SbN       5½      HINTLESHAM       2½

On a pleasant Spring day in May, the SBN team congregated with a surprising level of confidence to take on Hintlesham GC. The match provided a great deal of excitement as it was a roller-coaster of birdies, bogeys and a substantial amount of sand!!

Match 1 Team Cork / Henry - won 3 & 2

SBN got off to a fast start mainly due to Mick – 2 up after 2 holes. The match hovered between a 2 and 3 hole lead. A magnificent shot from the far edge of the 14th fairway to the edge of the green from opposition skipper, David, threatened to get things back but a sublime second shot from Mick at 15 secured a 3 shot lead and a solid half from Graham saw SBN home. According to VC Graham, Mick played superb golf with GC contributing occasionally!!

"The reason a pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing."

Match 2 Team Pottle / Sandfield – lost 2 down

After 4 holes, despite being level par, the SBN team was 3 down! This was due to Richard of Hintlesham also being level par before taking 3 of his 13 shots!! A chip in birdie by Colllin on 8 reduced it to 1 down only for Richard, with a shot, putting his tee shot on 9 to three feet. The back 9 was a lot closer with SBN getting back to 1 down after 17 but Richard got a net birdie on 18 to close the match out.

"The game of golf is 90-percent mental and 10-percent mental.’’

Match 3 Team Mitchell / Drew – all square

SBN went 2 up after 2 but were quickly pegged back. They immediately went 2 up again only to lose 8 and 9. Hintlesham won 10 and SBN 14 followed by four halves with Steve holing a putt from 6 feet for a half on 18. Great match.

"We learn so many things from golf—how to suffer, for instance."

Match 4 Team Hickley / Jardine – won 2 and 1

Phil was delighted to receive two shots for a change but was feeling the cold on his return from Spain. Very close front 9 with SBN taking and losing a 1 hole lead on two occasions. A run of decent holes resulted in SBN being 4 up with 5 to play.  Hintlesham then burst into life with a birdie at 14 and a net eagle at 15. It was getting a bit tight but Phil halved 16 and JJ 17 to win 2 and 1. In addition, JJ won nearest the pin at the 7th which he birdied. Good match played in a great spirit.

"While playing golf today I hit two good balls. I stepped on a rake."

Match 5 Team Waterhouse / Norton – won 2 and 1

Following on from their recent showing in the Swindle, our intrepid pair, helped by 2 birdies from Trev, finished the match on 17. Great company and good banter from our guests.

"If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball."

Match 6 Team Roloff / Sheffield – won 2 and 1

Great game as ever. Close from start to finish with Paul going into every bunker on the course!! No highlights other than opposition hit tee marker on 15th and ended up behind white tees.

"We learn so many things from golf—how to suffer, for instance."

Match 7 Team Swan / Middleton – won 6 and 4

Rob advised ‘Richard started really well off 17 and maintained the standard. Rob started on 3 and they pulled ahead to finish on the 12. This was Richard’s win’

‘’Golf balls are like eggs. They're white, they are sold by the dozen, and a week later you have to buy more.’’

Match 8 Team Jay / Carman – lost 3 and 1

An extremely tough day against opponents playing well under their handicaps. After 6 holes SBN was 4 down with one of the opposition scoring 3 pars and a birdie (off 25!!) the birdie being on the Hintlesham NTP hole with a conceded 2 inch put - could have been costly !!. Team SBN stuck to their task and achieved respectability.

‘’A good golf partner is one who's always a little bit worse than you are.’’

So, at the end of an enjoyable day of golf, SBN emerged victorious by 5 ½ to 2 ½. Great fun all round.

Many thanks to John J for reporting on today’s fun and games. Surely the swiftest report for some time - unless you know differently !!