I believe it’s commonly accepted by all educated people that there are two occasions where there are no set rules on the format:
1 a knife fight
2 matchplay
Thus it was that when Adam Utley and I finally managed to arrange our match over the 9 hole Reigate Heath, we agreed the front 9 would be played with Hickories and the back whatever took your fancy. Both of us immediately regretted this saying haven’t hit them in ...
Come the appointed day and it was threatening rain, but our referee Professor Lupin ordered us to start off the Blue tees. Those who have played with Adam will know what a fine golfer he is and by the 3
rd hole he was on a run of Pars. One difference was that I found bunkers and Adam wisely avoided them! I felt fortunate to be only 2 down at the turn.
So we moved back to the White tees and adjustment took a little while. Adam completely flew the first green, flirting with OOB at the back. Meanwhile my failure to putt up the false front meant a missed opportunity. I got one back at the second/11th and now the match only had one hole in it.
This was enough to awaken the inner Utley. The 3
rd now 12th was playing 216 yards uphill – 2 shots. The 13
rd is SI 1, 446 yards - 3 shots! I got strokes on both and was now 3 down! I got one back but the good Professor observed our handshake on the 16
th green giving Adam a fine 3&2 result.
This is the second GCA knockout in a row where he’s put me to the sword. The good news is that he’s now emigrated to the North, so at least delaying when we might next meet in “the Quaich”.
The scorecard states “Take care – walkers and riders on the course; make sure no one is in range before playing a shot.” This is easier said than done on a Friday morning, never seen so many dog walkers ambling wherever they fancied with no care! The course played well despite a long cold winter and recent rains. The fairway coverage is a bit patchy, but I’m sure will quickly recover and the greens were true.
Reigate Heath is close to the M25 and is well worth visiting. Yes it’s a bit short but all holes have interest. The run of 3,4,5 is the most interesting and testing stretch, though I also really like 7 a well bunkered short par 4, where we faced a challenging rear pin. Some lovely views, and its worth noting a £40 green fee for a Surrey Heathland Course is a very pleasant surprise in 2023.
Congratulations Adam, my hopes rest with you.
(Note Adams 3 on the 4th/13th would have been an eagle if either he'd achieved it on the front nine or had self declared a change of sex PRIOR to playing the hole.
)
PS Professor Lupin has confirmed she has accepted my invitation and will attend Buda 2023.
Nice tour here
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64197.msg1593670.html#msg1593670