“Ramsey Golf Club provided the third venue of the 2013 season and, despite  a grey and overcast sky, nine Follies warriors turned up to do battle on a course which, over the winter, had seen several holes under water.

Your Correspondent was very pleased to return to the scene of perhaps his greatest triumph where he was able to capture the “Bloomer of the Year 2012” trophy – what memories!!

The day didn’t start well for Geoff Delaney who, upon arrival, advised that, despite having a magnificent memory, he had left his driver at home. This didn’t mean a lot to most of us who thought he meant the chap in the funny hat who sits at the front of Geoff’s car but, evidently, Geoff was talking about an intrinsic component of his golfing armoury. This did earn Geoff some kudos, however, in that he is now the first nominee for the Wally of the Year 2013.

Some respectable golf was seen during the afternoon and, fresh from his successful first outing at Belton Park, Trevor Chapman was again in sparkling form. His tee shot on the 2nd hole earned him the Nearest The Pin prize besting David Carter by some two feet.

Trevor’s playing partners for the day found it necessary to bring to the attention of the Follies Behavioural Committee, several “John McEnroe” type incidents during the round, when whirling clubs and bad language provided additional hazards as the occasional Trevor tee shot went slightly offline.

Kevin Hingle also made good use of his “Tree” wood on the notorious Par 5  dog leg 14th hole where, despite hitting his ball into the hedge on two separate occasions, benefitted from kindly rebounds to finish the hole with a respectable 6.

A serious case of club sharing came to light in the Clubhouse after the round but it is pleasing to note that, despite the hard sell of “Del Boy” Wells and an 18th hole test drive, Geoff Liscoe resisted the “attractive” offer to purchase Les’s driver for the snip of £200.

After round discussion also centred on the fact that, this season, Follies rounds now appear to be taking less than 4 hours whereas, in previous seasons, rounds had been timed in excess of 4 hours. Congratulations to all and keep taking the tablets.

Results of the day: Kevin Hingle came third with 29 points, Les Wells made second with 30 points and, in an act of pure revenge (and Trevor Chapman having already taken Nearest The Pin) David Carter was awarded victory with 34 points.

David advises that this was the first occasion that he had achieved in excess of 30 points, since November 2011 – not that he was keeping note! How sad!!

Next stop – Presidents Cup at Elton Furze on the 28th June……full directions are on the right…

Belton Park – April 29th

Good turnout of 11 members

Welcome to Trevor Chapman who introduced himself to the club with a scorching 38 points on his inaugural round.

Next stop – Ramsay on the 17th May……full directions are on the right…

The phone started ringing around 8.45 am with the first casualty of the day, to be followed shortly afterwards with problems due to the course not allowing power carts. The snow was coming down and the signs for a good day looked remote. But hardy chaps are we, 10 remained to do battle with the weather and the Kettering terrain.

Unusually so, the BBC Cambs weather were spot on today. Some wintry showers in the morning clearing up around mid-day and then going colder as the afternoon progressed. And so it came to pass, we arrived with light rain and after a lovely bacon roll on to the course and the weather had cleared.

Today we had 2 new recruits, Phil Nutall and Roy Fletcher who were welcomed to the group. I thought Roy might be a challenger by his email address including the word “golfer.”  Colin Humphries also making his first event after testing the water at the Annual Supper event last November.

Some highlights from my group included Colin on the 4^th over hitting his third shot on the par 3, 70 yards past the pin, only to play back 20 yards the other side of the green. Shades of that old Marty Feldman clip I thought. Kevin around the 12^th did not follow the course instructions and walked past a sign that said “Golfers must follow the path,” Perhaps he did not feel a golfer today.

Two highlights for Les. An Eagle 3 on the 5^th and beautifully done if I don’t say so myself, netting 5 points that exceeded the combined score on the previous 4 holes. This was followed later on the Par 3 12^th with a shot 10 foot from pin to secure the “Nearest the Pin” prize narrowly from Geoff Delany. For a moment in the bar I thought it was Cyprus as my £20 note was rejected as it was an old note.

Despite the wet conditions under foot there was some excellent golf played today. Roy on his debut scooped the 1^st prize with a 40 point total, beginners luck? We will see as the year progresses but very well done today and enjoy the moment. Geoff Delany was second with a very good 38 points that any other day would have been a winning score. Another debut boy, Phil Nuttall came in 3^rd with 37 points.

