Swashies take close win in 2019 Ryder Cup

Early 8am start for the 2019 Ryder Cup finals day on Saturday.  15 groups setup across the 4 Swindles, each match featuring a different Swindle member with final Stableford group placings scoring a 3, 2, 1 or zero. 

A fantastic Spring day for us all; shorts and t-shirts for most.  A sunny day, barely a cloud in the sky, the course in good nick with firm, fairly quick greens and balls starting to fly a club further in the the warm air.   (What a difference a day makes, Sunday was bitter, grey and with a sharp wind!)

Myself, Luke (Wildman), Steve (Day) and Dave ‘Mr Palmer’ Shirley headed off in the middle of the draw.  Dave duffed it off the first, scored 4 for 3, on the second Luke took  two in the fairway bunker and then got up at down for a par.  Great recoveries and that set the scene for those two to run away with it on the front nine.  Dave turning in a superb 22, Luke in 21 helped with a 4pts each and a heap of 3’s between them.  Myself and Steve just playing catch up.  Overall we had a great fourball, all enjoying the golf (mostly from Dave and Luke), and despite the two lads having issues on the closing holes, Dave won out with 41pts (that with 2 blobs!), Luke second with a solid 36 despite blobbing the last, pipping both me on 35pts and Steve on 30pts.

From the early games, it was clear The Originals were up for it on the day and started raking in early points.  The Swashies kept up by taking a few wins and seconds.  With only the top 12 scores out of 15 going forward to the day’s total  + this year’s league results, The MOB (Miserable Old B*stards) and Pistols started to fall back with a few low scoring matches and it all started to get very close as The Originals kept their scoring going.

The last 4 Swashie pairings carried the job to the end, Jack and Tony were followed in by Jim and Richie playing the anchor roles (‘anchors’ Sean, not w….)… each returning solid 2nd places in their tough groups.  In the final totals, we saw the Swashies confirmed as 2019 winners from the gritty Originals by just 2 and a half points.

Well done the weather, well done the Swashies

Couldn’t have asked for a better day.  As we all expected, it seems every game was playing in top spirits.  I do keep banging on about it, but I’m sure not if people know how few clubs in the UK can actually turn out not just 4 Swindles (easily could be 5), but also keep this great competition going for the league matches and finals day.  Commiserations to the Pistols in fighting 3rd and MOB boys (and girl) in 4th.

After a somewhat colourful ‘speech’ by outgoing Ryder Cup Chairman Winkle, the Swashies Vice Captain Tom scooped up the cup on behalf of Captain Dan (who was off ‘babysitting’ his 28year old daughter in North London somewhere).

So yes well done the Swashies on another great campaign but also a fantastic collective Swindle one-two, with the Swashies taking it by only a couple of points followed by the charging Originals.  Originals clear winners on the day as per the scoreboard below.  Well done to all.

Few more notes…

Special note to the best score on the day for the B*astard’s Kev Harman who returned the day’s best score with 44pts (with one blob I believe).  I’d also put forward the day’s second best score I believe, Dave Shirley’s impressive 41pts (with 2 blobs!). Great golf both.

It was also great to see the founder of Surrey National’s Swindle Ryder Cup back at the club and back playing.  Despite mystifying everyone (and himself) as to how ‘creatively’ he played the 18th hole, it was no real surprise that canny ol’ Bob English is getting back to form… and even won his group. 

We would also all wish Bohwon well as she heads off to Betchworth Park (I believe) in search of 7days ladies to play against and provide competition.  Joe is still with us and we hope to see Bohwon up again at the club again soon.  Good luck

Hardly a quick round though….

We could certainly do something about the pace of play – not just on Ryder Cup matches or on finals day.  Although playing matches on the same day this year was a step forward (and less painful for non-players), everyone still needs to recognise we need to all improve.  Too much finger-pointing, instead of people actively thinking about “what can I do to moving things along”.  

Just don’t get me started on how cr*p we as a club are at replacing divots!

Anyway, a fantastic 5th win for the Swashies

Good job Captain Dan and well done the team.  Lets roll on into the 2020 Cup and make it 6!