Friday 25th March 2022

Caldy GC . . . and another long-standing record goes!

No uncertainty about the weather for the fixture at Caldy - Denis was absolutely sure of a game. It was exceptional for March - clear skies, short sleeve temperatures (shorts for Big Al!) and a light breeze off the Dee estuary. 18 TBAGS players along with Ian White (guest of Dunny) a member at Royal Mersey Valley who apparently holds an honest handicap of 16 (is he really from RMV?). All playing for the prestigious President’s Putter.

The course was shortened on two holes, the fairways were running and the rough hadn’t had enough time to grow. Together with the beautiful weather there were no excuses for a poor score - except perhaps for the recently scarified / top dressed greens (PS: Skip’s excuse).

At the turn news of front nines in the mid twenties began to filter through. Was this a reflection of the benign conditions? Would they stumble on the more difficult back nine?

Everyone assembled on the patio in front of the clubhouse for drinks in the sun - a welcome change from the recent alphabetical storms A to F. The first three-ball out (Rust / Sage / Beesley) claimed to have been in ‘for over an hour’ - clearly rubbish as everyone made it round in about 4 1/4 hours.

Scores for the day clearly reflected the conditions . . .

NTP: None other than the Hon. Fixture Sec - Long Iron himself - Mr Sage! As he also provides the prizes for NTP it was never clear whether he took a sleeve of balls, the whole box and the additional TBAGS towel which suspiciously turned up on the day he won.

There were no 2’s. Everyone agreed this was the result of the poor condition of the greens - but then they would (especially Skip)!

Scoring was exceptional - the average must have been somewhere in the mid thirties. Ian White (Dunny’s guest) turned in a commendable 38 but wouldn’t have come close even if he had been a member. Jenks’s 39 would normally have been a clear winner - but no cigar. Alec (the reigning CC champion) turned in a 41 (with a blob on the 1st!) and would normally have walked away with the full 12 points - but No! Brian McLachlan turn in a superb 44 but for only second place.

The winner at Caldy and now the holder of the 2021 President’s Putter was none other than Derek Beesley with an astonishing 48 points. I do not know the gentleman concerned but I’m reliably informed that the previous holder of the highest points score in the TBAGS CC was a gent by the name of Raffe (spelling?) who scored 47 at Prestatyn sometime in the last century. President’s Putter holder 2021 - Congratulations Derek !!

As the trophies for 2021 were not presented at the AGM due to restrictions last year they were presented here at Caldy.

The Pairs trophy - a strong showing from the Royal Mersey Valley pair Congratulations - Denis Ruane and Ian Dunn ! Probably in the running again this year - although rumour has it Ian’s handicap is under review at RMV.

The Singles trophy - remarkably another RMV player and a worthy winner (with an unbelievable back swing) Congratulations - Krish Goodary !

And finally the one everyone wants to win, the Chairman’s Challenge trophy. He was third placed at Caldy, starting off the round with a blob and a three minute bout of Tourettes followed by 17 very good holes and 41 points. Congratulations - Alec Campbell !

I think Mike Peers (and others) took photos so please pass them on to Dave Hutton for posting on the website. A thoroughly enjoyable day at Caldy. Hope to see you all at our next venue Stockport (except Mouse who thinks it’s more important to be on holiday!)

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