 3&2 by the Royal Ascot team to give the GM forum a deserved half. As I had mentioned in previous posts Rob is a bit of a bandit (but can't play once you stick a medal card in his hand!!) and scored 23 points for the front 9. His son hadn't played for 3 months but was hitting it miles and putting well. In the end the GM boys both played below their handicaps and ended up on the losing side.
We retired to the clubhouse for the usual post match analysis. It was beef curry or ham egg and chips and I think the curry boys were well fed with huge amounts being delivered to the table. John Thynne in particular seemed to like it although there were cascades of "curry sweat" on his forehead as he ploughed through it.
So there we have it, an honourable draw for the forum. I think everyone enjoyed the day. the weather was great and the course was in good condition for the time of year.
Whoever gets chosen for the next one will have a day to remember but try not to run into Jezz and John on one of their "hot" days.
Before I reveal the outcome of the match between myself and Dave (realgolferuk) and Jezz Ellwood (GM equipment editor) and John Thynne (assistant editor) I should point out to anyone looking to play these guys that they are not only the nicest guys you could play with but some of the sharpest golfers. There got my excuse in early.
After the bacon rolls, coffee and usual pre-match banter it was onto the 1st for the obligatory picutres. Once these were out the way it was game on.
The 1st is 229 yards and Jezz hit his tee shot into the trap pin high. The forum lads both missed the target and when Jezz splashed close and holed out it was one down. Onthe 2nd (par 5 535 yards played to a temp green) I was on in regulation as was John for the mag but some 20 foot away. I two putted for a 5 net 4 and then recoiled in horror as John holed his putt for a 4 net 3 (eagle). 2 down
I managed to stop the bleeding with a half at the next. The 4th is 320 yards and Jezz proceeded to drive it to withing 5 yards of the green and 2 putt to put us 3 down. We hadn't done anything wrong!!!
We managed to stop the bleeding at the 5th thanks to a great long putt from Dave for a par. The 6th is 178 yards (par 3) and John managed to knock it stiff to get in on the act with a birdie. 4 down.
The 7th is stroke index 2 and with a decent drive and a shot just short I managed to 2 putt for a net 3 and finally a win for the GM forum team. It was shortlived as Jezz put his tee shot at the par 3 8th to about a foot and another birdie. Dave then came into his own and made a courageous half at the 9th to leave us trailing by 4 at the turn. At this point Jezz was 1 under gross.
Into the back 9 and hopefully a change of fortune. Sadly not as two bad tee shots by the forum team handed the GM team an easy win. On the 11th I managed to hit the green as did John and Jezza. Sadly my putter decided to go on strike and I 3 stabbed and when John made par (net birdie) it was 6 down and looking bleak.
On the 12th the GM team managed another half as both Dave and I made 5's (net pars). On the 13th (186 yard par 3) the green was a temp but Dave hit a great tee shot to within 1o foot. Jezz got up and down for a 3 and when Dave's putt didn't quite have the legs to drop it was time for handshakes and a 6&5 stuffing.
We played the remainder of the course and the tone continued. Jezz was bombing the ball miles of the tee and hitting every green. John was more erratic but played some great recoveries and every putt seemed to drop. I managed to finish with a nice par at 18 to match Jezz's and it was time to check the individual cards. Once the scores were added up Jezz had played the course in 1 over gross (4 under his handicap).
Neither Dave or I played as well as we had yesterday but in our defence we were blown away by a barrage of 5 birdies (either gross or net) in the space of 7 holes and never really recovered.
In the other game my regular partner Rob (the 28 handicap bandit) and his son Jamie took on Paul O'Hagan (who does much to maintain the forum and plays off 5) and Luke Norman (senior staff writer and off 8).
This match was much closer and evenly matched but was finally won 3&2 by the Royal Ascot team to give the GM forum a deserved half. As I had mentioned in previous posts Rob is a bit of a bandit (but can't play once you stick a medal card in his hand!!) and scored 23 points for the front 9. His son hadn't played for 3 months but was hitting it miles and putting well. In the end the GM boys both played below their handicaps and ended up on the losing side.
We retired to the clubhouse for the usual post match analysis. It was beef curry or ham egg and chips and I think the curry boys were well fed with huge amounts being delivered to the table. John Thynne in particular seemed to like it although there were cascades of "curry sweat" on his forehead as he ploughed through it.
So there we have it, an honourable draw for the forum. I think everyone enjoyed the day. the weather was great and the course was in good condition for the time of year.
Whoever gets chosen for the next one will have a day to remember but try not to run into Jezz and John on one of their "hot" days.
, 18 inches left of target for a gimme birdie....
