RUISLIP

Saturday 12th April 2003

WINTER STABLEFORD FINAL

The Cottrell Crusaders blitz Ruislip

Dave is relegated to "Keeper of the Tesco Bag" whilst, with teeth firmly clenched,

Geoff hands over the Baxter Trophy

When the Cottrell MPV Wagon rolled in early on Saturday morning, 12 April MMIII no one could have imagined what was about to happen in the final skirmish of the Winter Stableford.

Preparation should have a been a clue as Thomas casually mentioned they had been to the practice range during the past week. Dave had not been out drinking on Friday night! Geoff had been trying to conquer the tough and well defended greens of Hever Castle GC on Friday. The only result being the longest drive - about four and a half hours in all.

Tactics also played its part. On Friday night, Alan had been creating confusion with Dave and Tony over the tee times. Also it seems someone had organised the greens to be dressed which could have been expected to reduce the scoring. Then at the first tee, whilst others were discussing whether Alan or Gavin should team up with Dave and Geoff, Alan solved this dilemma by teeing off. The Cottrells were content to hang back to fight a rear guard action by waiting for their ally Golf Harris to arrive. Apparently Gavin was holding up the anagram banner LGCT (Leader of the Gavin Cottrell Team) and through the frosty early morning mist Golf Harris initially mistook this for LOOT as he made his way up to the first tee. Golf Harris was ready for any looting and pillaging that might then follow to support his contender and blaming Alan for his late arrival.

Targets
Gavin seemed to be the rank outsider as he needed to shoot his best score ever of 37 points to take a win. If Alan played to handicap he could win if Dave did not improve his score. Geoff was in the same position. Pity Mike was not on hand taking bets.

The Battle commenced:-
Alan fired his first shot short of the ditch, Geoff was in but and Dave cleared it by a mile and went on to claim the only par on the 1st Hole. Gavin , Tony and Tom all played to handicap. Twelve points in all what a start!

It all changed on the second, as Dave tried to covertly approach the target mostly via the trees. Geoff scraped 2 points to take the lead over Dave. Later information from the second group showed Tony with a fine par was the overall leader and stayed there as pace maker until the turn.

Dave and Alan both struggled over the next few holes as Geoff continued to play to handicap until the dreaded 5th, where pinned down in two bunkers eight shots were required to hit the target. This major blip seemed to inspire improved scoring by Dave and also Alan who later parred 7, 8 and 9.

Information from the back reported only they are doing OK. Later we find OK means 21 points for both Gavin and Tony and 15 points for Thomas at the turn.

After parring the 10th, Geoff now thinks he has a chance but fatigue quickly sets in as he produces blob after blob assisted by bunkers and ditches. Alan and Dave are now scoring well but perhaps too late to improve their positions. But where is this week's message of support from Dave's loved ones back home to spur him on?

As Tony fades Tom moves into second position where he stays until overtaken by Alan on the last hole with his fine par.

As the rear group approaches the final green, Gavin reports he is on 34 points. A crowd is gathering as a stream of members noisily approach carrying beer and playing music. They are on route to the 1St tee for the Captains Driver unaware that Gavin's 2 points on the last seems to produce a draw with Dave.

The first recount raises Gavin's score from 36 to 39 points and the second recount to 40 points. Gavin is the clear winner. Thomas also has his best round ever and is third on the day with 31points.

Geoff had been ready to hand over the trophy to Dave with a consolation prize for Gavin of a bag for his trolley wheels. This had to be reversed. The irony is Dave's email from Wednesday - he was not expecting the Tesco bag to be empty!