Tidworth welcomed 14 of Hursley Golf Society’s keenest to the penultimate game of the year. We competed in teams of two, playing a better ball, Stableford, for the Pairs Salver. This was a departure from the erstwhile Bogey Cup which gave the opportunity to add another Team Event into the golfing Calendar.
The course was in tip top condition, as we have come to expect, providing an interesting challenge to see if the teams were in similar form and whether they could breach the Garrison’s defences.
The course went one up on the par 3, 5th hole, where no-one managed to hold or reach the green. Team Holland drew level on the 15th par 5 with Dave Cousins hitting an unassailable longest drive, where the ensuing field could only look with wonder at the contrasting yardage of their own efforts falling so short. Well played Dave who retains Boris yet again!
The weather played it’s part too, the heavens opening up mid round to give added support to the course where the fairways suddenly had pools of surface water which added another stroke to the holes, turning par 4s into par 5s. However, being on Salisbury plain, the drainage quickly kicked in and after a couple of holes normal course conditions resumed.
The final tally showed just how well the teams performed despite the golfing gods’ attempt to dampen players’ spirits. In third place with a solid 36 points was Team Richard Selby and David Green – very well done guys.
In second place, with a masterful 43 points, was Team Dean Lardner and John Taylor. Really well played chaps.
In first place, narrowly, the Pairs Salver was claimed by Team Holland, Steve Elliot and Dave Cousins whose teamwork reached a fantastic score of 44 points. I stress the word teamwork because I played alongside and saw Dave taking the course apart early on only to falter on the later holes whereupon Steve came to the rescue with some great golf of his own. Well done both and first prize too for the best dressed pairing with those bright orange shirts, worthy of the Dutch National team.
My special thanks go to Simon Nash for organising the event with every contingency covered which helped make Tidworth such a pleasure to play. Thank you very much Simon. Also a big thank you to the Committee for taking the decision to change the format to a Pairs team event which, following the feedback I received, went down really well.