Kettering Golf Club deserve some praise. Despite the obvious problems with the weather they had the course in good condition. As a club they made us feel very welcome, gave us a discount on the green fee due to the conditions and put on a good post match meal. So well done to everyone who made our day special.

Les.

Next venue is Belton Park on Monday 29th April
Watch for the email and full directions are on the right…

Our esteemed Secretary Les has been busy behind the scenes and recently announced the fixtures for the forthcoming season.
Will David West retain the trophy? Or will 2013 be your year?
Please put the dates in your diary and we’ll see who finishes where.

Weds 20th March – Kettering Golf Club – 12.30pm (£21 – 18 holes of Golf followed by a Full English Breakfast)
Mon 29th April – Belton Park Golf Club (to be confirmed) Golf Only £28 – 1pm
Fri 17th May – Ramsey Golf Club – Golf only £25 – 1pm
Fri 28 June – Presidents Cup – Elton Furze Golf Club (to be confirmed)
Fri 26th July – The Bedfordshire Golf Club – 1pm
Thur 15th Aug – Rutland County Golf Club – 1pm. Special deal cost depending on numbers, but approx £26 for Coffee on arrival, Bacon roll, 18 holes Golf followed by 1 course bar meal.
Fri 27th Sep – Rutland Water Golf Club – 1pm
October – To be arranged.
And to end
Fri 8th Nov – Fritz Follies Golf & Supper – Elton Furze followed by the evening at the Cuckoo Alwalton

Hope to see you on the tee.

The final curtain falls on this season’s golf. Starting with the annual texas scramble at Elton Furze, 5 teams of 3 players doing battle on the day. For the first time Geoff Liscoe and Colin Humphries were testing out their skills amongst the other Follies stalwarts. Bernard Fritz played his first game for a year, wielding a new driver, shame he did not have any appropriate size tees to go with it. Ian Bloomfield also played his first Follies game of the year, but recent form on Orton Meadows (26pts back nine) suggested he would strengthen the organisers’ team.
As the day unfolded, the organisers’ faded, was it the beer beforehand or perhaps the 6 hip flasks full of Sloe Gin, you will not find this pre shot routine in any Golf Mag. On the bright side Ian did manage to be nearest the pin on both the 2nd and 15th holes winning a bottle prize. I must mention though that the 15th was about 40 feet from the hole, but no one else could hit the green in the windy conditions.
As always the team sheet displayed the players, tee times, handicaps and number of drives that each player had to adhere to on the day. So, Messrs Savage, Kelly and Carter were pleading after the event not to have been told they had to take 5 drives each. Certain disqualification loomed, but as it was a fun day they were not penalised, just publicly shamed.
Longest drive was won by an enormous effort from Richard Parker. I think summed up by Peter Harris saying to me, where was the longest drive marker – to which I replied probably around where you played your 3rd shot. Well done Richard a great shot worthy of a bottle prize as well.
The winners on the day were the team of Parker/West & Liscoe. Good to see Geoff on his first outing picking up a prize and hopefully the incentive to come back again next season to play some more golf with us.
The evening events highlighted this to be the 35th year of Fritz Follies Golf. Not many societies around that could boast such achievements. David West recognised the “Pearl Family” as being key aspect that has bonded the society over many years. Being enhanced in recent years with great characters to maintain the fun, social and golfing traditions.
Everyone is a winner on the Follies. We like to celebrate the highs and lows the latter being awarded the wooden spoon for the lowest 3 round average. Had Colin Keal or Jon Kelly played the last event they could have been in with a shout. Unexpectedly, last year’s champion Peter Harris was in the mix, But Brian Bates was the man for this one. Joe Maddocks had provided a fun prize of “Toilet/Bedroom Golf” that I’m sure Brian will have endless fun with this winter whilst waiting for our new season.
In memory of Steve Bloomfield we started the “Bloomer of the Year” award last year. No shortage of takers for this fun trophy. A “large bloomer loaf” provided by Tesco’s bakery, Hampton Hargate. Onto the nominations: At Wellingborough Jon Kelly had some problems with the door handles and today had many lapses of concentration leaving balls around the course. Robin Watts at Rutland Water left his driver on the 5th tee. However, these actions were superseded by Peter Harris putting his ball into the bunker on a par 3 then following the ball in with his motorised trolley, oh dear. Well done Peter you are the 2012 Bloomer of the Year.
Mark Holland this year also completed the Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride in support of Steve’s charities and raised £2,800 – fantastic achievement recognised by everyone.
The major prize of the Fritz Follies Trophy was closely run with the last event at Rutland Water having 6 potential winners. David West had led at the start of the day but did not have a good day. This allowed Geoff Delany to improve by 2pts, Omar by 3pts and Kevin Hingle by 4pts. Get the calculator out time to work out whether this was enough to overtake David at the top. The final placings were 3rd Geoff Delany 89pts, 2nd Omar 91pts and our winner and Fritz Follies Champion 2012 David West 92pts. Very well done everyone in a rain ravaged season.

