The Order of Merit Finals day         

                                                                       (Friday 23^rd October 2009)

 At 0815 on a fresh and pleasant morning the following 12 golfers from the Forest of Galtres Golf Club meet outside The Millfield at Nether Poppleton for breakfast courtesy of the Sponsor:

 Sam Bagley, Graeme Elstob, John Foo, Ian Green, Adam Bell, David Gouldstone, Alan Lingard, Simon Pratt, Dave Mather, Ian Strickson and Mike Ward.

 As we were ushered into the restaurant the noise level from one player doubled as he spied the food laid out on the breakfast table. The waitress showed us to our tables and took our orders. The majority just ordered the full English but when she asked who would like extra bacon, sausage and eggs Graeme Elstob was first to add to his order with the statement ‘just bring it on’. Adam Bell found himself in the right place at the wrong time and had the duty of being the waiter for his table, which included Graeme, doing a relay between the toaster and the table. So after a hearty breakfast of ‘eat as much as you like’ we left the restaurant as if had been hit by a swarm of locusts.

 The journey to Newcastle United Golf Club was uneventful and after an hour and a half drive up the A1 we arrived at 1100am with a planned tee off time of 1130.

 Newcastle United Golf Club was formed on 4th June 1892; the original design for the City of Newcastle course was laid out by Tom Morris Snr and is set in undulating parkland. The predicted showers held off and we were treated to a sunny and warm afternoon’s Stableford competition and most of the players found it to be a test of their golfing skills with undulating fairways and greens.

 The course had a similar feel to a links course and even though there had been some rain the previous day, the fairways had drained very well, but as at the FOG there was water in some of the bunkers. With some long par 5’s (514, 546 and 497 yds) off yellow tees on the course and unforgiving rough, this course certainly gave the OoM players something to think about. The greens were well manicured and some of the pin positions, set by the green keepers, posed many a problem for the players.

 After completion of the competition the players adjourned to the bar, to talk about all the ‘if onlys’ over a pint, a two course meal and the trophy presentation.  Credit must go to all the players on the day, as overall, the scores reflected how well everyone had played on a very difficult course.

 Firstly my congratulations go to Sam Bagley the winner of the 2009 Forest of Galtres Order of Merit and secondly to Simon for winning the Finals day trophy. The results were as follows:

Winner of the Order of Merit Finals Day 2009  

Simon Pratt (12) with 39pts.

2^nd Adam Bell (11) 37pts (21pts back 9)

3^rd Graeme Elstob (10) 37pts (19pts back 9)

4^th John Foo (10) 37pts (18pts back 9)

2’s club -  Sam Bagley (2) David Gouldstone (1)

 With the meal over and with John Foo still talking about the good deals he got from the professionals shop (please don’t ask him), we boarded the mini bus only to find that the battery was flat. At this point you would normally think ‘there must be a problem if the battery is flat’ but no!!  So without further ado we bump started the vehicle and headed off on our merry (not that well oiled though) way back to York.  As we reached Newcastle, the mini bus came to a juddering halt just in the shadows of Newcastle United Football Club (time 1840pm).

 We were told we would have to wait at least 75 minutes for the RAC,  so some of the players decided to go into China town to sample a few more beers and some food (GE), whilst Mike and myself had extensive talks with the RAC and Budget helpline (in Barcelona call centre), about transporting us home.  Finally at 2040 the RAC breakdown van arrived and the engineer asked for the bonnet to be opened.  No can do, as we soon discovered the catch was broken!  The engineer then stated there was nothing he could do and because it was probably an alternator problem we would need roadside recovery.  Which leads onto our next dilemma.  As the RAC were only contracted to get 8 people back to York, Mike had to go to Newcastle Airport to hire another vehicle (the nearest place for a hire car for the other 4 members), returning at 2240.  He arrived back just as the recovery truck and the two taxis (estimated cost of journey – Newcastle-York one way £170) supplied by the RAC (thank heavens) to take us all back to York.  Our day ended at The Millfield at 0030am, ending what was very eventful days golf.

 Can I just add a very much appreciated ‘THANK YOU’ to Mike Ward for getting all of us back to York, which is echoed by all the days participants, and for any of the players wives/partners - we really did break down in Newcastle- it was not a planned stop, as I know that someone’s wife/partner would not believe it.

 Finally, on behalf of the Forest of Galtres Golf Club, I would like to express my thanks, to Michael Burrows from The Millfield Beefeater for sponsoring the 2009 Order of Merit (breakdown not included).

Note: For John Foo’s information.   We will be holding the OoM next year and hopefully we won’t be breaking down in Newcastle or anywhere else in the UK, or is that tempting fate??

Ian Strickson

Captain