A NEW year and a fantastic 12 months of golf lies in wait at King Edward Bay.
I suspect the vast majority of members were still nursing dizzy heads when seven fresh-faced hopefuls took to the course on New Year’s Day to test their luck.
Unsurprisingly because of the small number, the stableford wasn’t a qualifier, which was shame for Dave Cartmell (17) whose great effort of 42 points went unrecognised in the handicap calculations.
The winner’s birdie two on the 14th was the highlight in a very steady round that bodes well for the season ahead.
Also, in good form was James Lovell (16) who went one better than his handicap en route to 37 points ahead of Colin Igglesden (10) and Vaughan Dyson (8) who both had 33 and probably a glass of red the evening before.
Saturday saw one of the windiest days in recent memory at the Howstrake course (that’s saying something) as 28 guys teed it up in the usual open stableford.
Quite rightfully winning after a master class of golf was Colin Crawshaw (6) who knocked it round in gross 72 for 37 points on day when the gusts got up to 60mph at times.
No birdies but 13 rock-steady pars ensured the Scratch League player his win after just pipping Emmet McQuilan (22) by a single point.
The runner-up seems to always be threatening a win these days and has enjoyed a superb winter period to date.
Saturday was his third top-five finish on the trot and I suspect that 22 handicap of his could well be slashed further in the months ahead.
Dyson was once again up there as he posted 34 points to claim third on a countback from Ralph Sutcliffe (10) – big Ralph’s poor finish costing him there.
Elsewhere, it was great to see Neil Caine once again on scorching form after shooting 63 gross at Peel in the latest round of island team qualifiers.
The scratch-handicapper fired a staggering eight birdies and came back home in 29 to comfortable lead the rest of the island’s elite.
Caine should be back in club action this weekend along with the good and the great in Onchan, here’s hoping the recent mild weather can hold out for a few more days.