An impressive location is Aldwickbury Park, nestled into the side of the rolling landscape at Harpenden in Hertfordshire and for our Autumn meeting we were also blessed with a fabulous sun drenched day. We couldn’t ask for better conditions and the greens were something else – despite the fairways having suffered from drought and the blistering heat in the summer. These greens were VERY GREEN, and many had split levels, with dips, hollows and burrows to test even the very best of the putters.
I must give Michael Black a mention as it was his suggestion that Shanks should try out this course, and thanks Michael for the recommendation. By the way, if any Shankers or anybody in PICT can suggest golf venues for Shanks golf days I would be grateful if you would let me know. We try to have courses close to motorways, (but not too close), and ideally around the M25 so that we attract as wide an audience as possible who can easily commute to the venue for a 12.00 noon kick off.
One small downside for our golf day was the lack of players, which seems such a shame, as the absentees missed a great day of golf. So, we had twelve players, which dropped to 11, when our Captain (Peter Bothwick – alias Nick Faldo) decided that for medical reasons he couldn’t raise his golf club higher than his waist – but if the truth be known his beloved football team – Spurs – were playing Watford that evening at the MK Dons stadium just up the road from Aldwickbury. But he did act as our starter for the day, so thanks Peter for making the effort. Our regular starter – Mike Windett (alias Divot) had declined attendance on the basis that he would be in Dubai – with the presumption he must have got a better offer as starter for a camel race!!
Just a mention on the group photo – you will see two players missing – Keith and Gary who were late on parade; I can only assume their lateness was due to an extended stay at the hairdressers – but as you will see from the “extra” photo they were certainly well coiffured when they eventually turned up.
When back in the golf club we found that most golfers had an average day, and more importantly for the first time no howlers of wayward golf balls or the like. However, it was well known that Andy Thompson was missing the Steve Beckett Trophy from his mantlepiece. It was therefore evident that having an exemplary score card with the same “lowly” number stableford point on both the front and back nine holes, plus finding on or about 50% of the bunkers on the course – and Aldwickbury was well endowed with plenty of sand traps, it was the unanimous decision that Andy be awarded the Steve Beckett Trophy for Shanker of the day. The citation on the roll of honour to read – For consistency in not scoring and hitting over half the bunkers on the course.
The Steele Bowl for the best stableford score by the high handicappers (H/cap of 24 or higher) was deservedly won by Chris Godfrey, The photo shows Chris being presented by the past holder of the Steele Bowl, Martin Stears.
John Ladd a guest was the overall winner with a stableford score of 34.
The Yellow Ball team competition was won by the team of Keith Spiers, John Ladd and Kit Kat who were the only team who managed to coax the ball round the course with the original yellow ball.
Aldwickbury Park did us proud with an evening meal of Shin of Beef, followed by Bread & Butter pudding – proper grub for golfers of our ilk.
Thanks to everybody who supported the golf day, which regretfully didn’t raise as much as we have seen from previous Shanks outings, but at least we had a positive contribution to our charity funds. Clearly the more that play the more we raise for PICT.
So we’ll do it all again in Spring 2019 and details of venue and date will follow shortly.
Kit Kat ( alias Mike Kerlogue – secretary of Shanks Golf )