J Ford Championship Round 2 nett 16 Sept 2018
J Ford Championship Round 2 net 16 September 2018
Brian Southworth (81/11/70) has had a wonderful season and he again showed his consistency today . Curiously the unfortunately initialled sun-loving BS has found the front 9 more difficult than most and net bogeys on 3 and 8 and no gains to handicap meant a steady +2 at the turn . The back 9 is unquestionably the more difficult to the vast majority of members but for the second consecutive day the unnaturally long-trousered quinquagenarian revelled in the closing half gaining shots to handicap on 12,13,15 and 18 with his only net bogey on 17 . A net 70 good enough to take round 2 honours on countback . The handicapper has again noted his progress and cut him 0.2 to 11.1 for his efforts !
Gordon Boardman (80/10/70) was just edged out of victory in this round but played superbly on his front 9 with 4 net birdies on 1,4,5,7 only dropping shots to handicap on holes 3 and 8 to leave him well placed at 2 under at the turn . A steady but unspectacular back 9 included net bogeys on 10 and 12 with his solitary gain on the final hole only enough to take him second on countback ... nevertheless a fine effort from the diminutive but perfectly-formed nonagenarian Alty GC stalwart . The handicapper has cut him 0.2 to 9.7 for his fine showing !
Howard Johnson (83/12/71) started well but consecutive net birdies on 3 and 4 were offset by dropped shots to handicap on 6 and 9 with a net double bogey on 8 leaving him +2 at the turn and in mid-division . He improved on his back 9 with net birdies recorded on 11,13,against reverses on 12 and 16 and two more crucial net birdies on the final two holes saw the towering dreadlocked Bird flying higher to post net 2 under for his back 9 ( second only to the winner) to snatch an excellent third place on countback .
Paul MacDonald (84/14/71) has warranted regular mentions from this observer in recent weeks and he played well again today .
The slightly built genu-valgumed Jamaican quinquagenarian made an indifferent start with a net bogey on 2 but immediate consecutive gains to handicap on 3,4 and 5 brought him back into contention then 3 shots lost in 2 holes saw him at +1 at the turn ... a good start to his back 9 saw hIm gain a shot on 10 then immediately drop back to +1 after a net bogey on 11 but he was to soar back up the leaderboard with gains on 13,14 and 16 (birdie 2) which left him at net 2 under and needing only to play to his handicap to take Round 2 honours . Sadly two net bogey 6s meant he dropped down to a fourth place finish .
Special mentions ...
Paul Hackett (91/20/71)
It is with great heartache that your observer has to comment on his own efforts today . Revelling in his preferred windy rainy conditions ( which have carried him to 12 of his 14 victories over his 3 years of membership ) he could afford to indulge his fragile short game to (agonisingly ) lip out a couple of shortish putts as he powered to a net bogey-free net 3 under front 9 with net birdies on 1,3 and 4 the highlights .
A good start to his back nine with a further gain to handicap on 17 saw him rise to the summit of the leaderboard as he stood on the 13th tee ... irritating net bogeys on 13 and 14 and playing to handicap on 15/16 meant that he , like Paul MacDonald just had to play to handicap on the final two holes to take the Round 2 honours ... tragically two bogey 6s ( both again frustratingly lipping putts that refused to descend into the hole ) meant a tumble down the leaderboard to an 8th place finish .Another highlight of his round was the success of his newly bought Ping G25 sand wedge ( ruthlessly sidelining his G15 model) with successful up and downs from both bunker visits so much to be thankful for despite an overall feeling of frustration 🙃🙃
More high-handicap angst was on show with Brian Cawley (92/21/71)
The affable nonagenarian ex-squaddie started inauspiciously and net bogeyed 2 but then redoubled his efforts to soar to 4 under his handicap and share the lead at the turn with net birdies on 3,5 and 8 and a net eagle 3 on 6 .
Sadly his fortunes changed taking on the more onerous back 9 with 4 shots dropped on his next 3 holes but bravely steadying his efforts playing to handicap on the difficult final third for a 9th place finish .
The greatest pain of any golfer today has to be William Hill (100/14/76) a famous name who definitely flirted with glory today ! A net double bogey 7 on the tricky first was answered with a magnificent run of SEVEN shots gained over the following 6 holes with his highlight net eagles on 4 AND 6!... even the pain of another net double bogey on 8 could not prevent him finishing joint leader at the turn on 4 under ...
Playing with his great friend Carlos Gomez ( who eventually was to outscore him today for a very creditable 5th place level par finish ) Hill played admirably to his handicap on the opening 4 holes of his back 9 to remain at 4 under handicap ( and in total control of Round 2 net ) as he stood on the 14th tee . Tragically a disastrous 4 shots were dropped to handicap on that hole as he recorded a quint bogey 9 ... the torment continued as a net bogey on 15 and net triple 8s on the closing two holes saw Hill tumble from the summit to a lowly 18th . The cruelty that golf can provide truly showcased as the course savagely bit back at his superb start 😰
