A very healthy number of members gathered at Kirtlington GC on Thursday 1st October; 14 to be precise, for the annual battle to win the ancient “SMIPLOSS” tankard.
The weather was simply gorgeous and with good views in all directions, the course was looking at its best.
A Covid spaced sandwich lunch was followed by two competitions.
The Veterans trophy was fiercely contested on the Par 3 Blenheim course between George Lamb and David Moorman. They had substantial but equal handicaps (golf that is!) and the scorecard read like a boxing match card. Never more than a hole ahead with the lead fluctuating, they arrived at the 9th and final hole with George one up. David produced a par 3 shot finish to George’s 4, and so the match was all square. They declined to play an additional deciding hole, preferring to share the trophy for the year.
Four teams of 3 contested the main course and all professed to have enjoyed the day. We all gathered for liquid refreshment and the prize giving following the golf.
Nearest the pin Tim House
Longest Drive Sathya Vadivale
Best Front 9 score Andrew Hickman 18 points
Best Back 9 score Howard Lancaster 17 points
Overall Winner Nick Thompson 37 points
No one was allowed to win more than one prize and the majority of the scoring was around 30 stableford points indicating a good standard of golf.
The winner was chased home by Sathya on 36 points (he would also have won the best back 9 score, but only 1 prize each !).
Especially for those not playing golf regularly, the individual memory of at least 2 (or more!) brilliant shots will hopefully linger so that everyone returns next year.
Your author is very grateful for the bottle of Port, presented by Howard Lancaster, as an impending move will mean another organiser next year.
Nick
