Grimbleford 2023

The Line Up

Neil Higson. After a fabulous year as Captain of Trevose it's down to earth with a bang. No paying homage to Mr Captain here and as he didn't win in 2022, no speech and presentation from him this year, unless he wins. We wish him well, but best if he doesn't win as he must have several hundred speeches prepared and it could go on a bit and we might miss our supper.  Pros: He still plays an alarming amount of golf and is a quality putter on quality greens.. Cons: He still plays an alarming amount of golf and he might miss  being saluted, adored and worshipped. Can he play without Cookie?

Alison Higson.   Also had a great year as Ladies Captain year and seemingly unaffected by a year full of adulation, her handicap continues to tumble. She'll be as focussed as ever and on a course no one knows, her knack of using the middle flat bit of the course could be a killer advantage. Ally is very competitive and she'll be in the mix. Pros: Can be irritatingly steady and really doesn't understand how frustrating this is to those of us in the rough. Cons: Would be a popular winner but does she want this just too much? As I said last year, time will tell .. and it did.

Rick Higson.  Had been Covid and golf free since September 2022, until for reasons that have escaped him to date, he joined a golf club two weeks ago. The Monmouthshire GC is delighted to have him as a member, not so much for the two rounds played so far, but the membership fee, Club shop and Bar expenditure have been very welcome. So the dawn of a new era and new excuses will have to be dreamt up.  Pros: Has a new golf shirt with Monmouthshire GC logo and should have a real initial handicap before the event. Cons: No saying the shirt will help his golf and no idea what the handicap will be. May have over played recently.

Jack Higson. Still gadding about on a small island where rumour has it, much golf is being played and both handicap and GCSE physics results are tumbling as a result. If practice has slowed his swing down such that it is now visible to the human eye, then very possibly a real threat. Last in 2022, first in 2023? We'll see about that. Pros: Young and improving and playing rather a lot of golf for someone who's apparently working. Cons: Can that swing be tamed? Possibly it's too tall an order.

Sam Higson.   Since becoming the proud owner of new clubs Sam has restricted his golf to no rounds .. none whatsoever .. not a sausage. This may be an advantage (really?) or more likely his downfall, but you just never know. If Ally could mark his card again, anything is possible. So an unknown quantity once again and he may just be penalised out of the mix by a handicap reflecting his win last year.  Pros: Shiny new clubs are still shiny with minimal wear. No pressure and no fear as he hasn't got a clue where his golf is given no recent experience.  Cons: Possibly handicapped out of it and Ally may not score his card.

Jess.   Really very little chance this year as she's not playing. Sorry Jess, but those are the rules.

Dan. A shame he's not longer on the invite list, but, albeit rather unlikely, I hope his future holds other tournaments just as exciting as the Grimbleford.

Enty. I'm no expert, despite my new Club membership, but playing off a handicap of 2 and driving off the first tee straight into a gorse bush in a ditch is not an ideal start. However, what happened in 2022, stays in 2022, apart for the fact I just mentioned it again. They say lightening doesn't strike twice and while that is undoubtedly not true, I sense better things in this years event .. mainly because I've had a look at the first hole and I can't see any gorse or ditches. If quality golf played a part in the Grimbleford result, Enty would win handsomely, but it doesn't and he can't win anyway. Pros: rather good at golf.  Cons: not allowed to win.