I have had a very difficult year of golf so far. I have had some niggly injuries, some runs of bad luck and an inconsistent swing which is so frustrating as to make me almost give the game up for a while. That last emotion has, however, been balanced by my ability to find some form in a few team competitions.
I have been fortunate to come second in the Wallasey Invitational event and win some money, John Porter, a major player when New Brighton were a formidable rugby team, and I came second in the Old Padeswood senior open where we won money and golf balls, and my team ,"Shoeless Joe's", managed to win the Wallasey4Wirral charity golf day where we won £100 each,together with wine and meal vouchers in the raffle. A very well done to Neil Bennett and his son who continue to run an excellent day and raised over £6000 for various cancer related charities
All of the above were very welcome, but none so much as the round which allowed me to qualify for the BMW Golf Cup International UK final to be played on the Castle course at St Andrews. I played in the BMW owners golf events for many years until BMW pulled the plug on them, and this is the second year I have been able to try to qualify for the finals as an independent. I had it won with four holes to play at Woburn last year but grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. This year at Hillside I was able to keep my composure and finish in second place. That gets me an all inclusive stay at the Old Course Hotel for a long weekend, and I will hope to get a chance to play the Old Course while I am up there.
The only down side is that it clashes with the Twickenham Rugby weekend away which this year includes three rounds at Minehead GC and three nights at a tribute band extravaganza at Butlins!! Another year perhaps!
So why the heading for this particular post? Well, when I first joined Wallasey GC as a soft Southerner who knew nobody, George took me under his wing, and week on week we have played together every Saturday for nearly ten years. George extended similar comradeship to Peter Ellerington and Phil Gedman. George is now 86 and only two weeks ago went round the golf course in 82 shots. To beat your age is a target every golfer aims for. The pro golfers look to do it in their early 60's, good amateurs in their 70's and people like me hope to live until the y are 90 and are still playing golf!!
As a thankyou and a late 85th birthday present, we took George this week to play at Royal Birkdale, rated as the top course in England. It did not disappoint. The welcome was first class and the course was laid out in excellent condition. We played variable golf, but George was so focused that he and I managed to beat Phil and Peter after I had put us into an early lead and they had pegged us back on the back nine. SO, whenever I go through the emotions outlined at the beginning of the article, I just think of George and his single mindedness, never mind that he is giving me 20 years and three shots. He is a legend and I value him as a friend, long may we share the fairways.
Saturday, 27 July 2019
Sunday, 21 July 2019
Water babies
SWMBO and I have just returned from Geneva where we visited number one son, his partner and our two overseas grandchildren. We took number one grand daughter,Ava, with us, and nearly came back without her!!
More on that later. We were royally looked after in the food and drink department, and reciprocated with a few meals out. Tim has recently lost his job which is making things a bit tough financially, although he is around to look after the children during their Summer holidays. Hopefully he will get something sorted come September time.
As the driver and ideas man, he enabled the children to swim each day we were there, once at a large sports complex with multiple pools and slides, once on lake Geneva and today in a tributary of the river Rhone.That last one was a bit taiters though.
We had lunch in a local pizzeria before we left and Ava ate most of her pizza by hand. When she went through the security scanner at the airport it picked up suspicious substances on her which led to suitcase searches and other checks which quite upset her. Clearly she has had an airport incident previously to sow a certain nervousness about security checks in her mind. I wonder what it was though?
We were also asked in Geneva and Liverpool to produce backup information about our relationship as she is a Harris and SWMBO is a Collins. Mum is a Smith but had given us an indemnity letter which did the trick both times.
Sofia and Alexander are both into skate boarding now so Ava had a go at that which should bode well for snowboarding in the Winter.
Keep that casualty bed free!
More on that later. We were royally looked after in the food and drink department, and reciprocated with a few meals out. Tim has recently lost his job which is making things a bit tough financially, although he is around to look after the children during their Summer holidays. Hopefully he will get something sorted come September time.
As the driver and ideas man, he enabled the children to swim each day we were there, once at a large sports complex with multiple pools and slides, once on lake Geneva and today in a tributary of the river Rhone.That last one was a bit taiters though.
