Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Found myself with an unexpected Monday off so decided to play in my first "official" competition since rejoining Crowborough last month. "Midweek" Stableford, which sounded a bit funny being on a Monday, but never mind. Weather forecast was really good, and it turned out to be a gorgeous day down here, nudging 18 degrees according to the temp gauge in the car.
Anyway, I was well up for it, stood on the first tee and smacked a nice drive straight down the middle. Easy 8 iron in, set myself up for birdie. Bit cheesed off when I got on the green to find that it hadn't been swished, but hey ho. My birdie attempt just came up a tad short, but it was a tap in 4 for 3 points. Nice start.
Messed the 2nd up a bit, tough par 4, walked off with double bogie after 3 putting on the wet green from my chip after missing with my long approach. Parred the short par 3 3rd, and then birdied the par 4 4th. No stroke there so only 3 points. Then parred the tough par 4 5th for a good 3 points. So 12 points off the 1st 5 holes, striking the ball really well, and thinking "this could be my day".
Then greenkeepers came out from every direction and started hollow tining the greens!! I couldn't believe it. I know it's work that has to be done, but in the middle of a competition?????
Every green from there on in was tined, putting was a lottery and although I managed to hold it together reasonably well on the front 9 to finish on 19 points, I collapsed like a pack of cards on the back to only card 11 more. I think I had 5x3 putts and a 4 putt in there somewhere along with a blob on a par 3 where I found the worst lie in a bunker that I have ever found.
Surely they could have waited until tomorrow when the course is clear to start maintenance????
Anyway, I was well up for it, stood on the first tee and smacked a nice drive straight down the middle. Easy 8 iron in, set myself up for birdie. Bit cheesed off when I got on the green to find that it hadn't been swished, but hey ho. My birdie attempt just came up a tad short, but it was a tap in 4 for 3 points. Nice start.
Messed the 2nd up a bit, tough par 4, walked off with double bogie after 3 putting on the wet green from my chip after missing with my long approach. Parred the short par 3 3rd, and then birdied the par 4 4th. No stroke there so only 3 points. Then parred the tough par 4 5th for a good 3 points. So 12 points off the 1st 5 holes, striking the ball really well, and thinking "this could be my day".
Then greenkeepers came out from every direction and started hollow tining the greens!! I couldn't believe it. I know it's work that has to be done, but in the middle of a competition?????
Every green from there on in was tined, putting was a lottery and although I managed to hold it together reasonably well on the front 9 to finish on 19 points, I collapsed like a pack of cards on the back to only card 11 more. I think I had 5x3 putts and a 4 putt in there somewhere along with a blob on a par 3 where I found the worst lie in a bunker that I have ever found.
Surely they could have waited until tomorrow when the course is clear to start maintenance????