Alnmouth 2003

 

This year's golf odyssey took us to Alnmouth a small village on the Northumberland coast where all of the locals speak with a proper accent! We were staying in the Famous Schooner Hotel - an allegedly haunted hotel with a vast pedigree of famous guests.

Another excellent turn out saw nine of us arrive on the Wednesday afternoon. Keith, Fritz, Tony, Gavin, Stef, Andy, Davie, Dave and Steve put their names into the hat for the room draw. Keith scooped the booby prize sharing a room with both Gavin and the ghost! Although we were in the reputedly haunted room, Gavin's snoring and farting kept us free from ghostly possession! If only Gavin had been in the Exorcist! In an effort to stop Gavin scooping the room prize for the fifth consecutive year his handicap was cut to 16 (from 24 last year).

On to the golf: Alnmouth Village golf club was about 100 yards from the hotel and we headed off there on Wednesday afternoon. This was a nice little nine hole course (the second oldest in England) which was not too demanding and gave everyone a chance to loosen up their swings. Keith was fastest out the blocks with a net 68 which was a bit too good for everyone. His handicap was cut to 10.

Thursday took us all of a mile to the other golf course in Almouth. Almouth Foxton golf club has hosted British Amateur Championships and has had several Walker cup players in its ranks. 36 holes was a tall order but we made it round without too many problems. Once again Keith had the low round - handicap cut to 9 - surely now the room trophy couldn't go to this pair!

Thursday night saw the arrival of Keith Millar (supposedly sharing a room with Bones). This was the first night of excessive drinking and pub lock-ins and resulted in dire consequences for two of our number! While 8 of us managed to negotiate the 200 yards back to our hotel Keith Millar and Dave Ardren managed to get locked out! Not only that but they were banging on the door of the wrong hotel - so loudly that the police were called! A night spent in Keith's car was nearly a night spent in the police cells!

Friday was Dunstanburgh Castle golf club. 36 holes for most of us but a slightly late start for two of our number! This is a super links course some of the holes played under the decaying ruins of a medieval castle (this would be the golf course in a Tolkien book). The afternoon round was the room competition. As usual this was a very close run thing with three shots covering the whole field. Amazingly there was a tie. Andy and Davie had the same score as Keith and Gavin - a card play-off - who had the best back nine? Well he did it again - five consecutive years as champion - Gavin and Keith were eventually declared champions after some furious arguments from Davie.

On Saturday we played 18 holes at Swarland golf club. We were joined for the day by Ket but unfortunately Dave Faran couldn't make it. This was an OK parkland course but it only had one electric buggy (snaffle by Davie and Bones). Note for next year - choose courses with buggies! A large amount of photography was going on so we should all see the results of Fritz Speilberg's efforts very soon.

The traditional last night curry meant a trip into nearby Alnwick. The usual curry challenge between Keith and Gavin was reduced to a mere vindaloo (we are getting old!). The presentations were made, with the moaning bastard award being won by Steve - just pipping Davie! The Last Man Standing trophy returned to its ancestral home in the Oliver household and an oath was sworn that Gavin would not win the RoomCompetition next year!

And then it was Sunday and time to go home. I think everyone had a good time (apart from the odd night in a car!). Back to Scotland next year -possibly somewhere in Ayrshire.

KD