Day 296 - A Cracking Game

Today was the occasion of the first round of the Vets Nations Cup - a series of matches played across the winter, each time between 8 players representing the Home Nations plus another for the Rest of the World.  I was turning out for the latter and we were matched up in Round 1 against the team from England.  The format is St Andrew's Greensomes (teams of 2, both drive and you then chose which ball to play into the hole in alternate shot format, with one player taking all the second shots on the even holes and the other on the odd).

My partner today was Mike: to date our record in playing in such team matches was Played 1, Won 1, albeit many years back. That game though had been a classic tussle, settled in dramatic fashion with the final putt for a half and, every time I see Mike, he reminds me of it!  It was good to be paired again after such a long time.  Our opponents were Steve and David from England and, when both pairs made excellent pars on our first hole (the 10th of the New) with fine up-and-downs, it looked as though it was going to be a tough match.

It wasn't really though, as Mike and I played near flawless golf winning on our 15th hole by 4&3 by which time we were only 4 over par, and that with no birdies at all.  I felt sorry for Steve nd David who were also playing well, but we would have given most teams a good match today. So now it's Played 2, Won 2... I wonder how long before we shall play together again?

Out on the Old Course, there was a shotgun start with many players dressed up in Christmas gear: it was Burhill's annual Christmas Cracker competition and I was delighted to meet up with Richard, a friend from University days who has been entering teams from Wimbledon into this competition for years.  He and his team looked to be having fun when I went to say my goodbyes on their 17th hole but I am not sure they will be amongst the winners.

Dinner tonight with Russell and Tina to carry on our preparations for our November 2016 golf and wine trip to South Africa.  As always, we had a fantastic meal and an enjoyable evening. Plans have been laid, dates agreed and now we only have to wait for another 11 months.....