Due to email issues Les was not aware that due to 21 Follies wishing to play this event, best attendance for some years, a few more tee times were required from his original booking back in November. Unfortunately the Club did not have consecutive tee times available so the first 2 groups were required to tee off earlier than planned. However, this was soon sorted when Les arranged for our groups to stand back and let the member group in the middle of our tee times go through at the first opportunity. A further issue arose when trying to book a buggy for Roy Fletcher and Colin Humphries, there were none available! Apparently the Club had 6 new buggies standing idle that 1 member had block booked for the whole year and refused to let anyone else use them! How strange and selfish is this!

Anyway, with these issues out of the way the 21 Follies arrived in the sunshine, but with it not being too hot and there being very little wind, it was ideal conditions for a round of golf. After the traditional meet and greet session together with bacon rolls and coffee, the event got underway. The course was in great condition considering the drought conditions this summer. It presented a different challenge to recent events and that is good to have a mix of courses throughout the year that may suit the games of the lower handicappers more so than others. 

Some outstanding moments from the day:

Paul Flanders had a nervy start to his round, in particular taking a massive swing and pirouette sending the ball a couple of feet to his left hand side. He did recover to card an 8 going on to a respectable 33 points on the day.

During each event there is normally one runaway trolley to report, and it was Roy’s turn this time. However, as there were no buggies to hire, he certainly can be forgiven for this. In fact he and Colin must be applauded for walking one of the hilliest courses we play without any moaning, comment or even heavy breathing, unlike Jon Kelly! A regular banana break and some of Colin’s wife’s ginger cookies helped them to skip round the course like young bucks!

Dave Ballard and Graeme Phipps both hit the green on the nearest the pin par 3 12th hole. While Graeme was using a rake to measure which ball was closest to the pin and Dave was retrieving his putter ready for his attempt for a birdie, John Dexter takes his second shot, only to shank it straight into the chest of Dave. Ouch! After much measuring, Graeme concedes the distance to Dave. Unlucky Graeme, Dave got the prize, but you got the birdie! 

Certainly 4 or 5 holes required long and accurate drives, evidenced in particular by Colin Humphries, Roy Fletcher and Andy Mchattie seen searching in the hay on several occasions!

As some of the greens were lightning fast, Gabe Stokes thought he might dampen his putt by leaving the cover on! Not sure this will catch on Gabe, but may lengthen the life of your putter! 

John Dexter sets himself for his drive, the club is on its way to the ball but no, it hits the ground hard before connecting with the ball. Onlookers watch on in amazement as this creates a great draw shot that travels some 200 yards, ending up in the middle of the fairway! Not one for the text book, but very effective none the less.

Finally and probably the best of the day, Trevor Chapman staking his claim for the annual bunker flunker award on the par 3 12th. Unfortunately his tee shot crept into one of the two green side bunkers. However, he then managed to visit both bunkers a total of 4 times which involved 9 bunker shots finally escaping with the use of his putter! To vent his frustration, he then proceeded to kick the rake out of the bunker! 

Some nostalgia from the day:

Richard Parker noted that his playing partner on the day Paul Flanders had recruited him to Pearl some 25 years ago this month. Les Wells then recruited him to the Follies at a Pearl training course the same month!

To celebrate his return to the Follies after a 29 year absence, Sean Melia donated a prize for nearest the pin in 2 on the 13th hole. Clearly Sean has been a very busy man! 

On the day:

1^st Darren Pears 39 points

2^nd Graham Tooke 38 points

3^rd Les Wells on countback from John Dexter 36 points

Nearest the Pin on the 12^th – Dave Ballard, 3 feet from the hole just edging out Graeme Phipps by less than a handle of the rake.

Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 13^th – Richard Parker, 6 feet from the hole just edging out Les Wells and Dave Ballard by a few feet or so.

Well done Darren, first win in your rookie year. Be prepared for a cut in handicap as a result!

Fritz Follies standings top 5:

John Dexter 115

Graham Tooke 114

Dave Ballard 112

David West 108

Roy Fletcher 108

Great looking leaderboard with 14 players with an aggegate of 100 or more this season from their best 3 cards. With just two rounds to go (Melton Mowbray and Lakeside Lodge), should be an exciting finish to what has been a great season of golf, helped by the wonderful weather we have had throughout.

Our next meeting is Melton Mowbray on Friday 23rd September, look forward to seeing you all there.

Reporter Dave Ballard