Seniors Section Sign Up - Nov 27

Put yourself in Ed Brooks’s shoes.

You’re rediscovering your best form. You’ve just won your first Sign Up of the year, after a string of near-misses. And now, just seven days later, a two-in-a-row triumph - the first by a Senior in 2023 - beckons.

Standing on the 17th tee, you’re ahead of the game with 34 Stableford points. And, setting up a grand finale perfectly, you’ve just birdied 16 (for 4 points!) after a fine 7-iron approach from 140 yards and a 12ft putt. Your confidence is sky-high.

What could possibly go wrong?

“I’m really quite annoyed,” said Ed. ”I just lost my focus. I didn’t even see where my 4-wood tee shot went on 17. I had to ask my playing partner. Apparently it went way right. Then I hit my provisional all of 60 yards! And the next shot was still short of the green…suffice to say, I didn’t finish the hole.”

No Eagles, no Birdies, no Drama

Despite that NR, Ed finished on 36 points - for the third competition in a row - one behind Tony Lawrence and three ahead of Dave Gough.

Tony, who recorded his second Sign Up win of the year, and Dave had no dramas to report - no eagles, no birdies, no Ed-style implosions - but both finished well. Tony’s three closing pars were all but matched by Dave’s two, including an excellent up-and-down on 18 after finding the front bunker. Tony put his success down to some uncharacteristically good lag putting, with just the one 3-putt.

Sixteen players braved Monday’s wet conditions but the course continued to hold up superbly. Further rain held off just long enough for the final pair to make a dash for the safety of the clubhouse.

Seniors Section Sign Up - Nov 20:

Ed Brooks shrugged off a series of near-misses with his first victory of the season in Monday’s Senior Section Sign Up.

He had a late scare, though, on the 18th before finishing with a rock-solid 36 Stableford points in tricky, wet conditions, ahead of John Blackwell (35) and Stephen Young (34, on countback).

“It was a good round of golf - and my putting saved me a few times,” Ed said. “But then I skied my second shot on 18 and squirted the next into the right-hand bunker, which fortunately was GUR. I don’t know what happened. They were both appalling shots and came from nowhere!

“I was in the last pair and quite surprised to win - it’s a nice feeling.”

It’s All About The Hips

Ed missed out on a Weekday Turkey Trot prize by one place the previous week. He was also the losing finalist in the 2023 Bill Plaice Cup, and has claimed a second and third place in earlier Sign Up outings.

Boasting an impressive 9 handicap in his hey-day, Ed has struggled for form recently but feels he’s rediscovered his timing, with better hip rotation through the ball, following a couple of lessons with Sam Cowley.

John, meanwhile, was unavailable for comment. Flush with his winnings, he made his incoming Captain’s Address at the Seniors AGM shortly after his round and then dashed off to Heathrow for a well-earned holiday in the United States. Stephen’s highlights? 13 out of 14 fairways hit… and a Phil- Mickelson 60-yard lob shot out of the rough and over the greenside bunker on 16 which pitched 1ft from the hole!

* For information on Seniors Section activities, follow the link below:

https://www.haywardsheathgolfclub.co.uk/seniors_information

A massive congratulations to Jack Floydd who has recently secured his Challenge Tour status for 2024. This year Jack has been playing on the Alps Tour, where the Top 5 players on the Order of Merit at the end of the season qualify for a spot on the Challenge Tour. Jack achieved 5th place on the Order of Merit, therefore booking himself a spot on the Challenge Tour next year. A huge achievement!

Jack has had a great season this year. He captured his first win as a professional golfer, winning the Ein Bay Open out in Egypt. He also achieved five top 10 finishes, two of them being second places.

I'm sure all the members of HHGC will join me in wishing Jack the best of luck for next year!