Stoneleigh Deer Park

A last minute change due to a second year washout of Wharton Park took us to Stoneleigh Deer Park. The weather was wet but the course was still in decent condition. A little standing water on the fairways and bunkers did not cause much trouble to many golfers with this turning out to be our best scoring event ever. 11 birdies and 164 pars was a good return when it looked like we where going to miss out on 18 holes. 18 golfers either played to their par or better, with only 3 points separating the top 10 places.

Over all winner on count back was Rich Davis who took it on 39 points from Paul H. Rich's (pictured below relaxed before his round) round saw no blobs and some solid putting well worthy of his 1st place. Paul H on the other hand was ruing his only blob of the day on the long par 3 sixth. His failure to get out the bunker could have cost him dearly (See right) even though he did take the division 2 spring knockout title from Brian D after a tight affair petered out at the 17th.

Just one point back was another two golfers Anthony H and Mark B. Anthony round had two blobs which probably cost him top spot in the stableford, but an easy division one spring knockout win over Steve W was a good consolation. Bez on the other hand will be blaming a couple of seven on two of the easier par 5. Big hitting Bez would have expected a little better. Another point back came a clutch of 5 golfers who all notched 37 point. Division 3 golfers lead the way with Jason R having his best round of the society no blobs but a slow start with only 14 points on the front nine stopped him from winning. Graham S was pretty solid but back to back blobs on 7 and 8 probably cost him dear. Rob Ward had a very solid round on return to the course where he started his WGGC golfing career. His round only saw one blob on the tight eighth.

Andy G continued his good run of form but again failed to cash in on top spot with only one point in the last three holes. For the second event running a nett par on any of the last three holes would have gave him the win. Small consolation was a reduction in his handicap to 35. The captain had a welcome return to form with only 3 three putts on the back nine stopping me from taking top spot. 10th spot and playing to par on 36 was Brian D who's round containing 3 four point was matched with 3 blobs just a little inconsistent for top spot and division 3 honors, but consolation cam on the 12th where he took nearest the pin in two by a good few feet.

Other decent rounds came from Paul N and Nico who's rounds of 34 where not far away. Nico a bit wayward at times managed to stay on track to take nearest the pin on the short 8th, while Paul's blob on the middle of each 9 was the difference fro him.

Couple of golfers had days to forget. The last event winner Chris Shaw fell back to earth with only 27 points. Holding up the pack was the usually consistent Steve W who also could only muster 27 points. Tour champion James and John H are both struggling to find any form after both finishing with rounds in the twenties.