Spring Plate Report, April 2022

Spring Plate at Hart Common GC, Thursday 28th April 2022

A good entry for the Spring Cup saw 37 golfers ( I use the term guardedly) pitch up at Westhoughton. There was a pleasant surprise when the normal bacon barm was replaced by a more substantial bacon egg and sausage barm, people complained that the eggs weren’t runny enough but I think that was a bonus having seen the eating methods of some of these guys over the years, no-one wants to see an egg stained golf shirt. 

A challenging course with just 3 par 3’s on it saved Mr Harris a sleeve of balls for nearest the pin prize. Makinh his debut at the Portland Lee Crossley claimed the prize on the first with Tony Kershaw and Johnny Shepherd claiming the other two. People will be asking to go out last every month as it does give you a target to aim at for nearest the pin, (nuff said) 

Keith McEwan hit an enormous drive on the 16th to take the plaudits for the longest drive, many of our serial winners tried and failed to beat him. 

The main event saw card playoffs required to decide the top 3 and results can be seen below. Mike Smith with a great score of 41 points off a playing handicap of 8 led the field. I was reminded that the Portland rules state that to win a trophy the person had to have submitted 3 cards in Portland events. Unfortunately for Mike this was only his 2ndouting so the prize money went to Mike (more of that later) and luckily for Johnny Shepherd he had just put his 3rdcard in that day and took the trophy.

Our Captain Mr Ernie Rowland had announced that in order to raise as much as possible for his chosen charity of Parkinsons research this year he would hold a mini fund raiser at each event. This day it was Stand Up Bingo and despite everyone standing on chairs none of us could reach the height of the eventual winner our new President Mel Garner. In a great gesture our winner Mike Smith donated his winnings to the cause, well done Mike. 

There was a great display of friendship with Alan Saville and Andy Southwood displaying a tribute to our recently passed member Phil Lancaster. Previously known at a number of events as The Three Amigos, especially in Portugal 2017 (see picture below). Gone but never forgotten