Posted under Stan's Blog
Conditions: Overcast and cloudy, cold with the odd sunny period.
Result: Win against course Played over 14 holes only as 4 were closed, waterlogged
Out: 32
In: 32
Gross: 64
H/cap: 13
Net: 51
Par: 54
Putts: 12/15= 27
Stb pts: 14/17= 31pts.
1 Eagle; 0 Birdies; 4 Pars; 6 Bogeys; 3 D/Bogeys
Posted under Stan's Blog
Arriving at Saint Nicholas in Cardiff one is impressed of Cotterall Park Golf club by the layout as you drive up to the clubhouse, seeing what it must have been like back in Victorian times. Arriving in the courtyard, now a members and visitors car park gives easy access to the clubhouse, changing rooms and pro shop.
I was introduced to the general manager, Mr. Derek Smith, who took interest to the challenge and would pass the information on to the executive committee at the next meeting.
There are two courses of similar distance, the Mackintosh, 6313 yards, and the Button Gwinnett, 6123 yards. A well matured parkland courses that gives rise to thinking your way round, as opposed to getting your driver out, as water can come into play on six of the holes. One of which, the 16th, has water up to six yards from the front of the green, a 160 yard carry from an elevated tee.
Water also comes into play on the 18th off the tee, as well as a bunker. The greens have plenty of undulations that can add extra putts to your score.
The weather was overcast and no run on the fairways gave rise to the course playing long its full length, but one that would entice you back again.
PHOTOS >>>
Conditions: overcast with slight variable winds.
Result: Win against the course.
Out: 41
In: 37
Gross: 78
H/cap: 13
Net: 65
Par: 71
Putts: 16/17= 33
Stb Pts: 20/22= 42 pts.
1 Birdies; 9 Pars; 8 Bogeys; 0 D/Bogey
Posted under Stan's Blog
On arriving at Clyne Golf Club which is situated on the Gower Peninsular I was greeted by the Captain Mr. Dick Williams and his Vice Captain Peter Jones.
Left to Right: Stan Humphreys Capt. B.M.H.G.C. Dic Williams Capt. Clyne GC
Peter Jones V/Capt. Clyne G.C. Rob Taylor Ty Hafan Hospice West Wales Regional Fund Raising Coordinator
The weather was overcast and calm, and due to the wet weather of recent weeks the course was playing long, with no run on the fairways. This 6323 yard par 72 moorland course, which was opened in 1920 giving panoramic views of the Gower. Like all coastal courses wind is a major factor, but today there was none to be felt.
Standing on the first tee after hitting a good drive to the right side of the fairway one felt relieved not to have put one in the rough, but as we proceeded up towards the fairway a flock of jackdaws or crows flew down onto the fairway looking for some grubs. One of them started to peck the Captains ball on the fairway; them flew over towards mine, and low and behold gathered it up in its beak and flew off about 100 yards and dropped it in the rough. As I proceeded to try and retrieve it, the bird picked it up and flew away. I happened to mention to the Captain that a few weeks previously whilst playing at Tenby golf club the Lady Captain came over on the 14th and asked if we had lost any balls on the fairway, as she had 5 taken by crows. She was more annoyed because her playing partner hadn’t lost any, she thought it was due to the fact hers were new balls and her partners were old ones. The same was in my case, mine was new.
The day went from bad to worse, as my putting was very poor with 7 three putts, making a grand total of 41 putts. Although the greens had been hollow tined recently they were still fast.
Conditions: No wind, Overcast.
Result: Lose to the course
Out: 46
In: 47
Gross: 93
H/Cap: 13
Net: 80
Stb Pts: 26
Putts: 20/21= 41
0 Birdies; 2 Pars; 10 bogeys; 5 D/bogeys; 1 other
Posted under Stan's Blog
This is the highest golf club in the United Kingdom at 1,510 feet above sea level, and with a cold north westerly wind blowing made for a tough eighteen holes of golf to be had.
