Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Mark Pearce on February 01, 2020, 11:30:14 AM
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With the ink recording James Reader's name as 2019 champion still drying in the record books, who's in for 2020?
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I'm in!
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Me too.
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Yes please and thank you...
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Count me in to defend my title Mark :D
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I am in as well. One of my 2020 New Year resolutions is to play more golf ;D
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I'm definitely in and I'd highly recommend entering to anyone sitting on the sidelines and wondering if they should give it a go. Even if you get knocked out in the first round you'll still have likely had a good days golf, maybe meeting someone you've never met and also on a course you haven't played before.
Mark - thanks for organising.
Mike W - hopefully I'm not being too presumptuous but hopefully you will keep the scoreboard ticking over as usual, and thank you also for your efforts.
Niall
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Yep, Thanks for organising and count me in too.
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I’m in too Mark. Thanks for setting this up again.
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I'm definitely in and I'd highly recommend entering to anyone sitting on the sidelines and wondering if they should give it a go. Even if you get knocked out in the first round you'll still have likely had a good days golf, maybe meeting someone you've never met and also on a course you haven't played before.
Mark - thanks for organising.
Mike W - hopefully I'm not being too presumptuous but hopefully you will keep the scoreboard ticking over as usual, and thank you also for your efforts.
Niall
Niall - I’ll gladly manage the scoreboard again. My pleasure.
Also... I’m going to be living in the UK from May through Oct in 2020. If Mark thinks it’s OK I may sign up to play in the event.
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Niall’s words have tipped me over the edge so please count me in!
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Count me in Mark.
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In
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Yes please. Southern section.
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Robin’s post reminds me to ask if I can go in the Northern section this year if possible.
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Robin’s post reminds me to ask if I can go in the Northern section this year if possible.
Mark,
I'm happy to be in either section - whichever works better for the numbers.
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Robin’s post reminds me to ask if I can go in the Northern section this year if possible.
Of course. My mistake last year. For some reason I thought you were an expat, not still a citizen of God's own county.
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I'm in Scotland (Campbeltown) so Northern section for me......
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Hi! I'm in London
Can I have more inormation about format, dates and locations pls?
thank you!
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Hi! I'm in London
Can I have more inormation about format, dates and locations pls?
thank you!
It's a knock-out, played over the course of the year. Once the draw is conducted (early March, I hope) it's for opponents drawn against each other to arrange mutually suitable dates and venues to play, ideally at courses of architectural interest. I haven't previously set deadlines to play matches but will gt tetchy if anyone is particularly tardy. For some, there can be a fair bit of travelling involved (mostly in the Northern group), depending on the draw. Whilst it's a random draw in principle, I do try to avoid matches between the most distant competitors but, as things progress, that gets harder.
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Hi! I'm in London
Can I have more inormation about format, dates and locations pls?
thank you!
It's a knock-out, played over the course of the year. Once the draw is conducted (early March, I hope) it's for opponents drawn against each other to arrange mutually suitable dates and venues to play, ideally at courses of architectural interest. I haven't previously set deadlines to play matches but will gt tetchy if anyone is particularly tardy. For some, there can be a fair bit of travelling involved (mostly in the Northern group), depending on the draw. Whilst it's a random draw in principle, I do try to avoid matches between the most distant competitors but, as things progress, that gets harder.
Thank you Mark. Will let you know
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Mark,
Thanks again for continuing to organise this. Please add me to the entry list.
Happy to be in northern or southern section, whatever works best for the numbers.
Cheers,
James
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I'm going to set a deadline for entries of 29 February, so that I can do the draw in early March and we can start organising matches. So anyone out there waiting to enter, get your name in!
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Hi, I’d like to enter too, please, Mark. Southern section. Thanks.
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Please count me in. Southern section if possible please
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Sorry Mark, I forgot to say Northern section please. Cheers
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I have 17 entrants so far. In no particular order: David McIntosh, Mike Whitaker, Ian Galbraith, Jon Wiggett, Michael Graham, Niall Carlton, Ari Techner (all Scotland), Tony Muldoon, Sam Krume, Adam Uttley and Robin Hiseman (South East), James Boon and Ben Stephens (Midlands), Duncan Cheslett, James Reader, David Jones and me (North). I'm going to do the draw tomorrow, so if anyone else still wants in, today's your last chance.
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I have 17 entrants so far. In no particular order: David McIntosh, Mike Whitaker, Ian Galbraith, Jon Wiggett, Michael Graham, Niall Carlton, Ari Techner (all Scotland), Tony Muldoon, Sam Krume, Adam Uttley and Robin Hiseman (South East), James Boon and Ben Stephens (Midlands), Duncan Cheslett, James Reader, David Jones and me (North). I'm going to do the draw tomorrow, so if anyone else still wants in, today's your last chance.
The way I’ve played here at Slaley the last two days, I’m glad I haven’t entered for this year. My golf game is truly parlous and should not be subjected upon any innocent bystanders. Good luck all!
F.
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OK, my random number generator and I have split the draw into a Scottish and an English half, and the latter into the South and the rest and produced the following draw. There will be one preliminary ound game, in Northern England and the Midlands, which will see James Boon play Duncan Cheslett. Then the main draw:
Jones vs Whitaker
Graham vs Wiggett
Techner vs Carlton
Galbraith vs McIntosh
Muldoon vs Hiseman
Uttley vs Krume
Pearce vs Reader
Stephens vs Boon/Cheslett
Given that most of Northern England is still under water and the smaller number of games to play this year, let's set a later deadline for those first round games (shall we say end of June) and then look to get the final played by the end of October. So aiming for end June, end July, mid September, end October deadlines, roughly. James/Duncan, I suspect that arranging a first round match against Ben for the winner won't be a problem, so can you aim to play that prliminary by mid May?
I promise, by the way, that this was random. The fact we have two all East Lothian matches and both residents of God's own county are drawn together is entirely coincidental but welcome!
