Sunday morning in spite of dire weather forecasting to the contrary dawned bright and clear and promised only to get better once the cloud cover diminished. The President’s team departed the first tee on time and by 9.15am we were all present and ready to do battle with Avondale.
Contrary to normal practice within the Metro grade Avondale had tried to fool us by playing a number of younger players but the older wiser and sage members of the Christchurch Team were not to be so easily put off. Savill was relieved to see an opponent of almost equal age but confided to our number 3 Ben Frampton that 3 was the hardest position in the line up and inevitably they were younger fitter stronger and longer than you – at least on initial view this seemed to be the situation.
My continuing slide down the handicap index for the first time meant I was off in the leading group. A review of the handicaps indicated that we may be behind at the top but we had an advantage as we moved down the order. So it was with some anticipation that we teed up to hit off. Almost simultaneously the temperature started to rise into a hot clingy muggy heat. At no.8 Cran and I got off to a flying start but things were on a more even keel by the time we crossed the road. Both matches followed an up and down / left to right course and it was with some relief we made the 10th for refreshments kindly provided Julie O’Neill. Both Cran & I were engaged in stern battles and I knew the outcome could be critical to deciding the overall result.
There are no easy games in Metro I birdied 3, the two Avondale players birdied 7 and Cran birdied 11 so we all had 2’s on our card. By playing out of his skin Cran was managing to maintain a slender 1up advantage. Eventually Cran won on the 17th 2/1 having shot 84 (including an 8 on 4 – net 67) his opponent had a net 66 and was possibly one of the best 18 handicappers I have ever seen! (Cran was absolutely trenched in sweat with his shirt dripping wet). My match continued to ebb and flow but on 14 I once again got back to square and managed to hold off the heat and a fast finishing opponent for a half. Inevitably I had my problems on 18 with my drive barely making the ladies tee but I scrambled a 5 having to putt a 2 footer at the end for the half.
John Dickson made a slow start but buoyed by his success on Saturday showed no mercy in quickly despatching his opposite number 5/4 indicating a return to his true form and collecting an 82 which according to him “Could have been better had I had any luck at all!!”. Joe Mullins started slowly but was making a solid recovery when he was subjected to what can only be described as a dubious rules call by the Avondale player – quite honestly I have never heard of anything like it in Metro. It was to Joe’s credit he took it on the chin and simply walked to the next tee. Aroused Joe immediately lifted his game and by 16 was in front and in remorseless fashion he finished the match at 17 winning 2/1.
One of the critical match ups was at 3 & 4 where we hoped Ben & Steve Savill could give us some much needed points. Ben playing a younger and lower handicapped player was all business as he carted an 80 and moved to a 3/2 victory. Age and course knowledge clearly giving Ben the edge! Steve Savill also put in an impressive effort winning 4/3 with an 82 despite his age and the heat (the cart may well have been a critical advantage? - but I’m not sure about the shorts). In the difficult No.1 position Tony Park had warmed up on Saturday with one of his best rounds ever unfortunately he couldn’t carry that form into Sunday as the young Avondale player carted a 73 to win 5/4. Making his Metro debut at No.2 Rod O’Brien was facing another “young gun” who boomed the ball out past his not insignificant drives causing some concerns to the grouping in front. However around the greens Rod was able to press home an advantage for a 3/1 win with a 77 (including a double on 18). Again it was a close match showing the standard of golf especially at the top of the order is competitive within Metro.
All in all a 6½ to a 1½ victory and a great start to the campaign. Unfortunately such fine play may have a disastrous effect on the slope indices making selection in a fortnight more difficult! Our next match is again at home on the 15 February against Waimairi – more info will follow.
Cheers & in the interim good golfing…….
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