This mountain course plays a par 71 / 5,806 yards off the yellow winter tee boxes. With little or no shelter from the elements this is not a course for the faint hearted. Not an easy course in wet conditions as it plays much longer, and, with the added wind factor made things much more difficult. With views that can take your breath away in the surrounding Brecon Beacons national park and down through the valleys to Cardiff and Newport.
Keeping the ball on the fairways today would be the main priority, so going out in 42, six over par, meant I was on course to play to my handicap.
The 10th a par 3, 212 yards, pulling the ball left into the rough, meant 3 off the tee, and not making the green, a chip on with 2 putts left a score of 6. As there are 5 par 3’s averaging 194 yards, not easy, especially the 16th. Standing on the tee looking down approximately 200 feet below to a green 249 yards away, and with a prevailing wind into your face would be a difficult call. With gorse either side of the fairway and a peat bog about 30 yards directly in front of the green this stroke index 10 hole would rate one of the hardest holes on the course on the day. Taking a driver and making good contact, I watched the ball head straight for the green. It was difficult to judge where the ball landed as visibility was limited with the overcast cloud base. Heading down the mountain towards the green one couldn’t see the ball on the fairway. Looking for a plugged ball would be a miracle, especially with it being very marshy indeed, so in desperation a little prayer was said, and after a further search there buried 2″ below the surface and an inch of water on top of it was my ball. I believe that was divine intervention, because it was not where I thought it was. So chipping on and two putting for a bogey was literally a “Godsend”
It is very much a socially orientated club, with that homely feel, and all visitors are made very welcome and made to feel at home. Good catering, and a well stocked bar to meet ones needs after a round can be had.
Sheena Lewis, bar/ catering manageress presented me with a club motif box set of ball marker and pitch repairer and certificate of completion of the course.
Conditions: Overcast with strong variable winds.
Results: Lost to the course
Out: 42
In: 44
Gross: 86
H/cap: 13
Net: 73
Par: 71
Stb Pts: 18/15= 33pts
0 Birdies 6 Pars 10 bogeys 2 D/Bogeys
Posted under Stan's Blog
Making the journey from Swansea would take an hour to reach the Grove. This course is next door to Pyle and Kenfig and is a complete contrast from the links of P & K, playing more a parkland course.
It was a bright sunny autumn morning with a temperature of only 6 degrees. My playing partners for the day were Wayne “Tiger” Morgan and Idris Jones.
Not being a long course, only 5933 yards off the yellow tees, but, having said that with a wind and heavy fairways due to the wet summer we have had it did play long.
Starting with a par 5, 516 yards into a slight head wind meant a good drive would give a possible chance of a par, so coming off with a bogey was a good result. And bogey golf would be the outward nine with only two pars. Putting was the downfall of the game, with three putting on 4 greens, also running into difficulty on the 5th finding water brought an ugly 7 on the card. An easy walking course with some slight inclines makes for an enjoyable days golf. And to finish off the day the 19th hole caters for all with a wide selection of refreshments.
Conditions: Cold and sunny with slight variable winds
Results: Lost to course
Out: 45
In: 42
Gross: 87
H/cap: 13
Net: 74
Par: 70
Putts: 20/16= 36
Stb Pts: 15/17= 32pts
0 Birdies; 5 Pars; 10 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys; 1 other
Posted under Stan's Blog
This having been a second visit to Builth Wells, the first was cancelled due to flooding three weeks prior. And I was amazed to see how the course had dried up; this was due to the magnificent efforts of the green staff, praise where praise is due, well done gentlemen.
A full turn out of 22 teams was the order of the day, with some sunshine as a bonus and very little wind made the day one to remember.
Playing 5424 yards off the competition tees, not along course, but one where you have to think your way round. With six par 3’s and no par 5’s playing to your handicap would be a difficult task, as shots could be easily dropped on the par 3’s. All was going well until the 16th a 300 yards par 4. With out of bounds on the right along the river to the dogleg right and water running across the fairway offers the risk or reward shot. Finding the river, a penalty shot meant coming off with a double bogey 6, which in turn meant coming in one over par net and losing out to the course.
