Our secretary, Mike (Kit Kat) Kerlogue networks well and has good communications up top, so the Shankers who made their way to North Middlesex were expecting a scorching, sunny day following the tropical Tuesday. Unfortunately, Mike must have been missing Mass, so it was a little dull and overcast and had us scurrying for warm sweaters and gilets. All except for Graham
Warley who insisted on playing in shorts and ankle socks. We thought he was shivering but this could, of course, have been some age-related illness!
The Grim’s Dyke staff made us very welcome and coffee and bacon baguettes were consumed whilst Kit Kat distributed chocolate and the infamous Team Yellow balls. He did try to explain the scoring system but eventually gave up and delegated to a ‘responsible’ member of each team. In management speak this probably constitutes empowerment but in the Shanks is better classed as desperation.
Thirteen Shankers made their way to the tenth tee (Grim’s Dyke trying to confuse us by insisting we start on the 10th) together with spectator and non-playing Shanker, Alan Piper, in his Brian Hanrahan role of counting them out and counting them back in again!
Following the Bob Newhart school of accountancy, we started within a few bucks of 1.00pm despite the secretary changing the location of the photo shoot to higher ground as his smart phone works better pointing upwards!
Teams and Competition results…. 13 players, 4 teams.
TEAM A: Peter Bothwick, Alan Badcock and Chris Bell
TEAM B: Nigel Howl, Mike Gee and Graham Warley
TEAM C: Mike Kerlogue, Michael Black and Gary Brady
TEAM D: Keith Spiers, Barry Gregory, Geoff Parnell and Matt Ingram
Competitions:
Yellow Ball:
The winning team was Team A who were the only team to nurse it around the 18 holes. The secretary didn’t need to announce the points score as the other teams lost their balls too early in proceedings!
Best Overall Score:
Keith Spiers with 29 points.
High Handicappers
24 and above playing for the Syd Humphries trophy. The winner on 25 points playing off 27 was Nigel Howl who appreciates that he is only keeping it warm for Martin Stears. Yee Ha.
Nearest the Pin
On the 110 yard 6th green. Gary Brady being the only Shanker to land on the green – another benchmark for the section!
Steve Beckett Trophy for Shanker of the day.
Two considerations:
Team D for managing to lose their yellow ball off the tee on the first hole! A splendid effort but probably understandable on a difficult tree lined par 5 you might think. However, on a par 3 with quite an open approach this took no little skill.
Chris Bell of Team A. When their yellow ball was struck into a hedge bordering water, the intrepid Chris, with no thought to his own safety and wellbeing, plunged into the water and searched among the brambles. Trench foot, lacerations to the arms and torn Gucci polo notwithstanding, he emerged triumphant with three yellow balls – one of which was Team A’s. The Captain, yes me, Bothwick, Captain, laconically commenting ‘Well done Chris, great teamwork’. For the reply, please send an opaque self-addressed envelope and a small charitable donation to PICT.
It was judged that Chris’ effort in going the extra mile for his team and offering to pay his own medical expenses, meant he should be the recipient of the trophy.
It was a delight to have PICT President, Paul Johnston-Knight, join us for dinner and to present the prizes.
Mike (Defib Divot) Windett also joined us for dinner having taken on the role of official finisher as his previous role of official starter was costing him too much in chocolate.
Our thanks again to Mike Kerlogue for organising an excellent day and for his rounding up speech mentioning the Grim weather, the Grim rough and the tough Grim greens leading to his new nom de plume of The Grim Reaper. As one wag commented, this was better than the other sobriquet on offer – ‘Dyke Head’!
A splendid day with £90 being raised for PICT funds.