Oxford Golf Club Away Day - 27th Aug 2019

At the 6^th attempt, we finally had some warm and dry weather (a little too dry and warm I hear you say…) for our latest instalment of TOFs on tour! Hmm…(more later!)

Oxford Golf Club played host with Steve Greenwood at the helm hence the good price! We were warned early on that the fairways were in a bit of a state but nothing prepared us for how bad they actually were. Probably the only saving grace for the course was the immaculate greens which were pretty hard to read (well they were for me!) 

After the tea, coffee and obligatory bacon rolls, we had a discussion over the number of penalty strokes one should get for a shot going out of bounds (it would seem we were making it easier for ‘those that do’ – thanks Alex). Clarification on the rules to be sent under separate cover.

The first tee tipple rolled over from Deanwood courtesy of Graham Plested and a fine single malt it was (Glenmorangie if memory serves?) Probably due to the ‘hot’ weather, the course was looking rather empty so permission sought and subsequently granted to depart early and the first group played away. 11 fine drives later (photographic proof embedded), it was my go and suffice it to say, I was also playing second! The weather played a large part in my failing ability to concentrate properly, well that’s my excuse! Dave Bolus was playing steady golf…for the most part of the round and Clifford wouldn’t talk to me because I didn’t know what had happened at Edgbaston (is that a football ground?)

Whilst enjoying the undulating…Undulating F%$/*@, it was more like a forced march in the Brecon Beacons (one for the boys). I did notice and couldn’t help taking a snap of Brian White and co with their umbrellas up, clearly coming out in sympathy for the lack of rain..!

The nearest the pin (17^th) again became a contest that proved too difficult for our intrepid golfers. On walking up to the green I picked up the NTP marker to be greeted with a nice note from Captain Frank which simply said, ‘Close… But no Cigar’ or was it, ‘Close but not close enough’? Either way, it’ll be a roll over to Badgemore on Tue Sep 24. Whilst waiting for our meal of pie of the day, chips and peas, the winning team (an addition to the standard prizes) was decided with Alex Frazer, Frank Parnell and Graham Harding winning a total of £4 each. The meal was superb and unofficially voted as the best meal we’ve had to date.

The full results list can be found in the normal place but the winners on this outing are:

Overall winner: Brian White (on a hat trick) Embossed Golf Balls and £8.00

Trophy winner: Phil Edwards

Putting competition: Graham Harding £8.00

Nearest the pin: Not on this occasion

Special Prize: Brian Monnery

Phil Edwards - Trophy Winner

One really poor joke later, it was time to go home and recover!

Golf quote for the month:

“Putting is like wisdom - partly a natural gift and partly the accumulation of experience”