We had lunch in a local pizzeria before we left and Ava ate most of her pizza by hand. When she went through the security scanner at the airport it picked up suspicious substances on her which led to suitcase searches and other checks which quite upset her. Clearly she has had an airport incident previously to sow a certain nervousness about security checks in her mind. I wonder what it was though?
We were also asked in Geneva and Liverpool to produce backup information about our relationship as she is a Harris and SWMBO is a Collins. Mum is a Smith but had given us an indemnity letter which did the trick both times.
Sofia and Alexander are both into skate boarding now so Ava had a go at that which should bode well for snowboarding in the Winter.
Keep that casualty bed free!
Wednesday, 19 June 2019
Ulster
I am in the North of the Irish Republic This week playing in and around Rosapenna. Rosapenna is in Donegal and it is a little known fact that not only does Ulster embrace the counties of Northern Ireland but also those of the North of the South. So Donegal is in Ulster and Eire
The golf this week has been tough, with nobody so far playing to their handicap. I think I am third going into the final day, but first and second are comfortably ahead of me, with pack closing in behind.
Donegal is quite rugged and sparsely populated. We went to the Singing Pub last night but luckily did not have sing for our supper. Tonight we are going to The Old Glen in Glen and if its as good as last night it should be great.
I do feel for the youngsters who seem to have limited opportunities for work and recreation, but it is clearly not new to be in that environment and people find a way, be it in the leisure industry, fishing or retail. They all seem happy and friendly and that's the main thing. fáilte agus fáilte roimh chách
The golf this week has been tough, with nobody so far playing to their handicap. I think I am third going into the final day, but first and second are comfortably ahead of me, with pack closing in behind.
Donegal is quite rugged and sparsely populated. We went to the Singing Pub last night but luckily did not have sing for our supper. Tonight we are going to The Old Glen in Glen and if its as good as last night it should be great.
I do feel for the youngsters who seem to have limited opportunities for work and recreation, but it is clearly not new to be in that environment and people find a way, be it in the leisure industry, fishing or retail. They all seem happy and friendly and that's the main thing. fáilte agus fáilte roimh chách
Tuesday, 4 June 2019
That rings a bell
New month, new post, and it's not as if much happened during May? Further developments after my little challenge in Barbados mean that I have detached the gel sack from the back of my eye socket. In practical terms that means I will have 'floaters' which my brain will eventually allow me to adjust to. The good news though is that I will not get a detached retina in that eye as the potential pressure has been relieved by the tear.
SWMBO and I paid a visit to Hillside Golf Club when they hosted the British Masters golf tournament. There were not too many top players in the field so we decided to go to the pro-am day. It was chucking down so we only stayed a couple of hours, but it was long enough to see a very jaded Robbie Fowler stuff a few into the undergrowth. Liverpool had beaten Barcelona the night before, so drink had definitely been taken. In contrast Kenny Dalgleish sunk a birdie putt on the 4th as it Alan Shearer. Stuart Broad sliced one into the grandstand at the 18th and that signalled to us it was time to go.
The following weekend, 'Off the record' Dick and his wife Gill came up for a couple of days to do the Oxton Secret Gardens festival with us. This is the traditional time of year when home owners throw open their gardens for people like us to nose around. It was a baking day and they must have made a goodly sum for the nominated charities. I do hope Dick and Gill enjoyed the trip. It is a fair old poke from their new home in Middle Wallop, or is it Nether Wallop? We were very pleased to see them.
Then last week we went to see Bill Bailey in concert at the newly named M & S Bank Arena in Liverpool. I suspect this arena will always be known as the Echo Arena, in the same way the one day cricket competition is still known as the Nat West trophy amongst the diehards, and the Santander bicycle system in London will always be referred to as 'Boris Bikes'. Whether that will change when he becomes Prime Minister is anybodies guess.