Fixtures for 2013 will shortly be arranged, keep a check on the website for developments.
Thank you all for your continued support in 2012 and I look forward to the spring when we can do it all over again.
Les Wells

The September Outing saw an elite group of five play The Bedfordshire. The scores returned indicate that the course has been made much easier since I last visited. Third spot went to the local player, Richard Parker. Runner-up was Omar with David West winning with 36 points.

With one round to go it’s all to play for at the top of the table – see next tab “2012 Standings”. Of course you can’t improve your position without playing so let Les know asap about your availability for the beautiful Rutland Water on Friday 26th October. A late burst of glorious sunshine with a following wind on all holes is forecast.

And finally, the traditional end of season round at Elton Furze followed by Annual Supper and Prize Giving at the Cuckoo, Alwalton is booked for Friday 9th November.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

A select group of 6 took part in the match at Rutland County.  It was not evident to the gallery that we were members of the Fritz Follies Society as only 3 were wearing the latest version of our polo shirt!

The match started in glorious sunshine with a stiff breeze but which several considered to be a strong wind.  The first group included our highly respected Secretary.   Les can be correctly described as being eagle-eyed, but on this occasion he could be more accurately described as being one-eyed due to an eye infection.  Inevitably, this meant that his game was not up to its usual high standard, but all credit to Les for not complaining about having such a handicap.

The course was in excellent condition.  However, like most golf courses this year, the rough was very penal.  Both groups spent much time searching for balls which were never to be found!

The 15th hole had been selected by Les for the nearest the pin prize.  It is 171 yards in length with deep bunkers at the front of the green.  The pin was located immediately behind the bunkers.  When the first group arrived at the tee, the sky had turned black and as Robin Watts addressed his ball the heavens opened.  Despite this, Robin shaped his tee shot perfectly resulting in a 90 degree turn to the left as it pitched to the side of the bunker.  The ball came to rest within 8 feet of the flag.  Robin was left to celebrate his birdie on his own, as both his playing partners sought refuge in a nearby shelter followed by admiring the double rainbow rather than his prowess on the 15th.

The following group did not threaten the green.  Indeed, Jon Kelly chose not to play the hole on the basis that he had not hit one straight tee shot on the earlier holes.

Scoring on the day was not exceptional, although modesty prevents your reporter from describing his outstanding display of accurate and lengthy driving, resulting in a winning score of 33 points.  David Carter secured second prize, notwithstanding his mind was turning towards resuming his cruising activities later in the week. Les was awarded the third prize.  Incidentally, Les is one of those rare people who have more letters after his name than actually are in it.

Next venue is The Bedfordshire on Friday 21st September.
Full directions on the right…

The first tee started with a bit of a golfing exhibition. Allowing a 2 ball to go first, we were delayed by this guy apologising as he “did not realise our tee time was so imminent”.  There then followed a tee shot that saw the head fly off his club, to be followed by 2 air shots and the third just about progressing beyond the ladies tee. Mistake by Les to allow them to go or what? Perhaps it was a cunning plan as Blackadder used to say.

Anyway 10 Follies were in action today and some notable attendees. Martin Zebedee, someone who has been deleted from the handicap records so must be 10-15 years, welcome back and please come again. Mick Lawson on his annual summer vacation away from the sun in Turkey, when most of us are trying to see the sun for the first time this summer. Good to see you both back on the Follies.

Nearest the pin was to be the 12^th hole ha ha.

Robin Watts was plonker of the day in the driving rain leaving his driver on the 5^th Tee and having to walk all the way back from the 6^th to collect. Well you can’t trust the Rutland Water mob to hand it in at the pro shop? Anyway all is well, driver recovered.

Unfortunately the heavens have opened. Torrential rain descends. Greens fill up. 6 holes completed by Geoff Delany who was determined to get some points on the card, a captain’s spirit I must say. Also the tournament leader with 12 points. 

Rain stops play, off to the bar where Geoff is celebrating as he tells me he is reaching retirement age. Many congrats from the Follies.

