The season kicked off in a window of summer weather at Ramsey on Sunday after a very stormy few days weather but the course was in good condition for the 80 players enjoying sunshine and just a slight breeze! 2015 Captain, Phil Hassall fresh from the successes of the Winter League was out on his own and with a fine birdie on the 7th and again on the 17th finished with a steady 35 points and everyone wishes him good luck for the season, especially as he is the Compsec!
Last year’s winner, Dave Littler didn’t quite match the 41 points he amassed previously. Defending any competition plays mind games and Dave’s 9 on the first set the tone for the day so unfortunately he didn’t quite make this podium this time and took therapy at the 19th later on. There was some good scoring and breaking par was middle of the road on this occasion for most.
Ian Liddle, Allan Morgan and Ray Rowley all put in an excellent 39 points but were short of the mark today. There was a three way tie on 40 points to decide 3rd place. Robbie Lawson flew the Laxey flag and birdies on the 8th and 17th put him in a good position but double bogies on the 14th and 15th meant his back 9 was likely to be weak. Dave Kinrade started where he left off last season and his 5 handicap means he has to make birdie after birdie to post a winning score. As usual he stepped up to the mark and birdied the 2nd, 4th, 16th and 17th holes but dropping shots on the 13th and 15th meant he was vulnerable to those with a higher handicap. Keith Strachan, after persevering over 8 holes in storm force gales the previous day, lapped up the good weather on Sunday. He managed to get a better back 9 than Dave Kinrade and Robbie Lawson and took 3rd place with 40 points after shooting level par on the back 9 and birdies on the 11th and 17th. He didn’t quite manage 2nd place and this went to Neil Hartley who just got that extra point over the chasing pack. He was steady throughout and only a double bogey on the 7th was the blip that nearly blew it. He dropped a further 2 shots on the back 9 and will be pleased with 2nd place and 41 points. The winner rustled up a cornucopia of magic golf. With a varied and exotic menu of scores on his card, culminating in a well cooked birdie on the 18th resulted in 45 points on the day and a well deserved first place. This was the Michelin Standard for Chef John Pulman, an excellent start to the season.
Next Saturday is the St Patricks Day’s AM AM and who will bet against the multi-winning team of Cunningham, Collister, McElhinn and Routledge for the big prize?
Photo - John Pullman.
