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WIN a spot in the Benross Be Our Tour Pro event

Enjoy the day Rick - the Benross kit is very underrated, really enjoying my Benross RIP driver, 3 wood and hybrid.

Say hi to Austin for me!
 
Hi mate.... what happened? was expecting some kind of report.... did you win? did the chopper get off the ground?.... any babes around? :p Hope it went well for you.... :thup:
 
JustOne said:
Hi mate.... what happened? was expecting some kind of report.... did you win? did the chopper get off the ground?.... any babes around? :p Hope it went well for you.... :thup:
Click to expand...

Hi mate, just haven't had chance to post anything and been in Prague the last 2 days.
Had an absolute blast over the 2 days at West Hill. It started lunchtime Thursday where we congregated in the bar to meet the Benross team and the other competitors, 13 who had won via buying a Benross club, last years winner, and myself via the GM comp.

The Benross team were a great laugh and made us feel at home, John the owner and Scott (Austin Powers) are real diamond geezers. The Benross team are a close knit community and really enjoy themselves at work, and as I was to find out later, at play!!
Nothing was too much trouble for them, including my additional request for a hybrid to bridge the gap between the 20 degree I'd been fitted for and the 3 wood. So there waiting for me was a 17 degree hybrid.

I'd also requested a swapout of the 56 wedge for a 58. Rob, (the guy I'd been dealing with by email prior to the event) advised me that they didn't currently have any 58 degree heads, but then they showed what sort of company they are by giving me the 58 degree model from next years range, not even launched yet!! Talk about service!:thup:

We had a practice round arranged for approx 2:30, but before that was some short game tuition, starting with putting drills with the local pro and then a real treat as we had a bunker masterclass from English golfing legend Neil Coles MBE. One of Neil's claims to fame is that he is only the second golfer after Sam Snead to win a pro tournament in 6 different decades.
We played the practice rounds in our teams ( it was an individual as well as team event). I was drawn with Neil, a 13 handicapper and Henrik, a 22 handicapper from Norway.
The practice round went well and I ended up with 36 points which included a blob. The new Benross irons were performing well considering I had only played 3 rounds with them and was still getting used to the yardages. I think I was comfortably the highest scorer and had quickly become the bookies favourite to win the event the next day :o

After a post round drink, it was then off to the fabulous Brooklands hotel for dinner and a few more drinks........I say a few, but a certain Mr Mike Harris and Paul O Hagan had other plans, and so it was that I eventually crawled into my pit at approx 3 am! (there seems to be a trend emerging at the Benross tournament as I recall a similar fate befell Swinger last year).

The chopper was due to take us to West Hill at 7:30, so after only 3 hours sleep I dragged myself down to brekkie with the mother of all hangovers only to find a blanket of thick fog had delayed the helicopter. We were told it would probably be an hours delay, but even when the fog had lifted over Brooklands it hadn't cleared at Dunstable where the helicopter was coming from. So the decision was made to head off to West Hill and the plan was for us to have the helicopter ride after the golf.

We'd all been kitted out in Benross gear, the colours matching the 5 different teams.. We were in Black for Team RIP, or R.I.P as it should have been re-named :p Very nice clothing it was as well with Glenmuir shirts and jumpers and a waterproof jacket and trousers.
We arrived at West Hill to find the course looking as good as I've ever seen it and the sun was starting to burn the last of the fog away.

The competition was due to start at 12:30, but before then it was off to make up before we had our photoshoot......individual as well as teams, then a group shoot. These took ages as the photographer and his assistants were very particular about the look they wanted, arranging and then rearranging us all, move that arm out, chin up, heel out, arms folded, etc etc.

Photos all finished, it was time for a quick lunch then meet the caddies. They were all wearing bibs with our names on them.....my caddy was called Ginge.
Time for more photos and interviews (I had more than the others as Mike and Paul had their own GM photographer on site) and then it was off to the first tee where Neil Coles hit the opening drive to kick it all off........a superbly hit shot straight down the middle and pretty impressive for an 80 year old.

