Natterjacks Round 4 Results and Roundup
1st Chris Davey 24 points
2nd Diane Clarke 23 points
3rd Stephen Butterfield 22 points
Chris Davey…the ‘can do’ man.
Helen Holmes has been struggling for form of late and will doubtless be hoping that a few days in the sun in Morocco will put things right in time for round 5. As with so many players Helen has had to adjust to a significant change of handicap but had the consolation of a par 4 for 3 points on the seventh on this occasion. Whereas Helen lost a lot of shots as a result of a flurry of successes, husband Jon has steadily improved his handicap and came away with 18 points this time. Perhaps I’m on my own in thinking that the 12th is a lot more difficult than SI 14 and whilst there were several advantageous tee positions this time around, the 12th was a marginal one. Jon was among those who made my opinion seem redundant by achieving a par on it for 3 points and then went on to par the shortened 14th and birdie the 16th, adding 3 points for each. Mike Jackman kept company with Jon and Helen and was playing off a handicap of just 10. Pars on 12,15,16 & 18 showed why. We all struggle for consistency and a five on the 13th and a blank on 14 proved costly for Mike in what was otherwise a very promising round. Everybody will be pleased to hear that Dougie Myers is one step closer to returning after receiving a date for his long awaited op. Part of his preparation has been to accompany wife Joan around the course and any attempts to offer advice on these occasions will be met by a withering look. Joan scored on every hole this time, a par on the 12th for 3 points was her highlight as she came home with 15 points. Geoff Freeman used a practice round under difficult conditions on Saturday [12 points] as prep for a much better attempt on Sunday. Geoff’s another player off 20 which means that both holes where he receives two shots occur on the front nine. And he’s in two more groups; one lot who are gradually reducing their handicaps during the regular season and secondly what might be called the ‘Can’t play too much golf club!’. On Sunday he posted 19 points by starting slowly and then improving, culminating in pars for 3 points on 16 & 17. Richard ‘Joey’ Roberts also played both days, following 16 points on Saturday with 18 on Sunday. A blank on hole 10 on Sunday was quickly rectified by pars on 13 and 14 and another on 18, each garnering 3 points. Richard is coming off a long lay-off and appears to be approaching his very best. George van Boyd’s card showed all fours and fives; 544545445 and playing off just 10 that was good enough for 17 points. We all know what George can do on a good day. Neil Robertson also plays off 10 right now and played both days, scoring 18 points on each. Saturday’s round included a blank on 13 and five pars whereas on Sunday he scored on every hole but only had three pars + a birdie. So, which is the better round? And that was the question he was asking himself and others after leaving the course! No easy answer Gunger, no easy answer. Unbeknown to Lesley Davey, as she left the 14th green with just five points, success was just around the corner. Twelve points on the last four holes brought her total to 17 and provided further proof that, come summer, she’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Brother-in-law Ank meanwhile went one point better and played the last five holes in just 20 shots. Ank’s regular playing partner Davey Boyce was not to be out done and did the same feat but a slightly better start was good enough to give him the edge with 19 points. David Clark, founder member of the ‘Can’t play too much golf club’ was another to post 18 points by virtue of being consistent on the day and scoring on every hole. Dave’s playing off 20 and is also among those who receives both his two shots holes on the front nine [2nd being SI 2 – 8th being SI 1]. Stephen Butterfield is gradually learning the course yet managed to accumulate 22 points on Sunday whilst playing off 17 and that was good enough to give him 3rd place. Three pars and a birdie on the 16th for 4 points established that Stephen can definitely play the game. Must be all that coaching he’s getting from Dave ‘Will He Ever Stop Talking’ Ward! Diane & Peter Clark played both days. Peter’s going through one of those phases where he’s playing extremely well and then having a disaster at some point on his way round. Saturday’s round was a good example. Two pointers on 10 & 11 were followed by a blank on 12. Then it’s five three pointers on the last six, from four pars and a birdie, to give him 20 points. It’s obvious that a big score is out there. On Sunday it was Diane’s turn to shine. Five net pars, three net birdies and a net eagle were part of an exceptional round which brought her 23 points and 2nd place. All of which brings us to our winner, Chris Davey with 24 points. His highlight was another gross birdie on hole 17 for 5 points, for the second consecutive round, underlining just how far his iron play and short game have come. Watch out Ed Rob, watch out John Young, there’s a new kid on the block and he’s gunning for you!
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