Bridgnorth 2005

 

19 is a special number for the members of the Osnaburg Golf Society ­ for a start it is the only hole on the course where everyone feels comfortable!  It is also the number of times we have now been on our golf holiday.

 This year the venue was Shropshire with our base in the quaint market town of Bridgnorth.  Another excellent turnout saw 10 of us turn up at the Golden Lion pub on Tuesday lunchtime.  I am always amazed that everyone makes it there on time ­ especially Stef whose travel arrangements were vague even by his standards!  The squad this year was, Alan, Dave A, Dave K, Davie, Fritz, Gavin, Keith, Roger, Stef and Steve with Bones arriving on Wednesday.  The only absentee was Andy who had used up his holidays by going away with Monica instead - a mistake that I am sure he won’t repeat next year!  As we were staying in triple rooms the room draw had extra potency (it was possible to get both Stef and Gavin!).  Keith once again got a bum rap (pun intended) by being drawn with Gavin and Tony!

 After lunch on the first day we set of for Telford Golf and Country Club.  Despite its grand sounding name, the course and the country club were no great shakes but easily adequate for our opening round (and at £18 very good value).  The winning team on this course was Keith, Dave K and Roger.  The prize was a copy of the “Rules of Golf” each.  The existence of such a book came as a major surprise to Stef!

 Day two saw us off to Worfield Golf Club which was a much more challenging and demanding test of golf ­ this course had lakes on it!  Ten of us battled it out in the morning and at Lunch we were joined by Bones.  In the afternoon only eight hardy souls when out for a second round.  Davie, Dave and Keith decided to take advantage of the facilities in the clubhouse!  The group that was largely English decided to hire buggies to get then round a second time ­ the Scottish group walked!  No comment.

 Probably the best course of the week was Bridgnorth Golf Club.  This was a well established course with several holes running alongside the river Severn and it was here that the Room Competition took place.  The five year ‘Streak’ having ended last year, Gavin was determined to get back on the winning track.  A scramble competition meant that each player in the team could only drive six times.  By the time that the team of Keith, Gavin and Tony reached the eighth tee they were 2 under par and had used up Keith's entire quota of drives!  The pressure was on for Gav and Bones but heroically they managed to get their team round in level par for a winning total.  Gavin was back on the podium again!  As usual it was a very close run thing with all of the teams very closely bunched.

 Friday was an easier day with only one round in the afternoon.  The morning was spent taking in the sights of Bridgnorth - there aren’t too many. The Cliff Railway was worth a trip plus a stroll down by the river but that was about it.  Lunchtime found us at Severn Meadows Golf Club which was to be the venue of the second Ryder Cup match.  The absence of Andy posed a problem in that we had an odd number of players (as opposed to a number of odd players!).  It was decided that whoever when first for England would play two matches simultaneously.  Tony and Fritz as the two captains carefully picked their teams and the matches were as follows (English names  first):  match 1 - Keith vs Davie and Keith vs Alan, match 2 ­ Steve vs Fritz, match 3 ­ Dave K vs Roger, match 4 ­ Dave A vs Gavin, match 5 - Tony vs Stef.

 The English captain had cunningly selected his most consistent player to take on two of the opposition.  The Scottish captain, rather less cunningly, had put down two of his strongest members to take on the English number one.  Gavin vehemently pointed out his objection to this system but was overruled by Davie and Alan who were confident they could win.  Confidence sadly misplaced as Keith beat Davie 7 and 6 and Alan 2 and 1.  More success for England came with a crushing victory by Steve over Fritz, and a closer win by Dave K over Roger.  Scotland’s only victory was achieved by Gavin, who easily overcame a wilting Dave A.  The most amazing fightback was by Tony who was four down with four to play but still managed to get a half with Stef.  The Oliver wheels well and truly came off ­ but when you look at the bodywork that’s only to be expected!  Final result ­ England 4.5, Scotland 1.5.  Congratulations England (Strange. Keith has made no mention of watching a certain football match on telly that more than compensated the Scottish contingent! - Ed.)

 As well as the Room Competition and the Ryder Cup the other trophies winners were as follows: The Roos Cup went to Keith for the best round of the week.  The Last Man Standing Trophy to Dave Keen (who was strangely pleased to receive it) and the Moaning Bastard Award to Davie Stewart (who was strangely displeased to receive it! ­ despite being odds-on favourite all week).

 On Friday night we had our usual discussion about the venue for next year.  The consensus was that for our 20th holiday we should do something a bit special (although not so nice that wives might want to come!).  The north of Ireland seemed to be favourite and Keith will look into this and come back with some possible itineraries.  And then it was Saturday morning and time to head off home.  Fritz tested the suspension of his new car by giving Gavin, Davie and Stef a lift!  Another golf holiday successfully negotiated ­ look out Ireland the Osnaburgers are coming!

 KD