{"id":636,"date":"2014-03-30T22:41:55","date_gmt":"2014-03-30T22:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/?p=636"},"modified":"2014-12-22T07:20:15","modified_gmt":"2014-12-22T07:20:15","slug":"forest-hills-2013-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/?p=636","title":{"rendered":"Forest Hills 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"bengreen-2014\"<\/a><\/div>\n
Captain’s Ramblings:<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The second outing (perversely \u201cRound 3\u201d) of the Nomads\u2019 2014 season, took place at Forest Hills Golf Club on 28th March. Early risers will have tentatively drawn back their curtains and observed the conditions with some trepidation \u2013 a typical murky late-March day in the Forest of Dean, with a threateningly resolute shroud of low grey cloud swathing the countryside, and more than a hint of \u2018moisture\u2019 in the air.\u00a0 Nevertheless the lure of wielding \u2018spoon\u2019 or \u2018mashie niblick\u2019 amongst the green swards, not to mention a full English breakfast, dragged most of the forty indefatigable characters originally signed up away from their warm beds and\/or cosy partners (and gainful employment). Wayne Stewart made a brief appearance for breakfast, without brandishing a stick in anger, signing up a few more sponsors for his forthcoming half marathons in Berlin and Madrid \u2013 all wished him well, and hoped he reached his target of raising \u00a31,000 for Target Ovarian Cancer, a charity close to his heart.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
With victuals duly served and gratefully consumed, proceedings got underway with the customary morning loosener of nine holes of \u2018Texas Scramble\u2019, with most teams managing to accumulate enough decent shots between them to achieve a gross score flatteringly close to par. The team of Darren Williams, Gary O\u2019Connell, Ramesh Mistry and Mark Cornock tore up the course with a remarkable five \u2018birdies\u2019 in the first five holes, holding their nerve to secure victory at 5-under. Tony Burris, Alan Jones, Horace Denny and Gurdeep Litt turned in a creditable 2-under to secure 2nd place, with Manny Virdi, Derek Freeman-Jones, John Essom and Mark Ridsdale narrowly beating Rowland Joyce, Adie Shilston, Damian Orton and Jon Ager for 3rd place at 1-under. One or two howls of foul play and derision, not to say physical pain, were heard when 3rd place was announced, with Derek Freeman-Jones\u2019 2nd shot at the first hole having struck Damian Orton on the knee as he waited patiently on the second tee. Drinks were duly purchased, and humble-pie eaten, with no permanent damage sustained.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
After a staggered lunch consisting of a veritable cornucopia of sandwiches and the obligatory chunky chips with lashings of ketchup, the afternoon events were hastily initiated under ever-darkening skies.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Scores across the board seemed to reflect the relatively benign conditions in the early part of the round, with Andy Alexander, Matt McGirr, Damian Orton, Derek Freeman-Jones and Gary O\u2019Connell amongst many recording a plethora of pars in the first three or four holes. The earlier groups must have got as far as the start of the back nine before one or two, fortunately distant, rumbles of thunder heralded a rapid deterioration in the weather. The resulting hail brought about considerable debate in some quarters as to the legitimacy of sweeping a path of hailstones from the intended path of a putt \u2013 well – it was either that or face the accusation of slow play, standing on the green waiting for it to melt! Luckily the conditions quickly took a turn for the better, only for a second hailstorm to catch the last few groups who also had to contend with the fading light.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Fresh from his first \u2018podium\u2019 finish last time out at Clevedon, it was Andy Alexander who was able to maintain his form, consistency and concentration for the entire round to secure a well-deserved victory with a stableford score of 39 points \u2013 amassing a gross score of 85, including 9 pars \u2013 four on the front and five on the back. Close on his tail was Matt McGirr, who used his considerable local knowledge and not a small amount of skill to achieve second place on 38 points, with easily the best gross score on the day of 77, including 9 pars and 2 birdies, also collecting the prize for the longest drive for a mighty blow on the lengthy uphill fifth hole. John Essom also \u2018troubled the judges\u2019 for the second round in succession, gaining third place with 37 points \u2013 no doubt he will face a further handicap cut to give others more of a chance next time. In a rare, but generous, occurrence, afforded by the good turn-out, prizes were also awarded for fourth and fifth places, with Gurdeep Litt narrowly beating Damian Orton, on countback, both sharing 36 points. (I wonder if Damian\u2019s score would have been better had he not been carrying a swollen knee from earlier events!)<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In a similar show of generosity, prizes were awarded for \u2018nearest the pin\u2019 on all three of the par-3s, with Adie Shilston picking up the prize on the 8th, Damian on the 14th, and Darren Williams on the 17th. Guy Greening showed his familiar accuracy taking the best aggregate scores across the par-3s with a birdie on the 8th, and pars on the 14th and 17th. Adie Shilston was also commended for what was probably the \u2018shot of the day\u2019 \u2013 a sort of crazy golf effort on the 17th, played from high up on the left-hand bank, which sailed over the first group of trees, ricocheted off another tree, bounced down the path, turned sharp-right, and trickled over the foot-bridge, ending up just next to the bunker at the back-left of the green.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Once again, the \u2018divisional\u2019 prizes for those not amongst the top honours, were handed out along handicap lines with Mark Parkhurst (34 pts), Adie Shilston (35 pts), Darren Collier (35 pts) \u2013 his first sniff of prize, and Mark Cornock (32 pts), winning their respective \u2018divisions\u2019.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
