Trilby Tour Matchplay. Round 3. 29/06/2013

Jess Ivall had a bit of a trek to get to Coed-y-Mwstwr for our third round match as he was coming from Leominster-ish but he made it safe and sound. I had just come in from a stableford comp (18 holes as a warm up ….. was that really a good idea?) and found Jess talking to Paul (our quality PGA Pro). My initial thoughts were “crikey… he’s tall”. A quick drink and a mars bar and we popped to the first to begin our duel! Our handicaps were 13 and 15 with me receiving 2 shots over Jess and after witnessing his beautifully smooth and powerful swing I was feeling like I was going to need them, and then some more.

We halved the first hole and then Jess smashed a 3wood to about 10 feet from the 210 yard par3 second hole that didn’t require putting after I squirted my shot into the rough about half way to the green and chopped out to pick up and concede to hole. Not a particularly good start for me and a fantastic start for Jess.

I’ve lost the scorecard that I use to prompt my memory when writing these accounts and I’ve played a LOT of golf this weekend with all the shots seeming to blend into one.

I do remember it being windy, I remember Jess developing a hook that was accentuated by a strong breeze into us and from the right for 4 out of 6 holes on our inward half and I remember Jess seeming a bit frustrated.

I also remember being absolutely knackered.

Standing on the 13^th tee after winning the 12^th hole to go 6up with 6 to play, I let my tiredness get the better of me and threw away the next two holes. Actually my first drive on the 13^th was BEAUTIFUL….. until it hit the power lines requiring a re-load. My re-load also hit the power lines but this time saved me from slicing into the trees and my third drive was pulled straight left into the other trees. That may have messed with my head a little, but I suspect that fatigue may have got the better of me as after I chipped out of the trees I put my third and fifth balls into the long rough on the left, never to be seen again.

The par5 15^th proved to be our last hole which we halved to finish our match with me winning 4&3. Jess reflected that he felt as though he was beaten by the greens. We must have looked like a couple of mountaineers returning from an attempt at Everest walking back to the car park and clubhouse. I know I felt like it. I hope Jess made it home safely, thanks for a great game and top company.