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The final day of the Summer Stableford and Mike
had the cup in the bag. A four shot lead over Geoff, with Alan
back a further two, he could concentrate on the second round
of the matchplay semis. However, birthday boy Al, was not one
to give up easily. It would take a new record to win, but everybody
was turning up throughout the Summer with the record on his mind.
It was only a matter of time and this could be the day.
The first four holes in one over and things were
looking good, but hole five continued to dog Al and a double
bogie looked to put an end to his charge. A double bogie on the
difficult sixth made it five over with three to go. He couldn't
afford to drop another shot.
Par seven - Par eight and then three shots to get
close to the green on the last. A good ( but not great) chip
left the ball a tantalizing eight foot from the hole. The usual
Dyke routine and the scene was set. With computer-like precision,
Al had worked out all the angles and tabulated the right degree
of weight. He stroked the ball .... into the hole! The first
Baxter Boy under the magic forty and the Summer Championship
satched from under Mike's nose.
It was a grim day for Mike, who suffered an eleven
on the easy seventh. However, it was grimmer for Geoff, who was
unable to capitalize on this poor form and ended up surrendering
the semis two and one. Mike could also take consolation from
winning the low-score. In spite of six pas on the day and the
only par on six this Summer, Al could not get a three on five.
The Autumn season is looking good with three players
now sitting on handicap eight, two ahead of the pack. The Matchplay
has yet to be decided, Mike is waiting to see who will win the
duel between Al and Steve.
At Sunbury Mike and Al tied for the third week
running, but with a four shot handicap swing, the bookies have
Mike favourite to beat the deadlock.
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