North Berwick Tour 2015

Dave took apart the field to register his first tour victory in North Berwick, Scotland.

Day 1 - North Berwick West Links

Everyone arrived at North Berwick West Links in time for a spot of lunch before teeing off. The weather was starting to show its teeth and everyone gathered around a table to order the customary club sandwich and pint of bitter. Teams for the day were picked and the first group went off with a strong left to right breeze. Matt led the charge off the tee. On the first, most people struggled apart from Dave that managed to pop an 8 iron close and then drop the putt. Birdie; what a way to start. Was this a sign of things to come?

The first 5 or so holes were into the prevailing wind and this made it hard work and tough to get to the green in 2. As usual, on the second, there were a couple of visitors to the beach in John and Adam. John is no stranger to that particular part of Scotland. Early on Chris decided to hit an 8 iron from 10 feet in front of a wall which backfired on him and almost decapitated him at the same time. The back 9 got easier as everyone turned back into the wind. Ben managed to birdie the road hole on the way in with a lovely gap wedge to 6 feet. A fist pump was brought out for all to see. On the same hole Chris laid up with an iron and then hit a 7 iron which unfortunately just hit the wall and ricocheted right into the rough. He then pulled out a wedge and managed to hit the wall again while trying to hit the green. Unfazed as usual, he fortunately did not hear the shout from Adam, who was standing on the green, of “Hit a lob shot Chris!” I am sure if he had of heard it it would have really helped in in his preparation as he was standing over the ball ready to hit a tough chip.

The last few holes as usual took a few casualties. The par 3, downwind, was a real challenge. The split green was extremely hard to hit with a tight flag. John also tried his best to hit the group in front of him with a 5 iron from 200 yards (he caught a flier apparently). The blind par 4 second shot troubled quite a few. The 18th proved to be quite a good scoring hole. Lots of pars and some good drives close to the flag.

All in all some good scoring for the first day considering the conditions. Dave managed to take the leaders jersey with some close rounds from a few others. Matt could not find his form all day. Kev was with Lawro at the wrong end of the scoreboard.

Evening Festivities

The first evening started at the bars quite early. Ben and Kev popped into town to buy some coke to go with the fallback option of the bottle of Mount Gay Rum. Steaks were ordered and before long the usual extra curricular activities of marigold wearing, blow up boob juggling and spoof started. The first victim of spoof was Pops who started speaking in Italian which gave away his inebriated state. Next up was Ben who suffered a half pint of red wine. Not a great thing when he had probably already polished off a bottle and a half himself. Ben soon lost the ability to stand up straight. Chris retired to the floor on a bed of pebbles during one conversation. His weight loss regime of the marathon training was not helping his ability to drink.

Day 1 Gallery

Day 2 - Gullane 2

The next morning all were in high spirits (aka still drunk) at breakfast. Tales of the previous day were shared and banter abounded between the boys. Some porridge and some haggis was eaten to ensure the boys had the strength to last the day.

Gullane 2 was the challenge for the day. After some merchandising in store (Ben ripped off as usual with a local baseball cap), the first was attacked which was a long par 4 into the wind. Ben managed to hit the green with driver and 5 wood but was disappointed to hear after the round that John and Chris were long with driver and 8 iron. Personally I think they must have forgotten about a shot in the middle up the fairway. The second was really tough with the road to the left and then the third up hill into the wind really challenged the golfers. The views at the top though were magnificent but the wind would just not let up. Whichever hole you were hitting off the tee from, it always seemed to be back into the wind. Luckily the fairways were wide giving plenty of room and not a tree for 15 miles. Drivers and 5 woods were taken off the tee to a par 3. After turning downwind, the sky and sea started to show that the weather still had something else in store. Stronger winds swept in carrying some rain. Matt hit a 300 plus drive downwind before the 17th where a 380 yard par 4 was actually drivable. John managed to go long of the green somehow with his drive and almost went onto the road. Chris thought about stopping the traffic to allow John to concentrate on his shot but decided it would be frowned upon even in Scotland. Everyone failed to get up and down with 2 putts on the 18th but there were some long drives down towards the club house.

Evening Entertainment

Once back at the hotel, a few ventured up for showers and a few stayed for some après golf watching Gerrard play his last match for Liverpool. No surprises that Liverpool lost with a disappointing performance. Burgers were demolished before everyone headed into town to The Ship. The Ship was it too busy but the local North Berwick football team were celebrating their league victory with lots of chants and songs. The boys threw over some disappointed glances and the noise proved too much for Kev, Lawro and Pops who retired to the hotel bar. Meanwhile, Adam, Chris and Ben decided to prove how easy it was to jump onto a wooden table with a standing jump. Adam proved some natural prowess (or 6 months of practice for that moment we were not quite sure). One of the boys from the North Berwick team told a tale of him winning the amateur championship that day with a 2 over par score, after being 7 over after 5. Impressive! The guys moved onto The Golfers where there was a local band and eventually managed to take control of a corner table. McIlroy was on TV tearing up Quail Hollow with a 61 and was inspiring a few of the boys with his ability.

After The Golfers, the team went back to the hotel hoping for some last orders. They were informed that the bar was closed so Chris went to find 6 cans of gin and tonic and Ben brought down from his room an excited Kev and some Mount Gay Rum and Coke. Kev had been left alone at the bar and was very pleased to have the opportunity for some more drinking. So much so that he gave a Robin Williams cameo from Rain Man for about 30 minutes. Drinks were quaffed and politics was discussed (Dave and Tom got talking to the poor guy who had to stay up with us from the hotel).

Day 2 Gallery

Day 3 - The Glen

The next morning, breakfast was quieter as the boys packed up and got ready for a tee off at the Glen. All arrived on time but it was straight to the tee. Downwind off the first it was a tough call which club to hit. It is a very demanding second shot up the hill to the green too. Dave skulled it around the green a few times before popping in a chip for a 5. The first few holes were down-wind and it really helped. Ben hit a par 4 in 2 and then 4 putted from 10 feet for a bogey. A par 3 downwind proved to be very tough. 200 yards and 8 irons were going off the back of the green. Dave managed to score 20 points on the front nine to virtually seal the win. After that, it was a fight for second place. Ben had to retire hurt after the 11th due to shin splints. A first for tour and Ben hobbled home to shower and eat some food while the rest battled on.

Dave completed the last hole with a bogey after nearly hitting the clubhouse with his second (a tired swing). A great win in tough conditions. Scoring over 30 points on all 3 days is very impressive and not to be sniffed at in good conditions, never mind the 40mph winds that were suffered.

Day 3 Gallery

Final Results

Dave Fitzmaurice’s dominant wire-to-wire victory will be remembered as one of the great First Friday Golf performances, especially considering the brutal conditions faced throughout the weekend.