With proceedings continuing late into the evening, Jon Ager said a few words and distributed prizes during the evening meal, in pauses between mouthfuls. A glass was raised in honour of Ben Green, in whose memory the day\u2019s trophy was named, with the hope that all attending, particularly the local lads who had turned out, had enjoyed fond memories of Ben, although most agreed that, had he been with us, it was unlikely he would have been anywhere near a golf course, given the weather conditions.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Carolyn Griffiths was awarded the last remaining prize \u2013 the raffle \u2013 being the proud recipient of a set of novelty golf balls (probably NOT the last of a job-lot!). The usual ritual was observed of posing for, or avoiding, Jitesh\u2019s photographs, camera\/iphone batteries failing or otherwise,\u00a0 and Andy Alexander gave a brief, impromptu, victor\u2019s speech magnanimously accepting the plaudits, saying how much he had enjoyed the day, and thanking the organisers for their efforts behind the scenes.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Jon finally wrapped up events thanking Steve Graham for standing in a scorer in Simon\u2019s absence, appealing for those with (or without) some celtic ancestory to put themselves forward to the Celts Newton Cup team in April, thanking all for a successful day, and hoping to see as many, if not more, for the next round to be held at Cottrell Park in May.<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Regards<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Jon Ager<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Scores<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1<\/td>\nAndy Alexander<\/td>\nScotland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 39<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nMatthew McGirr<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nJohn Essom<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nGurdeep Litt<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nDamian Orton<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nDarren Collier<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\nAdie Shilston<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\nMark Parkhurst<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\nJames Colwell<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>\nTony Burris<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>\nGuy Greening<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>\nMark McGirr<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>\nDerek Freeman-Jones<\/td>\nWales<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>\nMark Cornock<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>\nHorace Denny<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>\nBrendan Turbitt<\/td>\nIreland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>\nDarren Williams<\/td>\nWales<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>\nTony Griffiths<\/td>\nWales<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/td>\nGary O’Connell<\/td>\nScotland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/td>\nJon Ager<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/td>\nGed Wrench<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22<\/td>\nManny Virdi<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/td>\nStuart Perry<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>\nMark Willicott<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25<\/td>\nJames Farley<\/td>\nIreland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26<\/td>\nRamesh Mistry<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27<\/td>\nJitesh Mistry<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/td>\nCarolyn Griffiths<\/td>\nWales<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29<\/td>\nStephen Morgan<\/td>\nWales<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30<\/td>\nAlan Jones<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31<\/td>\nNick Phillips<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32<\/td>\nSteve Graham<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33<\/td>\nSteve Standbridge<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34<\/td>\nChris Wilson<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35<\/td>\nRowland Joyce<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36<\/td>\nMark Ridsdale<\/td>\nEngland<\/td>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Captain’s Ramblings: The second outing (perversely \u201cRound 3\u201d) of the Nomads\u2019 2014 season, took place at Forest Hills Golf Club on 28th March. Early risers will have tentatively drawn back their curtains and observed the conditions with some trepidation \u2013 a typical murky late-March day in the Forest of Dean, with a threateningly resolute shroud […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-22"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=636"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":774,"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/636\/revisions\/774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nomadsgolf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}