The Captains Matchplay 2019
Well it’s June, and summer is supposed to be upon us, and even though the MET office has issued weather warnings for rain and floods all week, yes, the Captain’s Matchplay event is due and returns to its home at Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club.
Donk has checked with the club that the course is open and ordered Noz’s special dietary breakfast and confirmed we are all to meet at 08.30 for a full English breakfast. The 9 of us (Donk (Captain), Noz, Juice (Bruce), Ads, Miller’s, PK, Greggs, Martin the Cat and Yours truly Boycie (aka Magnum) all arrive in time for a good hearty breakfast and are all ready to go. Donk (Simon) throws the balls and the 3 groups of 3 for the seeding groups are decided.
Group 1 is Me (Boyce), Donk and Noz. Group 2 is Juice, Miller’s and PK. Group 3 The Cat, Ads and Greggs.
As last year’s runner-up I am first to tee it up, with the old Dunlop ball, after being reminded to unwrap it, and I get the competition started with the first strike captured by Donk on Instagram.
Noz gets off to a flier and has 12 points after the first 4 holes, I’m on 8 and Donk is still on the 4 he obtained from winning the first hole. The wheels then fall off for Noz as he puts his tee shot into the water on the par 3 and then takes a 7 on the next after being in prime position after two shots just shy of the green. This allows me to take the lead and I secure the group win on the 8th hole and so even losing the last hole I remain 1st on 21 points Noz is 2nd on 19 points and Donk 3rd on 14 points. The weather has held up well as we await the others for their results and grab some lunch. The scores from the other groups are Juice 22, Miller 18, and PK 13 and Cat 23, Ads 21 and Greggs 10.
After lunch and we begin the first-round proper with the winners from the morning groups being the seeded players and playing in different groups. I’m in group 1 with Miller’s and Greggs, in group 2 is the Cat, PK and Donk and group 3 is Juice, Ads and Noz
Similar to the first round Miller’s like Noz gets off to a good start taking maximum points on the first two holes but my chipping around the green and putting is on form and with 5 pars and 4 bogey’s I win the group with 26 points, Miller’s is 2nd with 18 points and Greggs 3rd on 10 points. Despite Miller’s being in our group we still finish well over a hole ahead of the next group so decide to have a pint whilst waiting for the other groups to finish. Greggs has polished off a 2nd pint before the next group have arrived. The Scores are in and Donk has had a couple of birdies and wins the 2nd group with XX points, just from the cat who had XX points and PK 3rd with XX points. The last group Ads wins with XX points with Juice in 2nd with XX points and Noz in 3rd with XX points.
So the wooden spoon group of Greggs , PK and Noz tee off followed by Juice, Millers and the Cat who have a side bet of a fiver each which ensures Juice turns it on and he wins the runners up group with xx points, with Miller’s next on xx points followed by the Cat with xx points.
In the winners group playing for the Captain’s trophy and the privilege of waring the 49ers ring is yours truly, Donk and Ads. I got off to a good start and picked up 14 points on the first four holes with Donk on 6 points and Ads just picking up 4 points and appears to have ran out of steam. The match continues mainly between Donk and I and coming down the last I am on 22, Donk is on 18 and so needs Ads to assist to have any chance of winning. Donk drives it lovely down the fairway and wins the Dog. I hit a good drive to the right just by the tree but with a shot to get up by the green. I hit another good wedge into the green and two put for a half and win the Captains match play for a 2nd time in 3 years.
The final positions were: –
1st Boycie
2nd Donk
3rd Ads
4th Juice
5th Millers
6th The cat
7th PK
8th Greggs
9th Noz
The Shark – Donk
The Dog – PK
Almost the Shark for Boyce (FFS Boyce, who cares? – The Captain)
Rather than break the endless stream of consciousness that Boyce provided, here’s some more pictures
