With the ink recording James Reader's name as 2019 champion still drying in the record books, who's in for 2020?
A mere 794 days after entries opened the 2020 UK GCA Knockout was concluded at Dunbar, on the East Lothian coast.
East Lothian has been pretty dry for some weeks now and there was at least a couple of clubs in the wind which meant it was very much a game of two halves. With the wind behind on the way out, James and I were knocking it close to par 4s from the tee and feeling like the ball was on a piece of string.
As we turned back into the wind, and with an incoming tide on the right hand side of the course, the test became far sterner. That ensured that class and quality prevailed and my small lead quickly evaporated!
James played some wonderful long approaches into the heart of the green as the wind strengthened and he closed out the match 2 and 1 with a wonderful birdie at the 17th.
James' defence of his title was impressive and if he wins the 2022 competition to complete the hat-trick he presumably gets to keep the (virtual?) trophy.
Dunbar was a pleasure to play. I think it often gets overlooked when discussing East Lothian venues given it's a little to the east of the Gullane/North Berwick courses. The course is pretty tightly packed into the land between the old deer park wall and the Firth of Forth but there is plenty to keep you entertained all the way round. It's a nice time of year to play it as well as the rough isn't too high and the only ball lost between us was one of mine that sailed onto the rocks!
Thanks to Michael for keeping the draw live over the last 2+ years, congratulations to James on his victory and good luck to those giving it a go in 2022.