Tournament On!

-->

Putting Green at Royal Atwerp

The tournament is now on! We had decided on time of departure at dinner the night before and we left precisely on schedule. Compared to the previous day the journey was smooth. Tom Tom is a handy device, but on occasion , a turn is upon you before you have a chance to react. This happened twice the day before on our way to the practice round, generally not such a big deal except we were leading 2 cars with the rest of our team mates. The second error created some conversation as to where we were actually going. The group behind us had previously been directed to a sister golf course, and did not want that frustrating experience repeated.

Without any detours we arrived at the Royal Antwerp. We unloaded clothes and gear when the Pope commented he had forgotten his dress shoes! Our team uniform of bright red jackets, dark pants and CSGA tie is unique, but would not accommodate golf shoes (especially white ones!). We were an hour away from our tee times and I navigated the Pope back to the hotel. Sometimes I think he read Hansel and Gretel once too often to his kids. On this trip there has been a trail of stuff left behind. His phone, mentioned previously, his range finder in Burnham and Barrow, now the shoes, and this is just what he has admitted to!

Due to his range finder being unavailable, he seconded mine. I had John Nugent as my partner; he has a Garmin watch that is very helpful. I had left mine in Canada, as I was not sure whether it would work. 

Rich Hodgson brought his and it did not, in spite of the very kind starter insisting that he try to connect for the fourth time, admonishing him for being inpatient! Needless to say it did not connect and provided ample fodder for reminding anyone who would listen that doing the same experiment and expecting a different result is one definition of insanity. 

One has to be sensitive to such mental health dialogue as retired Senator Mike Kirby is on the team and is passionate about mental health issues and has been instrumental in starting to make governments to recognize glaring deficits in mental healthcare delivery.

Nugent and I were paired with Albrcic and Manfred from Belgium. We bogied number one and were then unconscious. The game was best ball stabbleford (points for bogies,pars,birdies,eagles etc). If one of us stumbled the other counted although we both played well, Nugent with 77 off a 9 handicap, me 74 off 12 (best game ever!!!). In the middle of the round our hosts, who were struggling, became a little quiet, but as we continued the ridiculous scoring pace they in fact enjoyed watching us. We now lead the tournament and of course the usual sandbagging descriptions have been directed at me.

It was now time to get changed for the formalities. The Pope rifled through his bag, each successive pocket search creating more anxiety…Fortunately the last surrendered the keys, much to everyone’s relief. I dared not ask him if he had my range finder!

The reception and dinner were done with just the right amount of formality; I sat with a combination of French, English and Belgian players, most enjoyable.

Wouwse Plantage Golf Club

Today we journey to Holland, the Wouwse Plantage, a private course with one owner. We will do a checklist before we leave, as it is 1 hour away. This will be followed by a reception at a local castle.