Golf
Day Report
Friday
28th May 2010
Hale Golf Club
Just a perfect day...
Pete Riley and Dave Wilkinson : first onto the green.
Dominic Leach, George Tsiantar, Fraser Gunning, Tony Harper and Noel Wright
Eddie Coxon - the ever-modest winner of the 2009's Nearest the Pin - is finally congratulated by Mike Tully
Team 1's Paddy Kennedy completing the first circuit
Team 1's John Kennedy approaching the 9th
Team 8 on the 9th: Dave Pugh, Matt Molloy, Ryan Harper, Mark Atkinson
Team 8 taking a well earned breather and trying out Dave's Coke can trick
A rare glimpse of Team 6 in action:
Mike Dobson, Tony Bray and Forbes Jamieson
watch Johnny Kelsey take a delicate putt...
...which unfortunately lands in the hedge near the car park.
"Nobody noticed!..."
A quick sprint back with the ball and all's well
Team 5's John Nono and Peter Fitzpatrick
Team 5's Mike Tulley, Eddie Coxon and Peter Fitzpatrick
Team 7's Paul Thompson, George Tsiantar, Rick Devine and Dominic Leach
Team 3: Dave Wilkinson, Pete Riley and Noel Wright
Team 4: Paul Heap, Neil Peden, John Boyle and Keith Thompson
Team 9: Ciaran Stokes taking a tricky bunker shot onto the 9th
Team 9: Mike Coghlan and the all-conquering Brian Coghlan at the 9th
Team 2: While Phil Nodding and John Accro hold the flag, Adam Mitcheson tries to
console a distressed Fraser Gunning. It's been a long day.
Dominic Leach receives his prize from Peter Fitzpatrick, and suggests we all meet up later at Piccolinos
Matthew Molloy receives his prize from John Kennedy for The Longest Putt
Peter Fitzpatrick struggling to award himself "Nearest the Pin"
Golf
Day Report
Friday
28th May 2010
Hale Golf Club
It was probably a miracle. While rain washed both Scotland and the South, the immaculately-kept Royal Hale course was bathed in the sunlit clarity of late May.
Yes, Fitz had arranged Golfing weather so perfect that it made even the national deficit seem to fade away, for just one precious afternoon.
This year St Ambrose Golf Society fielded
nine four ball teams to play two circuits of Hale’s 9 hole course. Some had
travelled long distances, attracted by good food, great company, and the chance
of glory and prizes. Dave
Pugh was so excited he couldn't sleep and arrived a full 3 hours before he was
due to tee-off.
Last year’s winner, Rick Devine was back
with the hallowed St Ambrose Golf Society Trophy, hoping to retain it for the
first time in its history. The successful 2009 Warrington Bus team (Riley,
Harper, Wright and Wilkinson) was back in contention for the 4 man team prize.
Eddie Coxon was back to defend his 2009 Nearest the Pin victory. And Dave Pugh
was fully prepared with jacket and tie this year (a long story – see 2009).
Dave joined Team 8 with Ryan Harper, Mark Atkinson (of Sale RFU and shortly
Wasps) and Matt Molloy.
Team 8's Mark Atkinson in his other life
And of course it was a Bank holiday weekend,
contributing to a last minute rush. Phil
“Shameless” Nodding (yes really) en route from
John Kennedy’s team 1 teed off and were
away, putting down the markers for the straightest drive and nearest the pin,
and the train of nine teams followed smoothly. Phil Nodding made it with time to
spare and Team 2 were finally launched.
The Gallagher family - unexpected relations of Phil Nodding (Team 2)
http://www.britfilms.tv/index.php?id=288
It was a hot day, with hard ground
underfoot. Maintaining hydration would be important after the 9th
hole for optimal performance. The back nine would prove to be harder. However,
some Hale members were clearly keen to follow on, so our teams made great
efforts to keep on schedule. The last few teams selflessly omitted their drink
after the first circuit, and pressed on in the bright sunshine.
Quote of the day (from a Hale GC
member) “Those are gardening shorts, and his shirt’s not tucked in!”
