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The 2023 season for the Follies continued on 19th May with fifteen “golfers” assembling at Oundle Golf Club for this year’s second outing. Having driven through very wet roads following an earlier downpour, the expectation of needing wet-weather gear was high – but it seems the gods were smiling. We were treated to an afternoon of perfect golfing weather.

On arrival, the bacon rolls and tea/coffee were well received. Advice for the day given from the clubhouse, was to stay out of the rough (like we have a choice in the matter). They explained that due to staff shortages, strangely coupled with a lawn mower shortage, it was a little longer than usual in places.

It would appear the cleaning/maintenance team might have been shorthanded too. When Geoff asked if he could use the showers afterwards, the response from a member of staff was “I wouldn’t, they probably haven’t been used in the last three months”.

These staff shortages became more apparent after the round, when we discovered the clubhouse was locked up and everyone had gone home. As a result, we were unable to hold the usual post-round discussions and prize-giving rituals, and therefore notable events from the day are rather limited.

On the first tee, a warm welcome was extended to Richard Cheng on his first post-Covid outing with us, with someone commenting that Richard usually played wearing a sombrero??

As the afternoon progressed, the third group arrived at the 6th tee and somehow found themselves directly behind the first group (Dave W, Geoff and Trevor), – with no sign of the second group. It transpired that the second group hadn’t vanished into thin air as was first suspected, but Dave W, Geoff and Trevor had earlier played the 8th instead of the 6th, and had doubled back to hopefully put things right.

Trevor was particularly concerned to hear that there could potentially be some sort of penalty for playing holes out of sequence, as he had chipped in on the 8th with his third shot, giving him a magnificent 5 points! This would undoubtedly have been a topic for discussion afterwards, had the clubhouse been open.

Nearest the pin was on the 13th, and a loud cheer was heard coming from the final group. Looking back from the next tee, the previous group could see no ball visible on the green. Could there have been a hole-in-one? Not quite. Sean had hit the flag-stick from the tee (hence the cheer), but alas the ball then scampered off the green, leaving Dave W to claim the nearest the pin victory.

Where possible, prizes were given out in the car park, to those that remained:

1st place went to Paul Flanders with a very impressive 42 points

In 2nd place was Colin Humphries with 37 points (prize to be given at next meeting)

In 3rd place was Darren Pears with 35 points (beating Dave Ballard on count-back)

Nearest the pin was Dave West (prize to be given at next meeting)

Onto the next outing – Friday 30th June at Elton Furze where the President’s Cup is also at stake.

Davids West & Ballard won the Elton Furze Winter League.

A belated start to our new season following the postponement of the Spalding event due to poor weather. With heavy rain and strong winds, things were looking a little tricky in the days before Thorney but the weather gods smiled and 18 of us were greeted by a bright warmish day.

Les welcomed two new players, Steve Walker and soon to be infamous Alan Wensak.

Unfortunately, our new season didn’t start too well. Thorney has a little par 3 course. So as part of our pre-round warm up a few of us practised chipping onto the final green of the mini course. Belatedly, Paul B also decided he would give it a go. Unfortunately, Paul failed to notice two locals teeing off 75yards to his blind left hidden in the trees. Thus balls were flying into the green from all angles. One the two locals, a heavily muscled, heavily tattooed cage fighting lookalike was not impressed and duly gave Paul a “death stare”. Wisely, Paul rushed to grab his balls from the green and scampered off to the first tee before the “hulk” could get too near. Strike 1 in upsetting the locals!

New season, first tee, par 5, out of bounds to the right … What could go wrong?

Well, observing the initial groups driving off…. Let’s start with Martin Z. Tee shot didn’t get too far. Approaching the lake before the adjacent 18th green to the left a group of 4 locals were strolling to the end of their round. So Martin launches his second off at a 45 degree angle quickly followed a very loud “fore”. 50 yards away the locals dived for cover. Sheepishly walking to his ball Martin gave his usual beaming smile. Strike 2!

Now Les is Mr Reliable off the tee. Sporting his new Bucket hat, his first shot approached the out of bounds so Les took a provisional for which there was no doubt it went well out of bounds. I was concerned that the new hat was destined for the lake on the left but to his credit Les kept his usual cool and poise.

