Scotland Trip - PEGS vs. BEGS
The highlight of the golf on this trip was our Saturday match, the Pink Elephants Golf Society (PEGS) vs. us, the boys from across the pond, the Blue Elephant Golf Society (BEGS).
Captains Leburn - Blair and his father John - determined the pairings and the line-ups. Here are Michael Johnston (PEGS), Blair and Nick Green (both BEGS) going over the order of play.
There was time also for a bit of a reunion among the Leburns playing in the matches. Here are Blair, "Lord" John Leburn and Kevin Leburn.
Note the smashing jacket Blair's and Kevin's father is wearing. He forgot his and had to borrow the jacket of the Secretary. (More on the Secretary later.)
We had balls in the air (BIA) at 12:04p, just after a few pints during a learn-to-love-your-opponents mixer.
The first match pitted Peter Joos (a 16 handicap) and me (4) against Mark Curley (17) and Michael Johnston (4). Then there were three other matches to follow.
On the outward nine our match went back and forth, but when I birdied #7 from two feet, then #8, the famed "Postage Stamp," from about 6 feet behind the hole to go up two, things looked pretty good for us.
Not for long, however. Mark Curley made a natural birdie - with a shot - at #9, so we began in the inward nine only one up. And Curley was just getting started. His 17 handicap earned him strokes at the rest of Royal Troon's version of Amen Corner. On #10 and #11 - with strokes - Mark made natural pars. Before Peter and I could do anything about it, we were three down with only five to go. And just as quickly I missed a very makeable birdie to win #14, then again - from even closer - on #15 as Mark rolled in a 20 footer for par - with a stroke - and a 4-up-with-3-to-go victory.
It was a good match, they were thrilled to drive back the visitors, and I feared if our lead match was any indication, the Blue Elephants were doomed.
But, apparently, we were not to be denied. I don't know the details of the other matches - being first has its advantages: a few pints before the others can finish help make details difficult to remember. But all in all the visitors came through 2.5 points to 1.5 points, winning two matches and halving another in addition to Peter's and my defeat.
Here's what victory looks like:
(Click on any photo for a larger view.)
I understand a formal protest has been filed, that some sort of dispute is in motion, but it'll come to nothing without a rematch.
Captains Leburn - Blair and his father John - determined the pairings and the line-ups. Here are Michael Johnston (PEGS), Blair and Nick Green (both BEGS) going over the order of play.
There was time also for a bit of a reunion among the Leburns playing in the matches. Here are Blair, "Lord" John Leburn and Kevin Leburn.
Note the smashing jacket Blair's and Kevin's father is wearing. He forgot his and had to borrow the jacket of the Secretary. (More on the Secretary later.)
We had balls in the air (BIA) at 12:04p, just after a few pints during a learn-to-love-your-opponents mixer.
The first match pitted Peter Joos (a 16 handicap) and me (4) against Mark Curley (17) and Michael Johnston (4). Then there were three other matches to follow.
On the outward nine our match went back and forth, but when I birdied #7 from two feet, then #8, the famed "Postage Stamp," from about 6 feet behind the hole to go up two, things looked pretty good for us.
Not for long, however. Mark Curley made a natural birdie - with a shot - at #9, so we began in the inward nine only one up. And Curley was just getting started. His 17 handicap earned him strokes at the rest of Royal Troon's version of Amen Corner. On #10 and #11 - with strokes - Mark made natural pars. Before Peter and I could do anything about it, we were three down with only five to go. And just as quickly I missed a very makeable birdie to win #14, then again - from even closer - on #15 as Mark rolled in a 20 footer for par - with a stroke - and a 4-up-with-3-to-go victory.
It was a good match, they were thrilled to drive back the visitors, and I feared if our lead match was any indication, the Blue Elephants were doomed.
But, apparently, we were not to be denied. I don't know the details of the other matches - being first has its advantages: a few pints before the others can finish help make details difficult to remember. But all in all the visitors came through 2.5 points to 1.5 points, winning two matches and halving another in addition to Peter's and my defeat.
Here's what victory looks like:
(Click on any photo for a larger view.)
I understand a formal protest has been filed, that some sort of dispute is in motion, but it'll come to nothing without a rematch.
posted by Mark Burris - BURRIS at 2:18 AM
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