John Raison captures The West Warwicks Memorial Trophy 2011

The weather was kind on this first day of Autumn at Robin Hood. If only we could avoid that pesky Lighting Ass. Group. After numerous phone calls to get all our players off early, all 23 got away before the Society booking.

Thanks to the injured Alan Rogers for his help at the start which allowed me to go out and play myself.

Some steady scoring, with the occasional birdie, saw 9 of the field close at the turn. 19 points for John Raison, Pinkman, & Andy Smith; 18 for Dave Acton, Tom Doonan, and even the old codger Gary Eames; 17 points for Nigel Jarman, Leighton Rickards & Dave Evans.

Poor back nines by Andy Smith, Gary & Nigel Jarman dropped them out of the leading group, but 20 points each on the back nine saw Nigel Bain & Tony Painting burst out of the pack to be in contention.

36 points proved to be a popular score, with Leighton Rickards & Dave Evans joining Nigel Bain & Tony on that score, but just off the podium.

With Pinkman & J.R. going head to head (playing in the same group) the wild tee shot on the 10^th by J.R. and loosing his ball (did someone pick it up on the 7^th fairway?) allowed Pink to take the lead. A birdie with a shot for 4 points by J.R. on the 14^th, saw the scores level again. Meanwhile, Dave Acton was having an even better start to his back nine including a birdie on the 12^th but nearly loosing his ball on the 13^th (found by Martyn Reeves playing the 15^th. Thanks Martyn) checked his momentum.

The result could not have been closer. Pinkman & Dave Acton both on 37points  but Dave with the better back nine came in 2^nd. (Thanks to Pinkman for collecting the cards & getting the order sorted. He unfortunately failed to spot Dave’s better back nine & had to be demoted to 3^rd)  The winner by a solitary point was the battling John Raison with his 38 points.

Unfortunately, the first group out dominated the feature holes with John Raison leaving his tee shot only 3 inches from the pin to win the prize on the Nearest the Pin  ( plus his birdie) and Pinkman was never passed for the Longest Drive on the 13^th.

The Winner’s enclosure is:-

WINNER                     John Raison     38 points

2^nd Place                       Dave Acton      37 points

                                                           (better back 9)

3^rd Place                       Pinkman           37 points

Congratulations to John Raison this year’s Winner of The West Warwicks Memorial Trophy.