Day 365 - Signing Off

A busy day at the Club today. I was there by 0745 in order to assist with the distribution of the cards for the day's competition: the Grimditch Trophy. This is played every year on the morning of the Men's and Club AGMs and and pitches players together in pairs, representing either the the Captain or the Vice Captain.  I had done the draw the previous evening, splitting the field into Hi and Lo handicap groups.

I did this entirely randomly, which is how I found myself playing off the 15th tee. I was partnering David, against Scott and Duncan (the 2015 Club Champion).  Duncan plays off +1 (!), which meant that my partner and I would be receiving 7 shots. I must be honest and say that I was very nervous about this match-up as I haven't been playing particularly well of late.

As things turned out, we had a great match: we were never behind, managing some great wins on e.g. 4 and scrambled when we had to. A couple of better putts (17 was weak!) and we would actually have won. As it was, we delivered a 1/2 from our game which was probably a fair result.

The Grimditch Trophy being awarded to the Captain

Overall, the players playing for the Captain did well and my team managed to squeeze ahead by the slenderest of margins: we ended up winners by 10 to 9!  After the Prizegiving: one golf ball each for all on the winning side...., it was time to head upstairs for the AGMs.  First we had the Men's AGM, which progressed smoothly and then the Club AGM.  I had to say a few words at both but by this stage I am very much Yesterday's Man and the reins had been definitely passed across to the incoming Captains.  I collected, in Kathryn's absence, our Flitch Salver prize, which was fun too.

After the formalities were over, it wad time for the Captains' Drive in: Oh, Happy Memories!  Again, the pressure on the drives was telling and both Captains missed the green left - just as Diana and I had also done...  Not sure about the Chelsea and Sunderland shirts they wore: they won't be allowed to wear them again on the course!

Now is not the time for post-Captaincy reflections: I shall come back to those at a later date. For now, I am shattered and intend to collapse in front of the golf from Pebble Beach this evening...