I
just failed to make it to the Golf Course by 8am and was pleasantly surprised to find the first tee unoccupied. I dashed to claim my place but as I did so 4 lady golfers emerged from their club house, all booted and spurred as it were, with sun hats replacing the customary helmet and visor. My heart sank as I knew that 8 am was the (almost literally) witching hour when ladies competitions teed off and would do so in fits and starts (plenty of the former) until about 10. I courteously started to leave the tee-4 to one was not odds I fancied. One of the ladies said-'oh please play on-we had such fun with the story about you in the Mail on Sunday and it is nice to see a Newcastle man in the limelight' Such is fame-they had missed the nasty story in the Scotsman. So after a bit of c hat I fortunately hit an amazingly long and straight drive and amid cries (and giggles) of 'blog on' I went my way on the nicest of post Fish days.
The delay had allowed a very unpleasant and rude man to cut in in front of us but I won the race to the first green but leaving him in front of the charming ladies who were now in danger of holding up the rest of the competitors. I had my chance at the next hole-the man rudely driving before I was out of range, his ball landed near a gorse bush to my right. AS he was bending to pick up his bag I flicked his ball into some of the most impenetrable gorse jungle on the course, and that is saying something. Twenty minutes later he was still searching in the depths of the Burmah Road as ladies streamed past. Poor man faced with the prospect of losing a £1 golf ball or his place on the course meanness and sheer stubborness got the upper hand.
I saw him later-behind the women but cheerful enough, 'Lovely Day' he shouted (I obviously was not associated with his earlier misfortune) 'Lovely' I agreed and he had made it lovlier. I think he must have found the ball as otherwise he would not have been in such good humour. So I didn't entirely ruin his day and I managed to repay a debt of honour to the women golfer bloggees. Good start to the weekend.
Thankyou Mail on Sunday
