It’s Boom Time!!
“Boom Boom” Fires First Shots at Sherfield Oaks
2022 - Champion of Champions
Mike Woodstock
No, not Basil Brush or the sound of artillery fire or the lyrics from past Vengaboys, Blackeye Peas or DJ Jazzy Jeff/Fresh Prince records. Oh no…”Boom Boom” was in acknowledgement of Roger “Boom-Boom” Goddard “dishing out licks” to all who attended this months Champion of Champions event, held at Sherfield Oaks Golf Club.
Was the result a shocker? Not really. Sherfield Oaks GC (SOGC) off the London to Bristol M4 corridor, is 20 miles South/South West of Reading and 15 mins from the heart of Basingstoke. Its car park is spacious – with no fear of denting your neighbour’s car door with the edge of your own. SOGC has a nice spacious club house, reasonable bar, friendly staff and a lovely outdoor area. It’s a nice venue. Oh, did I say it has 2, yes 2, golf courses; the Wellington and the Waterloo –the historical referencing acknowledging that the Duke of Wellington, outside of London, has residence in North East Hampshire. We played the Waterloo – on which, like Napoleon “Nuff people dem did surrender” (Abba). Roger Goddard and a few others being notable exceptions.
Being wide open, the Waterloo did not really set the pulses racing. There were rumblings to start, admirably nipped in the bud by our calming Captain “We’re all playing the same course in the same conditions” which to me translated to “quiet, shut up and stop making excuses”. This captain is not a man to waste words…..
Anyhoo, as usual the event was well attended. I feel as if I should have a best dressed and most unusual dressed shout out for every write up …….yes, I think I’ll do that. Champion of Champions most unusual dressed goes to, yes, no surprises, Richard Payne. Richie, from head to toe, sported a neck twisting, double blinking, eye rubbing, jaw dropping, spin on the spot confused, dazzing yellow and blue combo. The half and half yellow/blue (or was it green) golf shoes and the matching hooped ankle socks were “astonishing”. Richie, please keep it up…..it gives me something more interesting to write about. Best dressed goes to me - for my not too in-your-face blue cap, embellished with a subtle but stylish and admired Tottenham Hotspur motif. Get used to it, I’m writing this stuff and my agent says it will be good for the forthcoming book titled “Henry, Was He Really All That?”
Roger, It’s your time. I’ve known Roger for ages and let me tell you – he didn’t get that “ two iron squint eyed look” from being dazzled in headlights. On his day (and I’ve been fortunate to lose money and my sense of humour to him on his day) Roger, is an accomplished golfer and knows how and when to set out his stall.
Here’s what contributed to his victory. Physical practice aside and mental awareness to play the card as it fell (aka each hole), Roger acknowledged that his playing partners, Richie Payne and Randy Plowright, gave him the incentive and objective to solely focus on playing his game. He had no aspirations or thoughts of winning the day; just to play a good round of golf with and against his playing partners. Richie and Randy are themselves good golfers, and Roger knew that he would have to be sensible if he was to overcome. “Sensible” for Roger was playing keeping in the present and in the moment, and keeping his driver in the bag. Any hole under 360 yards was dealt with, using anything from a 3 wood to a 4 iron. “My intention was to keep it in play as, given the openness of the course, hitting any fairway, presented a good opportunity for the approach to hit the green and offer the possibility of a birdie”. Richie birdied the first hole and let Roger and Randy know about it – maybe that was Roger’s incentive and Richie’s mistake. It was not until the 17th when Richie conceded that Roger realised, he had played a decent game of golf - within his group.
I should give absolute acknowledgement to Del Manderson – who having lost on countback, may well have been reflecting the one moment, during his round, where his concentration lapsed, costing him that 1 shot which, should never have been lost. Del, don’t sweat it, you played an impressive round of golf and we all hope the multitude of £5 notes collected eased any hint of disappointment.
So, “Boom Boom” fires the opening salvo putting everybody on notice that he’s still around, still rising, still hungry and still looking to earn coin. Roger, one thing, you’re not fooling me. On every occasion when you step up to receive a winner’s trophy, you graciously make acknowledgement about your playing partners, the committee and how honoured you are simply to be there.
I know what you’re really thinking. It’s open the front door, 20 foot power slide into the living room, high five the boys, talk trash about 2nd, 3rd and 4th and finally, place the latest trophy in your cabinet, which by now, is likely more dazzling than Thorin’s nest egg under the Lonely Mountain. Just be honest about it and start the minute your name is mentioned.
To quote a good friend of mine “When you win and dem call you, you fe jump, stop, look round, kiss you teeth, cut you eye dem pon de people who arse you juss buss, fix you”self” up and then bounce far-wood.” Dan D.
Result
1st Roger Goddard - nett 70
2nd Del Manderson - nett 70 countback
3rd Chris Thomas - nett 71
4th Mark Henry - nett 72