Whoops.
Unofficially, our best
dressed player was Joe Kennedy
After the second circuit, essential rehydration at the “19th” with Banks’ Best bitter developed into an amiable gathering on the terrace and bar as the last few teams came in. As Ian “the Owner” carefully worked out the scores, the conversation ranged far and wide from shared reminiscences to careers, families and the 2010 World Cup. Who would have guessed the connection between St Ambrose and the England's 1966 first-ever World Cup mascot, World Cup Willie?
Dressed in red, white and blue, he's World Cup Willie
We all love him too, World Cup Willie
He's tough as a lion and never will give up
That's why Willie is fav'rite for the Cup
Willie, Willie, he's evry'body's fav'rite for the Cup
1966 "World Cup Willie" song - written and performed by our own Lonnie Donegan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn1ocjcD-ZE&feature=related
As there is no official England song, World Cup Willie has been re-recorded by Lonnie Donegan Jnr. for the 2010 World Cup).
http://www.myspace.com/lonniedoneganjr
All too soon we were called through for
dinner and prize giving.
John Kennedy said Grace, thanking St Ambrose for the weather, and after a superb 4 course meal from the esteemed Maccie, introduced our organiser, Peter Fitzpatrick to present the Golfing prizes (full results below).
Brian Coghlan (43 points) won the overall individual prize for 2010, and will engrave his name on the Claret Jug trophy. Matthew Molloy (34 points) was runner up for the 19 and over group. (Brian had to leave early for his sisters wedding, so Ciaran Stokes kindly accepted the trophy on his behalf).
Dominic Leach, winner of the 18 and under prize with 41 points, gave an impromptu victory speech in his ice cream vendors jacket. Peter Fitzpatrick with 39 points was runner up.
Team 6 (Johnny Kelsey, Mike Dobson, Tony Bray and Forbes Jamieson) won the 4 Man Team Prize, despite Mike Dobson almost taking out Tony Dixon with his final drive. Team 7 were runners up (Dominic Leach, Paul Thompson, George Tsiantar and Rick Devine).
The Straightest Drive was won by Noel Wright.
The 2010 Longest putt was won by Ryan Harper with a magnificent 23 yards. Fantastic.
Finally, and to his enormous embarrassment, Peter Fitzpatrick had to award himself the Nearest the Pin prize.
And so, too soon, the day was nearly over. John Kennedy thanked the organisers, the staff, and all present for attending what had been another very successful St Ambrose Golf Society day.
As Ryan Harper’s team 8 led the way to the bright lights of Hale (closely followed by Ryan's Dad's Team 3 “to supervise”) we reflected on what a difference a day makes.
We hope to see you there in 2011.
AMD
2010
Golf Day Prizes
Straightest Drive on the 10th – Noel Wright
John Kelsey, Mike Dobson, Forbes Jamieson, Tony Bray
Dominic Leach, Paul Thompson, George Tsiantar, Rick Devine
Runner up - Peter Fitzpatrick (39 pts)
Runner up – Matthew Molloy (34pts)
The Straightest Drive : Noel Wright
2010 Golf Teams
Team 1
John Kennedy
Joe Kennedy
Patrick Kennedy
Dave Conyer
Team 2
Adam Mitcheson
Phil Nodding
Fraser Gunning
John Accro
Team 3
Pete Riley
Tony Harper
Noel Wright
Dave Wilkinson
Team 4
Neil Peden
Paul Heap
John Boyle
Keith Thompson
Team 5
Peter Fitzpatrick
John Nono
Mike Tulley
Eddie Coxon
Team 6
John Kelsey
Mike Dobson
Tony Bray
Forbes Jamieson
Team 7
Dominic Leach
Paul Thompson
George Tsiantar
Rick Devine
Team 8
Ryan Harper
Mark Atkinson
Matthew Molloy
Dave Pugh
Team 9
Brian Coghlan
Mike Coghlan
Andrew McHale
Ciaran Stokes
Thank you to our main organisers: Peter Fitzpatrick and Peter Riley
Thank you to Hale GC for their hospitality