I knew after last weeks match that the next round of the Winter League KO today was going to be tough. Gary Leese beat Bob Aston last week and was a good 16 handicapper, so playing him off scratch was going to be a big ask!
Practiced on Friday with Rob Barrett and was striking the ball well and the putting was good. The greens here at Wychwood are in good nick for the time of year, in fact the whole of the course is in great condition considering the weather we've had.
Got a call from my parents on Saturday evening and they suggested that we go away with them for a long weekend to celebrate their wedding anniversary. What about York?
Only one problem, it;s the weekend of the Winter League Knockout competition! I know, it's only the quarter final, but you need to plan ahead! So additional incentive to win!
Woke up to frost! I know what this was going to mean.......temporary greens. Mixed blessing. Shorter course, but putting skills negated. Could be a bit of a lottery!
Still, if I could put Gary under pressure I'm sure he might crack!
Dr Pughe and Phil Robinson were making up the 4 ball, so it would be entertaining anyway.
Gary hit a long drive down the first and I hit a decent tee shot, bit longer than normal, but that might have been something to do with the frost!
After 3 shots there was nothing in it, but a chip to within a foot by Gary left me with a 10ft putt for a par and a halved hole. I missed. 1 down.
Second halved in 4 and a miracle 4 from me on 3 to snatch another half!
Then fairway bunkers on 4 and 5 cost me 2 holes. 3 down after 5!!! A par beat my bogie on 6 and I'm 6 down!
The 7th was a bit of a comedy of errors, with Gary in the hazard off tee and me in the staked trees. Free drop for me and penalty for Gary. I hit the fairy , but Gary hits another into the ditch. Another penalty.
Nothing can go wrong now!!!! Hit a 9 iron fat and I follow him in the ditch. Wedge and a putt for a 6 and a much needed win. If I can get it back to 2 at the turn I could still have a chance. What a comeback that would be!
Good par on 8 and it's back to 2!!! Are things starting to turn? Maybe have to give York a miss!!!!
Chance to get it down to 1 down on 10, but missed from 5 foot.
Scrambled a half on 11, but was looking good for a win on 12 with a 1 foot putt for par. Unfortunatley Gary, slammed in from 15 foot for Par. Still contemplating missed chances, I lost the 13th to go 3 down.
So to the 14th. Not the best of holes for me this year. Gary's stands on the tee holding his back. Perhaps he was in trouble. Dr Pughe offers his services and asks if it's ok to administer Ibruprofen. I say yes, hoping it's something strong enough to put Gary to sleep. But Dr P can't come up with the goods. Gary's Drive is probably his best of the day! With a drive tugged down the left I was left with a shot of about 160 yards, into the wind, across two lost of water to a temporary green, the pin 10ft past the ditch with the bunker 10 foot past! Easy!!! Gary was about 75 yards from the pin! Good strike, bit too good and into the bunker. But it must have put a bit of pressure on Gary as he duffed his shot, but ended up short of the water.
I got to the bunker and whilst I only had about 25 foot to the pin I was up against the back of the bunker on a down slope. Not good. Even worse, Garry chipped to about a foot! Hit and hope and I got to about 5 foot, but needed the putt for a half! Got it! But 3 down with 4 to go. Need to win all the holes.
Gary to drive and he topped it. Worst shot he has hit all day, bounced short of the ditch and looks like going in, but bounces over. No messing now! Hit a good drive into the fairway. Gary hits another bad shot and into the water hazard, but lands where the 3 foot high bullrushes have been cut back. He'll be able to play from there!!!! Still, 170 to go, good strike, but bit of a cut to it and a hard bounce and I'm into the ditch. No chance of playing out for me!
Gary hit out of the hazard and after chips we are roughly the same distance away. 15 foot putt and I lip out, Gary's putt races at the hole and drops in!
My face was a picture again!!!
Shake hands and move on. Dr Pughe beat Robbo and will do well to beat Mr Leese next week!
Played out the last holes and headed for the bar for a consoling libation!
Thanks to Rob and Lissa for cheering me up!
Hope the weather in York is nice!!!!
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