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Muldoon benefitted from a w/o against me in the Preliminary Round last year due to my knee op, but this year i'm back...and he's going to have to play at least 10 holes of matchplay before his inevitable progression to Round 2.
Tony, I suggest Piltdown in May. What do you think?
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Muldoon benefitted from a w/o against me in the Preliminary Round last year due to my knee op, but this year i'm back...and he's going to have to play at least 10 holes of matchplay before his inevitable progression to Round 2.
Tony, I suggest Piltdown in May. What do you think?
Spangles - BEWARE OF THE INJURED GOLFER! 8) 8)
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Muldoon benefitted from a w/o against me in the Preliminary Round last year due to my knee op, but this year i'm back...and he's going to have to play at least 10 holes of matchplay before his inevitable progression to Round 2.
Tony, I suggest Piltdown in May. What do you think?
Yes indeed.
(Thanks Ben. PS his nickname is 'Doc'!)
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Thanks, Mike. And welcome aboard!
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The news that I am to play James in a preliminary brought home to me just how little golf I’ve played this winter. I’m sure I’m not alone!
My training regime is now in place and I am gearing to peak for a mid May meeting with the Boonster somewhere in northern England.
Have you played Abbeydale in Sheffield, James? It’s a Fowler course that seems to fly under the radar completely. Our new course manager at Cavendish was there for years and speaks very highly of the place.
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To paraphrase Churchill a wee bit - never in the field of golfing conflict has google maps been used so much to pick a venue !
Ari - any thoughts as to where we could play ? There's a few 9 holers roughly mid way between us and then there is Glencruitten up in Oban that I've never played. Thoughts ?
Niall
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Glencruitten is an interesting course but quite hilly.
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Jon
Shhhh, don't tell Ari any secrets. I was hoping he was going to show up with a tour bag and a full set of clubs ;)
Niall
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Now this is properly in the spirit. Interesting venue and getting GCAers together!
James,
An evening in Yorkshire some time in the late Spring? You're far more knowledgeable than me on suitable venues, so throw some ideas into the mix.
Mark
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Now this is properly in the spirit. Interesting venue and getting GCAers together!
James,
An evening in Yorkshire some time in the late Spring? You're far more knowledgeable than me on suitable venues, so throw some ideas into the mix.
Mark
Can’t wait to see who is the Piltdown Man.
Sorry, I’ll get my coat.
8)
F.
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Sounds good to me....
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Sounds good to me....
Great idea, I hope we can make that work. I can do 15th or 17th of those dates but not the others. Adam
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Tony and I have blocked out those dates, so if you (Adam & Sam) can agree between the 15th (Friday) and 17th (Sunday) we'll go with that. As i mentioned, their weekend afternoon rates are the same as weekdays, if you don't want to take time off work.
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I am always up for 36 holes which would really make for an interesting day!
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Sounds good to me....
Great idea, I hope we can make that work. I can do 15th or 17th of those dates but not the others. Adam
Take your pick on the days Adam, I'm easy, can do either
Sam
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Sounds good to me....
Great idea, I hope we can make that work. I can do 15th or 17th of those dates but not the others. Adam
Take your pick on the days Adam, I'm easy, can do either
Sam
Let’s go for Friday then. I’m also happy for 36 holes.
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Sounds good to me....
Great idea, I hope we can make that work. I can do 15th or 17th of those dates but not the others. Adam
Take your pick on the days Adam, I'm easy, can do either
Sam
Let’s go for Friday then. I’m also happy for 36 holes.
Bingo...Friday it is then...LETS PLAY GOLF (said in the tone of a boxing announcer!!)
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To paraphrase Churchill a wee bit - never in the field of golfing conflict has google maps been used so much to pick a venue !
Ari - any thoughts as to where we could play ? There's a few 9 holers roughly mid way between us and then there is Glencruitten up in Oban that I've never played. Thoughts ?
Niall
Niall
I'm up for anything really. You pick the venue. I don't know much about the 9 holes between us and all I know about Glencruitten is that it's an interesting course that's quite hilly and one shouldn't show up there with a Tour Bag and a full set of clubs.....
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Damn and blast, see that Jon Wiggett and his big mouth..........
Ari,
Here's another thought, shall we see if we can get a four ball with another couple of contestants, and we can play both games at the same time ? Anyone else from the Scottish section interested ?
Niall
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Putting this out there to Adam and Sam.
Join Tony and I at Piltdown for your match. We're homing in on a date between May 15 and 18 inclusive.
Now this is properly in the spirit. Interesting venue and getting GCAers together!
James,
An evening in Yorkshire some time in the late Spring? You're far more knowledgeable than me on suitable venues, so throw some ideas into the mix.
Mark
Sounds good Mark. Something to look forward to - which is to be welcomed at this point!
Which West Yorkshire courses have you played? Are there any that you’re particularly keen to see?
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The ones I have played are Alwoodley, Moortown, Sand Moor and Headingley. Keen to see any of those west of Leeds, though conscious that you might want to get away from the M62!
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Damn and blast, see that Jon Wiggett and his big mouth..........
Ari,
Here's another thought, shall we see if we can get a four ball with another couple of contestants, and we can play both games at the same time ? Anyone else from the Scottish section interested ?
Niall
I would be up for that. If it is Oban way then I must remember it just to bring three clubs and a Sherpa to take it on. Maybe Spean Bridge as I have heard that is really, really flat ;D Other options would be Perth way Auchterader or the like?
What does Michael think?
Jon
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The ones I have played are Alwoodley, Moortown, Sand Moor and Headingley. Keen to see any of those west of Leeds, though conscious that you might want to get away from the M62!
Mark,
Howley Hall in Morley is worth a look as is Otley so long as it is dry and Ilkley is a nice track. Baildon is also decent though that is more Bradford. Also the Huddersfield Golf Club (Fixby) is worth a look. Not west of Leeds but Leeds Golf Club (Cobble Hall) is a nice course too.
Jon
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Damn and blast, see that Jon Wiggett and his big mouth..........
Ari,
Here's another thought, shall we see if we can get a four ball with another couple of contestants, and we can play both games at the same time ? Anyone else from the Scottish section interested ?
