Captains Graham Heaman and Amrit Singh with partners Steve Spicer & Roger Thomas
The Shropshire Tour is yet another step toward a return to a form of normal. Our band of athletes, now a tradition, headed to the Premier Inn base near Hereford the previous day to the first match on Wednesday at Burghill Valley GC. Thereupon wining, dining and bonding commenced at the nearby Beefeater restaurant and pub. Not unusually much wine and ale consumption proved not to have been affected by Covid.
Next morning, rested and refreshed, our players emerged to a fine morning and an appetite for golf. Burghill Valley GC, only 8 minutes from our hotel, was to be a treat in store awaiting us. I believe none of our party had previously played the course so, anticipation was foremost from our initial sight of the course, we were not disappointed! Pure parkland and in lush condition, greens were not particularly fast but in excellent condition as was the course generally. We were also made very welcome in the clubhouse and by our opponents, who soon arrived after our early appearance. Familiar faces among our hosts soon recognised and greeted those of us previously met in combat in Salop as well as Devon!
As always, our hosts looked after us very well both on the course and whilst dining and wining subsequently. An excellent meal was provided and fortunately we all sat together, albeit in the clothes in which we played. A very pleasant day for most if not all, returning to the hotel for tactical discussion and preparation, which oddly required additional alcoholic beverages. Nothing much has changed then!
Malcolm Jordain
