2009 Tournament

THE 2ND ICKLESHAM CASUALS GOLF TOURNAMENT

The venue for the 2nd Icklesham Casuals Golf Tournament on the afternoon of Thursday, 23rd July was Wellshurst Golf and Country Club in Hellingly. There were fifteen players taking part this year with Tim Linch taking the trophy but only following a count back after Tim, Mike Beaumont and Ollie Beaumont tied on 38 points.

THE COMPETITORS

After the normal whingeing about handicaps (completely ignored of course by the organiser Bob Baker), Dan Marsh, the 2008 champion struck the first shot into the rough. Tim Linch took a massive divot with a swing faster than a Formula One car and then Dave Tiltman also put his shot into the rough. It was left to Ollie Beaumont to show the way for the first group with a drive down the middle. Three other groups followed with Wayne Bumstead, George Potter and Mark Stace making their debuts.

Lewis Tiltman – playing off a handicap of 8 – started badly and scored poorly on some of the early holes. His class quickly began to show however, and his drive on the par 4 seventh – leading to a birdie three will long live in the memory. He will want to forget his drive on the 9th however, which hit a tree and bounced back within five yards of the tee. He won the shortest drive prize!

Mark Stace was a steady scorer – despite having his nicotine supply cut off by a lost lighter on the 7th – and could have been the champion if he had scored points on the 18th hole. Steve Beale was also wonderfully consistent and only a couple of holes on the back nine where he failed to score, prevented him getting into the top three. On those couple of holes we were treated to more swear words than was healthy for a teacher and upstanding member of the community.

Chris Baker – last year’s wooden spoon winner – improved dramatically this year failing to score on only three holes and ending up with 31 points.

Keith Swallow – who had been quietly lobbying for an improvement in his handicap – did very nicely playing off the same as 2008 to finish 6th.

David Mayne started so badly that nobody that nobody would have been surprised if he had walked off the course after five holes (2 points up to then!) but recovered to a very respectable 31 points.

Mike Beaumont was also consistent and depending on what card was used had 37 or 38 points. After this had been sorted out he finished second pushing his son Ollie back to third place. Competitive Dad strikes again.

A welcome meal closed a very successful day. Keep your diary clear for 22nd July 2010.

TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Back row (left to right):- Mark Stace, Steve Beale, Mike Beaumont, Keith Swallow, David Mayne, George Potter, Richard Forrest. Chris Baker, Tim Linch. Front row (left to right):- Ollie Beaumont, Wayne Bumstead, Lewis Tiltman, Dave Tiltman, Bob Baker, Dan Marsh.