Club championship and then it all fell apart.

Saturday was the day of the Club Championship, 36 holes played on the same day, after a week of lovely weather the forecast for Saturday was very wet with possible thunderstorms, not the best weather for golf.

Sadly the forecast seemed to be being fulfilled when I arrived at the club and it was pouring down. I was playing with Sarah, who plays off 5 handicap, and who has won the Championship for the last few years.

We set off n the pouring rain and both started badly, I topped my tee shot on the first and finished with a 5, Sarah but her tee shot into a big bush and had to play 3 off the tee, We both struggled throughout the round although I did birdie the 14^th and in fact played the last 5 holes in level par. I finished the first round n 88 shots, which was 2 less than Sarah, who had a disastrous 90.

After a break for lunch, we were back out and the weather had improved a little. I parred the first and Sarah had a lovely birdie, such a contrast from the start of the morning round. I had a great chance to par the 2^nd too but after finding the green in two, I misread the break of my putt and 3 putted, I didnt help my cause on the 3^rd either when I had a double bogey, however things started to change and I parred the next 6 holes to end the first nine with 39 shots, Sarah also improved immensely and a second birdie and also an eagle meant she had played the first nine in level par score of 36.

The second nine of the afternoon, unfortunately proved to be my downfall, I double bogeyed 3 of the first 4 holes and although a couple of pars steadied things a fourth double at the last hole, where I hit a tree and ended up in the stream meant I had taken 47 shots for the back nine, very disappointing as a half decent back nine would have given me a handicap cut. Sarah in contrast continued her good form from the first nine holes and took 38 shots for an excellent round total of 74 just 2 over par. Which was good enough to for her to become club champion again. For me my afternoon round meant that I had won the Trophy for the best nett score.

I had been a little unhappy with my pitching and so I decided to go and have a practice round and try and work out why my pitches were all gong way to the right. I did appear to have solved the problem, however I developed a far worse one, suddenly I couldn't hit my drives consistently. My driving is normally the strongest part of my game and to have it disintegrate was very worrying.

I could not do much about it as the tuesday was the day of the regional final of the LGU Coronation Foursomes at Crewe Golf Club and although we started well with 2 pars, my driving let us down badly and we scored very badly for the rest of the round.

Thursday saw me give out weekly competition a miss as I was playing in an open at Hillside Golf Club, one of the best courses have played, I hoped I could recover my driving consistency but sadly despite the great course I was as erratic as ever.

 

Hillside photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday was the Centenary Trophy at Ellesmere and my poor form continued and I took 97 shots for my first handicap increase since getting down to 13.

Monday was a rare ladies singles open, this time at Mere Golf Club, a course I had played in the dim and distant past and was looking forward to playing it again. Needless to say on a course where straight hitting is a must my driving was no better and a gross 98 meant the 2nd handicap increase in 2 days.

Today had a lesson at Chorlton and James the coach I go to saw several faults that had crept into my swing and showed me how to correct them. Hopefully I will see improvements in this weeks competition.

Mixed bag.

On Monday I went to played in a Lancashire ladies senior team open at Worsley, was playing with 3 ladies I didn't know, but had been asked to play with through a mutual friend. Its a great thing about the seniors, I only joined this season but I have already been asked to play in 4 opens.

I Started with four of bogeys, I then parred 4 of the next 5 holes to finish with 41 for the first nine holes. I holed a good putt for a birdie on the 10^th, had another birdie on the 14^th and 2 more pars and finished the 2^nd nine in 38 for a round total of 79, my lowest round so far in any type of competition.

I also didn't score worse than a bogey on any hole, which was my target for this season, I just now need to repeat this in a qualifying competition.

As for the team competition, we gelled very well and finished with a total of 83 points, which was good enough to finish n 3^rd place.

Tuesday saw me playing in a 4 BBB, with Tracy from Manchester GC at Uttoxeter, which proved to be a bit of a quirky course. It is situated above Uttoxeter Racecourse, and there is hardly a flat hole on the course and although short it is rather tricky.

I didn't play well at all on the front nine, although Tracy fortunately played very well, I dont think my score went on the card until the 8^th or 9^th hole. One of the problems I had were the greens, I just could not putt on them. I did contribute more on the back nine and hit some good shots but overall I was disappointed with how I played, I did enjoy the course though and thanks to Tracy we managed to finish 5^th.

