Fitzwilliam Golf Society
Golf for Alumni /ae of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
TOUR DAY 3 - SAUNTON
Our final day was spent playing at Saunton West – a less highly regarded course relative to the East – but still a great course in its own right.
The day started with a putting competition on a green with some very severe slopes, decided by a putt off in front of an assembled gallery.
There’s much more variety on Saunton West – with four par fives and five par threes. But the night before there were many prophets of doom – forecasting very bad weather on our last day. Very fortunately the weather didn’t turn out as badly as forecast – it was windy throughout – but for the first nine we were quite lucky with little rain. The second nine we did have some rain – but it was relatively light – and we somehow survived although it was quite a challenge – and we saw how links golf could be much more difficult in rainy and windy weather. But the 18 of us playing - still greatly enjoyed playing Saunton West. And after a hot shower and some hot soup and sandwiches – we were all back in good spirits and ready for our journeys home.
Overall the tour had gone extremely well – most agreed that the courses were excellent – probably the best selection that we’ve played to date on our Tours. And the accommodation and eating / drinking were also very good. I was extremely pleased that the Tour seemed to have gone down so well. Probably I needn’t have worried so much beforehand!
CAPTAIN'S TOUR SUMMARY
My personal highlights: It’s perhaps odd that many of my highlights were off the golf course – with the walk out on Saunton Beach, the drinks at Ian and Geunor’s house and the brilliant meal at the Everest Ghurka Chef being very special times. And the general camaraderie and friendship within the whole group – was also excellent. But on the golf courses – the outstanding stretch of holes along the coast at RND, the challenge of playing the difficult but beautifully presented Saunton East and playing the many interesting – and some slightly quirky - holes on Saunton West – were also great highlights. And the weather when we were golfing on Sunday and Monday was fantastic.
Well played everyone! You were all good tourists and did as you were told to do - most of the time – so this made my job a lot easier! Till next year then – when we are also playing some great courses on 2 mini-tours – probably 31st March / 1st April at Hunstanton / Brancaster – and 17th / 18th May at Moortown / Alwoodley (near Leeds).
Mike Hamment
12th June 2019
Results at Saunton West:
Teams of 3 competition, 2 better balls Stableford to count, full handicap
72 points – Mike Hamment, Richard Baker & Richard Newport
69 points – John Uwins, Pete Bennett & Graham May
67 points – Andrew Garden, Charlie Brown & David Williams
60 points – Ian Rosser, Ian Hall & Stuart Lester
60 points – Alan Wood, Matt Hignell & Bob Barltrop
56 points – Colin Dunkerley, Brian Smith & Austin Jessop
Individual Stableford competition – best scores:
39 points – John Uwins (very well played John – in quite tough, windy conditions)
35 points – Andrew Garden (also an excellent score from our Tour debutant)
31 points – Richard Newport
31 points – Mike Hamment
Other good scores – Alan Wood & Colin Dunkerley (28 points), Charlie Brown (27 points) & Richard Baker (off 6) and Stuart Lester (both 25 points)
Nearest the pin 9th- Ian Rosser (very pleasant looking par 3)
Longest drive 12th - Stuart Lester (no Andrew Coombs today!)
Nearest the pin in 2 15th - John Uwins (nice short par 4 – with vicious bunkers front right)
Nearest the pin on the 16th – John Uwins (played against the strong wind from a high tee to the green below)
Nearest the pin on the 18th – Mike Hamment (just ahead of David Williams)
Putting Competition - Colin Dunkerley (narrowly beating Ian Hall in a "putt off")
Player of the Tour: John Uwins (great play each day – probably needs a handicap cut of 2 next time!)