Day 240 - Auction Foursomes I

Today was the occasion of the Auction Foursomes dinner - one of the premier events at the Club. In order to finalise some of the arrangements, I visited Simon at home to review the draw for the following day's golf. we had been planning to meet at the Club, but he was not in a position to leave the house as he was looking after a new puppy (a very sweet black cocker spaniel called Guinness).

Next stop was lunch at the Club followed by 18 holes of golf with two former colleagues from EDF Energy, Sid and John. We had a very pleasant game in autumnal conditions, during which my knowledge of the Old Course greens manifested itself and I was able to win our game reasonably comfortably. Here's hoping that I can repeat the feat tomorrow...

A shower and a change into my DJ/Tux later and it was time for the evening's festivities. A total of 96 people had signed up for the event (down from the 108 a week ago, but that was probably just as well...) meant that we had a record turnout: 48 pairs!  After a fine, and deliberately filling dinner upstairs, we repaired down to the lounge for the Auction itself.  Gavin did a great job trying to keep some form of order and by the end of the evening we had a pot of almost £16,000: another record.  (If anyone interested how the evening works, look here).

Our table of 9 had the advantage of input from both the Captain and the Head Pro - but would this actually make any difference?  Our strategy was to buy back a quarter share in everybody at the table as well as to look to pick up a few other pairs.  This we achieved for around £150/man, ending up with 75% shares in two pairs and 25% in nine others.  Value?  We shall see tomorrow...

On completion of the auction, we all made our way to the bar, and I eventually arrived home by around half-past midnight (thanks for the ride, Sue!) - quite a bit earlier than some of the younger and/or more resilient participants. But how are they going to feel at 08:00 in the morning?