The forecast was for some heavy rain.

In the event there was some early persistent rain. Conditions were difficult and some long drives were needed to clear the rough before fairway on some holes. PCC remained at 0.

Onursal was crowned winner of Coronation Cup with net 68 ahead of 3 70s from Gregory, Pat B (first woman) and Ross H (also loewst gross 77); Onursal had reserves – he had 10 on 17th.

For the men this was the first event in divisionalised Top Dog for the season. In the attached we eee heading the senior division is Ross on 12 points followed by Joe G 8 down to Pete M 1; in the junior it’s Onursal 12 points from Gregory 8 down to Julian 1.

Theme of the day had to be the number 1:

– there were 30 and 1 entrants

– the winning score (gross) was +1

– for the 1st time in donkeys’ years Ali entered the sweep. And the gamble/choice paid off (see below)

– and last but (certainly) not least: Ed Robinson aced the 2nd hole (guess drinks are on offer next week)

Believe the saying is that you can tell a good golfer apart from the way he rebounds from a bad result. Richard B had a sub-par day last Sunday. But he improved dramatically by posting the winning score of +1 gross. -2 gross on the front 9 (2 birdies and 7 pars if you are interested in details). The start and the end of the back 9 were solid (all pars). The only blemishes of the day were 3 consecutive bogeys on 12,13 & 14. Still a very decent day at the office. Another early starter Paul G(iles) came (distant) second with solid score of 67 (Net). He was matched by first lady Susan. But the countback rule sides with Paul. Ali broke par today with a solid score of 68 (Net). Peter G and Ian are the last to play better than their handicaps.

There were quite a few reminders of the wet winter months. Looks like we will need a few more weeks of dry weather to do away with the casual water and mud. Luckily the winds were not too severe. Scoring in general was pretty decent.

Senior Division
Will recorded an excellent score of of 37 gross (+2). He even upped the ante on the back 9 by coming home in level par. A score of 70 gross (62 Net) make the clear winner today. Pete Malla was a very deserving second with a Net score of 64. Kevin finished 3rd. But it must feel a day of what could’ve been (6 shots lost to par over the last 4 holes). Amid, Jay and Mark are the last ones in the Sr Div to break par.

Junior Division
It also took a Net 62 to win the Junior Division. Paul used an excellent front 9 (+4 gross) to set up today’s win. He had a few nerves on the back 9. But all in all he kept his composure to seal the win. At first glance Gunnar is distant second today. But a closer look of his scorecard learns that victory slipped through his fingers on the last 3 holes. Duncan had a solid round to finish 3rd. The only blemish on his round was a snowman on the 9th hole. Much and Sean both recorded 67’s to claim 4th and 5th in this division. Shout-out to Edd Hall for ducking in time to prevent being hit by a wayward tee-shot coming from the 13th tee (player’s identity is known but not will be named).

To use an understatement: that was tough! The predicted continuous rain didn’t materialise. But instead the field got treated to heavy showers that came and went in a flash. By the time you put on your rain gear the clouds opened and the sun appeared. The 40mph gusts of wind did sign present. On top of that they were quite swirling too

The field just recovered from the headwind on the 14th hole. Surely the wind must have come from the left on the 15th hole. It was quite a shock to see that hole playing … into the wind. Holes 5,12 and 14 all played into the wind.  So it comes as no surprise that those 3 holes played as the most difficult holes of the day.

All these were very mitigating circumstances for today’s scoring. Just 1 player beat the course: Alan King. His solid front 9 (2Up) was followed by more subdued back 9 (Level). Alex took his time to find his groove. He was 2 Down on the way out. But a better back 9 (2Up) allows him to beat yours truly on countback. Jay was best of the rest. Wouldn’t be a surprise if PCC will be adjusted. [Ed..it +3!]

A chilly start butte warm sun came out and players slowly took off the odd layer of clothing with temps nudging 18C for Easter.

Silvia B off HI 6 ( last year’s women’s champion) shot a superb 38 points (20 on back 9) to win the Easter plate from Nick R and consistent Pete Mall 36s, Much, Toby and Nigel W followed with 35s.

Alan K had magic front 9 – 21 points whilst men’s champion Richard B shot the only ‘Two’.

