2014 Major 6 West Herts - Dazzling Donald" trump’s field...
Whilst there is an awful lot to be said for conjecture, speculation and supposition, through the course of time, the merits of experience and knowhow have constantly taken centre stage in deciding which way the winds of victory shall blow. Indeed, when referencing the winds of victory, no more so was the benefit of experience ever evident than in 1588, when the belligerent King Phillip II of Spain audaciously attempted to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I by virtue of the mighty Spanish Armada – conspicuously commanded by Duke Medina Sedonia, a man of title, pedigree and position, but no sailing experience whatsoever. As they say, the rest is history, armed with the knowledge of the tides and the enemy on the horizon, Sir Frances Drake insisted on completing a game of bowls before entering the affray. In the knowledge that against the tide, the heavily armed and heavily manned ships of the Spanish Armada would be easily out manoeuvred by the lighter ships of the British fleet - and so it came to pass, the Armada was easily defeated and Sir Frances Drake proclaimed hero and saviour. We would again witness the advantage of experience and familiarity in the far more tranquil settings of West Herts Golf Course where course acumen and local knowledge would provide the victor with the winds to sail into the sunset of sweet success.
Amid a chronic shortage of accessible golf courses in 1890’s Hertfordshire, a small group of golfing enthusiasts got together to form West Herts Golf Club. Originally situated at Bushey Hall the club moved to the lavish grounds of The Earl of Essex at Cassiobury in 1897 where it still resides. Remodelled in 1992 by the eminent golfing architect Dr Alister Mackenzie (who coincidently designed Augusta National and Royal Melbourne) the golf club is one of the longest established private members clubs in the country a venue of repute which adequately befits the penultimate fixture in the ACGA 2014 calendar.
Awash with sunshine and the lure of golfing greatness, the competitors set out to establish a first round foothold which would springboard their hopes of success with the prospect and pitfalls of the afternoon round perched precariously on the horizon. Reverberating with words of wisdom and equal caution, the ever traditional captain’s speech was again warmly received and delivered with increasing aplomb by Lady Captain Jacqui Harbour. Revelling under her own stewardship, the lady captain has indeed grown in stature aided and abetted by a rambunctious committee which has re-invoked and rekindled the spirit of yesteryear; the future of this gregarious organisation is undeniably wrapped with cautious sanguinity.
According to Mae West, “flattery will get you everywhere”, unfortunately many of the leading lights in the morning round only flattered to deceive, crumbling in the afternoon sunshine like soft seeping soufflé. Ex captain and Mr Barbados himself Tony Jonson rolled back the years with a highly impressive 36 points in the morning but found his flying fish had flown come the afternoon – sinking without trace with a 28pt return. Continuing with the resurgence of ex captains, Stuart Austrie reignited memories of former glory by posting an extremely creditable 35 points in the AM – however he suffered every cabbie’s nightmare in the AM, his form (not fare) done a runner and could not be traced, 27pts and no fanfare. Yesterday’s hero Malcolm O’Garro, another big gun to post a creditable AM score, 33pts and well placed for an afternoon assault. Yet his entire prowess as plumber could not stem the tide of shots which leaked in the afternoon round – 28pts and very loose connections.
Amid the frivolous forgoing of opportunity, some were positioning there charge for the title with the meticulous, measured approach of a brain surgeon. Del “Eddy Grant” Mandleson and “Dangerous” Danny Mcleod 34pts, Jacqui Harbour “shark”, Mike “Chip” Woodstock and Randy “3 putt” Plowright all posted 36pts in the AM round which would be supplemented in the afternoon with equally impressive returns. But as the light faded a bright spark would appear and sweep all pretenders to the title asunder. There are not many who prevail under the intense scrutiny and pressure of playing at their home course. The history books are littered with the bodies of those who have attempted to grasp the salver of success only to end up clutching at the straws of sorrow. Step forward West Herts “homeboy” Danny McLeod. Unassuming and unflappable, Danny produced a master class in the AM round which swept away all before him. Scoring 20pts on the front he would eclipse that effort with a stunning 22pts on the back nine for a total cumulative score of 76 pts – an extraordinary feat made all the more impressive given his familiarity with the course.
Del “Eddy Grant” Mandleson continued to produce his best form in the afternoon round with a superbly crafted 40pts which would see him claim second spot with a cumulative total of 74pts – two behing McLeod. “3 Putt” Plowright’s form and fortunes continued to soar but ultimately fell 3 pts behind the winner, carding a notable 37pts in the afternoon which would secure third place on 73pts. The remaining podium places were taken up by the “silent assassin” Gary Cameron who came from the rails with 40pts in the AM to grab 4th spot. Cursing a lack of concentration and a cold putter, Mike “Chip” Woodstock claimed 5th place with a highly creditable return of 70pts, long may his rejuvenation continue.
And so to Lingfield Park where all will be revealed and all will be resolved. The curtain will come down on what has been a resoundingly successful year for the ACGA. With the Order of Merit too close to call, the main protagonists will be hoping that their race is yet to run.
Steve Garner - Social Secretary.
This months "Blob Wedge" goes to our very own Vice Captain - Keith Murray - 6 Blobs. Booooo