‘Leon Leaves Cambridge with Honours’

Well, I think we can all say (those of us who were fortunate to get a cabin on board HMS ACGA) that a good time was had by all.

Menzies Cambridge was host to the 1^st Major of the ACGA 2008 season and the start of the official captaincy of Henry Laville. Those who arrived in good time for there tee time would not have been surprised to see the motley collection of individuals in the nets,  on the putting green or on the practice area honing their short game skills prior to tee off. To be honest with you, some of us should not have bothered as the weather would play a significant part. 

Mandatory coffees, breakfast roll, (or multiple rolls for those with ill discipline and large appetites), discussion with bookmakers and the customary visit to the changing rooms for those not wishing a “gambled and lost” situation, was followed by the procession down to the 1^st tee to see the “Exalted One” strike the first ball in anger. 

Now, having played quite a few rounds with “Our ‘Enry” beneath the smiles and the jokes rests a closet drill sergeant and a very serious golfer with an evil spirit akin to “Happy Gilmore” . There are no doubt in my mind that his intent was to “smash one” straight down the middle, turn, pause and then milk the applause from the gathered congregation of farm hands over whom he believes he has absolute power. Thankfully, and much to the merriment of the gathered, he managed to cut his drive into the waiting briny. Oh how we smirked and reminded ourselves that in living memory only 2 past captains had hit the middle of the fairway, Mr Wilfred Solomon and Mr Michael Woodstock (both ACGA legends……..come on I am writing the bloody thing……cut me some slack. Woody Ed) 

Anyhoo, with a drive of less than very ordinary proportions El Capitan got us underway. Cleary his poor effort had annoyed the people upstairs because within 5 minutes the glorious sunshine which had warmed us disappeared in a very dark mass of clouds. The clouds then lowered the temperature to just above cold and then proceeded to provide us with a pick and mix of spitting rain, stinging rain, hailstones that stung like angry wasps and a wind chill which cut you to the bone. Not good.

As for the course itself despite the winter rain and recent clement weather, most of the fairways still had more grass on them than a recovering addict in rehab. Greens were generally very good.  

I’m at a loss to understand how individuals can score well in those conditions. Still there was some spanking play on day 1 with plenty of mid 30’s scores. However, pity poor old Roger Goddard who played a blinding round of golf and coming in with a score of 41 pts (yes 41) only to be advised that he was still 4 whole points behind the leader Leon Brown! The glory night of back slapping and jealous, snide remarks must have evaporated on the spot for Roger (at least my £50 is safe – for now).

The evening was engaged in the usually loud banter with plenty of brandy drinking and the draw for the Sunday. Top group would be Leon Brown, Roger Goddard, Steve Garner and Stuart Austrie

Sunday, April 5^th 2008 1^st tee 10.30am. The sun is straining to shine as Leon Brown hits the first ball down the fairway. Almost 5 hours later the first group arrive back at the club house!! With a group of frustrated golfers in their wake the scores from the groups behind suffered as they waited and as they waited they talked, and as they talked, they schemed and as they schemed they steamed and as they steamed their subsequent drives and putts went astray. Oh dear.

Anyhoo, after all the players had trooped back into the club house (I guess around 4.30pm) the final top 5 placings and by default order of merit were as follows:

Leon Brown has been a member with the ACGA for a couple of years. His triumph is a testimony to the extra hard work he has put in of late. What's more impressive, is that in leading on the first day he still managed to hold it together on day 2. Nobody would have been surprised if he had fallen away and not won. In fact, I suspect that some people were actually expecting that to happen. So after being paired with "the big boys" and still being able to ignore the intimidation and still put a decent round together, Leon should be respected for his win. Having played to his handicap with the precision of a surgeon, it will be up to the handicap secretary to take the butchers knife to it.

Special mention must go to El Capitano who (after his drive on the 1^st) obviously has no intention of letting the captaincy interfere with his golf. Given All the committee members have a pooled £50 quid first-major-winner-takes-all, I’m looking forward to collecting – again. Lightening does strike twice.

Woody.

PS: See ya at Woburn 2^nd May 2008.