The Drive in!!!

Well, formally driven in, down the 10th!!!

Rock hard fairways, partnered by Pete Keena (Pest Captain!), was keeping check on Drive distances all the way round!

Saw Paul Stubbs before I went out and he told me that Elaine, the Lady Captain had "driven in" the day before and hit a 167yard drive, so I had a target to aim for! Not the record held by Trevor, but to try to beat Elaine's score.

We had set up a sweepstake again, so if nothing else we would raise some cash for Help for Heroes!

So I had 18 holes to get the swing honed and prepare for the Drive in down the 10th. Ben Hallam, the Junior Captain was going to drive in as well and he wennt out with Luke Williams, another Junior, his Father Mark and an old colleague of mine, Rob Barrett!

Just over 200yds down the first, the next shot with a 3wood went 250 plus! (Perhaps I should hit a 3 wood....doubts setting in already!)

3rd hole 215, 4th 220, 5th 210, looking good!

7th, blocked into the water!

8th, we're off the back tees.......nice easy swing and with a kick off the "melling road", safely across...210.

9th was a bit of a cut shot, but still 190!!!

First go at the 10th and a nice fade off the tree for 226 yards. (I'd settle for that!!!)

12th and a solid 235yards, lay up on 13 and then tugged left on 14 into the hazard and 50p in the honest box!!! (Hit into any of the many water hazards on 14 and it's a fine to the Captain's Charity)

Solid drive, if safe up 15, but a pull left on 16 and on 18, not exactly the set up I wanted for my Drive.

After rounding everyone who had stayed to see me, it was off to the 10th tee. Added pressure as Shaz, the kids and Granny Mo were here to watch!

I asked Keith Tipping the Seniors Captain if he wanted a go, he said I could drive for him!

Rob Hendry had managed to make it and as President, he informed me that it had to be off the Blue Tee.

So GPS set ready to measure the drive, I set the ball on the tee and prepared to drive.

Surprisingly calm, I made a nice smooth sawing, but pulled it down the left. Oh well, it was a strong hit, but probably in the pond.

"That was for the Seniors!"

Up stepped Ben and a majestically youthful swin saw the ball launched down the fairway. Solid.

Now for my go (again)

The adrenaline must have kicked in as this time the ball felt solid as it came of the club, launched down the centre of the fairway with a slight fade! Crowd happy, it was off the check the distances!

First ball in hazard, on ice, checked.......221 yards

Second Ball in fairway......242 yards

Ben's ball........................277 yards.

Back to the clubhouse to announce the results!!!!


Thanks to everyone who stayed to support me and to those who got back. At 21, this was the biggest gallery I'd ever played in front of!!!