Niall
I would be up for that. If it is Oban way then I must remember it just to bring three clubs and a Sherpa to take it on. Maybe Spean Bridge as I have heard that is really, really flat ;D Other options would be Perth way Auchterader or the like?
What does Michael think?
Jon
I'm up for that. You guys just let me know when/where. With the UK to USA travel ban now I'm not going anywhere anytime soon......
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The ones I have played are Alwoodley, Moortown, Sand Moor and Headingley. Keen to see any of those west of Leeds, though conscious that you might want to get away from the M62!
Mark,
Howley Hall in Morley is worth a look as is Otley so long as it is dry and Ilkley is a nice track. Baildon is also decent though that is more Bradford. Also the Huddersfield Golf Club (Fixby) is worth a look. Not west of Leeds but Leeds Golf Club (Cobble Hall) is a nice course too.
Jon
Of the courses I’ve not yet played, Baildon and Ilkley would be high on my list Mark. I’m a member at Fixby and would be very happy to host you there any time and Ogden (Halifax GC), where I used to be a member, is another one worth seeing.
I’ll let you take the pick of those. Whichever most appeals to you.
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James,
Fixby and Ogden are high on my list this Summer but having had a chat about bicycles with the Butcher of Baildon (older UK GCAers will get it) earlier this week and seeing it come up on the list, let's play our match there. But let's arrange the other two at some stage too, if you're up for it....
Mark
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Sounds great Mark.
If anyone else is up for a Fixby/Ogden trip later in the year, I’d be delighted to host.
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Mark - is the Butcher still playing golf? We’ve not seen or heard from him in ages. Can he be coaxed into a game?
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Mark - is the Butcher still playing golf? We’ve not seen or heard from him in ages. Can he be coaxed into a game?
We spoke for half an hour and didn't really mention golf. I think we're going to get together for a ride later this year (it strikes me that will be like playing with him, I'll be outclassed but enjoy it thoroughly) and I'll ask. It would be great to get him out.
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The news today that despite Boris's incoherent piffle-paffle last night 2-ball golf is back on this week makes me think that James and I should get our fingers out and organise our game. Everyone else has a bye!
It's not clear yet whether clubs will be opening to unaccompanied visitors this month but at worst we could play it over 36 holes - home and away!
We probably both need a week or so to blow the cobwebs off though! ;)
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Sam (and Robin & Tony)
I’ve been assuming for some time that we wouldn’t be playing our game at Piltdown on Friday. I don’t think the resumption, as it stands, really changes that, do you?
I guess we wait until visitor play resumes? I am happy to host at my home course (Woburn) if it only looks like member-guest is possible.
Adam
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Hi Adam
Yes, Friday is much too soon, sadly. I like the sound of your back-up plan though!
I don't think it will be too long before we can resume, but doubtful we can play in a group of four.
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Mark
Is it time to start thinking about setting a date for our match?
Are you down in Leeds during the week, or still working from home in the North East? You suggested Baildon as a possible venue but, if you’re not getting down this way, perhaps we could look for somewhere else that’s more up your way.
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James,
if you get a nice day Baildon would make a very good venue. Excellent moorland course with some glorious views.
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James,
if you get a nice day Baildon would make a very good venue. Excellent moorland course with some glorious views.
I’m definitely planning to play it at some point this summer. It’s one of the few courses round here that’s already open to visitors and I nearly booked it for a game on Friday - can’t get a game on my home course at Fixby at the moment if you don’t book it a week in advance! In the end I decided on Sand Moor instead - in part because I know Mark’s also keen to play Baildon.
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Hi James,
Yes, I think we (and others!) should start to look at dates to play. I'm not in Leeds at the moment (we're working from home unless there's a a compelling client need to be in the office), so that does change my thinking about venues a bit, though I'm not sure there's much of great interest roughly halfway between us (Seaton Carew aside), though I am keen at some point to see Cleveland. The other that Jon Wiggett mentioned recently (and which Andrew Mitchell, the Butcher of Baildon, commented favourably on here back in 2007) is Strensall.
Let me have a think about logistics (if I have to make a trip to the office in the next few weeks that would change things again and put Baildon back top of the list) and we can agree. As to dates, I suspect there's more flexibility than there might have been previously. Though having been on the verge of buying a new car before lock down, I find myself without one, so will be borrowing my son'd and that depends on them not returning to Manchester to clear out of student houses!
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Mark,
we are still pretty much in lockdown in Scotland. Courses open but restriction (5 miles or so) on how far you should travel. I suspect this might stay this way for a while and so doubt any of the 'northern' draw will be playing any time soon.
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Jon,
I need to drive up to Glasgow with my son soon to clear out his flat.
It seems from your post that would not be possible at the moment. Is that so?
I was thinking of doing it this weekend!
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Jon,
I need to drive up to Glasgow with my son soon to clear out his flat.
It seems from your post that would not be possible at the moment. Is that so?
I was thinking of doing it this weekend!
My wife needs to visit her parents in Edinburgh (her mother is at risk). We're pretty sure that, at the moment, the rules don't allow this. So our understanding is that that is not currently possible.
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That is correct as far as I understand it. No unnecessary travel that is further than 5 miles.
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Mark
I assumed you’d probably be at home and Strensall was one that occurred to me as a possibility. Another option might be Pannal, which I’ve never played but heard some good things about. Have you played there? If not, does anyone else have a view?
It doesn’t look as if either course is open for visitors yet but hopefully that’ll change soon.
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Mark
I assumed you’d probably be at home and Strensall was one that occurred to me as a possibility. Another option might be Pannal, which I’ve never played but heard some good things about. Have you played there? If not, does anyone else have a view?
It doesn’t look as if either course is open for visitors yet but hopefully that’ll change soon.
James,
No, Pannal is another I haven't played. Let's keep an eye on the situation.
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Pannal is a nice course and a well to do club which I visited with the MacKenzie Society some years ago.