Thursday's competition back at Ellesmere was a medal, and having parring the first, a double and then a triple bogey on the next two holes set me back , a few bogeys followed before I finished the first nine with 3 pars which steadied my round. Sadly 2 double bogeys early in the back nine set me back again, but I finished well with pars on the last 4 holes

So this weeks medal round.

Hole 1
I hit a lovely tee shot to 20 feet, my birdie putt was just left of the hole so a par 3 to start.

Hole 2

A very high short drive finished in the rough, I hit a decent 3 wood to about 60 yards, I hit a good chip but it bounced badly and missed the green I chipped on and 2 putted for a double bogey 6

Hole 3

A very good straight drive left me just over 200 yds from the green, so I decided to go for it rather than lay up as usual, sadly I pushed the 3 wood right but was lucky to have a decent lie in trees. I tred to hit it low to keep under the branches but it was too low and caught the top of the bank, I didn't hit a great chip and the followed it up with another poor chip, finally I found the green and 2 putted for a very poor triple bogey 8

Hole 4

My tee shot was to the left of the green, and my chip ran of the right side, chip back on hit the flag and a short putt gave me a bogey 4.

Hole 5

A nice drive and a decent second which finished a little short of the green, chipped to 10 feet but the putt just slid past so a bogey 5.

Hole 6

Another good drive but hit my 3nd to the left of the green, a poor chip finished short and then a chip on and 2 putts gave me a bogey 6.

Hole 7

A nice drive and then a 8 iron which just ran off the side of the green, I putted it to a few inches and holed for a par 4.

Hole 8

A decent drive and then a slightly thinned 3 wood, which finished about 40 yards short of the green, I chipped on and again just missed my putt so a par 5.

Hole 9

A lovely tee shot to about 8 feet above the hole, a tricky downhill putt that I barely touched, it caught the side of the hole and rolled 6 feet past, but I holed the return for a par 3.

So despite the triple bogey, the 3 pars on the last 3 holes gave me a front nine of 44.

Hole 10
Another nice drive but I mishit my 3 wood, I had a 100 yd pitch that finished pin high but 20 feet left, again the putt just slide by so a tap in for a bogey 5.

Hole 11

A good drive then I laid up, hit a nice 3^rd which sadly was a little of line and caught the back of a bunker, I got it out but misjudged the putt and left it 6 feet short and missed the 2^nd so a disappointing double bogey 7

Hole 12

I took a 3 wood of the tee and hit it ok but it finished short of the green, I chipped on 2 putted for a bogey 4.

Hole 13

My drive was straight but a little too high, then I hit my 3 wood to the right and finished under low low hanging branches then my low chip just failed to clear a bunker, I got out and 2 putted for a double bogey 6.

Hole 14

A decent tee shot found the left hand side of the green and left a long downhill putt, I judged the line pretty well but just missed the hole and it ran down the hill 10 feet past and I missed the return so a bogey 4.

Hole 15

A decent drive but a bit to the right and then a nice 3 wood also down the right left about 7o yards, a nice wedge found the green and again my putt just missed so a par 5

Hole 16

A lovely long straight drive left a wedge to the green again just missed my birdie so a tap n for a par 4

Hole 17

Not the best drive and t finished n the left hand rough but I hit a nice 5 iron to the uusal place I lay up and then hit a nce 3 wood a little left which finished on a bank by the green, I chipped to about 15 feet and finally a putt dropped to give me a par 5

Hole 18

I hit a nice tee shot finished pin high but 20 feet right of the hole,.a good putt left a tap n for a par 3.

A bit of trouble wth bunkers and a couple 3 putts were offset by parring the last 4 holes to give give 43 on the back nine, giving a total of 87 for a nett 74 and safely in my buffer.

A mostly poor week.

Monday was the last game in ths season's handicap shield matches and we were home to Whitefield, I was first out after my handicap cut of the week before and I was happy to finish on a winning note coming through a close match by 3&2. The team signed off well with all our players winning for a 7-0 victory, which left our record at won 2, tied one, lost 3. disappointing after winning our league last year, but enjoyable non the less.

It was my first year organising the Ellesmere team and it was certainly challenging and I have learnt that not everyone is as eager as me to play in these matches. It was a struggle sometimes getting 7 players and often I was on the phone the day before desperately trying to get someone to make up the 7 players required. I will have to be better organised next year.