The ladies team were up first and then it was Team RIP. I was first up and somehow managed to launch a 3 wood 245 yards straight down the centre to my enormous relief. Unfortunately it was the best shot I hit in the first 4 holes as a combination of nerves and alcohol took their toll. The putts that had been dropping yesterday were now lipping out and I was struggling to find the greens with my approach shots. So 4 holes gone and only a point a hole to show for it.....it was 3/4 handicap so I only had 5 shots to play with.
A birdie at the 5th however settled me down and I started to compile a score. I needed to as well, as Henrik, who yesterday had really struggled could do no wrong....he ended up with 18 on the front nine, which off 3/4 was pretty impressive. Myself and Neil limped to 14 each.
It was at this point that Henrik decided to show us why he was a 22 handicapper and proceeded to amass a mere 6 points over the closing 9 holes....myself and Neil were neck and neck and had overhauled Henrik's lead by the 13th. Neil was 3 ahead of me though as he parred a couple to bag himself back to back 3 pointers around the same time my putter went cold again.

We knew the other teams weren't doing much as there was a halfway leaderboard and also one at the 15th. Only one other player had similar points to myself and Neil and it was one of the girls......she'd only scored 11 on the front nine, but had gone on a par run to put her right up there.
I drew level with Neil after a 3 point par at the 16th to his bogie and I knew a par / par finish would probably give me a good chance of the win.
West Hill however had other ideas and as I stood on the 17th tee, a par 5 that I'd birdied the day before, a moment of indecision over my tee shot cost me. My caddie had handed me my driver and started to walk on ahead to keep an eye on the balls. I'd hit a 3 wood the previous day and fancied the same shot again, so I had to race up to the caddie and get it.....by the time I got back to the tee, a gust of wind had appeared and I changed my mind and decided to hit driver after all.........big mistake...a pull found the heather and not a good lie....trees were blocking my route forward so I could only hack it out.....unfortunately I found the heather again....the next shot caught a low hanging branch and yesterday's birdie for 3 points turned into a disastrous blob.......the only silver lining was that Neil had also blobbed, so we were still all square stood on 18.
A par here yesterday at the tough finishing par 4 was a great finish to my round but it couldn't have been more different today as I blocked the tee shot right......heather again!! I managed to get a club on it but only found the bunker around 40 yards short of the green....right up against the face!! A better than expected shot out still gave me an up and down chance but I missed the 5 foot putt for back to back blobs!!!! Neil had managed just the 1 point but it was enough to pip me....in the end, we were both beaten by the lady who had managed an amazing run to shoot level gross over the last 8 holes........ I lost to her by 3 points......a par par finish would indeed have been enough for the win........
It was not all doom and gloom though as we managed to win the team prize and I came away with yet another claret jug, my 3rd this year.
More interviews and photos were followed by a curry washed down with a pint before the helicopter landed next to the 18th green, much to the surprise of some West Hill members who were trying to play their approach shots.
A 5 minute trip around the Surrey countryside gave us great views on neighbouring Woking and Worplesdon before coming back into land at West Hill.

Even though I was disappointed at missing out on the individual trophy, I was thrilled with the team prize and, apart from my lacklustre performance in the final, I reflected on what had been a great run of golf for me starting at Blackmoor on the Sunday, then 35 points at HFH at North Hants where I was also 2nd in the lowest gross comp (and won the putting comp). I'd scored another 35 points at Tidworth to claim second place and the 36 points in the practice round. Like I said before, its early days with the Benross clubs, but they are showing promising signs and I'm still playing some great golf.
The Tin Hut and Tedworth House visits had put my golf into perspective for me and I somehow feel more relaxed over my shots and less anxious about the outcome. I'm trying to continue this feeling as I hope to make some inroads into the handicap before the season closes.

All that remains is for me to say a huge thanks to Golf Monthly and Benross who couldn't have looked after me better...(apart from Mike and Paul trying to sabotage my chances on Thursday night!).

If next years lucky winner enjoys it half as much as I did, then they will have a whale of a time.

Apologies for the Homeresque blog......I can assure everyone I have no intention of starting one!

Pictures to follow......
 
1st piccie from the Thursday evening probably helps explains why I didn't win.