I have no abiding memories of the course other than it was a pleasant parkland experience with rather too many trees. I believe they’ve had the chainsaws out since then.
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Mark and I are finally getting things underway. We’re playing at York/Strensall next Friday.
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Good to hear James. I recommended to Mark that he try to play Strensall. I am sure you will both like the course.
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Good to hear James. I recommended to Mark that he try to play Strensall. I am sure you will both like the course.
Your recommendation is a key reason that we’re playing there Jon. I’m looking forward to it.
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Tony, Sam and Adam.
Want to get Piltdown back on?
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Robin/Adam..I'm ready.Sam
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Yes I’m good to go. Probably won’t manage 36 anymore but will be glad of even 18.
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Ah well...
James and I had a very pleasant (and drier than threatened) round at Strensall this morning. Sadly I didn't offer much threat and James eased to a 3/2 win. Whilst not quite at the level of the best of the Leeds courses, Strensall was very enjoyable. They had obviously had quite a lot of work done on their bunkering scheme recently (the course planner on the website pre-dates this) which seemed to have been done pretty well, though appeared to cater for pretty low handicap players.
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Mark,
glad you managed to play Strensall and though you didn't manage the win you seem to have enjoyed it. You are correct with your assertion that it is not up to the same level as the top tier of the Leeds courses but with the likes of Moortown and Alwoodley very few courses are. I would suggest however it is the best of the Vale of York courses and makes a very good side trip to a round at Ganton.
Well done James on your victory. Mark usually is quite a canny opponent as I found out last year.
Jon
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Mark,
glad you managed to play Strensall and though you didn't manage the win you seem to have enjoyed it. You are correct with your assertion that it is not up to the same level as the top tier of the Leeds courses but with the likes of Moortown and Alwoodley very few courses are. I would suggest however it is the best of the Vale of York courses and makes a very good side trip to a round at Ganton.
Well done James on your victory. Mark usually is quite a canny opponent as I found out last year.
Jon
Jon,
I certainly preferred it to Fulford and we both really enjoyed the greens. No massive undulations but really intelligent angled greens with some quite serious slopes to take account of. And the bunkering is really intelligent, I thought. I'd be very happy to go back. Thanks for suggesting it, we wouldn't have gone there if you hadn't and I'm very glad we did.
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Thanks for a really enjoyable game Mark.
Completely agree on the course. I wasn’t aware of it until a few weeks ago and am very glad that you recommended it, Jon.
It’s been a fun week of Yorkshire golf for me (in spite of the awful weather), with York today and Baildon on Tuesday. Two completely different courses - heath/park v moor; tree-lined v no trees; dead flat v up on “the tops” - but both very good in their own way. And Fixby tomorrow morning; something of a combination of the two.
There’s a lot of good golf in Yorkshire outside of the Gaston/Alwoodley/Moortown tier.
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Duncan and I played our match earlier today. He had home advantage as we chose to play at Cavendish, though it wasnt like it was my first time playing there! Unfortunately Duncan's ability to always throw in a few birdies off his 13 handicap (usually on par 3s while I was making a mess of choosing the right club!) meant he managed to win by 1 hole. Good luck against Ben, Duncan!
After plenty of warm dry weather I was hoping to play the firm and fast Cavendish I remember as a kid and which the contours of the whole course but especially the greens, really deserve. Unfortunately a wet week leading up to the game meant everything was quite wet underfoot, with not much role on drives and approaches to greens needing to be thrown right up to the flag. But despite this the quality of Cavendish still shone through on an otherwise drab day!
Cheers,
James
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It was a pleasure as always to play with James yesterday at Cavendish, the obvious venue for our match as it is equidistant between our respective homes.
On a dreich day which felt more like November than July the course didn't shine at its very best, but our game was always close with never more than a couple of holes in it. It was the five par 3's that made the difference, four of which I managed to win with the other halved. Local knowledge?
James's disgust was palpable when I shamelessly pulled out my driver on the 180 yard uphill 13th and proceeded to dink my ball to the heart of the green, making par to go 2 up. I turned 60 a few weeks ago and am enthusiastically embracing the art of "old man's golf!"
Birdies at 14 and 16 brought James back to all square and the momentum was definitely with him, particularly after he hit a glorious 6-iron apparently right on the pin at the deceptively long par 3 17th. My 4-iron was hit sweetly too, albeit slightly right. On getting to the green however, it turned out that James was 15 ft short while I was pin high with a 6 footer which I managed to drain for the hole! I do seem to have this knack of delivering a stiletto between James's shoulder blades at critical moments...
My double bogey (with a shot) was enough to halve the magnificent 18th and take the match.
Hard luck James, and hopefully you'll be back at Cavendish very soon in dryer conditions!
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Regrettably Ben informs me that he is withdrawing from this year's knockout because of COVID concerns for his elderly father who he lives with.
I look forward therefore, to a game with James Reader in the second round proper.
What about Hopwood, James?
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After a couple of false starts and a late venue change, Adam Uttley v Sam Krume and Tony Muldoon v myself shall take place on Friday 24th July over the Duchess Course at Woburn. If we were more organised we could immediately play the second round too, but we have a pm tee time to keep the green fee down.
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After a couple of false starts and a late venue change, Adam Uttley v Sam Krume and Tony Muldoon v myself shall take place on Friday 24th July over the Duchess Course at Woburn. If we were more organised we could immediately play the second round too, but we have a pm tee time to keep the green fee down.
Crikey Robin!
You have picked one of the tightest golf courses that you can play in the UK!! Sounds like the straightest hitter will prevail
Cheers
Ben
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Indeed! But I've not played it, so happy to go with Adam's suggestion.
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Indeed! But I've not played it, so happy to go with Adam's suggestion.
Well the first fairway is probably the widest of the lot and then you come to a great long par 3 - I like the opening two holes its a tough opener. I have been fortunate to play all 3 Woburn courses. I would put the Dukes ahead of Duchess and the Duchess ahead of the Marquess which has bit too much American flavour to it compared to the other two and the walk between green and tees is not for the faint hearted.
