Hadden Hill Away Day - 18th Dec 2019

 

I know what you all thought… ‘We’re going to be lucky with the weather’…. Wrong! Back playing for the first time in ages, I brought my bespoke golf rain cloud along but because of the excitement of playing I forgot to release it until we were 3 hours in! Suffice to say, we all got a bloody good soaking! There was a great turn out of 22 golfers for this annual trip to Hadden Hill in memory of John Stanley but unfortunately Graham Plested had to drop out at the last minute.

We all gathered in the Club House for coffee/tea and the 23 bacon rolls were served just after 09:00hrs. Yes, 23 bacon rolls for 22 golfers… how does that work? (Someone’s got a secret and owes me £4!). It was great to see new faces joining the TOFs including the 3 Hadden Hillers (Peter Hands, Andy Stocks and Dave Morgan). Dave even travelled from Wales… good effort Dave.

We went over the rules for the day before we all went off to get ready. I would say that the rules were made crystal clear but after the number of questions asked after the briefing I soon realised it was as clear as mud and I hadn’t got a clue what I was talking about so left it to those better qualified.

The TOF (Tipple on the First) was around the Club Sign and the tipple of choice on this occasion was
a Japanese ‘Nikka’ single malt, most I think enjoyed given the size of their receptacles!

The first group played away on time and I felt rather sorry for my very understanding playing partners (Peter Saunders and Simon Jones) who had to endure my lack lustre performance including a couple of 3 putts from within 2 feet!. That said I did get my name on the 2 NTP signs but both efforts were soon eclipsed by more competent golfers. Peter’s short game was amazing, especially from around 90 yds and it soon became rather tiring watching his pitches land within 1 or 2 feet of the pin!

Dave Leak kindly shared a slice of ‘Stollen’ Bread on the 10^th tee (hope that’s right Dave?) made by his wife Jan. It was incredible so although I did share a little with Simon and Peter, it was just a little!. After 15 holes of dry weather, I remembered my rain cloud and not wishing to jeopardise my 100% rainfall record, I pulled the chain and the heavens opened up. So much so that the 18^th green was already a paddling pool when we (the first group) got there.

The trouble with not playing for a while is that you tend to forget some of the golfing essentials for playing in winter like waterproof trousers. That was my excuse so not sure what Simon’s excuse was?

As with every year, the Hadden Hill Catering Staff were outstanding and provided a fantastic Christmas dinner, pudding with coffee and mince pies to follow and this year Muriel (John Stanley’s widow) and Barbara Harker (Humph’s wife!) joined us for the meal which had a positive effect on keeping the Anglo-Saxon expletives to a minimum!

Our TOFs resident entertainments member (Rob Strange) performed a new track this year, dedicated to ‘penalty areas’, and a few TOFs especially Brian Monnery. This song was followed by the official TOFs Song. Our wordsmith, Peter Saunders then recited a short ditty to wet weather (great song and ditty as always gentlemen) and all that was left was for me to provide the obligatory joke.

Thanks to Brian White for taking the prizegiving photos. I can’t remember who videoed Rob singing but that must be worth adding to the TOFS website?

A full list of winners is shown below but congratulations to Alex Fraser who won both the John Stanley Trophy and the TOFs trophy (1^st time I believe) He was so chuffed he proceeded to give Dave Leak and the rest of us advice on why he was so successful – something to do with a straight left arm apparently. Apologies for not mentioning the runners up at the away day so for clarity, in third place with 38 points was Rob Strange and the runner up (on countback) with 38 points was Dave Leak.

John Stanley Trophy Alex Fraser 39 points £19, A four Ball Voucher for Badgemore and Golf Balls

TOFs Trophy Alex Fraser Bottle of Wine and Golf Balls

NTP Terry Stacey £19, Bottle of Port and Golf Balls

Least No of Putts Dave Roberts 30 putts £19, Bottle of Vodka and Golf Balls

Best Front 9 Alex Fraser 24 points Bottle of Wine and Golf Balls

Best Back 9 Dave Leak* 20 points Bottle of Wine and Golf Balls

NTP in 2 Phil Edwards Winning his own donated prize and a bottle of wine

Most Golf Played Clifford Bosley 17 points Bottle of port donated by Brian White and Golf Balls

*Winning on countback

Golf quote for the month:

“A good player who is a great putter is a match for any golfer. A great hitter who cannot putt is a match for no one.”

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I for one, am looking forward to a drier 2020!

Be Good, and if you can’t be good… Don’t get caught!