Jeff Hindle Memorial @ BuryGC, 25th August 2023

Jeff Hindle Memorial,Bury GC, 25th August 2023

The disappointment of cancelation at Pike Fold last month caused some trepidation as Bury Golf Club is only a stones throw away from there and the forecast wasn’t great. However we got the go ahead and fuelled by the obligatory bacon butty we gathered on the first tee a par 3. There were problems almost immediately when the vice captains buggy developed a fault and forced him to hire a club buggy. Ian Ringwood graciously offered to share the costs and a quick rearrangement of tee times ensued.

A good field of 27 golfers attended this event and it was good to see Alan Saville back with us. We also had a returning member in Roger Passy who has been missing for a few years.

The course was in good condition but not the flattest course around. I found this out to my cost when my trolley refused to move when I tried to leave the 8^th tee. They say that you can move the trolley to freewheel, but trying to ascend the hill was proving difficult for an old man. However playing in a 3 ball with a much younger and generous bloke, cheers Luke Russell, meant that a swop was made and I continued the round using Luke electric trolley. Luke is a big lad and long hitter, unfortunately not always straight, the number of lost balls was mounting up. A search for one ball resulted in 3 being found but none of them were  Lukes. The good news at replenishing his stock soon dissipated when the replacement balls went the way of the originals. I was fortunate to win some balls in the raffle at the end so softened the blow by giving Luke a sleeve of balls as thanks for the trolley swop.

The scoring was very close with the nearest the pins and longest drive changing hands a few times. The absence of Frances Sinnott left the way clear for the men to claim the prizes. Howard Dixon taking full advantage with two nearest the pins, but no 2’s for Howard. Jay Chambers and Bill Harris took the other spoils. Pete Derbyshire managed to keep one on the fairway for a change to take the longest drive. 

It was rather appropriate that the winner of the Jeff Hindle trophy was his close friend Bill Harris. Bill has been trying to win this trophy for a number of years and thought he had last year with a great 43 points only to be beaten on a card playoff by the artist John Martin. 

Well done Bill success at last.

 Next Event:  Autumn Cup. Friday 29^th September @ Heaton Moor