The Story

After a week of constant Met Office storm warnings which culminated in perfectly calm, sunny weather perfect for golf, 7 intrepid golfers set out with focus and optimism at the Bristol & Clifton Golf Club. The Higson quintet were joined by regular guests Mike "Enty - not allowed to win" Entwhistle and newcomer Dan who was supported for several holes by Lucy, until she disappeared, driven by boredom and the pull of cheesy chips, back to the clubhouse.

With handicaps ranging from 4 to 24 and level of skill and experience ranging impressive to occasional, the trophy was there for the taking. However only a few seemed to want it. Enty, impressive form tee to green, but putts wouldn't find their home; Dan, massive off the tee, sometimes too massive for the hole and the rough and trees fought back; Ally, consistent from the start with a flurry of 2 pointers, until walls, quarries and bushes took their toll; Rick, erratic as ever, gradually decanted his ball supply from golf bag into the rough, trees and OB; Sam, for once was not "too" straight and played every hole as a dog leg left and unfortunately regularly found trees on the right; Jack, as usual attempted to kill the ball with club head speed, but now with consistency and the points mounted up, until he too fell foul of the wall.

So that leaves Neil. Driving and iron play was steady, but finishing was first class. Putts flew in from all angles and distances. Consecutive 2's on par 3's and we knew we were witnessing something special. We were also hearing something special. "no .. too far ... stop .. stop ... STOP ... oh it did" (4 feet from the pin); "too far left .. come back.. come back ... COME BACK ... oh it did" (5 feet from the pin). So it unfolded. A fine win.