If you keep in mind that last year’s winning score was 61 (FYI: that score was posted by the Women’s Captain) we could state that this year’s scoring was a bit underwhelming (makes me think of Rosamund Pike who said that it is strange that people are either over- or underwhelmed but never whelmed …). Or as the MC said: the course record on Princes is safe …

Pete Needham posted an excellent front 9 (39 gross). He was seriously rattled on the 10tth (an ugly 7). But he recovered remarkably with a birdie on the next hole. That enabled him to record a score of 38 (gross) on the back 9. Good enough for a score of 78 (gross – 64 Nett). 3 people finish 1 shot back on 65 (Nett). Richard had the best back 9 of those 3. Toby took advantage of Cuneyt’s mishaps on the 13th to take 4th. Peter F finishes 5th. Last year’s winner put up a valiant defence of her title by claiming 6th. Lots of birdies on the 4th hole (that hole played as SI 18 today). Jay managed to record 4 birdies today. Finally Richard B eagled the 9th.

Considering the amount of recent rain, Prince’s was quite playable with wet mud in just a few places.

Overall, the course played more difficult than expected with a PCC of +2.
No fewer than 4 payers returned 36 points with Hieu Van the winner on bck 3 countback from Pete M (another good consistent score), Wonil and Cuneyt ( who must rue blob on par 3 4th. Paul Kammerling tied with Cuneyt for front 9 – 18 points.

Ross led the chase on 34 points from Tony K and Paul K; congrats to Ross on securing 4th men’s Sunday eagle at 17th – as per attached.

A small field didn’t enjoy the best playing conditions. The rain of the last couple of days rendered the course really muddy. That mud, thicker air and changing winds reduced the carry on numerous holes. On top of that the greens were too wet to get cut. So judging the pace of the greens was delicate too.

The early starters take (most of) the honours today. Joe recorded a timely birdie on the 18th. That enabled him to record 20pts on the back 9. Add that to 19pts on the front 9 and you get today’s winning score. Ross, another early starter, had a solid front 9 (20pts). But an ugly bogey on the 18th prevented him from leapfrogging Joe. Pralab put together a solid round to claim 3rd (good thing the score of his 1st round was upheld – more on that later). PaulG is the last to earn some credits. Mayumi is first lady today. Believe that Peter Goodall managed the feat of recording more birdies than pars today …

Aggregate MW Spring Stableford

Pralab was the most consistent of the field over 2 rounds. 37pts today and 38pts last week make the winning score. Kim lost the plot over 4 holes on the back 9 and finishes 2nd. 

Conditions were fairly tricky. The field experienced little roll on the fairways and receptive greens. There was also quite a bit of casual water. And it looks like swirling winds became stronger during the course of the day. The early starters must have faced the occasional drizzle. Based on the scoring the late starters fared better in today’s conditions.

Richard N and Pralab were among the late starters. But both of them had solid rounds. Richard N’s back 9 was excellent (22pts). That score enabled him to squeeze out today’s win. Yours truly’s round was the mirror image of RN: 22pts (front 9) and 17pts (back 9). He had a huge slice of good luck on the 10th. But that was offset by a freak incident with the pin on the 16th. His bogey putt hit the bottom of the pin and bounced straight back to him. Russell had 3 birdies on the front 9 to take 4th place. Ian and Stephen complete the Top6. First lady/woman today is Gina.

All to play for in Round 2 next week.

Spring golf is edging closer but the field still faced swirling winds and chilly temperatures. At least the fairways offered occasional roll, but once off line you did run the risk of a plugged lie.

Run away winner today is Richard Marriott. Despite a blip on the 6th he recorded an outstanding score of 64 (Net). A duo finished 4 shots back. Leader in the clubhouse Joe posted an excellent 79 (gross – 68 Net). He was matched by his playing partner Darren. But Joe had the better back 9 (Darren’s back 9 was quite volatile).  Another duo finishes on 69 (Net). Richard Owen and Alex Braun claim the last of the payouts. First woman of the day is early bird Gina. Lowest gross score was posted by Jay, A word of sympathy for our Gordon Foster Captain Uli. He was humming along nicely. But disaster struck on the 14th.  He had a bit of good fortune finding his tee-shot. But his conservative approach to get his ball back into play backfired. Out of sympathy the report will not mention his score on that hole.

Below see Best Score Analysis and Competition Scoring Analysis (looks like our “Amen Corner” lived up to its reputation again).