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After a couple of false starts and a late venue change, Adam Uttley v Sam Krume and Tony Muldoon v myself shall take place on Friday 24th July over the Duchess Course at Woburn. If we were more organised we could immediately play the second round too, but we have a pm tee time to keep the green fee down.
Crikey Robin!
You have picked one of the tightest golf courses that you can play in the UK!! Sounds like the straightest hitter will prevail
Cheers
Ben
Note to self...
... the next time I’m drawn against Ben insist on playing the match at Woburn on the Duchess!
🤣
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Ben, i'll pass on your comments and regards to my work colleague Ross...who designed the Marquess. I'm sure he will appreciate you putting his course 3rd of 3!
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Ben, i'll pass on your comments and regards to my work colleague Ross...who designed the Marquess. I'm sure he will appreciate you putting his course 3rd of 3!
Playing the Dukes and Duchess makes me appreciate Charles Lawrie's work there more - he is not mentioned enough on GCA IMO. You will find out yourself the shape of the holes actually work out quite well and greens with nice subtle contours. Most of the members I know at Woburn play the Duchess more than the other two.
The Marquess is mostly used by the societies more than the other two. Its ok with one or two really good holes. Thought it was designed by Alliss and Clark (as the primary designers) with input from Ross McMurray and Alex Hay.
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After a couple of false starts and a late venue change, Adam Uttley v Sam Krume and Tony Muldoon v myself shall take place on Friday 24th July over the Duchess Course at Woburn. If we were more organised we could immediately play the second round too, but we have a pm tee time to keep the green fee down.
Crikey Robin!
You have picked one of the tightest golf courses that you can play in the UK!! Sounds like the straightest hitter will prevail
Cheers
Ben
Note to self...
... the next time I’m drawn against Ben insist on playing the match at Woburn on the Duchess!
🤣
Happy to take you on the Duchess anytime and one of my favourites member courses to play is Kings Lynn which is really tight. Both courses need to shape the tee shots well and the ball can be found in the trees no problem. ;D [size=78%] [/size]
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Ben, i'll pass on your comments and regards to my work colleague Ross...who designed the Marquess. I'm sure he will appreciate you putting his course 3rd of 3!
Playing the Dukes and Duchess makes me appreciate Charles Lawrie's work there more - he is not mentioned enough on GCA IMO. You will find out yourself the shape of the holes actually work out quite well and greens with nice subtle contours. Most of the members I know at Woburn play the Duchess more than the other two.
The Marquess is mostly used by the societies more than the other two. Its ok with one or two really good holes. Thought it was designed by Alliss and Clark (as the primary designers) with input from Ross McMurray and Alex Hay.
The Marquess is not a bad course its just I prefer the other two as they are more British in feel/look and it can be played quickly - the Duchess is underrated by many as you will find out next Friday.
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Ross designed it all - the rest was politics and promotion.
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After a couple of false starts and a late venue change, Adam Uttley v Sam Krume and Tony Muldoon v myself shall take place on Friday 24th July over the Duchess Course at Woburn. If we were more organised we could immediately play the second round too, but we have a pm tee time to keep the green fee down.
Crikey Robin!
You have picked one of the tightest golf courses that you can play in the UK!! Sounds like the straightest hitter will prevail
Cheers
Ben
Note to self...
... the next time I’m drawn against Ben insist on playing the match at Woburn on the Duchess!
🤣
Happy to take you on the Duchess anytime and one of my favourites member courses to play is Kings Lynn which is really tight. Both courses need to shape the tee shots well and the ball can be found in the trees no problem. ;D [size=78%] [/size]
My experience with Ben suggests playing him on a links without livestock when the rough is up. He can't find his ball easily in the rough as he claims he can in the trees.
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After a couple of false starts and a late venue change, Adam Uttley v Sam Krume and Tony Muldoon v myself shall take place on Friday 24th July over the Duchess Course at Woburn. If we were more organised we could immediately play the second round too, but we have a pm tee time to keep the green fee down.
Crikey Robin!
You have picked one of the tightest golf courses that you can play in the UK!! Sounds like the straightest hitter will prevail
Cheers
Ben
Note to self...
... the next time I’m drawn against Ben insist on playing the match at Woburn on the Duchess!
🤣
Happy to take you on the Duchess anytime and one of my favourites member courses to play is Kings Lynn which is really tight. Both courses need to shape the tee shots well and the ball can be found in the trees no problem. ;D
My experience with Ben suggests playing him on a links without livestock when the rough is up. He can't find his ball easily in the rough as he claims he can in the trees.
Garland,
Well I can still find the ball some of the times and can play out of the thick rough which is a skill that most can't play out of. Ironically my driver and 4 wood is quite straight at the moment its the irons that have gone a bit awry. Trouble is I need to play a lot more golf.
I guess I prefer bad lies than good ones which doesn't put me off. ;D
Cheers
Ben
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Ross designed it all - the rest was politics and promotion.
Like a few other EGD courses in the past. Not now which is good to see the actual designers getting more credit for the work.
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And so the double-headed feast of golf featuring the long delayed Muldoon v Hiseman and Uttley v Krume matches descended upon the lush meadows of Woburn Golf Club. The car park was full to capacity, leading us to expect a healthy gallery for our eagerly awaited games. Strangely, there was nobody there as we arrived at the 1st tee of the Duchess Course. I guess they were expecting us to be playing the Marquess.
No matter, we teed off and immediately familiarised ourselves with the sonerous tone of golf ball meeting distant tree trunk. I think it was an F flat. Tree huggers love the Duchess Course, as you're rarely more than a bangled arms length from one (or several thousand). Over the course of 4 hours there were more ricochets than in the Dublin phone book.
The Hiseman/ Muldoon match was a closely fought contest, with never more than 2 holes in it. Four of Tony's five shots came in a tight six hole sequence between the 9th and 14th and he used these to good effect to peg back my 2-hole lead. It was a pretty scrappy affair to be honest, with more holes won through opponent errors than sparkling play. But, credit where it is due, Tony played the demanding 18th hole like a pro to tie the match and when I missed a short putt for a 3 on the first extra hole, the axe fell, sadly not on the ridiculous tree that blights the 17th hole.
