Game Reports

From what appeared to be mission impossible a short while ago, Nomads UK is now a “cannot miss” event in the golfing calendar.

What an incredible day! With rain predicted for the weekend the weather gods smiled on us and we played a perfect course in brilliant sunshine. A big thank you must go to the Test Valley management, staff and members for the use of the golf course and to Craig Dawson for organising the game.

It was a bitter sweet day as we bid farewell to a staunch Nomad and good friend, Arthur Gwaku who is relocating to Kenya. Arthur I will miss your eagerness to get involved, your good humour but more than anything I will miss the £5 you took off me on Sunday. Bon voyage and safe travels my friend.

For the second month in a row we had a field of 43 players, of which 8 were visitors who all loved the concept and expressed a keen interest in joining. On a day when the average score was 30, the crème de la crème of Nomads UK rose to the top, Billy Koen playing off scratch and Craig Sly off 5, shot 41 and 40 points respectively with Brendan Beavan hot on their heels scoring 39 – good luck off -5 next month Bill. Scoring 144 points, Billy Koen, Craig Dawson, Scott Henderson and Richard Brown annihilated the rest of the field and won the best playing fourball. Our erstwhile kit supplier, Graham Smith, brought an embroidered crying towel to the game with him… and took it straight back home, well played Graham!

The race for the Gold Cup just got interesting. Before the start of the fifth round Russell Tomlinson’s lead over Craig Sly was 13 points, by the end of Sunday it had been slashed to just 3. With three rounds to go, its game on!!

Thank you to everyone who supported Prostate Cancer UK by purchasing the wrist bands and lapel badges, we raised £140, of which £20 was a donation from Test Valley member who was impressed with our fundraising effort. Well done Mike Browning for your effort in driving the charity.

Robbie Hillhouse

It is incredible to think that in six months we have more than doubled the average number of players at our monthly games.

On the 9^th of June at Calcot Park we had our biggest field ever, 43 players, an incredible achievement considering we played at a new course and twilight tee times. Those who played were in for an absolute treat, the staff and management looked after us from the time we stepped into the clubhouse until we left, bacon rolls and coffee were on offer, a tee starter (in jacket and tie) got us going, an area was set aside for our prize giving and the club pro gave us a weekday fourball to auction, the bottom line is we treated like royalty. Over and above all of this, the course is absolutely magnificent and highly recommended.

On a day when the average score was 30, our winners all shot 37 points and, based on handicaps, Andrew Seirlis, Peter Chemaly and Damon Brown won first, second and third prizes respectively. All three players walked away with a voucher to spend at American Golf and golf balls sponsored by Greg Wheal, while the top two walked away with an amazing hamper sponsored by Lidl and Damon earned himself a bottle of wine for his efforts. After winning in March and May, Richard (Bloxy) Bloxham, went from hero to zero and scored a magnificent 20 points off a 10 handicap to take the Crying Towel hands down. Peter Chemaly, Graham Smith, Russell Tomlinson and Andrew Seirlis won the best playing fourball.

Our next game is on the 28^th of July at Test Valley, see you all there.

Robbie Hillhouse