Westgate - Christmas Special - Thu 14th Dec 2023

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It's great living near a golf course that drains so well... Whilst other local courses are exploring renting out pedalos, Westgate treated us to all 18 greens being open... that's after they filled our bellies with a great breakfast.

24 golfers, wearing quite a few layers, were delighted to have a day without rain but many were disappointed when they realised that they'd brought the wrong 5 clubs (or was that just me?). The usual 'Laurel & Hardy' draw for the groups was proved pointless again with a last minute drop-out & so we headed out in 6 four balls for an individual & team comp. Although the final two groups were also embroiled in the race for the prestigious 'Player of the Year' trophy. With the best 6 scores from the year counting, an unprecedented 5 players were in with a shout... Carl (2018/19 Champion) was in 1st place; Nigel was potentially in a stronger position being level on points but with a lower score to get rid of; last year's Champion, Bob, was one point back, with Jon Hunnisett a further point behind (but was a popular tip for the title having won 3 of the last 5 matches) & young Terry Porter was a further point back. 

New member, Mark Blundell, led out the first group as he needed to get back to Walmer early, but this sped him to a great score of 35 on his 1st visit to Westgate, a great back 9 enabled Mark to beat 4 others on countback & land him 3rd place.  This group seemed to have trouble keeping hold of their scorecards & remembering to leave the Nearest of the Pin markers by the green.  Thankfully group 2 were there to keep them on-track & help them find their scorecards. This group were led by Gary Fairhall who had also requested to get off early as he was going shopping with his lovely wife, Julie... well we know who wears the trousers in that relationship - actually we were pretty surprised that Gary wasn't wearing shorts, or his bright green trousers.  This group included the two main contenders for the 'King of the Pin' award. Gary was one NP behind Rhodri at the start of the day but it didn't take long for Gary to get the equaliser, when he sent a pearler of a Tee-Shot to within 4ft of the pin on the 5th. Gary missed the 2 (& a share of £60) but wasn't too sad as he knew he had a great chance of overturning an out-of-sorts Rhodri, who had more chance of getting Gary to join him in prayer than he did of getting a ball on a Par3 green...

Group 3 saw Ricky join the Stonelees Squad, who included debutant Jon Martin, although it was Ady who led the way with an impressive 35pts but missed out from a placing on countback, however this was softened by winning one of the Nearest the Pin awards. 

Group 4 also had an on form player with Mick Beale, on his 3rd appearance, winning one of the Nearest the Pin awards, and coming home with 38pts which put him in 2nd place. Well played Mick.

Expecting a large crowd on the final green, Westgate had changed the order of the course so that our last two groups could be cheered on like we often see at the Ryder Cup... unfortunately, the warmth of the bar lounge & the lure of a drink was too much of a distraction & the final two groups had to complete their rounds with just the fading light to keep them company. In group 5, Jon crashed & burned, which encouraged Terry to a solid score of 35pts & moving him up the 'Player of the Year' leaderboard. Terry also completed his impressive season by gaining one of the Nearest the Pin awards. Paul Flint also capped off his 2nd appearance with a Nearest the Pin award.

Then suddenly there was just one group left... Could Carl hold off the competition of Nigel & Bob? Carl needed 37pts, Nigel needed 33pts & Bob needed 36pts to beat Terry's clubhouse lead... As the story unfolded we discovered that Bob Blobbed too many today & didn't improve his score. Nigel won a Nearest the Pin and improved his season score by two but alas this left him one behind Terry who was now getting ready to order some bubbly... However, Carl had a spectacular round, winning the Nearest the Pin on the 17th amongst the confusion caused by Group 1 forgetting to leave a marker. Carl achieved 2 birdies & 7 pars on his way to a show-stopping 42pts which left him 6points ahead of the Clubhouse leader, who was desperately trying to put the bubbly back behind the bar... 

Final Scores:

Jon Hunnisett 207; Bob 208; Nigel 211; Terry 212; Carl 218.

Congratulations to Carl for winning the Westgate 5-Club challenge & the 'Player of the Year' trophy - Carl also receives a 4-ball voucher for Kings Hill - enjoy it. A tip for those who are already eyeing up the trophy for next year, Carl was the only 'ever-present' player his year... & the Top 6 players all played at least 9 times this season...

For those still interested... Gary didn't quite overturn the out-of-sorts Rhod, so they share the 'King of the Pin' title and will enjoy a 4-ball at Sene Valley together in the New Year.

Alan Garrett & Mick Beale had the only 2s & shared £60; whilst the final group were the Team winners with an impressive 91pts (best 2 of 4) & shared £24 between them.

The new season begins, as usual, with a January trip to Stonelees (Wed 10th Jan).  Anthony provides an amazing breakfast & it's a great chance to catch up after the festive season. There'll be an opportunity to renew your Membership (£10) & begin your quest to get your name on that 'Player of the Year' trophy...

Have a great Christmas, my prayer is that you'll know the Peace & Hope that is only found in Jesus, spare Him a thought as you celebrate His birthday, & I look forward to some great golfing adventures with you all in 2024.