The Uttley / Krume encounter was somewhat less of a contest, with Adam making full use of home advantage to hand Sam what I believe was a dog licence, which is poetic irony given that Sam is a professional dog groomer. Let's hope he doesn't take it out on the next pooch to face his shears.
I don't think any of us took photos, but all you need to know is that the course is heavily tree-lined...everywhere. It is undoubtedly very pretty and was in fantastic condition. There are several very interesting, multi-level green surfaces, which lead to some testing putts from above the hole. I liked the 1st immediately, which on reflection is probably the most attractive hole. I struggle to pick out individual holes thereafter, but apart from a couple of bland par 3's it was an engaging course, if not wholly memorable. The par 5's were strong, with well-placed bunkers challenging the green approaches from afar.
Adam and Tony head off to round 2, Sam to take out his frustration on innocent dogs and myself to deal with nightmares of Craig Stadler on the 18th green at The Belfry.
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Ian and I had a nice day for our match at Newbattle on the outskirts of Edinburgh yesterday afternoon.
In a match of few halved holes, Ian played very solidly, including an exceptional birdie on the long par 4 6th, and raced into a commanding lead after nine holes. We traded holes throughout the back nine until Ian closed out the tie with a fine par on the 16th hole for a deserved victory.
A Harry Colt design from 1934, Newbattle is one of his few Scottish courses. The opening and last two holes are laid out on the west side of the River Esk. Across the river, holes 3-16 have a parkland estate feel and contain a bit of elevation change but little by way of undulating terrain. Holes 3-9 and 16 hug the perimeter of the site with the rest playing in the middle section. Almost all of the greens have front flanking bunkers on both sides (felt a bit repetitive) which were nicely shaped but could do with a little TLC. No massive contours on the greens but they contained enough subtle features to keep them interesting. Overall, a solid enough course without scaling any real heights but we had a pleasant day out and I was glad to see the place.
Good luck to Ian in the next round against either Ari or Niall.
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Ian and I had a nice day for our match at Newbattle on the outskirts of Edinburgh yesterday afternoon.
Yes - any day playing golf in shorts in Scotland is a good one and it was good to catch up with David. As he mentioned the routing is probably the most interesting thing about Newbattle. The piece of land is a funny shape on two sides of a river and Colt has done a good job of finding a varied sequence that works.
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James Reader and I have arranged to play our quarter-final match on Tuesday evening at Bury GC.
Here is a course review I posted last year.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,67698 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,67698)
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I was treated to a James Reader masterclass at Bury this week when he bagged 3 or 4 birdies (I lost count!) on the tougher front nine.
I managed to hang on though, and just missed a 4’ birdie putt of my own on the 18th to win the hole and half the match in front of a boisterous audience!
Well done James, and good luck in the semi final!
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Thanks for a great game Duncan. It was only 3 birdies (missed that 2 footer on the 9th for a 4th), but my game returned to normal for the back nine and a tie would have been a fair result in the end. Although If you’d holed that final putt we might have had an argument with the spectators about whether or not you should have been penalised for touching the flag!
Really enjoyed Bury - and I can recommend both the course and your photo tour to anyone that hasn’t seen them. It was good to hear that the club is starting to look at options to recover some of the Mackenzie features that have been lost (or, in many cases, simply masked by trees) over the years, but there’s already a lot there to like.
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I was treated to a James Reader masterclass at Bury this week when he bagged 3 or 4 birdies (I lost count!) on the tougher front nine.
I managed to hang on though, and just missed a 4’ birdie putt of my own on the 18th to win the hole and half the match in front of a boisterous audience!
Well done James, and good luck in the semi final!
Indeed, well played James, as I know how tough it is to get past Duncan! Though I cant believe he is decrying your 3 birdies when he himself managed 3 or 4 birdies to get past me in the previous round! ;)
Cheers, James
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Indeed, well played James, as I know how tough it is to get past Duncan! Though I cant believe he is decrying your 3 birdies when he himself managed 3 or 4 birdies to get past me in the previous round! ;)
Annoying, isn't it? ;D
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Adam and I faced off at Stanmore Golf Club. Adam suggested it as a neutral venue and we were both most impressed with the lively club and the Course which dates just after WWW1 laid out by Dr MacKenzie. The holes in front of the Clubhouse look flat but after a revised shortened first (great green) the good Doctor heads for the hill ‘Belmont’ and in repeated visits to the the south west corner of the property, there are 6 greens. Familiar economical routing making the most of the limited feature . On paper the course stretches to 6025 yards Par 69, SSS 70. But with only 2 par 5’s and many raised greens there’s plenty of hitting to be done. And what greens. Slopes, rises, false fronts, fall offs are all beautifully realised. Even if a couple of them definitely play from a new direction (1&4), they seem to be original. The Par 3’s are an excellent group with the pick perhaps the 8th - From the tee it looks like its half false front but this part feeds towards the right hand bunker. Perhaps flying it to the rear is the way to play it. The 17th is longer and looks similar but this time the play is to run it up without running through the green, which slopes down after the middle. Oddly the most extreme greens were all in the first half but they were a great set.
The Course is a little choked by trees and some of the mowing lines have shrunk leaving bunkers stranded. But fine turf grown on a sandy soil means this is worth a repeat visit.
Adam put played beautifully and I could but smile at his 3 birdies in the first 6 holes (two from off the green). The match finished at the 15th when he was 5 up!!!! Good luck to anyone playing him in such form.
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It was one of those extremely rare days when I managed to play well AND got lucky, with good bounces and great lies aplenty. Despite all my fortune, and me suggesting the white tees, Tony played himself and kept me to 2up at the turn - it would have been a very close match on any other day.
