Handicaps had been agreed at the beginning of the week (after months of careful pondering and negotiation) and these were then adjusted as/if necessary on a daily basis (winner’s handicap reduced by one, loser’s increased by one).
These were the final placings after the five rounds:
1. Ken; 2. SteveB; 3. SteveE; 4. Barry; 5. Simon; 6. Christian.
These were the final placings after the five rounds:
1. Ken; 2. SteveB; 3. SteveE; 4. Barry; 5. Simon; 6. Christian.
Ken was therefore the winner of the Claret Jug (complete with the engraved names of all the courses we played) and SteveE, typically generous to the end, presented everyone with a medal to commemorate the tour.
The result was quite a close in the end. SteveE led for the first three days but Ken’s consistency won through in the end and he ended up winning by three Stapleford points – in other words, just one hole either way could have made a difference over the 90 holes played through the course of the week.
Photo: Ken and the trophy!
The result was quite a close in the end. SteveE led for the first three days but Ken’s consistency won through in the end and he ended up winning by three Stapleford points – in other words, just one hole either way could have made a difference over the 90 holes played through the course of the week.
Photo: Ken and the trophy!
What an amazing week! To spend seven days with my son, two of my dearest friends and two wonderful new friends would have been memorable enough. But to spend them playing five of the greatest golf courses in the world - well it simply can't be described.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to Steve Eyre for his exceptional logistics and to Big Daddy Stevie B for capturing the whole thing in pictures. Thanks to my son Christian for putting up with my snoring (and for being such a great kid!). And thanks to Barry and Simon for being two fantastic additions to the Blue Tee Golf Society. As they say, "a good time was had by all"!
As for the courses themselves, Golf Digest and others not withstanding, here is how I would rate them: 1. Old Head (perhaps the best course in the world - evidently Tiger agrees!). 2. Ballybunion (as good as links golf gets). 3. Tralee (Arnie has produced a classic). 4. Lahinch (despite the appalling conditions we played in - it's still a world-class course). 5. Waterville (ranked 65th in the world and the "worst" course we played).
The "Carolina On My Mind Tour" (2012) has got some act to follow. Bring it on baby!
Peace, The Rev.