well not quite for some !!, and book some of the Courses we would not think of booking in the High Season.

St Andrews falls into this category and I have not booked it for a few years. Last time I booked it, one of our members nicknamed it The Goat Track and so it has remained ever since. Sticking in all our minds was some of the water carries, and some of our players said they would not go, but eventually did.

With a 'Sports Day' on a Tuesday it was time to test the Course at a reasonable Rate. So with a full list off we went, and were we surprised.

Arriving at the Course it was the same as normal, that is the same as Green Valley, so all booked in quickly, got into carts, which are compulsory, and went up the hill to the start. I say up the hill because the first looks down onto a really 'Clean' first hole, where the line is clear and the only problem is to hit your drive straight. Off the fairway is punished.

As we progressed around the Course it was apparent this was not the Course off a few years ago. The layout is now more mature, the lines are defined and you are rewarded with a good shot, and hurt by a poor one. If you can play onto raised greens you will do well, and some of the holes we called 'Gimmicky' are now modified and seem just very testing. The greens also are now really testing but well grassed and allow you to hit good puts. All in all a fine Course and very testing, even the Par 6's are now interesting. So, round over and relaxing in the fine changing rooms I was surprised to find that every single golfer was amazed by the Course and I am under orders to book it again next Month. So I will.

Back at Bert's as we sat around the table, we again discussed the day and the main point amongst we 'Oldies here' was how the day had changed our ideas about one Course. So to the winner, and that short game expert, Anders Pederson, came into his own and won with 38 points. We had a count-back for second on 37 points that was won by Mark Brenton, with that perennial loser of count-backs, Perry McNeely in third. In fourth was Vincent Smyth with 36 points and in fifth Dave Arrowsmith with 35 points. T.T.F.N.

Near Pin:  Vince Smyth   Dave Arrowsmith
Long Put:  Vince Smyth   Bill Knight002 Winners  Vince Smyth (L)   Anders Pederson (C)   Perry McNeely (R)