GOLF DAY 2021
The 6th August saw the return of the Thornham CC Golf day after a break in 2020 due to CV19.
The usual excellent support saw 11 teams (and 44 players of very mixed abilities) turn up at Pike Fold Golf Club for a complementary drink and to learn there handicaps, before setting out in very heavy rain.
The early starters had the worst of the conditions playing to the 15th hole before the rain abated – the later starters only needed there waterproofs and umbrella’s to the 3rd hole. Despite the volume of rain the course played really well across all the 18 holes.
Running alongside the main competition was the ‘Yellow Ball’ – the aim of which is for the players, playing the yellow ball in rotation, to get the ball as far around the course as possible – trying to scoring the most points.
This objective was lost on Team 7 – lead by Carl Greaves – who lost the ball on the first hole scoring no points!!
Other scores varied between 6 and 21 points building up to Team 1 (Marc & Andy Towler, Rob Whitehouse and Darren Grant) – who got the ball to the 15 hole scoring a very respectable 29 points.
However, although good enough to get Team 1 second place it was nowhere the winners which where Team 5 (Ian Howarth, Simon McKeag, Paul & Phil) who got the ball all the way to the 18th hole with a huge winning score of 43 points.
Congratulations to Team 5, on a convincing win – although they raised a few eyebrows when they revealed they had named the yellow ball Zoe – and asked if they could take her home!!
The ‘Longest Drive’ (on the fairway) contest took place on the 9th hole – early contender Marc Towler was overtaken by Brad Wiseman (from Team 2) whose perfect drive (in the middle of the fairway) held off the longer but less accurate drives to take the prize.
The 14th hole hosted the ‘Nearest the pin’ (on the green) competition and again it was the early starters who set the target with Tim Walsh from Team 4 getting the ball to 10 feet, an effort nobody could beat.
The players returned to TCC for a thoroughly deserved and excellent meal (thank you Vi and assistant) before Team 8 (with veterans Ian Mansfield and Cec Heywood providing most of the answers alongside youngsters Matt Mansfield and Andy Rudkin) comfortably won the Sports Quiz, collecting a case of beer. Thank you to Joe, or organising and presenting the quiz – maybe a shorter observation round next time?
The Golf Day presentation followed with trophies given to the aforementioned winners before the main team award. With the exception of Team 11 (who couldn’t believe there 80 points put them last) only 12 points separated the top 9 nine teams (proving that the Handicaps manager had done a reasonable job). Runners up (as they where in the yellow ball competition) where Team 1 with a fantastic 96 points – but not quite good enough to beat the winners Team 2 (Andy Micklethwaite, Brad Wiseman, Scott Howarth and Anthony Clough) with an amazing 97 points. Brilliant efforts from the two teams who experience the most of the bad weather.
With the golf out of the way, the Race Night followed with MC Mickers officiating over some close competitive races, resulting in some boisterous cheering for some non-thoroughbreds and fantastic support for our auctions race.
A great day and excellent evening - with a rousing rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’ to bring the event to a close.
Think we had a good day? Joins us next year!
A huge thank you to all the players for you support, all those involved in the providing food, quiz and making the race night work – with enormous appreciation to Bradley Springs for their generous contribution to the prizes.
​
PHOTOS FROM OUR DAY CAN BE FOUND BELOW