12 Follies made the short trip to Ramsay Forty Foot – a unique course in that it’s only a nine hole course that you play twice – once as normal and then playing the same 9 again but from a different tee position. It does pose a new challenge and made for a nice change. We welcomed Phil Wright to our Society today and hope he enjoyed his day and that we see him again. He confessed to being a Northampton Town fan and educated us youngsters that they had enjoyed a year in the First Division in 1965!

After very nice bacon baps and coffee/tea, we were offered the chance to start 30 minutes early as rain was forecast later. This was sensibly accepted and the first group teed-off. Some of that 30 minute gain was immediately lost searching for Roy’s ball in a dry ditch. Where did it go?

The old 9th/18th tee had been relocated from up on high to the bottom of the slope which is now just a bank of dark mud. Despite the relocated signs at the bottom, we saw Paul, Les and Graham clamouring up the slope to check.

Sadly Geoff’s back flared up and after playing on for a couple of holes, he was forced to retire hurt. We hope to see the back of Geoff Geoff back soon.

The 13th where you tee over a small bridge onto a narrow fairway saw Steve still not over the bridge after 6 shots (and 3 balls) – he had the last laugh later. 

David hit a lovely drive down the middle of the fairway on the 14th. More of that 30 minute gain was spent searching. Where did it go?

The wheels came off for Roy on the 15th literally as his trolley collapsed and a wheel rolled away. He made short work of reassembling his trolley and carried on.

I was in the leading group and had written that the early start allowed us to beat the rain. It did – but, not so, for the other two groups who got a little wet. They soon dried out.

Les was going through the cards in the clubhouse ahead of the presentations and found some discrepancies. “Did you reconcile your cards after the 18th” he asked. “It was raining” came the reply.

Geoff made the point that both Paul and Graham played some excellent golf and how hard it is to score heavily off low handicaps.

Everyone seems to have had a good day with high scores throughout. After an excellent Fish and Chips, the results were announced:

Follies Trophy:
3rd – Paul and Les both scored 38 points and were equal on countback of the last 9 holes (20 points) but Les won it on countback of the last 6 holes.
2nd – Jon also scored 38 points but won on countback of the last 9 holes (21 points)
1st – Steve Preston with 39 points.

Nearest the Pin saw 3 land on the green but Martin was nearest.

Inevitably with such high scores, Les’ handicap knife has been out and the results can be found under the ABOUT tab – Steve, in particular, may wish to look away😉

Another successful outing for the Fritz Follies, with thanks to Old Nene Golf Club for their hospitality. Attention now turns to the next society fixture at Lakeside Lodge Golf Club on Friday 25 September.

Report by JK