Much Excitement at Huntswood

From our correspondent:

Eight Ballbashers turned out at Huntswood for the final game of the 2022 Frostbite League which, with temperatures reaching 20 degrees and with uninterrupted sunshine throughout the round, meant that the chances of any frostbite were beyond remote. In fact, the weather and the course conditions, other than the lack of tree foliage, were very similar to those encountered on one of our better summer league games with the only problem being that, after months of dealing with muddy fairways, the distinct tendency for the ball to roll a great deal further than expected took some adjusting to – a small price to pay for such a glorious golfing day.

And, on top of this unexpected treat, Richard’s unfortunate absence due to a back injury (and family Covid) meant that there was also the exciting possibility of a denouement to the Frostbite League, with both Pete F and Robert M now able to overtake him and MikeS to claim the coveted trophy.

So, suitably revved up with anticipation, the first group of four, comprising Stuart & Peter R and Alan & Robert M, set off and disappeared into the distance followed by our group that featured Pete F & Rob A and John T & Nick.

The first hole quickly revealed that there were points for the taking as John T posted 4 for 4 pts and Rob posted 4 for 3 pts. Not a flash in the pan as it turned out for, as the first 9 unfolded, it became increasingly clear that: i) providing you hit your drive and long fairway clubs properly (something that, for some of us, is much easier to say than do) reaching the green in regulation was a genuine possibility on most holes, and ii) that Rob was playing some stunningly consistent golf. So consistent that he’d amassed 24 points at the turn, including one 4 point hole and five 3 point holes, which, as far as I could see, involved no luck, just unerringly solid play. And, while Rob’s back 9 wasn’t quite so bountiful, his equally steady play produced a further 20 points, resulting in a new Ballbasher record score of 44 points for Huntswood, one point more than the previous record held by… Rob.

As for on course incidents, our “First Group Correspondent” reports the following:

1. At the second hole Stuart’s drive ended about 4 inches from hole. Beautiful swing and the nearest thing I will see to a hole in one. Stuart took it in style with panache and did not even sport a Cheshire Cat grin!

2. Alan survived an assassination attempt by his very own partner (Robert M). Robert was having a poor day and was so preoccupied with his golf that, in hitting one powerful shot, he was very concerned that it might hit a tree. As a result he only shouted Fore at the same time as the ball fell from a great height at 32 feet per second and hit Alan’s bag. It passed about 12 inches from Alan’s head. Robert showed little or no remorse but was thankful he missed the tree.

Exciting stuff…

And, back on the clubhouse patio, with Alan looking only slightly shell-shocked while everyone else relished the continuing sunshine, more excitement awaited as the scores revealed that, in addition to John T, Stuart and Peter R having taken full advantage of the conditions to post very respectable scores, the league “contenders”, Pete F & Robert M, had missed out on their opportunity for individual glory leaving Rob to come from behind and, in addition to achieving a new course record and a country mile win on the day, amass a Frostbite League points total equal to Richard’s and MikeS’s and RobM’s to create the very first 4-way tie for any league let alone the Frostbite League where traditionally very few players have recorded the minimum 4 scores (global warming I suppose).

Scores were:

Team points: Pete F & Rob A – 51 (only 3 points behind the BB record), Stuart & Peter R – 48 points, John T & Nick – 41 points, Alan & Robert M – 33 points

Individual points: Rob A – 44, Peter R – 35 points, Stuart – 34 points, John T – 33 points, Nick – 29 points, Pete F – 25 points, Alan – 23 points, Robert M – 23 points.