Downes Golf: The Green keepers Revenge!

AS mentioned at the end of last week‘s article, the Green keepers Revenge competition took place on Saturday, August 22.

This is a competition that is much enjoyed by the members, a lighthearted round of golf, and a reminder of the contribution of our ground staff, who have tirelessly worked so hard during the entire year.

It certainly hasn’t been an easy year. Looking back through the Winter and the Spring, there was almost incessant rainfall, and an a regular occurrence of storms. This made the work of the staff difficult throughout the Winter season.

After the last few weeks, it is almost impossible to remember that the course was full of water due to the non-stop rain.

Indeed on one particular day, the seventh hole was completely underwater, as the river had overflowed across the fairway.

On a few occasions play was impossible and the course had to be closed.

From May onwards, a brief respite of fine normal weather, then along came the drought and the heat waves, baking the course almost like concrete.

This is where the well designed, and well planned irrigation systems, came into effect and the greens and tees could be watered from the course bore hole.

This kept the course playable throughout the summer conditions, indeed the greens were in first class condition all summer long, and often complimented on by visitors and members alike.

So the Green keepers Revenge was time for a bit of fun, and the staff used their imaginations to give the competitors an interesting day on the course.

The event occurred at the end of a maintenance week, where the staff had sanded and hollow tyned the greens. This all added to the interesting problems set at each hole.

The event started with a shotgun start and the format was a Texas scramble.

For folk unaware of golf terminology, a Texas scramble is when each player makes their shot, then the best outcome of those shots is chosen for each player to play from for their next hit.

Instead of individual play a great deal of teamwork is involved. However, in this particular event there are surprises in store at each hole, these can vary from a modification on the tee when driving off, or a hazard of one kind or another on the green.

Members faced a course full of devilish challenges, including obstacles, outrageous pin positions, left-handed shots and even drives taken while sitting down!

Probably the most devilish of the obstacles was the concentric circle of well placed stones surrounding the 18th hole. A tricky putt for all at the last!

Representing Team Greenkeepers were Ken Bones, his son Jay, Guy Hoskins and recently retired DCGC Chairman Nick Walker, who clearly hasn’t lost his competitive edge.

Director of Greens Nick West was unfortunately a late withdrawal, rumour has it he was exhausted after helping out earlier in the week!

The team that best navigated the mayhem was Neil Baker, Samuel Drewe, David Finnimore and Paul Walaron, although in this event, survival is arguably as important as winning!

A fabulous day was had by all and a fitting thank you to the greenkeeping staff, who have worked tirelessly through both floods and drought to keep the course in such excellent condition this season.