On Tuesday I played in the captain's charity event at the club, in a team very generously entered by the husband of one of the girls I played with. We started very well and had 42 points after the first nine but faded badly on the back nine only scoring 27 points. Personally I played very well but my short putting was abysmal missing 7 times from inside 4 feet, despite this I still scored 87 gross. After the round I hit the practice green and messed about with putting style making a change than seemed to be a lot better, of course time will tell if I putt better on the course.

Thursday's competition was a medal and I couldn't have started better, holing a nice putt for a birdie. Alas, things could only get worse after that and indeed they did. 2 double bogeys followed and then after a par, I went double, triple, quad ruple, before settling back down, although after a decent back 9 I finished with another double. My score of 93 gross, 80 nett was very disappointing but fortunately the competition ended up as being reductions only and so I didn't get a handicap increase.

On to Friday and I played at Northenden, a course I hadn't played before, in the second round of the HowdidIDo knockout. I played against a lovely chap, 78 years old and recovering from a stroke he had had earlier in the year. I didn't start too well and lost the first 2 holes, but after halving the 3^rd with a par, I had a nice run and 3 more pars saw me 2 up after 7.

I hit a great tee shot on the 8^th to around 10 feet and he found the back of the green, but then holed a monster putt for a birdie 2 and I  missed my mine. This started him on a great run that saw  hm play 9 holes in just one over gross. I couldn't live with that and he closed out the match on the 16^th. I hadn't played badly, I was one under my handicap after the 16 holes, however he was 4 under his and deserved the victory.

I have to say I really enjoyed our match and found the members at Northenden to be very friendly, the course was very nice, but to be honest it was a little too flat for my liking.

So this weeks medal round.

Hole 1
I hit a lovely tee shot to 15 feet holed the putt for a birdie 2.

Hole 2

A good drive sadly took a bad bounce and finished in a bunker, I got it out but then left a wedge short of the green, I chipped on and 2 putted for a double bogey 6

Hole 3

Another decent drive and I laid up in front of the ditch but in the rough, I hit a reasonable third but it was too far right,I chipped over the bunker and putted to less than 2 feet but missed the putt, so a double bogey 7

Hole 4

My tee shot was to the right of the green, I chipped to 3 feet and holed the putt for a par 3.

Hole 5

A nice drive but then I pulled my second and it caught he bunker short of the green, I got out and then chipped on, 2 putts gave me a double bogey 6

Hole 6

I hit my drive which felt strange and neither I nor my partner saw the ball, so I had to take 3 off the tee, I this ok and my next finished 50 yards shot of the green, my chip only reached the front of the green and I left my first putt short, then missed with my second so a triple bogey 8.

Hole 7

I hit my drive too far right and tried to just miss the trees with my second but didn't hit the ball well and it finished under a the tree, I knocked it out but then fluffed the next into long rough and never found the ball, so I had to play another, this time I chipped on and took 2 putts for a quad bogey 8

Hole 8

My drive was a little short and in the rough, I cleared the ditch but then missed the green with my 3^rd, so chipped on and 2 putted for a bogey 6

Hole 9

I hit my tee shot left, but chipped to 3 feet and holed for a par 3

So after a great start, 5 poor holes in the next 6 meant 49 for the first nine holes

Hole 10
Again my drive was high and short, a good 2^nd was short of the green, I chipped on and 2 putts gave me a bogey 5.

Hole 11

A good drive then I laid up, my 3^rd found the front of the green but my first putt was short and I missed the next so a bogey 6.

Hole 12

I hit my tee shot shot right of the green, and my chip was thinned to the back of the green, I then chipped to a foot and holed for a bogey 4

Hole 13

Another short drive and then I hit my second to the right of the green behind trees, I tried to chip passed the trees but hit a branch, I then chipped to about 15 feet and holed for a bogey 5

Hole 14

I found a bunker in front of the green, got it out but only to the bank of the bunker, I then chipped to 2 feet and holed the putt for a bogey 4

Hole 16

Yet another high short drive, then hit my 2^nd a bit thin and left a 6 iron to the green, I pulled it a bit left but chipped to 8 feet and holed the putt for a par 5

Hole 16

Finally a nice drive and then I found the green with a wedge, then 2 putts gave me a par 4

Hole 17

I hit a good drive then laid up a little short, I hit 3rd way right and my 4^th only reached the top of the slope down to the green, I chipped to 5 feet and holed the putt for a bogey 6

Hole 18

I hit a nice tee shot but it was to the right and found a bunker, I got out but over the green, so chipped on and 2 putted for a double bogey 5.

