Write-up by Steve Lloyd
A few days prior
to this event the course at Maxstoke Park was closed and for
the preceeding two days, only 12 holes were open so we were
lucky to have all 18 holes open for play on the day of our
visit. Unfortunately it was 'carry only' so seven of those due
to attend had to cancel so there were just 19 BUNGS members
plus one guest to compete for the 2023 Christmas Cup.
There was some light drizzle as the first group teed-off but luckily that was all the rain we had and it remained dry but chilly for the rest of the day. As we 'squelched' down the first we were ominious about the state of the rest of the course, but considering the rain that had fallen in the month prior, it wasn't that bad to be honest. There were some very wet patches in places and the course was playing long, but the greens were decent, so we were glad to be playing a full round of golf.
Scoring wasn't fantastic with several scored in the low 20's. Darren Penny didn't have the best of days although he did have a couple of decent holes and a monster drive at the third amongst his last place finish on 16 points.
With less that 20 BUNGS members there, prize vouchers for the the top three only and in third was incoming Captain Ian Ronson scoring 18 on the front nine and 15 on the back nine for 33 points off 22 shots.
Adrian Marchant won the prior event at Seacroft golf club and it looked like he was going to go 'back to back' after scoring 16 on the front nine and 18 on the back nine for 34 points off 8 shots. He was ahead of playing partner (and defending Christmas Cup champion) Steve Gibbons as they stood on the 18th green. However, a monster putt from Steve for a par and three points on the 18th, took Steve to 35 points to pip Marcho by a point. Steve's 35 points comprised 17 on the front nine and 18 on the back nine off 22 shots to take the Christmas Cup for consectutive years. Well played Steve.
View full results and handicap adjustments from Maxstoke Park
After another fantastic Christmas meal, the prizes were given out along with the trophies for the 2023 season long competition winners. Gary Tyler signed-off his year as Captain where he raised £1719.01 for Macmillan Cancer Support and passed the baton onto Ian Ronson who has chosen Leukaemia UK as his charity for 2024. 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.
16th | Par 3 | 143 yards | John Shaw | £5 |
16th | Par 3 | 143 yards | Kevin Morris | £5 |
16th | Par 3 | 143 yards | Wayne Tandy | £5 |
16th | Par 3 | 143 yards | Darren Penny | £5 |
Write-up by Steve Lloyd
16 BUNGS members
headed up to North Shore Hotel and Golf Club in Skegness on
the Thursday night for an extra night's stay. Most journeys
were pretty uneventful apart from traffic for some and near
death experiences for others. It's a good job Anthony
Jackson and Steve Lloyd brought along extra boxers as they
were soiled after Tim Thacker nearly killed them all! John
Martin had arranged a meal at a local Italian for some and
Gary Tyler had sourced an all you can eat international
buffet for others. Unfortunately after the long walk to the
buffet restaurant, the wait was quite long (it didn't open
until March 2024) so a further long walk in the cold finally
found an Indian. Everyone headed back to the hotel for a few
drinks, some more than others, with John Martin stubbing his
toe in his room 'pissed' as he described.
Friday morning was dry and bright but chilly and we were joined by the other 16 attendees at North Shore for breakfast and onto the course for the fourball-betterball competition. The weather stayed dry apart from a few drops of rain at the end for the later starters, but the course was in decent condition and was a good venue for the first day.
Gary Campbell joined the BUNGS Hole in One club after aceing the par four ninth with his driver and purchased several bottles of wine for everyone at the evening meal, thank you Gary and well done!
Gary's five points at the ninth helped him and Chris Dewes to win on 41 points, taking £15 each. Second were Steve Harris and Adam Thompson on 39 points (£10 each) and third, also on 39 were James Shipman and Gary Tyler (£5 each).
Nearest the pins were won by John Shaw (3rd), Steve Lloyd (11th), Steve Gross (14th), nearest in 2 on the 17th by Marcho and longest drive by Valey on the 10th.
The late afternoon was either spent in the bar, having a stroll into Skegness or catching a few Z's in bedrooms before a really good evening meal at the hotel with a free drink for everyone plus the wine for Gary's hole in one. Most people stayed at the hotel, a couple did head into the bright lights of Skegness but a good evening was has by all.
Saturday morning was again dry, bright and chilly and after another good breakfast we took the short drive to Seacroft Golf Club (the walk from the golf club car park to the clubhouse was almost as long as the drive there). John Martin had to unfortunately head home as his toe had ballooned and turned black and he struggled to walk at North Shore and couldn't make it round Seacroft, which is a fine championship links course and was a good test. The greens had been recently hollow tined which was a shame, but for the green fee paid, represented excellent value for money.
People were finding the course difficult though and there were some pretty low stableford scores and 33 points was enough to get into the top five prizes.
Fifth went to new Matchplay Knockout Champion Mark Johnson scoring 33 off 8 shots, pipping Gary Tyler with a better back nine. Fourth with just one shot, Rob Hallworth scored 34 points, aided by a tap in eagle at the ninth. Also on 34 points was Lee Bullock with a better back nine, not only did Lee not have any shots, he had to give one back to the course playing off +1.
With a great front nine of 21 points, Steve Raji with 13 shots but couldn't keep it going and had to settle for 14 points on the back nine for 35 points and second place. The winner, and not drinking any alcohol during the trip, was Adrian Marchant. With 10 shots, Marcho scored a level 18 on each nine for 36 points to take The Cliff Thompson Salver. Well played Marcho - perhaps there's something is this zero alcohol thing!
Nearest the pins were Marcho at the 4th, Kev Armitt at the 10th, Leigh Bullock at the 12th and Ginger Gordon at the 14th. Nearest in two was Steve Lloyd at the 6th and Longest Drive Kev Morris at the 17th.
View full results and handicap adjustments from Seacroft
10th | Par 3 | 143 yards | John Shaw | £10 |
14th | Par 3 | 162 yards | Rob Hallworth | £10 |