North Berwick Tour 2011

This year the tour was up in North Berwick, an old haunt that never fails to provide a fantastic weekend’s worth of entertainment.

The Competitors

Tour entrants this year included the following people:

• Ben “The Comedian” Morgan - a solid player with a good record on tour but who showed weaknesses last time the Tour was in Scotland
• Matt “The Money” Morgan - always a strong favourite due to his temperament under competition pressure
• Chris “The Butcher” Matthews - lowest handicapper of the group with an “on-course” focus that even Tiger himself would be proud of
• Tim “The Dane” McNamara - has showed some good form of late and always a potential challenge. Quite often does not have the staying power for the longer tour events
• John “Two-Ball” Walsh - again surprises all by not having won. Always in with a chance but never manages to get over the line
• Andy “The Law” MacNab - a recent addition to the tour

Day 1 - Archerfield

The cars left Manchester early on the Saturday morning. Of the group, the worse for wear was Tim who had been out till 4 the previous night. Preparation is the name of the game in our world.

All arrived at Archerfield ready for a big day.

The Archerfield Club sandwich was tasted by all before getting out into the bright sunshine onto the range. Range balls were provided and practising was off grass. Not the easiest when it was tight lies and it really did not necessarily build the confidence. It was great to be out there and the sun was shining brightly meaning that a great day was ahead.

Then off to the first tee.

The outfit of the day was shared by Ben and Matt. Both had purchased some white strides to be worn on tour. While Matt’s trousers did not hide the fact that he was smuggling some budgies, Ben’s were stained within minutes of arriving at Archerfield.

The golf was not totally memorable. There were a few weak shots but all in all the winning team were Chris, Matt and John. It was not even close to be honest and they ensured that they enjoyed their free curry and drinks that night.

The course was in amazing condition.

Evening Entertainment

After the game, a drink or two were shared in the clubhouse before heading back to Berwick and to the Bed & Breakfast. Our Italian host showed us to our rooms and after a quick shower, all of us headed out on the town. Berwick did not disappoint and we ended up with a curry and a trip to the Golfer’s Tavern which was full of yocals and youths. A few games of pool were had before all of us heading off to bed ready for another long day of golf and beers.

Day 2 - North Berwick

Day Two was the start of the event that all had gone to take part in. The morning was relaxed with a slow breakfast and then a leisurely walk around town and along the beach. We all ended up in the North Berwick shop for a bit of merchandising before heading back to get our clubs and our golfing outfits on. The weather was tremendous so there were a lot of pairs of shorts on show.

After an hour or so of chipping and putting around the practice green, and a few last minute visits to the clubhouse facilities, we were ready for the off. The starter appeared to be local to Manchester and told us all not to go right on the first. Then we were off.

The first group was Ben, Matt and John with Chris, Tim and Andy bringing up the rear. Play was competitive and the course was in fantastic condition.

Ben managed to play amongst the rocks to the right of the first, toying with the out of bounds. On the third, Ben hit a scorcher rescue to the green on a blind shot over the wall. On the 7th, as all drives fell short of the burn, Matt unfortunately hit a heavy lob shot into the burn. This proved to be a turning point for his day. On the 8th John managed to lose 3 balls and Matt also managed to hit another heavy wedge with his now favourite club. Ben continued to score with some solid golf. Ben lost a little bit of composure on the 9th by overhitting a wedge into the green. On the 13th about 4 balls managed to hit the beach on the famous wall hole (The Pit).

Ben and John decided to hit off to the green on the right of the 14th which never makes that hole the most playable.

On the 15th Ben stuck the green for his first ever time. This led him to play safe on the 16th by hitting a 3-wood short of the burn. This proved to not be the best decision of the day as on the second bounce his ball raced into the burn. Matt unfortunately managed to carry the burn but still go out of bounds to the right hand side. The 17th is always tricky but some great golf was played on 18 with some top drives and then some solid chips onto the green. All in all not a bad set of scores.

As the group headed into the bar, the view was fantastic of the 18th green. As we watched, we saw Tim do his best to break some windows on the right hand side of the fairway.

What a great day. Scores on the doors had Ben in the lead with Chris and John not far behind. Matt’s awesome play with his wedge meant he was slightly behind but by no means out.

Saturday Night

That evening we all headed out for some fish and chips by the sea before starting to hit it heavy on the shots. There was also plenty of spoofing going on in the Ship.

After some beers, John and Chris decided to go for a dip in the sea. Watching John head off to follow Chris wearing only his boxers was not a highlight of the trip but they certainly managed to enjoy the surf in the dark.

Day 3 - North Berwick Glen

The final day arrives when the top prize is up for grabs. Ben gets to wear the yellow jersey (provided by Matt). The course was North Berwick Glen. None of the contenders had played before. Matt, Andy and Tim teed off first to quite an intimidating first hole up the hill. It certainly looked tough from the off.

Ben, John and Chris followed up but the highlight of the first few holes was the fact that Chris lost the sole of his shoe. With some great innovation, he managed to find some string and tie it together so by the 5th he at least managed to start thinking about golf again. All players started solidly with an early birdie from Ben putting the pressure on the field.

The 9th had a fantastic view of Bass Rock and Chris hit a great shot close to the pin. This meant that at the turn all were looking pretty close at the top of the scoreboard. Matt had also had a great opening nine so he was back in it.

The back nine started with a few holes back up the hill. One memorable shot was the par 4 12th when Ben hit a 3 wood to the green on a long hole into the wind. It was memorable and really gave him a lift.

The 13th was stunning. This is the signature hole and it is a short blind par 3 down to a low green with the beach to the right and the back of the green. The flag was perched precariously on the right hand side of the green so it took a brave player to go for the flag. John hit a scorcher and Chris managed to lose his. Ben stayed on the back of the green and made bogey. It was a great hole though.

Coming up the 14th and 15th some solid golf was being played, particularly by Chris who started to hole some long putts. He also holed out on 17 from over twenty feet so he was started to find his range. As we reached the 18th, we took stock.

All hit great drives and the day was finished with some great holing out. As we reached the other team, scorecards were tallied up and it was announced that Ben had won by 5 points. A great win for Ben, and his first on Scottish soil after having only won previously in Wales.

Conclusion

A great weekend had by all and thanks to Matt for the organisation. All committed to the same weekend next year and a budget of £350 so bring on First Friday Golf Tour 2012!!

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