49379fbe36cc94cfe310f9643d484611.jpg


1ce17dedd0d5d8262b6f0c645c46d73f.jpg


856265510086b6d65862743207aa8a8d.jpg


2643c7f7df4a5ee957c734fa9cd9859b.jpg
 
Brilliant Rick, so glad you enjoyed it. I don't quite get the "be a pro" bit in your case - you play so much we all thought you were pro!

Great write up!
 
Well done Rick a very good write up of your day and of course your overall week.
It was a pleasure to play with you for 2 rounds as usual.
Sounds like you had a great time with Benross and im sure you represented yourself,GM and
the forum with pride and passion.
Congrats on your week even if its starting to look like your becoming the nearly man.:D
Enjoy your rest because im sure all the effort you have put in will start to catch up with you,
you deserve it.
 
rickg said:
Hi mate, just haven't had chance to post anything and been in Prague the last 2 days.
Had an absolute blast over the 2 days at West Hill. It started lunchtime Thursday where we congregated in the bar to meet the Benross team and the other competitors, 13 who had won via buying a Benross club, last years winner, and myself via the GM comp.

The Benross team were a great laugh and made us feel at home, John the owner and Scott (Austin Powers) are real diamond geezers. The Benross team are a close knit community and really enjoy themselves at work, and as I was to find out later, at play!!
Nothing was too much trouble for them, including my additional request for a hybrid to bridge the gap between the 20 degree I'd been fitted for and the 3 wood. So there waiting for me was a 17 degree hybrid.

I'd also requested a swapout of the 56 wedge for a 58. Rob, (the guy I'd been dealing with by email prior to the event) advised me that they didn't currently have any 58 degree heads, but then they showed what sort of company they are by giving me the 58 degree model from next years range, not even launched yet!! Talk about service!:thup:

We had a practice round arranged for approx 2:30, but before that was some short game tuition, starting with putting drills with the local pro and then a real treat as we had a bunker masterclass from English golfing legend Neil Coles MBE. One of Neil's claims to fame is that he is only the second golfer after Sam Snead to win a pro tournament in 6 different decades.
We played the practice rounds in our teams ( it was an individual as well as team event). I was drawn with Neil, a 13 handicapper and Henrik, a 22 handicapper from Norway.
The practice round went well and I ended up with 36 points which included a blob. The new Benross irons were performing well considering I had only played 3 rounds with them and was still getting used to the yardages. I think I was comfortably the highest scorer and had quickly become the bookies favourite to win the event the next day :o

After a post round drink, it was then off to the fabulous Brooklands hotel for dinner and a few more drinks........I say a few, but a certain Mr Mike Harris and Paul O Hagan had other plans, and so it was that I eventually crawled into my pit at approx 3 am! (there seems to be a trend emerging at the Benross tournament as I recall a similar fate befell Swinger last year).

The chopper was due to take us to West Hill at 7:30, so after only 3 hours sleep I dragged myself down to brekkie with the mother of all hangovers only to find a blanket of thick fog had delayed the helicopter. We were told it would probably be an hours delay, but even when the fog had lifted over Brooklands it hadn't cleared at Dunstable where the helicopter was coming from. So the decision was made to head off to West Hill and the plan was for us to have the helicopter ride after the golf.

We'd all been kitted out in Benross gear, the colours matching the 5 different teams.. We were in Black for Team RIP, or R.I.P as it should have been re-named :p Very nice clothing it was as well with Glenmuir shirts and jumpers and a waterproof jacket and trousers.
We arrived at West Hill to find the course looking as good as I've ever seen it and the sun was starting to burn the last of the fog away.

The competition was due to start at 12:30, but before then it was off to make up before we had our photoshoot......individual as well as teams, then a group shoot. These took ages as the photographer and his assistants were very particular about the look they wanted, arranging and then rearranging us all, move that arm out, chin up, heel out, arms folded, etc etc.

Photos all finished, it was time for a quick lunch then meet the caddies. They were all wearing bibs with our names on them.....my caddy was called Ginge.
Time for more photos and interviews (I had more than the others as Mike and Paul had their own GM photographer on site) and then it was off to the first tee where Neil Coles hit the opening drive to kick it all off........a superbly hit shot straight down the middle and pretty impressive for an 80 year old.