So back to Bill. There is so much talent bestowed on one man, it is criminal. His impersonation of Teresa May was brilliant, and his musical talent is so wide and diverse that every school child should be made to watch a video of him. We had a great time. This great time was then enhanced with a few hours in the flesh pots of Liverpool with number 2 daughter so that we got back home after 1am a little worst for wear.
Finally we had that greatly boring event which was the European Cup final. Nobody will remember it in Liverpool than anything other than a hugely one sided massacre of a poor team for London. Truth be told, UEFA go the final they deserved after making the teams wait three weeks to play it, it was like a pre-season friendly. Was it a penalty? In Europe possibly, in England, never, but the VAR boys were not going to throw their referee mate under the bus in the first minute. still it's water under the bridge, and we can now look forward to the start of the cricket season. Oh, hang on, that started six weeks ago!! I am sure footie used to be September to April and Cricket was May to August, when did the calendar change?
SWMBO and I paid a visit to Hillside Golf Club when they hosted the British Masters golf tournament. There were not too many top players in the field so we decided to go to the pro-am day. It was chucking down so we only stayed a couple of hours, but it was long enough to see a very jaded Robbie Fowler stuff a few into the undergrowth. Liverpool had beaten Barcelona the night before, so drink had definitely been taken. In contrast Kenny Dalgleish sunk a birdie putt on the 4th as it Alan Shearer. Stuart Broad sliced one into the grandstand at the 18th and that signalled to us it was time to go.
The following weekend, 'Off the record' Dick and his wife Gill came up for a couple of days to do the Oxton Secret Gardens festival with us. This is the traditional time of year when home owners throw open their gardens for people like us to nose around. It was a baking day and they must have made a goodly sum for the nominated charities. I do hope Dick and Gill enjoyed the trip. It is a fair old poke from their new home in Middle Wallop, or is it Nether Wallop? We were very pleased to see them.
Then last week we went to see Bill Bailey in concert at the newly named M & S Bank Arena in Liverpool. I suspect this arena will always be known as the Echo Arena, in the same way the one day cricket competition is still known as the Nat West trophy amongst the diehards, and the Santander bicycle system in London will always be referred to as 'Boris Bikes'. Whether that will change when he becomes Prime Minister is anybodies guess.
So back to Bill. There is so much talent bestowed on one man, it is criminal. His impersonation of Teresa May was brilliant, and his musical talent is so wide and diverse that every school child should be made to watch a video of him. We had a great time. This great time was then enhanced with a few hours in the flesh pots of Liverpool with number 2 daughter so that we got back home after 1am a little worst for wear.
Finally we had that greatly boring event which was the European Cup final. Nobody will remember it in Liverpool than anything other than a hugely one sided massacre of a poor team for London. Truth be told, UEFA go the final they deserved after making the teams wait three weeks to play it, it was like a pre-season friendly. Was it a penalty? In Europe possibly, in England, never, but the VAR boys were not going to throw their referee mate under the bus in the first minute. still it's water under the bridge, and we can now look forward to the start of the cricket season. Oh, hang on, that started six weeks ago!! I am sure footie used to be September to April and Cricket was May to August, when did the calendar change?
Monday, 6 May 2019
The Glums
Final leg of our holiday is focused on the local airport here in Barbados as our flight is delayed at least two hours. This due to aircraft being grounded in Orlando due to adverse weather conditions. My mate Steve is there at the moment and has posted pictures showing how bad the weather is.
The plane has now landed so we should be boarding soon and I am sure they will be looking to make up some time in the flight.
The last two days have been unfortunate. Yesterday it pissed down all day, making it a very disappointing time for the wedding party who had so looked forward to their ceremony on the beach. We watched proceedings from our balcony together with an Argyle relegation and a Spurs defeat which could have put their Champions League place for next year on the line. Luckily today Man Utd and Arsenal were more Spursy than Spurs, so barring the unthinkable Spurs will qualify safely.
We popped out between showers for an average Italian last night and awoke refreshed today for our last few hours in the hotel. It's called The Accra Beach but Les Miserables would be a more suitable name. We have never stayed anywhere where the staff are so surly. Hey how, we had a few hours on the beach, a hearty lunch and now we have exhausted the airport lounge drinks trolley, so its time to board the big metal bird and head home. Time to book the next trip!