44 shots was better than the 49, but still too many for my new handicap, The one bright spot was my putting, despite 3 putting twice, I did have 8 single putts. I just need to putt like that when I am hitting the ball well.

Very hectic week

The last week has been mostly matchplay, it is a format that I really enjoy and it seems to suit my erratic style of play.
The first match was on Monday at Whitefield Golf Club, playing for our handicap shield team. I do like Whitefield, its not the longest course and has several sort par 4s which if I am hitting the ball well, really suits me as I can usually reach holes under 300 yds with a drive and a wedge or 9 iron, which tend to be my strengths.

I played well and my driving was mostly straight and after trading the first few holes I hit a purple patch parring 6 holes on the trot which took me from all square to 5 up and I eventually finished up winning the match by 5&3. The overall score for the team match was a tie with 3 wins each and on match finishing all square.

Tuesday I was playing at Ellesmere in the first round of the HowdidIdo Moroccan matchplay, I was playing a chap who had to give me 4 shots. I started very well and won the first 5 holes and was 6 up after the first 9 holes. He came back at me winning 3 holes on the run to half my lead but I held out and won the match by 4&3.

Wednesday and the first round of another National knockout competition, this time the Nike, in r which I reach my area final last year. We were playing at Heaton Park, a good municipal course in Manchester. We both played pretty well and the match was very close. I missed the chance to go 1 up on the 16^th, when my opponent scrambled a half with a very good recovery for the trees behind the green and then on the 17^th, my steady driving deserted my and I hit my drive into the long stuff and wasted the shot I was receiving and so I went to the 18^th one down. I hit another wayward drive but managed to find the green with my second, my opponent had trouble in a bunker and I won the hole to take us to the 19^th. Sadly I hit a very wayward drive which finished in the trees and I had to take a penalty drop and failed to reach the green with my 3^rd. My opponent found the green with his 2^nd shot and that was it, he parred the hole to win the match.

A break from matchplay on thursday saw me back at Ellesmere for a Stableford competition, I started with a bogey but then failed to score on the 2^nd despite being within 50 yds of the green 2. After 2 bogeys I only had 5 points after 4 holes but after another bogey on the 5^th, I found some good form and went par, par, birdie, par to finish the first 9 on 19 points. I had a rare par on the 10^th, then after 3 bogeys holed a long putt for a birdie on the 15^th and after bogeys on 16 and 17 I hit the 18^th green off the tee and holed another long putt for a birdie 2 on the last. I scored 22 points on the back 9 to finish with  a round total of 41. This was 5 shots under my handicap and after threatening for the last few weeks I finally had a nice handicap cut to drop my handicap to a new low of 13.0. It was also a record low gross score for me of 82.

I didn't hang around as I had agreed, at short notice, to play in a team open at Manchester and had to rush straight off after handing in my card. I didn't play too badly at Manchester although the day did take its toll towards the end of the round. I did contribute on several holes although on one hole I had a 12 foot putt for an eagle and ended up 3 putting. Our team finished with 79 points just one point off 3^rd place.

Friday and another matchplay, this time in the semi final of club knockout, and after yesterdays cut I was giving my opponent, Sue, 10 shots. We set off in rain with would continue all the round.

I won the first with a par, but lost the second where we both had bogey 5s but Sue had a shot. I was giving a shot on the 3^rd as well and after finding a bunker off the tee I tried to clear the ditch with my third and only found the rough after missing the green with my 4^th, Sue holed a long putt to win the hole easily and go 1 up.

I found the green with my tee shot on the 4^th and made a par to win the hole and get back to all square.

I won the fifth with a bogey despite giving a shot when Sue found the ditch with her 2^nd shot, we we halved the 6^th when we both had bogeys and then on the 7^th, I topped a iron to bougble bogey the hole and lose it when Sue also double bogey and bring us back to all square. A par gave me a half on the 8^th to Sue's bogey, nett par and then she hit her tee shot on the 9^th to 6 feet and despite a par form me she holed the birdie putt to go one up at the turn.

I found the green in two at the tricky 10^th and 2 putts gave me a par, but again it was only a half as Sue had a bogey with a shot. A bogey at the 11^th was enough for me to win the hole after sue laid up and then found the bunker.

