fritzfolliesgolfsociety

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….

Unfortunately our April outing to Rutland County fell victim to the relentless rain we’ve had recently.

Next outing is Ramsey on Friday 18^th May.

Tee times from 1.30pm

Cost is £25 for the Golf only.

Please let Les know asap if you wish to play.

Full directions on the right….

The 2012 schedule continues on Wednesday 25^th April at Rutland County with tee times from 1.30 pm

Cost and details to follow shortly

Full directions on the right….

Wellingborough

2012 kicked off with a return to Wellingborough Golf club.

A lovely, bright, warm, sunny week gave way to a dull overcast Friday as ten of our finest made their way west.   After a little trouble finding my way into the building – doorknobs on front doors can confuse the best of us – we gathered in the bar. Or rather 3 of us gathered in one bar with another 6 gathered in the other bar.  We finally met up and once Kevin had mastered his satnav and found the course, we were ready to get the season underway.

Undeterred by the weather, with several in shorts and suntan lotion in our bags, 2 three-balls and a four-ball teed off.

Omar did good, Les did not so good (bunkers, out of bounds, pond & ditch – and that was just the front nine) – with the rest of us somewhere in between.

Peter Harris had some fierce competition for “Nearest the Pin” on the 11^th but came through.

No info was forthcoming about the bunker flunker award.  Did everyone really get out of every bunker first time? Confessions welcomed and informers are encouraged!

The 2012 schedule tees off on Friday 30th March at Wellingborough, scene of triumph and despair in recent years plus a near drowning!

Tee times from 1.00 pm

Golf Followed by Ham, Egg and Chips

Cost for Golf and Food £25

Full directions on the right….

Welcome to the new Fritz Follies Golf Society website. I’ll be updating this once a month with fixtures, results and league standings.