First Major of the year................Wychwood bites back!

Easter Cup done and dusted for the year.

First Major of the year and the competition that throws up the players who have been practising through the winter, but not necessarily playing in competitions.

So first major, first chance to get your name up on the board, first medal and first competition back off the white tees and just to make it interesting the wind was up.

Forget the rough, forget the bunkers, forget the water, the biggies defence that the course has is the wind!

Few and far between are the times that there is little or no wind at Wychwood and today the wind was up and it was in the direction that appears to be in your face all of the way around.

A few of the "new" members have been questioning how tough this Wychwood track is, but whilst the winter conditions mean the ball travels less, runs less, the extra distance from the competition tees make a difference and a few of them got a shock today. Just wait until the fairways get firmer and the ball runs more. It get s tougher!

Saw Stuart Robinson take 7 on the 2nd. He score 43 points to win the Railway Trophy a couple of weeks ago, with a  a nett 65 off a handicap of 4. He used up his 4 shots on 1 hole!

Me? I've finally, after 8 years, realised how I need to play the course and was planning to take the approach that has borne fruit over the winter months. Game plan.............course management, use shots and take chances when they occur!

Working ok for the first 6 holes. Nothing spectacular, but a few putts left short. Greens were slow! Sometimes, you just can't bring yourself to hit the putts that hard!

On the 7th tee, hitting the ball ok, but "slapped one" across, but in the rough at the top of the hump before the Plantation on the left!

Rescue out too well and into the fairway bunker, out of the bunker leaving a long shot to the green, but to close to lay up.

Decvide to hit fairway wood up left and short of bunkers.

Hit the shot as I wanted, good connection, but took a kick left into the environmental area left. I could reach the ball and if a normal hazard would have been able to play it. But had to take a penalty.

Tugged left, chip and 2 putts for a 9.

Not the end of the worl, but we're off the back tees on my Nemesis whole, the 8th and the wind is in our face! Strong wind as well!

Playing partners all get across the carry with no problem.

I block it right, as usual and in my heart I know it's not made it despite the thoughts of the others. "It might have got across", bit I know it hasn't. I've hit the same shot so many times!

Manage to scramble a 7, but a bogey on 9 leaves me on 51.

Despite a good start to the back 9, ditto with 51 on back and 102, nett 86, bit disappointing.

Still the season has started, Summer Knockouts to be played, monthly medal next week.

US Masters to look forward to as well!!!