I missed a good chance on the 12^th when I missed a par putt from 2 feet and the we halved 13 and 14. I made a bit of a mess of the 15^th so Sue was back to 1 up and the non the 16^th after Sue had driven into the trees and had to play out sideways, I found the greenside bunker when trying to play safe and took 2 to get out of the sodden sand before missing a 4 foot putt to win the hole.

Onto the 17^th and still one down, I hit a good drive, while Sue was close to the trees, she hit t out well and then we both played down short of the ditch, the ground waa very wet now and I hit a poor 3^rd which caught trees but fortunately finished on the edge of the fairway, Sue then did similar but found a fairway bunker. I found the grene wth my 4^th but all Sue could do was to just get out of the bunker before finding the green in 6, vI putted close for a bogey 6 and Sue could hole her 20 foot putt so I won the hole and we went to the last all square.

I hit a nice teeshot which was right on the flag but finished well behind the hole, Sue also hit the green but bounced onto the fringe, she putted up dead for a par 3, I followed suit and we were of to the first extra hole.

I had the tee and with a slightly fortuitous bounce I finished 5 feet from the hole, Sue missed the green but chipped on and then shaved the hole with her par putt. That left me 2 putts for the match and although I didn't hole the birdie putt I tapped in for a par to win the match.

Despite the rain we had a great match, never more than one hole in it and it really could have gone either way. I was delighted to have reached the final where instead of giving shots I will be receiving 2 or 3.

Finally to finish, the round that took me to 13.

Hole 1
My tee shot was a little short of the green but a chip and 2 putts gave me a bogey 4

Hole 2

My drive was short and left but a nice 3 wood left me about 50 yds form the hole, sadly I hit the ball off the toe of the club and it went 45 degrees and nearly went in a bunker. I had a poor stance and could only knock the ball across the green, I hit an average chip but missed the putt so a 7 and no points.

Hole 3

A good drive and I tried to carry the ditch but pushed it into trees, fortunately the ball dropped safely and I hit a nice wedge but it ran through the green, a chip on and 2 putts for a bogey 6 and 2 points,

Hole 4.

I found the bunker off the tee, got t out but failed to reach the green, I chipped on and holed a 20 foot putt for a bogey, no shot here so just 1 point.

Hole 5.

Another good drive but failed to get on the green with my 2^nd, chipped on and 2 putts for a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 6.

I hit a good drive but not the best 2^nd shot I found the green with a chip and 2 putts gave me a par 5 and 3 points.

Hole 7

A decent drive then my 2^nd finished on the fringe of the green, I chipped to a couple of feet and holed the putt for a par 4 and another 3 points.

Hole 8

A good drive and a nice 2^nd left a short chip which I got close and holed the putt for a birdie 4 and 4 points.

Hole 9

My tee shot was a little too left but another good chip left a short putt for a par 3 but no shots so 2 points.

So a good finished meant I ended up with 19 points on the front nine.

Hole 10
A nice drive down the left and a lovely 3 wood which finished just short of the green, I chipped to 4 feet and hole the putt for a par 4 and 3 points

Hole 11

A decent drive then I hit my 2^nd a little left, but a good 3^rd found the fringe of the green, I ht a poor first putt and then missed my with my second, so a bogey 6 and 2 points.

Hole 12

My tee shot was left of the green and a chip and 2 putts gave me a bogey 4 and 2 points.

Hole 13.

A lovely straight tee shot and then a good 2^nd which finished on the fringe, I hit my putt far too left and missed the par putt so a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 14

A nice drive finished just off the back of the green, I putted from the fringe again but again took 3 putts, so a bogey 4 and no shot so just 1 point.

Hole 15

A good drive and a reasonable 2^nd left a 50 yds pitch which finished 20 feet away from the flag and I holed the putt for a birdie 4 and 4 points.

Hole 16

A decent drive that took a poor bounce into the trees. I chipped out and then found the green with my 3^rd, 2 putts gave me a bogey 5 and 2 points.

Hole 17

A good drive and could have tried to clear the ditch, but decided to play safe and chip down, sadly I ended on a downslope and didn't hit a great 3^rd, I found the green with my 4^th and 2 putted for a bogey 6 and 2 more points.

Hole 18.

I hit a nice tee shot to 25 feet short of the flag and holed the putt for the third birdie of the round and another 4 points.

So 22 points on the back nine for a total of 41.