The ladies team were up first and then it was Team RIP. I was first up and somehow managed to launch a 3 wood 245 yards straight down the centre to my enormous relief. Unfortunately it was the best shot I hit in the first 4 holes as a combination of nerves and alcohol took their toll. The putts that had been dropping yesterday were now lipping out and I was struggling to find the greens with my approach shots. So 4 holes gone and only a point a hole to show for it.....it was 3/4 handicap so I only had 5 shots to play with.
A birdie at the 5th however settled me down and I started to compile a score. I needed to as well, as Henrik, who yesterday had really struggled could do no wrong....he ended up with 18 on the front nine, which off 3/4 was pretty impressive. Myself and Neil limped to 14 each.
It was at this point that Henrik decided to show us why he was a 22 handicapper and proceeded to amass a mere 6 points over the closing 9 holes....myself and Neil were neck and neck and had overhauled Henrik's lead by the 13th. Neil was 3 ahead of me though as he parred a couple to bag himself back to back 3 pointers around the same time my putter went cold again.

We knew the other teams weren't doing much as there was a halfway leaderboard and also one at the 15th. Only one other player had similar points to myself and Neil and it was one of the girls......she'd only scored 11 on the front nine, but had gone on a par run to put her right up there.
I drew level with Neil after a 3 point par at the 16th to his bogie and I knew a par / par finish would probably give me a good chance of the win.
West Hill however had other ideas and as I stood on the 17th tee, a par 5 that I'd birdied the day before, a moment of indecision over my tee shot cost me. My caddie had handed me my driver and started to walk on ahead to keep an eye on the balls. I'd hit a 3 wood the previous day and fancied the same shot again, so I had to race up to the caddie and get it.....by the time I got back to the tee, a gust of wind had appeared and I changed my mind and decided to hit driver after all.........big mistake...a pull found the heather and not a good lie....trees were blocking my route forward so I could only hack it out.....unfortunately I found the heather again....the next shot caught a low hanging branch and yesterday's birdie for 3 points turned into a disastrous blob.......the only silver lining was that Neil had also blobbed, so we were still all square stood on 18.
A par here yesterday at the tough finishing par 4 was a great finish to my round but it couldn't have been more different today as I blocked the tee shot right......heather again!! I managed to get a club on it but only found the bunker around 40 yards short of the green....right up against the face!! A better than expected shot out still gave me an up and down chance but I missed the 5 foot putt for back to back blobs!!!! Neil had managed just the 1 point but it was enough to pip me....in the end, we were both beaten by the lady who had managed an amazing run to shoot level gross over the last 8 holes........ I lost to her by 3 points......a par par finish would indeed have been enough for the win........
It was not all doom and gloom though as we managed to win the team prize and I came away with yet another claret jug, my 3rd this year.
More interviews and photos were followed by a curry washed down with a pint before the helicopter landed next to the 18th green, much to the surprise of some West Hill members who were trying to play their approach shots.
A 5 minute trip around the Surrey countryside gave us great views on neighbouring Woking and Worplesdon before coming back into land at West Hill.

Even though I was disappointed at missing out on the individual trophy, I was thrilled with the team prize and, apart from my lacklustre performance in the final, I reflected on what had been a great run of golf for me starting at Blackmoor on the Sunday, then 35 points at HFH at North Hants where I was also 2nd in the lowest gross comp (and won the putting comp). I'd scored another 35 points at Tidworth to claim second place and the 36 points in the practice round. Like I said before, its early days with the Benross clubs, but they are showing promising signs and I'm still playing some great golf.
The Tin Hut and Tedworth House visits had put my golf into perspective for me and I somehow feel more relaxed over my shots and less anxious about the outcome. I'm trying to continue this feeling as I hope to make some inroads into the handicap before the season closes.

All that remains is for me to say a huge thanks to Golf Monthly and Benross who couldn't have looked after me better...(apart from Mike and Paul trying to sabotage my chances on Thursday night!).

If next years lucky winner enjoys it half as much as I did, then they will have a whale of a time.

Apologies for the Homeresque blog......I can assure everyone I have no intention of starting one!

Pictures to follow......
Click to expand...
nice write up, sorry I missed it yesterday but I was flying back from a day trip to New York to finalise the apartment we just bought:whistle:
I'll read it later on the plane going to a concert in Paris tonight.:whistle:
 
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