Write-up by Steve Lloyd
One of the
smallest BUNGS attendances for many years of just 17 people
scraped the ice from their windscreens and headed to
Maxstoke Park Golf Club for the 2022 Christmas Cup. The day
was bright but very cold and the course was completely
frozen, but still open for play. These conditions meant that
a lotof adjustmnt had to be made on approaches to the
greens, some coped with this better than others.
Third place on the day went to Adam Thompson off 6.7 (8 shots) with a very steady 17 points on each nine.Two ahead of Adam was Gary Tyler off 14.8 (17 shots). Gary sandwiched his front nine with blobs and the first and ninth but a smattering of three and four points in between gave him 19 points. A steady back nine of 17 points have him his 36 point total and second place in his final event as Vice Captain prior to becoming Captain in 2023.
The winner, a further two shots ahead of Gary was Steve Gibbons off 21.4 (25 shots). After a bad start with just one point from two holes, Steve blitzed the next seven holes and ended up with 20 points on the front nine. He followed this with 18 on the back nine for a 38 point total and the Christmas Cup trophy. Well played Steve.
As this was Steve's third victory of 2022, the handicap secretary has already said a handicap review will be in order. Steve, if you want Tim's address to send him a bribe christmas gift so as not to be too harsh, let me know - lol.
View full results and handicap adjustments from Maxstoke Park
After a fantastic Christmas meal, the prizes were given out along with the trophies for the 2022 season long competition winners. Phil Latham signed-off his three year marathon covid hit Captaincy and passed the baton onto Gary Tyler who has chosen Macmillan as his charity for 2023. He'll provide further in due course.
A brief AGM followed then it was time to scrape the windscreens again and head home. Merry Christmas to all BUNGS members.
Write-up by Steve Lloyd
27 players
headed to Merseyside for the 2022 winter trip, it should
have been 28 but John Haley was savaged by a Chihuahua the
day before and couldn't hold a pen let alone a golf club.
Questions were asked as to which BUNGS member had paid the
dog, and we have since heard that the dog has had a tetanus
shot and is fine! Sorry John.
After a hearty breakfast in the Formby Ladies clubhouse, it was onto the course for the fourball-betterball competition. The weather was dry and bright early doors but gradually deteroirated as the round went on and cold showers were in abundance during the back nine. The course was in great condition and although it's only short, it can prove to be a real test as there's plenty of heather, gorse and long rough waiting if you miss the fairway. Scoring wasn't particularly brilliant but two groups managed to play the course well and came in with 45 points a piece to take the money. In second were Bobby Ho and Adrian Marchant and in first were Phil Latham and Steve Lloyd, pipping Marcho and Bobby into first with a better back six holes.
The evening was spent partaking in a few drinks, having a lovely meal and watching the weather forecast for the following day on 'big' Formby, it wasn't looking too good.
Monday morning was overcast but at least it wasn't raining as we headed to Formby. We were greeted with a great golf course and it was certainly going to prove to be a sterner test than the day before, a much longer golf course and a stronger wind to contend with. The rain started after a couple of holes, light and steady at first but by the middle of the round the rain was heavy and persistent and was relentless and continued until everyone had finished their round, soaked to the skin and freezing cold.
Because of the conditions and a difficult golf course, scoring was predictably low for most people. Fourth place went to Mark Johnson playing off 13 (16 shots) with 17 on the front nine and 16 on the back nine for 33 points. Also on 33 with an identical front and back nines was Adrian Marchant off 10 (12 shots). Marcho pipped Mark into third place with a better last six holes. Two shots clear on 35 was Bobby Ho off 15 (19 shots). Bobby had a very steady day scoring his 35 points with 18 on the front nine and 17 on the back nine. The winner a full four shots clear of Bobby, and on his BUNGS debut, was Gary Campbell off 17 (21 shots). Gary scored 18 on the front nine and a fantasic 21 on the back nine in those very tough conditions - well played Gary, enjoy your new handicap!
View full results and handicap adjustments from Formby
5th | Par 3 | 153 yards | Gary Campbell | £5 |
5th | Par 3 | 153 yards | Peter Meaney | £5 |
5th | Par 3 | 153 yards | Owen Strudwick | £5 |
5th | Par 3 | 153 yards | Chris Dewes | £5 |
5th | Par 3 | 153 yards | James Shipman | £5 |
16th | Par 3 | 120 yards | Leigh Bullock | £5 |