RUISLIP

Saturday 8th March 2003

STABLEFORD

GEOFF ON THE RAMPAGE

SIX PARS ON THE WAY OUT, BUT MIKE PULLS HIM BACK TO TIE IT

Four holes gone and Geoff was looking pretty good. Two pars under his belt, including a four pointer on two. All he had to do was play a steady game and recover from a dropped point on four and a good score was on the cards. Well, he did more than steady himself, he hit four straight pars and a bogie to notch up a cool 24 points at the half way stage. Fort Baxter history was in the making. His playing partners Alan and Dave, were staggering along ten points adrift, in awe of a man on top of his game.

The second match saw Gavin playing a solid game and Mike bouncing back from a blob start to hit 19 points. Mike had done his sums and realised that three better than handicap for the past eight holes still gave him a chance to pull back Geoff's monster lead. In fact, the next three holes brought 0mike to within two points, but he dropped one on thirteen, where Gavin scored a great birdie to maintain his third place in a great game. Dave was struggling with his short game, although he had earlier bounced back from double figures on four with a terrific birdie. Alan was beginning to strugle, in spite of some nice early pars.

The homeward stretch and Geoff waqs starting to drop shots. Mmike was also looking a bit wobbly, but was holding on by virtue of some godd chipping. One point in it going into the last. Another good chip from near the water and Mike put himself in a position to par and tie the match. With a couple of weeks to go, it looks like Geoff has it sewn up. Alan needs a couple of 35s and Dave needs one better than that. Mike's performance put him in the outside track with 37s needed, which is about the same as Gavin's target.