Etchinghill - Wed 13th Nov 2024

Report

"The weather looks fine again" were the not-so-accurate words shared with us just before we left the clubhouse, bellies full following a good breakfast, straight into a big wet cloud that had descended over Etchinghill, a place where it's not uncommon to get all four seasons in one day.  Today's 4balls were drawn by Anthony's caddy Rob, sporting the lovely Puma hoodie that had to be dyed following his legendary West Malling belly-flop. It was great that you could join us again Rob maybe next time you can persuade Ant to up your wages so you can get a buggy & save the pressure on those legs zig-zagging across the fairways looking for Ant's ball...  It was just after Rob left group 5 to go & warm up in the clubhouse that Ant got the big guns out & won today's bonus longest-drive comp. Only 8 people entered the £2 comp, & only one found the fairway with a meagre 213 yard drive... Ant was chuffed with £16 extra in his back pocket (or was it £8 Ady?).

Once again the Etchinghill greens, so quick & undulated, seemed to be getting the better of most of us... How smug I was with just 13 putts on the front 9, until I four putted the 11th... & I wasn't the only one... although I was the only one to receive a WhatsApp message from my friend Bob, asking us politely to speed up, as our 5th group were causing a queue behind our 6th and final group.  It serves as a good reminder for us all to make sure we keep a good pace going & to make sure we keep up with the group in front (I'm just glad that we've not reintroduced the Society fines...)...

The sun didn't take long to come out for a couple of hours... the temperature picked up... but as the mud kicked in on the back 9, tiredness came over most of us & the average score was just 26... (Which is not great everyone, considering on average our 'friendly' handicaps are 2 or 3 shots higher than official WHS handicaps!! - 'Could do better' is on our collective November progress report).

As for the prizes: Today's Most Golf was "won" by Squeezy, who just happens to be a member at Etchinghill... (18pts was just under half of today's winner).  Nearest the Pins were won by Jon 'The Beard' Martin (5th), Rhod (9th), Alan Garrett (11th) & Carl Bolton (17th). Not surprisingly the Nearest the Pin prize for the ridiculously long 17th went begging again.  

3rd place: Jon Hunnisett 32pts (Who had postponed his knee op just to be out with us today - that's dedication & has earned him a sleeve of balls).

2nd place: Ian Horsham 35pts

1st place: Pete Kenehan 37pts. A popular winner. It was Pete's 1st win since February 2022 & will see Pete get cut 2 shots.  Pete also was the only golfer to get a 2, which sees Pete win the 2s comp, a rollover since no-one had a 2 last month & £50 in his pocket, as well as the winner's voucher for £25 off his next society outing - not a bad return Pete, well played.

Next month's season finale will be the Christmas 5-Club Special at Westgate on Thursday 12th December with Breakfast at 9.30am. Make sure you book in once we post the details on the WhatsApp group.