Five 3-ball teams competed in this 1,2,3 waltz competition in warm sunny weather with a refreshing breeze. A full 18 holes was possible after Glendale re-opened the Princes course following the Thames Water flood clean up (although the full pond on the 10th had an unnatural black colour and very unpleasant smell of sewage).

The ‘par’ score for this form of competition is 72 stableford points and most teams were in and around that score. However the outright winners were the Jansari, Wildman & Owen team with a team score of 81 points. All three players played to their handicaps and dovetailed well, including two birdies for Justin and one each for Rannesh and Richard. Sweep pay out to the winning team.

In glorious summer sunshine, and with faster greens than we have been used to recently, it was James Deissler’s turn to ‘shine’. With holes 8 and 9 off limits due to Thames Water’s main drain overflow on Monday afternoon, James accumulated 39 points off 16 holes, with a routine 15 points on the front 7 holes but a sparking 24 points on the back 9, with 3 pars and a birdie on the last hole. One can only surmise possible reasons for this ‘retun to form’ but no doubt the absence of Rannesh’s dog Yangu took some pressure off. In second place with a par round of 32 points off 16 holes was Justin Wildman, just ahead of Peter Flint and Pralab Barua both on 31 points. The rest of us probably chose slightly the wrong clubs or spent too long in the rough. Sweep payout to the top 4.

Conditions were good for scoring on a dry sunny day with little wind and more of the rough trimmed back on the front and sides of the fairways. The clear winner, who took most advantage of the conditions, was Richard Norden with a sparkling 45 points (net 59 strokes) who earned himself a minus one shot exceptional scoring handicap adjustment by submitting his card as General Play. Richard scored 23 points out and 22 points in, with 6 pars. Our runner up was Peter Flint with an excellent 40 points playing a very strong back 9 (24 points) and an average outward 9 (16 points).

There were 4 players on 38 points: Giles, Pralab, Naveed and James – well played to all those.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this format of team competition, which was new to a few members. The weather was glorious, the course was in good condition and the scoring was good too. Clear winners with a gross 71, net 59, was the team of Cheryl, John Ahad and Stephen Haworth; only they know whether there was an outstanding player or whether all played an equal part, however inclusion of Cheryl playing off the red tees almost certainly played a part.
In a very commendable 2nd place were the team of Peter Flint, James Deissler and Rannesh with a gross 72, net 61.
Sweep payment was to the 3 in the winning team.

Another Texas Scramble will be arranged in about 6 weeks time.

In fine golfing weather, warm with very little wind and none of the forecast occasional showers, John A. was the runaway winner with 43 points, an extremely steady round with a birdie on the 16th. Coming in 2nd and 3rd respectively were Giles and Suhail, both with 37 points. Just behind were James and late entry Mike H., both with 36 points; Mike posting birdies on both the 2nd and 11th holes. Well played to all the leading players; sweep payout will be to the top 3.

It was good to see that considerable swathes of rough on the front and sides of the fairways had been cut by Glendale since we last played the Princes, making the course significantly easier, although the rough that remains is still punishing.

Finally, it was good to see Brian back playing again and to welcome Ehsan to his first competitive round.

After an overcast start to the morning the sun soon came out and it was perfect weather for golf. Most of the field recorded respectable scores but nobody scorched the course, probably due to the long grass present beyond the fairways and semi.

Early leader in the clubhouse was Ann Gardner with 35 points, with a strong start to her round, a wobble on the middle and a steady and consistent final 7 holes. Richard Norden then overtook Ann, posting 36 points (18 points out and another 18 points back). Ben and Louis Dickey went out mid-afternoon and so it was early evening before their cards were submitted, Ben scoring 35 points and taking over 2nd place from Ann with a better back 9.

Although the BBC weather forecast early in the morning was mainly dry with a few occasional showers, this had changed by 9am to 80% rain and even that was an understatement – in fact the 18 hardy competitors and 2 players playing for handicap were subjected to incessant heavy rain. Seven players (and a dog) quite understandably ‘gave up’ part way round, however the rain didn’t seem to affect John Ahad’s golf with an impressive 37 points and was like ‘water off a duck’s back’ to Damber who posted 33 points but could quite easily have had 37 points too if regulation 2 putts hadn’t become 3s on several greens.