As Tony says, Stanmore was a joy to play, with the green complexes the star of the show, due to both their contour and their firmness. I particularly enjoyed the run of holes from 7-9. The seventh was a short par 4 with a severely elevated tee. It seemed simple enough and tempts the golfer to drive as close to the green as possible, but angle is much more important. To the front pin of the day, you really needed to run it in between the bunkers, not chip over them, onto a green that runs away. Next up was the superb par 3 that Tony described, which I shall not repeat, safe to say I attempted flying it to the rear and 3 shots later was still not on the green. The fact that neither of us yet know how to play the whole is great testament. Finally, the 9th was an excellent dog-leg left that required a drive over a bunker on the left side of the fairway to get and angle into a very well-guarded green. We both spent quite some time figuring out how to play our approaches, which made for great golf.
All in all Stanmore is a wonderful, strategic test of golf. It certainly could do with a few trees felled, particularly in the area 30-50yds from the tee, which may punish high handicappers and slow down play, but otherwise just spoiled good views. Yet this is quickly forgiven due to such a great set of greens. Stanmore is well worth the trip and appears to be a thriving club, which is great to see.
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James and I have agreed to play our match at Blackwell on Sunday 25th October. We have a tee time booked for 12 noon and hopefully we both remember on the day that the clocks have gone back.
If anyone would like to join us, you’d be more than welcome.
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James and I played our match today at Blackwell. Unfortunately after spending 45 minutes on a good write up of the match and course, my iPad crashed :'( Hopefully I’ll get time to redo it some other time, but please excuse the brevity for now.
James got off to a fast start holing a long putt on the 1st for birdie and never looked back, continuing a superb putting display all the way to the end; the killer blow came on the 16th. Each time I clawed one back, James regained the momentum on the next hole. A very worthy winner, congratulations James.
The course itself was superb. It was very quiet and almost like stepping back in time. The highlights were the ribbon bunker on the 12th and the green complexes throughout, but particularly on the 18th.
All in all a superb day and great company. The GCA knockouts have been the highlight of my golfing year in many ways, with the ability to geek out over great golf courses that I simply can’t with my regular fourball. Thank you for letting me enter and for the joy this little corner of the internet brings.
Good luck in the final, James, whenever that may be!
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I received a message from Jon saying he was going to have to forfeit his match with me so I assume he was victorious in the first round?
I appear to be in the form of my life...!!
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He’s currently, ehm, otherwise engaged.
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He’s currently, ehm, otherwise engaged.
Isn't the expression "out of town" ?
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I never saw anything mentioned about the Graham/Wiggett match. Did they indeed play or was this another concession?
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My recollection was that it was a concession.
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It looks like Ari and I will need to get our finger out :-[
Niall
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James and I played our match today at Blackwell. Unfortunately after spending 45 minutes on a good write up of the match and course, my iPad crashed :'( Hopefully I’ll get time to redo it some other time, but please excuse the brevity for now.
James got off to a fast start holing a long putt on the 1st for birdie and never looked back, continuing a superb putting display all the way to the end; the killer blow came on the 16th. Each time I clawed one back, James regained the momentum on the next hole. A very worthy winner, congratulations James.
The course itself was superb. It was very quiet and almost like stepping back in time. The highlights were the ribbon bunker on the 12th and the green complexes throughout, but particularly on the 18th.
All in all a superb day and great company. The GCA knockouts have been the highlight of my golfing year in many ways, with the ability to geek out over great golf courses that I simply can’t with my regular fourball. Thank you for letting me enter and for the joy this little corner of the internet brings.
Good luck in the final, James, whenever that may be!
Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable day Adam - I fear it may be the last for a while the way things are going in England!
As you say, Blackwell was great. Another course i might not have seen if it weren’t for GCA. There’s some really good work being done on the bunker renovation (I’m still thinking about the fairway bunkering on the 10th - never seen anything quite like it) and I will definitely aim to go back there in a few years’ time to see the finished result; perhaps for a rematch in the GCA Knock-Out 2024!
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I’m not sure that the final of this ever got played. Now that we are getting into hopefully more stable times, I wondered whether now was a good time to resurrect and commence a 2022 version (or conclude the 2020 iteration?)
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I’m pretty sure Michael’s last post is where things finished for 2020, Adam. Things never really got going in the Northern section amidst all the lock downs.
I’m definitely up for a 2022 version.
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A 2022 version sounds great. Can those wanting to enter post here before, say, 14 March and we can get the ball rolling.
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Yes please, good excuse to catch up with a few folk. (Cue: Exit, round 1, stage left)
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Re 2020 Comp - if you notice the only game actually played in the northern section of the 2020 comp was between Ian G and David Mc which Ian won. Ari and I never managed to organise our game and David J progressed via a couple of forfeits. Given Ari and I didn't manage to get out of the blocks I suspect he would agree with me that we should basically stand aside to let Ian play David for the right to play James in the final.
Ian and David live almost in the same postcode so should be able to organise a game fairly readily if they are minded and then the winner could play James who I suspect is currently spending more time up north than down south so hopefully organising the final should be readily doable. With a couple of games we could finally reach a conclusion. Does that sound like a plan ?
With regards the 2022 comp I'm up for it and suspect a few others will as well, but given that there might yet be mileage left in the 2020 comp perhaps we should start another thread now so as not to clog up this one ?
Niall
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I'm happy with Niall's suggestion if David and James want to tidy up the 2020 incarnation.
Equally, we could just forget 2020 happened altogether, and move straight on to the 2022 version.
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Ian
We could run both in tandem.
Niall
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Mark - I'd like to participate as I'm going be in country late May until late Sept. If those dates work for me to be a participant, then please include me. If it would be cutting things too fine, then leave me out. No worries.
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Ian
We could run both in tandem.
Niall
My 2020 run to the Northern Final was a source of some embarrassment having not played a match, but let's try and have a game Ian as the Southern Champion is available next month I believe! Will be in touch
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Ian
We could run both in tandem.
Niall
My 2020 run to the Northern Final was a source of some embarrassment having not played a match, but let's try and have a game Ian as the Southern Champion is available next month I believe! Will be in touch
What about trying to find a date for the three of us to play together? We could play three matches concurrently with my result against the winner of you two deciding the overall winner.
