Saddle Up Amigos – it’s another Mr Loveless Match Report!
Posted on behalf of Graham (I’ll make this a wide post so people don’t hurt their fingers scrolling)
Sunday 30th October 8.40am was no ordinary tee time for myself, Jim Doran and our opponents that came in the form of the father and son pairing of James and Luke Carter.
This was the 2016 Summer 7 day Men’s final.
Coffees and breakfast (for some) before heading to the putting green for a quick practise and we were off to the 1st tee.
The Carters won the coin toss and took the honours. Jim flew out of the blocks with great birdie chances on the first 5 holes. However he only managed to convert the chance on the 2nd which was still halved when James also popped in his birdie putt. I quickly settled into my role as wingman…when Jim is on fire might as well enjoy the view!
My first contribution came on the 6th with a 5 net 4 and we went 1 up. On 7th I hit my 5 wood shot of the day to around 7′ (ish) above the pin but just missed the birdie as the ball managed to come up short from a downhill roll. The 8th was halved in pars with both Carters having great birdie chances – big let off. 9th was lost with both Jim and I doubling the hole so we were back to all square on the turn.
10th halved with pars with neither Jim or I able to convert excellent birdie chances. 11th was won by Jim’s par net birdie. Back to 1 up.
- 12th halved in pars.
- 13th lost as I 3 putted up the slope gifting Luke the hole to his solid par.
- 14th I had a shot but could only make 6 after a good drive and the hole was halved.
- 15th: Luke nailed his drive attracting backward looks from the group in front of us (we reckon it was a 290 yard drive) and despite me nearly chipping in for par the hole was conceded with Luke’s 2nd shot finishing just a few feet from the pin.
- 16th: Luke was in trouble after his drive down the left but James was solid and was in the rough to the right of the green in two. Jim had come up short of the fairway bunkers and I was in the right-hand bunker in 2. Nevertheless, the hole was halved in 5s despite me taking 2 shots to get out of the bunker.
To the 17th. 1 down and 2 to play. Great drives from Luke and Jim. Mine pulled a little to the left. James went high over to the right but long enough to clear the trees.
Myself, Jim and Luke all in great birdie positions with Jim the closest.
My putt came up criminally a fraction short (a repeat of my putt on 7). Luke rolled in his birdie putt. Not that it needed it I reminded Jim if his ball stayed up the match was over. I needn’t have worried…the ball rolled straight and true into the hole for the 2nd birdie half of the day.
Dormie 1 down with me getting a shot.
Well we had been here before in our run to the final so no need to panic.
Good drives all round with James hitting the best down the fairway. After consulting we agreed I would lay up which I duely did leaving myself an 80 yard shot to the pin.
Jim went for it and came up short of the green but in no danger.
James hit the shot of the day under pressure, found the green and had a 6′ birdie putt. Luke stuck his in the water but it was somewhat immaterial.
I needed an up and down and needed James to miss from 6′ to send us back down the 1st.
I pulled out my lob wedge and hit the ball…it flew high…and landed above the pin to just outside James’ in terms of distance.
Well the chance was there. Jim chipped and putted to give me a clue as to what my ball might do around the hole. We could see it would break right to left…but by how much? We agreed right edge and I played the shot but the ball broke more than we saw and it swung across the front of the hole and finished behind the hole.
The Carters were now the 2016 Champions and worthy champions too.
Myself and Jim had had a great (if somewhat exhausting) run to the final and it was a shame to lose on the last hole on our last putt but it went to the wire with no pair going more than 1 up.
Beers and chips and crisps shared. Turned out James didn’t fancy his putt if I had made mine but I am sure he would have made it.
Well done James and Luke. See you next year.
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Weekend Swindles
Thanks Graham, another good read.
Cant remember when we had 20 or more over both days of the Swindle. We even had the pleasure of Mr “Its My Swindle” Bone, for both days…. always a pleasure… yes… a pleasure (I think!).
35 won on Saturday and was shared across 4 on Saturday – well done Jim, Richie, Backdoor and Sharon.
Sunday had some even better scores. Stu Mass joined for a game, shot 40pts and would’ve won nowt and been cut (welcome to our handicap system). Top honours (and a big fat prize fund) went to Mr Hogben with a fantastic 41points, who was last seen wandering around telling everyone “I’ve found my driver, I found my driver”. (Clearly his driving is back!).
Special note goes to Jez for an eagle on the 8th on Sunday. Hoofed a slighly drawn 7iron from the rough before the bunker on the left… only to be found in the hole. Well done mate.
Another special note to our own Northern Petal, Mr Yule. Yet more fantastic golf, 36pts off plus2, to win nothing except another cut!!! Great golf, but I’m afraid consistency penalised again chief 🙁
Well deserved winners. 6 rounds of golf and it comes down to one shot on the 18th!