Last game of the 2017 season for Surrey National as we hosted Surrey Downs today. Improving weather from a slightly damp start, it was still shorts and t-shirts for a few of us. Captain Woody just heading out on tour, Vice Capt Jaggsy in transit back from another, the rest of us all gathered for a decent breakfast needing a big win to challenge Farleigh in second place.
Scottie and Jez were out first. Northern Petal in form shooting one-over par gross, supported by Mr “Broad shoulders” Parfitt (or so he told us… at least twice), and the lead group bought in a solid 3 hole win despite being something like 3 down with 8 to play. Proper Surrey Hills spirit lads, well done both.
Rob and I were up against big hitting Ron and their Seniors Captain Wally. Wally didnt have his best day but came in with nett par’s when needed whilst Rob and I found putting difficult. Rob drove extremely well across all 18 holes but between us we couldn’t capitalise when opportunities were given to us. Ron hits a huge ball, not always straight, but is very very dangerous off of 8 as he’s used to playing a lot lower. We managed to bring in a 1 hole win despite halving the last 6 holes in a row.
Bobby Betts and James Carter had another hard battle taken to the 18th but came out one down. The Feez and Lamppost came in one down after a close game, despite Lee Whatsapp’ing a 100yard drive past his partners’ ball. (Mr Gollop then stiff’ing his approach to inches – nice one Radar). Finally, Jay “I’m awake, honest” and Andy G were out at the end and yet another very close match saw them have a cracking game which ended all square vs Trev Dark and his partner.
Level in matches (won 2, lost 2, one all square), we ended up winners on the day 46-44 but far behind our perhaps optimistic target of a 17 hole win which would’ve seen us close on 2nd place Farleigh. Big thanks to Surrey Downs for a great day’s golf.
Contgratulations Reigate Hills, league winners 2017

2017 Final Standings
First time winners of the Surrey Hills league and by a healthy margin too! Congrats to all of them. Hopes of pipping Farleigh in our last match didn’t materialise after we all faced determined opposition from the Surrey Downs’ visitors today.
So a creditable 3rd place for us overall, mid table, but roll on next year for another crack at the league title.
Finals Day on Friday 6th October at Woldingham this year.
Level par if I’m being pedantic 😳