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Ian
We could run both in tandem.
Niall
My 2020 run to the Northern Final was a source of some embarrassment having not played a match, but let's try and have a game Ian as the Southern Champion is available next month I believe! Will be in touch
What about trying to find a date for the three of us to play together? We could play three matches concurrently with my result against the winner of you two deciding the overall winner.
Ian and I have already sorted ourselves out for early March at Archerfield so one of us will be ready and waiting for your trip up later in the month. If it's me though I'm not taking you on at TOC after your recent performance....
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Ian
We could run both in tandem.
Niall
My 2020 run to the Northern Final was a source of some embarrassment having not played a match, but let's try and have a game Ian as the Southern Champion is available next month I believe! Will be in touch
What about trying to find a date for the three of us to play together? We could play three matches concurrently with my result against the winner of you two deciding the overall winner.
Ian and I have already sorted ourselves out for early March at Archerfield so one of us will be ready and waiting for your trip up later in the month. If it's me though I'm not taking you on at TOC after your recent performance....
I can assure you, that was a one-off!
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So after a very lengthy hiatus, competitive golf resumed in the cosseted environs of Archerfield earlier today. We began play on the Dirleton course in an un-forecast and frankly very damp shower. However the golf obsessive chat and the underlying joy of not being behind a desk on a Thursday morning soon saw us through the first few holes after which the rain frittered away.
I won't subject anyone to a blow by blow account, suffice to say that (i) there were very, very few halved holes (ii) you should always check the ball you are about to hit is really yours! (iii) there are some subtle breaks for the unwary on the Dirleton greens that can make you (me) look very foolish (iv) Even when you lose, if the company is good you can still have a very nice time. :)
You'll ascertain from the above that David won 3 and 2 despite my best efforts - well done and thanks again for your hospitality David.
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So after a very lengthy hiatus, competitive golf resumed in the cosseted environs of Archerfield earlier today. We began play on the Dirleton course in an un-forecast and frankly very damp shower. However the golf obsessive chat and the underlying joy of not being behind a desk on a Thursday morning soon saw us through the first few holes after which the rain frittered away.
I won't subject anyone to a blow by blow account, suffice to say that (i) there were very, very few halved holes (ii) you should always check the ball you are about to hit is really yours! (iii) there are some subtle breaks for the unwary on the Dirleton greens that can make you (me) look very foolish (iv) Even when you lose, if the company is good you can still have a very nice time. :)
You'll ascertain from the above that David won 3 and 2 despite my best efforts - well done and thanks again for your hospitality David.
Ian,
I very much appreciate you saving your best golf for the Regwin. I have no doubt that we will have a successful run into the second round this year :)
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Looks like it’s David and me in the final then.
David, I’m going to be up for the best part of three weeks from the 20th so hopefully we can get the 2020 version completed not much more than 15 months late! Do you have any thoughts on a venue?
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Thanks for the game Ian. Great company and my home advantage definitely helped. Really good to catch up.
James, will be in touch for this North versus South final on a suitable neutral venue. Will be nice to put 2020 firmly behind us in style!!
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Well done David and hard luck Ian. Let us know the date and venue for the final as some of us might want to gatecrash the event !
Niall
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David and I are planning to play the final at Dunbar on either Monday 4th or Tuesday 5th April. If anyone would like to join us, it would be great to have you there, but please let me know by Monday so that we can get a tee time booked.
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Unfortunately I can't join you but good luck to both of you.
Niall
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Niall,
What’s the deadline for playing the first round matches? Sean and I are hoping to play our game at Whittington Heath but the new holes don’t open until Easter weekend. Realistically we wouldn’t be able to play it until end of April/early May. Does that work?
Incidentally, I’ve wangled a half price fourball at Whittington Heath if anyone fancies joining us and seeing the reworked course forced by the routing of HS2.
PM me…
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Duncan,
Look up the thread on the 2022 match play. Seems that is what you are referring to.
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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.
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Congratulations James and hard luck David, a fine effort. I'm envious of both of you playing at Dunbar, a course I've yet to experience. Hopefully this years comp won't take quite as long to play !
Also, well done Mike on the scoreboard. An essential in keeping everyone organised.
Niall
ps. there was talk about a Clan Gathering of GCA, mainly from me it has to be said. Unfortunately events kind of overtook me and I didn't get a chance to look into organising something. If anyone else has any ideas and wants to give it a go then please feel free.
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Thanks for the game David. If you hadn’t hit your 2-iron more than 280 yards into a burn on the 6th it might have been a different result!
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on a course that I hadn’t played before but am very glad that I now have. The stretch from 9 to 13 is particularly good and the back nine as a whole was pretty challenging into the prevailing wind. I can only imagine how tough it must be when the rough is up.
Thanks to everyone involved in making the 2020 (to 2022!) event happen. It seems an awfully long time ago since Mark Pearce and I started off with a game at York.
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All, Well done James, hard luck David. I can’t seem to find a thread for the 2022 UK match play, can someone point me to it. James mentioned some UK events/get together and I would be interested in attending if possible. Thanks Alan
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Alan
Unfortunately for you the draw has already been made for this years comp but hopefully you will be able to join in with any of the Clan Gatherings or even join some of the matches in the knock-out as an "observer". In terms of the Clan Gathering it was either going to be Craigie Hill, Perth which I was going to organise or alternatively Pitreavie which Mr Bonnar was going to arrange. Neither has happened. I spoke to Martin on the phone the other night so hopefully one of us will get something organised before long.
Of course it doesn't need to be those two courses and if anyone has the time and energy to organise something else then I'm sure Martin and I would be grateful ;D
Where is it you are based and where do you play ?
Niall
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Hi Niall,
I live in Aberdeen and play at Royal Aberdeen.
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Hi Niall,
I live in Aberdeen and play at Royal Aberdeen.
Nice to see you here, Alan. I’m very much looking forward to my first visit to Royal Aberdeen later this month.