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.