From our correspondents JH and NT:
“Mighty Arsenal duo hold off a late challenge from Super Spurs.
The golfing Gods were looking down as the balls were tossed in the air on the first tee at Wycombe Heights with the result that the first group out was John T, Pete and Bill and the second group, Mike and Alan playing against John H and Nick. The scoring rules for the day were for all individual point scores of 3,4 or 5 to count for the team.
With Mike and Alan being long standing Arsenal supporters and Nick and John long suffering Spurs supporters the round was shaping up for a ding dong North London derby.
The Spurs duo had the better of the first half (nine holes)with Nick and John chalking up 4 scores of 3 points for 12 points and despite Mike scoring 16 points by the turn the Arsenal boys could only muster 6 points thanks to Alan. So Spurs had a commanding lead standing rather confidently on the 10th tee. Little did they know that Mike, probably after a good talking to from Alan, would suddenly find his player “A”, Messi game and knock in 3, 3 pointers on holes 10, 11 and 12. Unfortunately for Mike, player “B” then suddenly made an appearance on the 13th, however, Alan inspired by his team mate then scored 6 points on holes 15 and 16 to take a 9 point lead with 2 holes to play.
Spurs had gone all “Spursy” again and with injury time approaching it seemed game over. However, John picked up 3 points on the 17th to pull it back to 6 points down and then Nick, finding his inner “Harry Kane” had a monster drive on the 18th, chipped onto the green and sunk his putt for a score of 3 for 4 points. The Arsenal boys were on the ropes and if John could dig deep and locate his inner Gareth Bale, make a par for 3 points it would mean a last gasp victory by the Spurs boys by 1 point.
Unfortunately, true life, especially in golf, seldom follows the script and despite a last gasp effort and with the ref about to blow his whistle, John grazed the bar to score a 5 for 2 and therefore nil points for the team. Thus Alan and Mike won a well fought match by 2 points and retain bragging rights till the next time.
Mike had the best score with 32 points, John 28, Alan 26 and Nick 24. The greens were fast and and although not keeping a record, Nick wondered if any Ballbasher group had ever taken more putts over 18 holes? Interviewed after the game over a chicken and bacon bap with a side of chips he said “ My guess Gary is that we were averaging over 3 putts a hole which probably cost us around 9 points each over the round, 37 and 33 points would have looked far more respectable scores”
Back in the clubhouse the scores of Pete, John and Bill could not match Alan and Mike but all agreed that with the sun shining, wonderful views and nice open fairways, Wycombe Heights had been a very enjoyable course to play and maybe we should return again during the Summer. Though probably a course to miss in the Winter, up high, with rain lashing down and a gale blowing.”
