The excellent weather we had been favoured with at Weston-s-Mare, in May, continued in style, as a glorious summer’s day greeted the O.C. golfers arriving at the Cotswold idyll of Minchinhampton Golf Club.
 
The party took immediate advantage of the new sun balcony, leading from the bar/lounge, and overlooking the putting green, and the course beyond, to enjoy a leisurely coffee, cider, breakfast, as required, and to update on events since our last meeting.
 
After our last two Minchinhampton visits ,playing the Cherington course, this years competition was held on the Avening.  The two courses are not dissimilar, both meandering through picturesque Cotswold scenery, with panoramic views on many holes.   The Avening, uniquely, features water hazards on the 10^th.and 13^th.(Par 3s), and the 500yd Par 5 11^th .  Many of the greens are well guarded  by an array of bunkers, therefore any shots that failed to hit the greens would call the sand wedge into play, hopefully not requiring one of Richard Lewis’ “Adolf “s (2 shots in the Bunker).
 
Conditions were effectively perfect, a slightly discernible breeze masking the heat of the sun, and keeping humidity to negligible levels.  The course itself was in optimum shape, having been the venue for a British Open qualifier the previous week.  The short cut greens were particularly fast ,but accurate, which stimulated some good putting.   The O.C.s clearly responded to these attributes as the majority of our golfers carded Stableford scores in the high twenties to thirty plus.  I particularly enjoyed the company of my threeball partners,-Mike Brown showing numerous reminders of the form which made him a single figure golfer for many years, and Richard Lewis, who had again travelled down from The Wirral, thoughtfully combining our event with a “Brownie points” scoring trip to Bath with his wife.
 
After a shower and change, the golfers were quickly doing justice to excellently cooked, generous portions of ham, egg, and chips, accompanied by a beer / cider or two to keep de-hydration at bay.
 
In his post dinner welcome, Dave Tooze thanked everyone for their attendance, and great company, the essential ingredients for yet another super day.  He particularly highlighted the return of Sam Bowrey who had made a commendable recovery from a broken arm, and newcomer Matthew Dicks whose previous planned debut at Carlyon Bay had been thwarted by a motor car breakdown.   Matthew played in a youthful threeball with George Thomas, and Ian Crombie, who had travelled up from Devon.
 
Prize Winners were-
 
1^st Net and Bob Smith Memorial Trophy     --     Steve Tucker
        We were very pleased that Bob’s brother, Andrew was with us for the day, and to present the trophy.
2nd  Net                              --      Matthew Dicks
 
1^st Gross                              --      Bob Jennings                     2^nd Gross             --      Pat Bowrey
1^st Stableford                    --      George Thomas               2^nd Stableford   --      Louise Tinker
Nearest Pin (18^th)             --      Sam Bowrey                      Nearest Pin (6^th) --    Matthew Dicks
 
Other O.C.s participating in the event were – Mike Brown, Ian Crombie, Kev. Griffiths, Richard Hibberd, Bonz Jennings, Richard Lewis, Doug Lodge, Andrew Smith, Andy Thomas, Dave Tooze, Keith Watts, and Paul Winterbottom.
 
Dave concluded by thanking Bob Jennings for his now legendary organizational skills, Steve Tucker for co-ordinating the event and attendees, and Doug Lodge, who wasin great form with his camera, as well as his golf clubs.
 
Our next meeting is on the 22^nd of September at  Cumberwell Park, and we look  forward to welcoming members old and new at this ever popular venue.
 
Dave  Tooze