The uncertain weather forecast did not interfere with the 27 holes played on this year’s golf day at The Rolls of Monmouth. Somehow the golf was played between the heavy rain- showers on the day. How did we get away with that?
The morning Alliance, played off ¾ handicaps, saw the invincible pairing of John & Jack Raison still play below their reduced handicaps, with 37 points. A sprinkling of scores in the 30’s were all contesting, but with Luke & Pink scoring 34 points as their nearest rivals, John & Jack were comfortable winners.( John’s attempt to get round to the 16th in the morning 9 was frustrated by the 4 ball in front. SHAME!)
After a hearty lunch, the 20 players took to the course again. At the first tee, there was the added distraction of Pinkman trying to demolish 2 buggies and a wall with his terrible driving, but this did not interfere with his golf, just being banned from the driving seat.
Scoring was very good in the afternoon, with 8 of the contestants playing to, or better than, their handicaps. Andy Smith & John Raison’s 36 points only saw them at 8th & 7th respectively, with John Lawson also 36, Alan Redwood 37, and Bill Treadwell 40 points.
Roger Dunmore attacked the front 9 with gusto, to amass 25 points at the turn, but a more realistic 16 points on the back 9, saw him home in 3rd place with his 41 points. Also on 41 points was Steve Tremble, playing the round of his life, beating Roger with a back 9 of 19 points (including a blob on the 16th), to come in 2nd.
An outstanding round of golf from defending champion Pinkman, saw him play 8 under his 12 handicap, going out in 23 and back in 21 points to win his second successive Shire Cup with 44 points. His only bad hole was the 16th where, after a poor approach, he compounded his error by 4 putting the green.(a blob!)
Playing in the first group out, Peter Green held the crown for 20 minutes until Jack Raison boomed one past him to win the Longest Drive on the 5th. Luke Burgess was never challenged for Nearest the Pin on the 13th.
Congratulations to Pinkman retaining The Shire Cup in 2010
