August is traditionally the peak holiday period and it was not too much of a surprise to find only two contenders for the round this month. Defending champion, Keith and John Pettit made their way to the first tee in very warm but extremely windy conditions. Neither player professed to being ‘in practise’ and Keith quickly proved the point with a 70 yard ‘drive’ towards the nearest available water, in the direction of the ninth green.
The wind was to prove a factor throughout the day with club selection proving tricky. A six iron into the 1st green from Keith, which would normally have sailed over it failed to reach. The second saw two good drives, centre cut and within thirty yards of the green. Keith was able to chip on and put out for a rare par. The long third was into the wind. John opted for the trees thirty yards to the left of the tee. Keith went slightly further forwards, but much further over to the right and almost through the trees on that side. An untidy hole saw another two shots go Keith’s way. The fourth saw John get them back as Keith failed to avoid the two trees on the left of the fairway from the tee. The advantage continued to seesaw between the pair and by the time they reached the sixth tee Keith held a slender three shot lead.
An unusually beautifully struck 7 iron from Keith did not get the wind assist anticipated and fell short, whilst John ended up pin high just off the green. Three shots into the railway sleepers later and Keith managed to chip onto the green John seized his chance and made par. A three shot lead had turned into a one shot deficit. This was never to be recovered as John firmly consolidated his game and Keith’s game took to the hills never to be seen again. Even a late excursion into the pond by John on the infamous ninth did him no harm as he still gained a shot even on that hole.
So, Mr Pettit finished a clear and worthy winner by six shots, and that was without the handicap!! Well done John…