Winners:  The Men 12-4

Hope that by now all of you are back home and all warmed up. The 2020 edition of the Bontor will probably be remembered because of a) the cold weather and b) the decisive score line. The field would be forgiven for mistaking the Park for a links course in Scotland. Temperatures really dropped from 2 weeks ago. And the swirling and gusting winds created an additional chill factor. One would assume that the winds would have less effect on the ladies’ style of play. But the recent rains took away most of the roll that the field have grown used to. Softer fringes made approaches into the greens more predictable too.

Onto the order of the day:

Target: 8.0 points for the Ladies to retain – 8.5 points for the Men to win

The LC and MC had a good tussle. The softer conditions enabled the MC to get a few crucial up & downs. A monster putt by the LC on the 16th extended the match. But a par on the 17th sealed a win for the MC.

Jay controlled most of his match vs Gina. During 15 holes the balance was clearly in his favour. But winning 3 consecutive holes earned G a rather unexpected 0.5 point. Ladies v Men 0.5 – 1.5

In the second pair of matches both men jumped out onto early leads. Pete was even 3Up after 3 holes. Sheena staged a brave fight back. But in the end Pete H was a just a little better to take his match 2&1. Nick briefly lost the lead around the turn. But he rediscovered his composure and sealed a 2Up win. Ladies v Men 0.5 – 3.5

The first full blue point (Ladies’ colours today) came after Ronnie took Peter O to the cleaners (4&2 win). Richard halted any momentum swing by defeating Val in an impressive 4&3 win. Ladies v Men 1.5 – 4.5

Paul B had a score to settle. And the golfing gods answered his prayers. A nail biting win on the 18th hole put another red point on the scoreboard. Mike played a solid round of golf for a comfortable 4&3 win over Ali. Ladies v Men 1.5 – 6.5

Nigel had to chase the score line the whole time. Last year’s MC staged a valiant comeback. But in pure match-play style he lost his match on the last hole to Susan’s 7. Richard I kept the red score line going with a welcome 3&2 win over Joan. Ladies v Men 2.5 – 7.5

Kinga took down Patrick M with a 1Up win. Fiona and Colm settled for one the few halves today. Ladies vs Men 4.0 – 8.0

In past editions the sting used to be in the tail end of the schedule. Not so today. The men managed to win the 4 last games by comfortable margins (Pete G 4&2 over Anne, John A 5&4 over Ann G, Seymour 5&4 vs Avi and finally Paul G 3&2 vs Julie).

Final score: Ladies – Men 4-12.

On behalf of the LC and MC thank you for braving the foul weather.

The new overall overall score: Men 56 – Ladies 23 – Draw 3

Ladies

Three of today’s contingent are unfortunately unable to play in the 2nd round as they will be at the final of the Mary Forster (last winter’s) competition. A decision they may now be regretting, except they are set up to play well there.

In the scratch competition Lia, Jayne and Sheena are all tied on 86 with Sheena the only one playing next week. But with 3 ladies just 2 shots further back on 88 things are all pretty close. Results…

The split for the 2 handicap trophies is at 19 this year. In the Handicap Cup, it is similarly close at the top with 3 tied on net 69s, Alison, Lia & Jane. Cheryl is out on her own by one shot in the Pembroke Cup again on a net 69. Results…

The good scoring reflects the playing conditions of the day with the ball running forever at times, although not always in the required direction. With rain forecast during the week and falling temperatures, next week could be a completely different experience!

Men

A mere zephyr and warm autumnal sunshine prevailed; indeed some said they heard the wind more than felt it.

In the Division 1 it was very early starter Ant T out of the blocks to take the lead from Lee 73 and 3 on74 – Pete H, ‘mid-weeker’ Jeremy R and Jay. Results…

In the Division 2 Rhys leads 85 from Peter G 86, Barry 87, Tony K 88, Mark R and James D 90. Results…

CSS was unchanged from SSS with only Ant being cut to 7.

In the Handicap Trophy (and sweep) results Ant won on 64 from 4 on 66 Lee, Jeremy, Sean and Kim) with Gregory 67. Results…

Of the ‘Twos’, 5 were recorded on the ‘simple’ SI 18 16th!

The top 2 places today were book ended by the start and end of the day. Mike J leading from the front in the first game posted an unassailable score until Richard H finishing some three hours later also recorded a 65. Unfortunately for him Luke, who was chasing the setting sun, pipped him on the back 9 to take 2nd spot moving Richard down to 3rd. Results…

Brett having played with Mike assured us there were some good scores waiting out on the course, but in the event only a third of the field played to net par or better, thus CSS remained unchanged at 71 off the Whites, 69 from Yellow and 74 for the Red.

Luke’s result today earned him an ESR of an additional 0.5 cut to his handicap.

For those still unsure as to why their handicap looks wrong in the results. Men off the Whites get 2 shots and Ladies 5 shots when the yellow tees are used.

There was another eagle to add to the list today as Tamas on his return to golf after a couple of months layoff through injury recorded a 2 on the 9th.

In the associated Grand Medal, Mike share 1st spot with Veronica after 5 rounds on 352. 8 shots behind is Seymour. R5 leader board…

Ladies

It was a perfect and sunny day for the Ladies Autumn 4BBB. A great turnout with 10 pairs and everyone smiling.

Third place on 40 points were Gina and Katharina, second place on countback were Cheryl and Sheena, with Jayne and Lia winning on 41 points for first prize.

