Captains Weekend 2009

Having both qualified for this years club championship final Steve Sutton and Stevie Birrell were made instant favorites when they found themselves paired together for Saturdays doubles competition.

As individuals the pair had been rock solid all year and with no pressure on them they set off to compete in a stroke play contest which would see the lowest better ball score take first prize.

Several teams had great starts with frank and Andy taking an early lead through 9 holes. However the hot conditions took there toll and many fell by the wayside. This wasn't the case for Sutty and Birrell who went on to shoot a untouchable ten under par 60 to win by five strokes. This score would also see Birrell take first place with an overall 36 points. When asked afterwards to reflect on the days play, Stevie Birrell (pictured right) replied EASY!

Whilst the pair may have found it easy others had less luck, Steve Bristow and Martins chances took a massive dent with a combined ELEVEN at the second while Peter Preston was trying his best to tee off in the WRONG direction at the 8th!

With Andy Carmichael finishing 2nd on an overall 34 points. This meant he would join David, Birrell and Sutty in Sundays playoff final.

After a night that included; David throwing up, Mark and Birrell smashing up a room, Martin taking on half of Frodshams ex cons, Tony and Andy C. swindling 4 bottles of corona, Ted cleaning up at poker pissed and finally after insulting every guest at the hotel Andy Bell went to bed with half a Kebab and a cob on! ........................Oh and Peter stayed in to watch Corrie!

Next morning with many nursing bad heads Captains day would finally commence with the playoff final group heading out first.

......... Now, with no disrespect to the overall winner, to say this was a shock would have of been an understatement. With our biggest field this year of 18 players you'd have expected one of the lower handicappers to fair well on such a tough course. However having played well myself, hearing i was beaten by four strokes was a shock. What came as more of a shock was the name on the winning card. Andy Bell (Pictured left) will be the first to admit he finds consistency over 18 holes a real struggle but with a point to prove Andy faded into the background and put together a round that would be good enough to win any competition. Even with James on top form Andy didn't faulter and took victory by one stroke!

After five years without a win this is a massive step in the right direction and with a new handicap of 27 Andy will start next season with the bit between his teeth!

Also this weekend was the small matter of the club championship playoff. Steve Sutton (pictured right) grabbed the spotlight with a round of 30 points to cap a fantastic season. He pipped David, Birrell and Andy Carmichael to top spot with a consistent final day to be crowned Club Champion!

Well done Steve!