The plane has now landed so we should be boarding soon and I am sure they will be looking to make up some time in the flight.
The last two days have been unfortunate. Yesterday it pissed down all day, making it a very disappointing time for the wedding party who had so looked forward to their ceremony on the beach. We watched proceedings from our balcony together with an Argyle relegation and a Spurs defeat which could have put their Champions League place for next year on the line. Luckily today Man Utd and Arsenal were more Spursy than Spurs, so barring the unthinkable Spurs will qualify safely.
We popped out between showers for an average Italian last night and awoke refreshed today for our last few hours in the hotel. It's called The Accra Beach but Les Miserables would be a more suitable name. We have never stayed anywhere where the staff are so surly. Hey how, we had a few hours on the beach, a hearty lunch and now we have exhausted the airport lounge drinks trolley, so its time to board the big metal bird and head home. Time to book the next trip!
Thursday, 2 May 2019
Surfin' USA
Our holidays are never dull. Last night SWMBO chum Donna and her son Connor, arrived semi-unexpectedly, on their way to visit oldest son Tristan, who we had missed last week in Dominica. Connor has just finished his first season with Rotherham RFC in the National leagues so has earned a break. So that gives us different plans for the next three days. Could be a long night in the Gap!!
This morning SWMBO goes swimming in rough seas in her sunglasses. Take them off I shout. I'll be fine she said. Two waves later they fly off. What do they say about never rescuing a dog from a river? In I go to help find them, misjudged a breaking wave big style and end up with a stinger and whiplash. Ouch!
Now confined to sun bed for rest of day. Dancing in Gap may resemble Peter Crouch robotics moves. Dad dancing at its best!!
Otherwise all good, with Shakers food shack on the menu tonight, but first a visit to the Coconut Court beach bar. Lucky I am not in the golf tournament this week.
This morning SWMBO goes swimming in rough seas in her sunglasses. Take them off I shout. I'll be fine she said. Two waves later they fly off. What do they say about never rescuing a dog from a river? In I go to help find them, misjudged a breaking wave big style and end up with a stinger and whiplash. Ouch!
Now confined to sun bed for rest of day. Dancing in Gap may resemble Peter Crouch robotics moves. Dad dancing at its best!!
Otherwise all good, with Shakers food shack on the menu tonight, but first a visit to the Coconut Court beach bar. Lucky I am not in the golf tournament this week.
Wednesday, 1 May 2019
Crispy seaweed
Barbados has had a few changes since we were here last year. They have a lady as prime minister who the locals think is making a difference although the roads have not had too many repairs so far. It seem that all the taxis and boogie buses are new or have had a make over. They are all shiney white now and don't show signs of crash damage. The journey fee has gone up from $2 bds to $3.5 though. Oh yes, and the Coconut Court beach bar has had a makeover.
Some things remain the same. We had no winners again at the races, and have visited a few favourite restaurants again. It has rained, it's sunny and blowing a bit. That has all contributed to an increasingly tricky seaweed problem on the South coast. For all their efforts to clear it in the morning it is always back the next day. By choking the oxygen it is forcing the sea life elsewhere which is a pity.
Still it remains a good place to chill for a few days and this year it will be golf free as the Sir Gary Sobers tournament has dropped Apes Hill. Three three remaining courses do not really merit the entry fee. Hey ho I have done it twice so time to look for something new.
Some things remain the same. We had no winners again at the races, and have visited a few favourite restaurants again. It has rained, it's sunny and blowing a bit. That has all contributed to an increasingly tricky seaweed problem on the South coast. For all their efforts to clear it in the morning it is always back the next day. By choking the oxygen it is forcing the sea life elsewhere which is a pity.
Still it remains a good place to chill for a few days and this year it will be golf free as the Sir Gary Sobers tournament has dropped Apes Hill. Three three remaining courses do not really merit the entry fee. Hey ho I have done it twice so time to look for something new.
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