Prior to restrictions re-starting we managed our Autumn meeting get-together with the awarding of prizes for both this event and the medal round while enjoying pizza, chips and drinks socially distanced in the sunshine. Also presented were the May to September monthly medals. Results…

Men

The course again felt more like a links than a parkland course. The bounce and roll were still considerable but also unpredictable. Best duo today were Bennie and Mark. +1 gross on the front 9 resulted in 22pts. They even upped the ante on the back 9 by collecting 23pts. 45pts is great result. Close second were Gregory and Adrian. Their front 9 was ok. But their last 9 holes were fantastic (26pts). 44pts is good enough for 2nd today. Alvaro and Richard played a steady round to record 43pts (21+22) and 3rd place. Uli and Julian played a solid back 9 (22pts) to take 4th. Results…

Only two 2’s were recorded today. CSS: N/A. Today’s comp was Non-Qualifier so no handicap changes to report.

Hope that the Top4 didn’t use up all their good shots today and that the rest saved some good shots for the 1st round of the Club Championship next Sunday.

In spite of the unforgiving and unrewarding bogey format, 71% of Category 1-4 players were with their SSS buffer zone and CSS was reduced by one (raised to 2 up whites and reds, 3 up for yellow).

Exceptional scores have been recorded over the last few weeks. New member Peter G won setting the pace with 8up with countback over Roger. Teddy and Nick R 7ups; Diego and Charlie completed first 6 with six up. Results…

Front 9 honours: Peter G 5 up. Back 9 honours: Roger, Mark R, Diego and Darren all 5 up. Tatiana was Queen of the par 5s being 3up on them.

Especially well done Nick and Roger – Nick earns an ESR of-1 so now plays off 9 (8.5).

A note on the name of today’s Cup. Fred Hawtree designed the original courses. Details…

Ladies

Rumour has it that there had been a bit of greening up at the Park which can be no bad thing. Good to see the ladies who will be playing in the Toprock Ladies’ Greensomes are showing good form (Val & Ali) with Val’s return to golf now complete I think, with 2 birdies on the back 9.

These two recorded net 68s with Val having the better back 9 – no surprise there with the birdies, to take 2nd place. But taking today’s medal is Jane with a net 67. Her recent results have definitely shown a good run of form, so congrats Jane on taking the September medal. Results…

Men

Scoring today was decent to use an understatement: 30/53 players were in the buffer today. Today I will let the numbers do the talking:

• a winning score of 59 net
• 2 players recorded 5 birdies today: Pete Hs (he even had a streak where he birdied 9, 10, 11 and 12) and Kerry (although he probably let victory slip through his paws on the last 2 holes) accomplished this amazing feat.
• You needed to shoot 62 net in order to make it into the Top6
• Oliver M went out in 35 gross (there wasn’t a single 5 on his card). As a result he makes it into Cat1.

CSS: 66 (What a surprise). Results…

In the Grand Medal Trophy after 6 rounds tbc. R6 leader board…

A reduced field enjoyed good golfing conditions: mild(er) temperatures, very receptive greens and still enough roll on the fairways. And the least one can say is that the players made the most of the conditions. Bucket loads of scores in the 60’s (although the stroke adjustment following the yellow tees option does accentuate the good scoring).

Brian M takes the honours thanks to the best gross score (77) and a better back 9. He also earns an ESR inching closer to single figure handicap. George, Ray, Alan K and Gina (1st lady yesterday) complete the Top5. Results…

CSS: 71 (Men)/74 (Ladies)

Second and final round of the Anniversary Accumulator is planned for 30-September.

Summer golf seemed like a distant memory today. Chilling temperatures, menacing clouds and swirling winds weren’t the most inviting golfing conditions. It could still be worse. Some golf courses in the Swiss mountains saw some snow today.

All in all this kind of weather must have felt like summer in Ireland. The weather and good recent form inspired Alan on his way to 39pts (21 + 18pts) and victory today. Early starter Ant went out in level par (22pts) but his 17pts on the back 9 forced him into 2nd place. Mike had an excellent back 9 (20pts) to earn 3rd place. Pete N, Ben D and Bennie complete the Top6. Aidan had a bit of bad luck on the 10th: his tee-shot bounced off the pin. He managed the birdie the 2 par 3’s on the back 9. Results…

CSS: 36pts (Men & Ladies)

Remnants of storm ‘Francis’ very gradually abated to sunny intervals.

The winner was Angela with a superlative score of 61. Well done indeed – Angela birdied 9th and came back in just three over par (on all the par 3s). Scott just pipped Charlie F on back 9 for 2nd place 62. Mid-week captain John A was 4th with 65 on back 9 from Russell and Club Captain Kim was 6th on 66. Results…

Charlie earns an additional ESR cut of 0.5 to 11.9 – well done.

This was round 4 of the Midweek Grand Medal Trophy. The leader board report (details of each round at bottom of report) shows Seymour in lead 280, Ronnie 283 and Brian R 283. But with just 3 rounds played with scores 61 through 66 Charlie is menacingly poised on just 189. R4 leader board…

Another week another 52pts score takes first place. At least it was a different player this time. Well done to Paul Gn, whose handicap gets a massive cut down to 18. 1st lady is Doreen with a fantastic score of 42pts. Aidan takes 3rd place thanks to four birdies and a score of level par gross. His only regret will be the … 16th hole. Nick R birdied 15 and 16 on his way to 4th. Sean T and Uli complete the Top6. Results..

CSS: 38pts (Men & Ladies)

Paul G wins the Anniversary Trophy (113pts) before Roger (112), Nick (110) and Susan (109). Final leader board…