So for my group which included Darren P and Jim D ended the first hole in tatters and probably having broken the course record for a 3 ball having scored a combined 27. We did however make the same contribution with 9 each!

Unbeknown to us, Les’s group also scored 27 for the first hole but it was an uneven contribution. At the post match presentation Les made sure Alan was made well known to the group by announcing he had scored 13 on the first hole! For his effort Alan was awarded with the wooden table (upgrade on spoon) by Les presenting to him the table stand number for table 13. Welcome Alan.

After our dismal start, Darren in my group hit a great shot onto the 2nd green on the short par 3 lake hole. Achieving a great par 3 and flushed with success he somehow thought this entitled him to try to tee off from the ladies red tee on the following hole 3. Having explained it doesn’t work like that he duly moved back to the yellows.

Wonder putt – so hole 12, index 2: Jim tees off into the trees, great 2nd to the front fringe of the green narrowly missing the lake to the right. The flag being at the other end of the long narrow green. Flag still in he hits his putt. Running over all the undulations and without hesitation goes straight into the hole. The longest live putt I have ever seen. Darren and I watched in amazement as it seemed to take at least 10 seconds to go in. We estimated it was about 60 foot but having discussed it further over the next hole it went to 70 and then 80 feet. The fisherman syndrome prevailed!

Jon K also had an eventful 12th hole. Searching for his ball in the rough he found 4 others before his own and still went onto to score 2 points. A lesson in perseverance and great outcome.

Our winner of nearest the pin was Sean Melia. 17th hole, 160 yards, index 18. On paper not too tough to get on the green? Not so, faced with a strong headwind and most having to use woods to get anywhere near the hole. Sean hit a great shot to get within 10 feet of the pin. The only other person to hit the green was Graham T from the same group.
Geoff made the rather dubious claim of getting nearest the pin in 2! So congratulations Sean – great effort.

To the points competition:

3rd was Trevor Chapman on 31 on countback

2nd Sean Melia with 31 points

1st and aided by a few fortunate 1 putts on the home stretch me, Paul Flanders, with 33 points.

Not a high scoring round points wise compared with last year when 6 players scored more than 33 points. This year probably reflected the fairly tough conditions of heavy rough, a strong wind and very fast greens (credit to the course for the greens being in such good condition). All a bit much for our first outing maybe. Although enjoyable, I think most of us felt it had been a long and tiring round.

This is all except Geoff D (and Dave W who cadged a lift), who due to a dodgy knee had to take a golf cart round. Geoff being in the last group had the cart way past his allotted time! Upon returning the cart Geoff was met by a rather grumpy club employee who was concerned the cart had gone missing but more importantly was now late for his tea!! Strike 3.

Let’s hope it’s not 3 strikes and out for next year.

Next outing is Oundle on Friday 19th May

Regards Paul Flanders.

Friday 31 March – Spalding Golf Club – Ham, Egg & Chips after Golf – £30

Monday 17 April – Thorney Lakes – breakfast on arrival – £30

Friday 19 May – Oundle Golf Club – Bacon Roll Coffee / Tea on arrival – £30

Friday 30 June – Elton Furze Golf Club – Golf only – £22

Friday 14 July – Ramsey Golf Club – Tea/Coffee Bacon roll on arrival – £25

Thursday 24 August – Stoke Rochford Golf Club – Tea/Coffee Bacon roll on arrival – £36.50

Friday 8 September – Tydd St Giles Golf Club – Bacon Roll Coffee / Tea on arrival / 2 Course meal after Golf – £35

Friday 20 October – Woolfox Golf Club – Tea/Coffee Bacon roll on arrival – £25

Friday 10 November – Elton Furze Golf Club – Golf only – £22 followed by Fritz Follies Golf Society Annual Supper and Prize Giving 2023 at the Black Horse, 14 Overend, Elton, Peterborough, PE8 6RU

Richard gets the year off to a flying start with the Shirt in Sydney. He confessed to 3 weeks travelling around the North Island of New Zealand and carried the shirt all the way without remembering to take any photos! They stopped for a couple of days in Sydney on the way home and this time he remembered!