PHOTOS>>>>
Conditions: Sunny periods with slight winds.
Result: Lost to course
Out: 41
In: 30
Gross: 80
H/cap: 13
Net: 67
Par: 66
Putts: 18/18=36
Stb Pts: 17/17=34pts.
0 Birdies; 6 Pars; 10 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys
Posted under Stan's Blog
A parkland course playing 6473 yards, par 72 off the white tees is an easy walking course with very little gradients to contend with, but one that challenges the best.
Three par 5’s on the front nine and one off the back nine playing the yellow tees makes it more accessible on the front for the average golfer. A par 37 going out on 3095 yards was more difficult than the return, a 35 par and 3165 yards. Some difficult par 3’s, albeit not long could ruin a good card.
Conditions: Overcast with some sunshine. Winds variable
Result: Lost to course
Out: 45
In: 41
Gross: 86
H/cap: 13
Net: 73
Par: 72
Putts: 17/15= 32
Stb Pts: 16/19= 35pts
0 Birdies; 5 pars; 12 bogeys; 1 D/Bogey
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Driving to Porthmadog is always picturesque going through the mountains even if the weather is not at its best. Today would be no accept ion as it would be a mixed bag, overcast, cloudy, variable gusting winds and the odd sunny period.
The front nine is more inland than links, with water coming into play on 5 holes, where as the back nine is truly a test of ones ability to handle an open links course.
An easy walking course apart from the 12/13/14 holes which flexes your leg muscles a little.
This is an interesting and varied course which would appeal to all that play it, and gives rise to interesting conversations in the clubhouse after your game.
PHOTOS>>>>>>
I was approached by the Seniors Captain Mr. Colin Digby to say a few words about the challenge, and then he presented me with donations that were collected by the seniors on the day of £59.95.
Conditions: overcast, cloudy, variable gusting winds and infrequent sunny periods.
Result: Win against the course
Out: 43
In: 39
Gross: 82
H/cap: 13
Net: 69
Par: 71
Putts: 17/15=32
Stbl Pts: 17/21=38 pts
1 Birdie; 7 Pars; 8 Bogeys; 2 D/Bogeys
Posted under Stan's Blog
The club is situated in the shadow of Caernarfon Castle where HRH Charles was crowned the Prince of Wales back in 1969.
The course is open to the elements being close to the sea; with a strong wind it played very much a links type course. With walls, hedges and trees to contend with and wind and soggy fairways due to the recent wet weather made conditions difficult.
After completing the course I was introduced to the Captain Will Owen, who stated he had funds for the challenge which would be sent on.
Conditions: Overcast and windy, wet under foot with some sunny intervals.
Result: Lost to course
Out: 45
In: 40
Gross: 85
H/cap: 13
Net: 72
Par: 69
Putts: 17+16=33
Stb Pts: 15+18=33pts
0 Birdies; 5 Pars; 10 bogeys; 3 D/Bogeys
Posted under Stan's Blog
This well established links course is well renowned in the principality hosting many major tournaments over the years, and this year being crowned the best Welsh club of the year, and it is still rated as one of the top 50 courses in the U.K.I had the privilege to be playing with the Vice Captain Mr. Colin Appleby, who showed great interest in the challenge in addition to giving me some good advice around the course, albeit the ball did not take heed to it.
The weather was sunny and no wind as such, which is unusual for a links course especially as autumn was upon us. The course was playing long as there was no run on the fairways, but the greens were true and firm with some being tined.
Poor putting on the back nine was my downfall, especially on the 14th, where by 4 putts cost me dearly. Getting a birdie on the next hole did give some solace, only to give it away again on the very next hole with a double bogey.
Conditions: Sunny, warm calm and no wind as such.
Result: Lost to course
Out: 41
In: 48
Gross: 89
H/Cap: 13
Net: 76
Par: 71
Putts: 17 / 19= 36
Stb Pts: 18 / 13= 31pts.
1 Birdie; 4 pars; 8 bogeys; 4 D/bogeys; 1 other