Downshire Golf Club Friday 1 December 2023

by Nick Aitken

Breakfast was excellent and so far as I could tell the Christmas jumper dress code was correctly observed by all.

For some reason the course was open despite the previous weeks of rain - which had thankfully stopped by Friday, and we were lucky to have reasonably calm weather, although quite a cold start.

The ground was predominantly frozen for the front 9, which suited my questionable ball striking as I somehow scraped 20 points. By the back 9 things had thawed out, and the muddy conditions then revealed I definitely wasn’t hitting the golf ball before the ground, and 13 points were scrambled. This turned out to be just enough for a 1 point victory over Mike C and 2 points over Ian – so the longish putt I holed on the last turned out to be important as I’d certainly have lost on countback to Mike (and to Ian if his ball hadn’t disappeared into the soggy fairway on the 15th after a seemingly perfect drive).

Despite the difficult conditions, it was great that the course was able to stay open, and thanks to Ian, Nigel, and Bruce for a very enjoyable game.

Have a great Christmas and see you in the new year!

RESULTS

Winner               Nick Aitken         33 pts

Runner up         Mike Clothier      32 pts

Third                   Ian Begg             31 pts

Nearest the pin        Bruce Riddington            6’ 7”

Staunton-Lambert Mystery 6          Bruce Riddington          12 pts