Texas Scramble result from Elton Furze in November:

1st – John Dexter / Jim Daley / Trevor Chapman / Andy McHattie with Gross 68 Net 60.60

2nd – David West / Paul Bellinger / Paul Flanders Net 64.2

3rd – Graham Tooke / David Carter / Darren Pears / Graeme Phipps Net 65.3

4th – Dave Ballard / Steve Preston / Colin Humphries / Roy Fletcher/ Net 69.2

5th – Les Wells / Brian Bates / Jon Kelly Net 72.98

Nearest Pin:

David West on the 2nd

Graham Tooke on the 15th.

Dates for your diary:

Friday 31st March – Spalding

Friday 10th November – Fritz Follies Golf Society Annual Supper and Prize Giving 2023

The heldover results from Lakeside Lodge in October were:

1st – 39 points Paul Flanders, an excellent score particularly as Paul started with his customary ’blob’ on the first. Very consistent with 19 on the front and 20 points on the back.
2nd – 36 points Sean Melia, helped by an outrageous 30-40 foot putt on the second hole and 20 points on back nine
3rd – 35 points John Dexter, a great score given the added pressure of playing for the trophy.

Nearest the pin – Carried forward to next time

This left the 2022 Fritz Follies Championship in a tie with John Dexter and Dave Ballard both on 115. One solitary point ahead of Graham Tooke.

This year saw a change of venue with the Supper being held in the Black Horse, Elton. It went off very well with all present enjoying a private room and some excellent food .

Back in June the President’s Cup was won by Trevor Chapman who received the trophy from El Presidente Bernie Fritz

This year’s Shirtie was won by Dave Ballard for his ‘Hippo Hollow’ photo.
The final presentation was the Wooden Spoon and we don’t mention the Wooden Spoon!

Texas Scramble results and photos to follow later…..

Thank for the lovely gift last year of “Afternoon Tea” at The George in Stamford. We saved this for a nice evening with a roaring log fire to complement the lovely surroundings and I must say a wonderful afternoon tea.
My wife as an expert in these things said it was the best she had tasted. So just to say this was very much appreciated.

Les

Dave Ballard reports that this is the 16th green on Sabi River Sun Golf Course in South Africa and yes, that is a real live Hippo watching on! The hole is known as ‘Hippo Hollow’, one you won’t be retrieving your ball from! 

14 enthusiastic golfers arrived for the final qualifying event of this year’s competition at Lakeside Lodge with it still all to play for at the top of the leaderboard.

On arrival at the clubhouse the golfers were welcomed by Brian and Geoff who were taking on the role of hosts for the day in the absence of Les who was on his holidays. The usual pre-round coffee and bacon rolls were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

As the first tee time approached and with most of the golfers on the putting green the heavens decided to open and there was much scurrying for waterproofs. Fortunately the shower didn’t last very long at all and the weather remained kind for the rest of the day, in fact we were treated to a fine autumn afternoon.

Lakeside Lodge is a good complex with plenty of facilities including lodges for those looking for a golfing break. The course provided a fair challenge with plenty of opportunities to score but also opportunities to lose plenty of balls out of bounds and in the water! A further challenge on the day was locating your ball if it landed in the leaves, a particular gripe from some of the golfers! Unfortunately the greens on the back 9 were not as good as the front and Geoff’s description of the course as ‘patchy’ certainly applied to some of those greens.

As master of ceremonies ,Geoff started by announcing the winner of the nearest the pin prize on the 5th hole. Unfortunately however, Geoff explained that not one golfer managed to hold the green, clearly this was due to the difficulty of the hole not the quality of the golfers! Geoff did mention that as they approached the 5th tee Steve Preston got quite excited in that ‘they were in with a chance today as he couldn’t see a marker on the green’. Geoff had to point out to Steve that this was because they were the first group out and no one had yet played the hole!

With all the scores counted in, Geoff announced the final positions, noting that the standard of golf on the day was pretty good. No disasters from the course or the bunkers were reported although there was a rumour of some frustrated club thumping.

The results on the day will be announced at the Supper but we can announce that Nearest the pin is carried forward to next time!!

Many thanks to Brian and Geoff for hosting the day and of course, Les for his organisation of all the events.

The final event of the year is at Elton on Friday 11th of November with the Supper in the evening. Invites should be in your inboxes.