Grimbleford 2022

The Line Up

Neil Higson. Only Rory Mcllroy has played more golf in 2022. In his Captain’s year, Neil has enjoyed great success except on the golf course. However his handicap has grown alongside inflation at an alarming rate, so as it approaches 20+,  he's one to watch. He'll be adrenaline filled, pushing for back to back wins, but he will need to control his emotions and not consider his Captaincy year a complete failure should he not bring the trophy home. Pros: He plays an alarming amount of golf. Cons: He plays an alarming amount of golf.

Alison Higson. Also in her Captaincy year but seemingly unaffected by world events and inflation. Always a threat and very focussed. Watch out and say your prayers if she pulls out a pink ball. Ally is very competitive and she'll be in the mix. Pros: Ever improving and doesn't know much about what lies outside the fairway, plus she probably does have a pink ball. Cons: Does she want this just too much? Time will tell.

Rick Higson. After breaking the St Pierre Chepstow course record for most balls lost in three rounds, confidence and golfing ability were called into question. However a year of intense practice over 6 rounds has fine tuned the swing and with 12 new balls in the bag, OK eleven after the last round and they are seconds, there is a renewed spring in his step. Add to this the springy download turf and he might just bounce to victory. Pros: Optimistic and enough balls for at least one more round. Cons: Overly optimistic and has no idea what a finely tuned swing should look like.

Jack Higson. The good life gadding about on a small island seems to suit Jack. Rumour has it that the golf handicap is tumbling and will soon pass Neil's. Whether this is principally as a result of Neil going up or Jack coming down is unclear as the rumour came from Neil. A real threat if he can remember the Simpson’s shrewd advice on "Power Drive" and "Feather Touch" and select appropriately. Pros: Young and improving and seemingly playing rather a lot of golf for someone who's working. Cons: Prone to adopt power drive just for fun and if trying to compete with Dan and Enty, Rick's lost ball record might be under threat.

Sam Higson. Now sponsored by Callaway and the proud owner of new clubs. This may be an advantage or his downfall, but his showing over three rounds this year has offered hope and promise. Can strike the ball well although apparently he sometimes hits it "too straight", when presumably he was looking for a vicious slice or a duck hook. He is disadvantaged by a reduced handicap after winning twice, but as he lives closer to the course than anyone else, he may well benefit from local knowledge of springy download turf. Pros: Doesn't realise hitting too straight is a good thing. Shiny new clubs. Cons: Had a round this week so may be over played.

Jess. The record cannot lie. Played once, won once. Thankfully however we hadn't changed the rules at that time so Jack stole took the trophy home. Now, under the new rules, Jess is fully eligible to play and win, so the handicap committee will have to ensure she is fairly treated and has the same fat chance to win as me. A hockey international and all round sporting talent, Jess does not play much golf, so we all welcome her to full Grimbleford membership and thoroughly look forward to her passing the ball square off the first tee. Pros: Talent, unknown potential and doesn't know how to lose .. yet. Cons: May not know all the rules and be taken advantage of. May not know all the rules and tackle someone.

Dan. We've never had good golfers in the Grimbleford before who were eligible to win the competition, so we really do not know how to deal with Dan. That said Dan is also welcomed to full membership and we appreciate the impact he has had of vastly improving the average handicap of the group and doubling the average driving distance. The record shows that Dan finished 6th last year and that his golf was not exciting enough to keep Lucy away from the cheesy chips. Undoubtedly his performance was just a bluff to get his membership sanctioned and we can only hope that he will improve and can handle the springy download turf. Pros: Hits the ball a mile and plays off 5. Cons: Sometimes holes aren't a mile long. Playing off 5 handicap on springy download turf may be tough.

Enty. What can I say? Probably won 50% of the Grimblefords he's played despite never being able to win. Handicap of 4, he probably loves springy download turf and will again challenge for the trophy that he's not going to get his hands on. Rules may change in the future, but by that time I'll be playing crazy golf off 36 handicap. Always welcome and a very honoured guest, but to be clear he cannot win .. anything .. ever.