After an overcast start to the morning the sun soon came out and it was perfect weather for golf. Most of the field recorded respectable scores but nobody scorched the course, probably due to the long grass present beyond the fairways and semi.

Early leader in the clubhouse was Ann Gardner with 35 points, with a strong start to her round, a wobble on the middle and a steady and consistent final 7 holes. Richard Norden then overtook Ann, posting 36 points (18 points out and another 18 points back). Ben and Louis Dickey went out mid-afternoon and so it was early evening before their cards were submitted, Ben scoring 35 points and taking over 2nd place from Ann with a better back 9.

The field enjoyed very nice weather. Some crazy ginger even claimed that he likes the current layout of the course. Strange people these Northeners. 21 players (i.e. 36% % of the field) disagreed with him and NR’ed today. Staying clear of the rough was the best course of action. Ross returned an excellent result of 73 gross (60 Nett). His margin of victory would even have been more impressive had it not been for an ugly 6 on the 18th. Woman in form Cheryl “unfollowed” Rickie Fowler and swapped her Sunday tangerine outfit for more “classic” colours. The change didn’t affect golf karma (or “Momentum” as Keith Cassidy would call it). A very impressive 2nd place (67 Nett – despite a few wobbles around Amen Corner) can only be called a very good day at the office.

High on his excellent performance in the NAPGC Bourne-Vanheck Trophy Angus sailed to 3rd place. 4th place must have looked like a very distant possibility for Alvaro after an untidy front 9. But coming back 1 over par (a bogey on the last hole) made the impossible all of a sudden possible. Oliver Khan, MW Captain Henry (who will kick himself for his score on holes 12 and 18), Thierry Andretta and Gina complete the Top 7.

Ross is the comfortable leader in the Anniversary Accumulator standings after just 1 round.

Weather conditions seemed perfect for golf with just a passing shower, not too sunny etc.

It suited Shaun who won with a fantastic 62 from Richard I 64 with fine glorious 65s from Denis P and Cheryl [the in form lady with a 64 from Wednesday]. Keith Cassidy commanded best gross

Perhaps it was the impact of earlier rain in week thickening up the rough but there was a high incidence of 19 NRs although PCC remained at zero.

Although the BBC weather forecast early in the morning was mainly dry with a few occasional showers, this had changed by 9am to 80% rain and even that was an understatement – in fact the 18 hardy competitors and 2 players playing for handicap were subjected to incessant heavy rain. Seven players (and a dog) quite understandably ‘gave up’ part way round, however the rain didn’t seem to affect John Ahad’s golf with an impressive 37 points and was like ‘water off a duck’s back’ to Damber who posted 33 points but could quite easily have had 37 points too if regulation 2 putts hadn’t become 3s on several greens.

According to PGA.com the probability of hitting a hole in 1 is 12,500 to 1. It is becomes even crazier when you get 2 players acing on the same day. So well done to John Perkins and Julie Ryan (in chronological order)  for achieving this remarkable feat on the 2nd hole. See report immediately below*

What a difference a couple of summer days make. The soft fairways and receptive greens were a distant memory today. Remember the rain from a short while back? The thick rough is the only indication of the downpours from a couple of weeks ago. So you needed to be precise (or lucky) off the tee.

Today’s winner is Cheryl with an excellent score of 64 (Net). She was a model of consistency (45 on front and back 9). Richard Back is on a roll. Strong of his win last Sunday he jumped on an early tee slot and calmly carded a round of +3 gross. He recorded 2 5s on the back 9 (13 & 18). But still finished with a stronger back 9 to beat Charlie Edwards on countback. The women seemed to enjoy today’s conditions. Besides today’s winner Cheryl, Ann Gardner recorded an excellent score of 66 (Net). VC John Ahad, Angus “Braveheart” Robertson and John “Ace” Perkins were just 1 shot back from the leading women. Richard Hanna used a better back 9 to hold of Joe Goncalves.

Angus takes the lead in the Midweek Medal Trophy on 206 (closest competitor is on 211- cf. attached).