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Portal Weekend Away 🏌♂️⛳️
In the absence of our beloved website guru this weekend, I (Col L) have been handed the impossible task of trying to match Alan's legendary write-ups for our latest golf getaway. So, brace yourselves for this epic tale of swings, putts, and the pursuit of elusive golf balls! Here we go …
Well, what can we say about this weekend? It was another fantastic escapade into the world of golf! We faced two brilliant, yet formidable courses, which treated us to many hilly contours, while most were embroiled in intense games of hide-and-seek with their golf balls in the rough. As a certified slicer off the tee, I can vouch that the rough was not the place to be! The weather, ever the mischievous accomplice, decided to make things just a smidge harder on Saturday, serving up a challenging course under a scorching sun. But hey, that didn't deter a few golfing specialists who conjured up some impressive scores despite the fiery conditions.
Now, let's talk about the par 3 challenge – a siren song at £10 a pop that lured many to their watery doom. Some managed to win a free round of golf at a McDonald's-themed golf resort (who knew such a paradise existed?), but for most of us, the nerves were too much, and the pond was an alluring trap, as many of our tee shots were more drawn to it than a moth to a flame.
When the dust settled the scores were tallied, championing it from the bottom of the leaderboard was Peter Batey. Perhaps his choice of pre-game refreshment (two pints, no less!) had something to do with it. Thankfully, no geese were harmed in the making of this weekend – as our Gertie goose is under the capable care and protection of Paul Towers for the foreseeable Winter months!
But lo and behold, after a thrilling showdown with Neil Gocken, after a countback, the crown of victory was placed upon the head of John Chappo, who conquered the sweltering conditions with an impressive 34 points. Congratulations, John 🏆
Sunday was home to the famous Pairs Competition, where new champions were to be crowned, finally ending the reign of ‘Fast’ Eddie Murray and Graham Donnelly after two years of dominance. Despite a valiant effort from Shaun Jonno and Toddy, our very own Captain, Andy Fitz, and Daz emerged victorious, mastering the challenging course with a remarkable score of 37 🏆
Let's not forget those who conquered the NTP challenges on both days. A special shoutout goes to Ian, who sent his ball soaring through the skies with a hint of draw to land just 10 feet from the pin on the treacherous par 3 15th hole, which included an impressive 100 foot drop from tee box to green. It was a putt so nerve-wracking that it took three attempts to finally sink it, much to the delight of our friend Gary Chappo, watching from the tee above.
And last but certainly not least, a colossal thank you to everyone who played a role in orchestrating this unforgettable Society weekend. A standing ovation goes to John Doyle for the behind-the-scenes magic. We truly appreciate your efforts! Also, a tip of the cap to John Chappo, Carl, and Fitzy for organising the order of play, the draw, and the presentations across both days – you're all champions in our book! 🏌♂️
For the full album of Portal photos click here
End of Season Prizegiving 2023
...and so to the 2023 Season Winners, and sprinting through from 8th position at the start of the day to conquer all-comers and take the glory of a tightly fought First Division title, for the first time, amassing 134 Points with his best (and only!) 4 scores, was big Jeff Burgess, with Colin Newall second on 130 Points and Gary Chapman finishing Third on 124 Points. Congratulations to Jeff on a title winning aggregate score!
The Second Division title was won a little more comfortably, and the runaway Winner with a stupendous 145 Points was Mark McNally, with John Chappo chasing hard in Second place with 133 Points and Mark Lewis Third in his first season with the Society with 116 Points. Congratulations to Mark Mac on bouncing straight back up after last season's relegation!
Individual Event Winners over the Season were:
Prestatyn - Mark McNally, Leigh - John Doyle, Ashton-In-Makerfield - Colin Newall, Wrexham - Mark Lewis, Chester - Danny Parr and Pryors Hayes - Callum Newall.
The Team Winners of the Final Event 9 Hole Texas Scramble were John Chappo, Mark Lewis, Paul Towers and John Roche and the 'Yellow Ball' Team Winners of the Final Event were Captain Fitzy, Colin Lewis, Colin Newall and Mike Towell.
For the full album of the end of season Prizegiving and the rest of the Pryors Hayes GC photos click here
Pryors Hayes GC, 3rd September 2023
Our 2023 Season reached its climax on a scorchio day at lovely Pryors 'Heat Haze' with the mercury rising to a sweltering 27+ degrees, we really couldn't have asked for a more perfect day, and we had a brilliant showing of 24 Members split into 6 x 4 balls.
With enormous Bacon butties scoffed, we had our morning Texas Scramble comp, followed by a lunchtime pitstop (including a very spicy soup!) and the afternoon 18, including the obligatory 'Yellow Ball' mini comp, plus both Divisional titles were still up for grabs.
The day's Winner under the baking sun was Callum Newall, scoring a brilliant 38 points with an amazing demonstration of power driving that had jaws dropping, with Jeff Burgess in second place on an excellent 36 points and, Mark McNally ending the Season where he started with another belting score of 35 points. Well done Callum, very, very impressive!
NTPs were bagged by Mike Towell, Captain Fitzy, John Chappo and Mini-Me, Peter Batey, with the Captain's Draw won by Jeff Burgess with a Best Back 9 score of 20 points. There was also an avalanche of 2s, scored by Captain Fitzy, Daz White, Bob Stewart, Jeff Burgess, Mike Towell and Peter Batey, phew...that's gonna cost us a few sleeves of balls!
And finally, dear, dear Gertie, our eternally gorgeous Goose will be spending a 6 month sojourn at Paul Towers..err Towers, thanks in great part to his EasyJet inflicted, dickie back affected return of 21 points.
Chester GC, 23rd July 2023
Well, that was fun! A depleted but hardy gang of 17 wet weather clad lunatics teed it up in monsoon conditions at a throroughly waterlogged Chester GC openly defying the Rain Gods, but after half an hour or so, the conditions did ease off to being nothing more than a deluge.
Notwithstanding the tempestuous weather however, the scoring was pretty good, with 7 returned scores of 30 points or more.
Ok, so in joint 3rd spot on 32 points were Skipper Fitzy and Mike Towell, whilst runner-up on 33 points was Mark Roden, however, making a splash, our soggy champ was Drip-dry Danny Parr with a very worthy 36 points. Get in Danny!!
NTPs were won by John Chappo, Mark Roden and our celebrity guest with his own Wikipedia page, Eddie Murray and this Event's Captain's Draw cash prize went to Mike Towell for scoring an excellent 19 points on the Front 9. 2s were also scored by both Chappo brothers.
And finally, on the climactic day of the British Open, when a miserable looking little bald bloke held the Claret Jug aloft, in an uncanny parallel event, our moulded Mother Goose, Gertie, was presented and held up by Mr. Happy himself, Alan Dennis, thanks to an "I won't get the Goose with that score!" 23 points...
For the full album of Chester photos and videos click here
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