Our new Captain’s first match and a return, almost, to a new season that will hopefully be completed in the manner in which we used to play. Graham Heaman led us back to the familiar welcome from Dainton Park, always enthusiastic and enjoyable.
Our opponents from Warwickshire were unfortunately three men short, in a “one off” situation, Bob Fletcher brought along his wife to bring their number up to fourteen. Brian Waggett & Glen Page, two gentlemen, did the honourable thing and lost this match, intentionally of course!! The other matches however were keenly contested and that on a course that the Warwickshire team had not played previously, Dainton provides a definite home advantage, in my opinion.
The course, according to the local members, had progressed mightily in just a few days, recovering from a great deal of heavy rain a few days earlier. The greens were quite heavily “seeding” however, in the main they putted well if a little slow. We played from the yellow tees, which meant Dainton’s “teeth” from the whites were not on show! The usual carvery at Dainton was well received and enjoyed by our guests, prior to their long drive home for some. Wayne Belle, Dainton’s Captain, generously provided wine for all and enjoyed by those not driving.
Because of the “au naturel” Covid dress code, players remained in their playing kit and no speeches were made. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing Graham Heaman a successful and enjoyable year, together with his Vice-Captain Terry Thorne who had to withdraw because of an inconvenient health issue, we wish him well To those members playing in Brian Waggett’s President’s Day, I look forward to meeting up once again, play well!
Malcolm Jordain