We gain a credit from the course for this to be replayed another day. Perhaps the cunning plan on the first tee allowed us to get a full credit.

Next venue is Rutland County Wednesday 22nd August 2012.
Full directions on the right…

A few of the hardy souls met at Stibbington Diner for a full English breakfast and some caused confusion when they asked to swap the egg for extra bacon. This was politely refused. Someone mentioned politics and that set Colin Keal off. He is one passionate man on this topic. Having sorted out the problems of the UK – he left me in no doubt that if Colin runs for Prime Minister then I am voting for his party. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to solve the Eurozone crisis as golf was beckoning.

12 golfers gathered at the 1st tee – gale force wind and rain – this is the middle of June and we find out that if you find the fairway then it is winter rules. Billy Doyle having played and won a few monthly competitions last year was back amongst us. Unfortunately for Billy he had joined Milton GC and after submitting 6 cards they picked out the best one and awarded him a 16 handicap. Without further ado his handicap was reduced from 21 to 16. Richard Parker was sporting what looked like a very expensive rain hat – and then Colin “Billy Whizz” Savage stepped up onto the 1st tee. I saw him hit his drive then there was a blur and he was gone. Fortunately Geoff and Brian were able to keep up with him and they completed the round in record time.

Nearest the pin was held on the 5th. Geoff must have stopped briefly at this hole as he set the mark for the rest of the field. It held good until the last group and up steps the genial Irishman Billy “Sweet 16” Doyle. After measuring the distance between the two markers Geoff was denied a bottle to top up his drinks cabinet as Billy was marginally nearer. Billy duly completed the putt for his birdie.

By now the rain was easing up but not the wind. We splashed through “casual water” ridden fairways but the greens were running true. Golf was tough. The golf shot of the day that reverberated around the world – well it certainly was told a few times in the clubhouse was done by the Fritz Follies multiple winner of monthly events – the ever smiling Peter Harris. He hit a magnificent air shot on the 18th. Congrats Peter.

This was a dual event – President’s Cup and the monthly stableford. Les told us that the President’s Cup was first held in 1994 and was won by….. (I didn’t know the name and have already forgotten who was it. My apologies to the individual).

Dave West – who was pretty p***ed off that he had lost his Chelsea ball marker on the course (so if you found it please return it to Dave) – finished 3rd. One golf ball was passed to Geoff for safe keeping.

Richard Parker battled well and came 2nd and collected his 2 golf balls.

Modesty prevents me from telling you who won the day – suffice to say that FFGS rules only allows a player to pick up one prize. So Geoff was proclaimed as the winner of the monthly event and walked off with 3 Callaway golf balls and was only a whisker away from the Cup. But he was reminded that every winner of the monthly event has a one stroke cut in their handicap. So who did win in 2012? I am sure you will not remember my name (like I didn’t know 1994) but you might recall that Short Fat Deaf Man.

Next venue is Rutland Water Friday 20 July 2012.

See you then

SFDM

After a period of wet weather the expectation for Ramsey was it may be a bit wet underfoot. How wrong can you be, the Pro confirmed the day before that in fact River level was low and that the course was dry. This turned out to be the case and I must say that the course and greens in particular we in very good condition. No excuses then!

Kevin Hingle and Colin Keal had the battle of the new clubs, a shiny white 3 wood against the Adams hybrid.  The 3 wood a clear winner after 9 but let down Kevin on the back nine to allow the Adams hybrid to win the contest, for this day anyway.

Trolleys can have a mind of their own at times as Colin Savage and Robin Watts would tell you from their offsite follies activities that would otherwise have deserved a mention. But today we did witness some careless driving on the course, trolley driving that is. Hole 13 was nearest the pin and as you all know Peter Harris gets a bit excited when it’s nearest the pin hole, today he missed the green with ball and his trolley. Finding the bunker with both. Can we extend the Bunker flunker to include how long it takes to retrieve from sand or is it the first nomination for “Wally of the Year” You will find out in November at the Follies supper. Until then perhaps a few more misdemeanours will occur to save Peter.

Nearest the Pin was won by Geoff Delany, whilst not having the best of days did provide a quality moment to win  a bottle of Port – Well done.

Scores overall were low, which is surprising as the conditions were set for a good day. 3^rd place went to Brian Bates, 2^nd to Colin (Hybrid) Keal. Les turned around a last place finish in March to be the overall winner today with 31 points.

On to the next round which is the Presidents Cup at Elton Furze on Friday 22^nd June.

Full directions on the right….