Watson Plate - Broome Park GC, Canterbury: October 2015

Whatever happened on the 17th October 2015 as far as golf was concerned it was certainly the Palermo Verrico "Best Dining Room" award winner.

The Chinese Room at Lord Kitcheners old house was exceptional, as was the meal and the service. So before we have the usual forensic investigation of the golf itself lets congratulate Broome Park near Canterbury for their hospitality and John Kullman for organising and getting us onto his home course at such a fantastic rate.

Also a big welcome to Clive Ennis and Jack Munro on their debuts, and welcome back Alex Jasper, Jason Hutton and Pete Barnett.

It was especially pleasing to see so many southern based players and we hope this bodes well for the July challenge North v South. The Vikings have a strangle hold on that competition and the Saxons need new arrows.

The weather in October was overcast but with no wind. So no excuses. In reverse order of success:

THE SEPP BLATTERS – Gil Wright, Chris Rose and Peter Barnett scored 99

At least they were winning for 3 holes! Then wheels, wagon, off. Please rearrange. Having used Gil's tee shots on 4 of the first 5 holes the struggle began. A wise Captain would have confiscated Mr Barnett's driver and glued his six iron in his hand.

But it took until the 13th until sanity set in. Pete was a different man for the last six holes (it was just the first three and a half hours...). Chris got his eye in on the 18th. Gil worked in reverse and got steadily worse until a late rally. The final salt in the wound was losing Nearest the Pin to John Kullman by a few inches. BUT this team had a lot of fun, most shots most laughs.

THE LONG SHOTS – Chris Reardon, Rich Marston and Vicki Rose scored 93

Started well and in contention for the first 8 holes. But too many 7's. in fact they shot four 7's and seven 4's.The 50 on the back nine took its toll.

THE WHITE TRIPES – Mike White, Colin Morris and Barry Fuller scored 89

A 6 on the first was an inauspicious start but they recovered well to card 41 on the front nine. It was right at the end with two 7's in the last three holes that it got away from them. Too many 6's and 7's for a team with three 3's. just lack of consistency and the ball dropping.

PLANT POTS – Dave Plant, John Kullman and Gwyn Williams scored 87

This looked a strong team. Dave always thereabouts, John's home course. Two 7's on the 11th and 12th stopped them winning. That and a 6 on the 18th. But a strong round. Plus John Kullman won the Nearest the Pin. No doubt he had sneaked down and placed his ball there the night before (yes, I am bitter!).

ROWE OF HOUSES – Dave Rowe, Chris Langridge and Clive Ennis scored 87

Third on countback. What a debut for Clive, being drawn with two of the Bromley Mafia. I bet he has learned some new language skills (and some golf skills he'll need to forget!). But what a fantastic back nine. Coming in they scored 40. The only reason they didn't win was a 6-5-6 start, including a par 3.

Once they got going it looks as if they played the best golf. Plus Chris Langridge strolled to the Best Drive trophy, easily being nearest the line on the 9th. Well done Chris. Will this form survive the winter?

THE BOTTLENECKS – Alex Jasper, Fay Wright and Martin Blincow scored 87

The third team on the same score. Probably the steadiest card of the three runners-up. But no doubting the moment of their round. At the 18th in front of all the other players and paparazzi.

The only team to birdie the 18th over the lake with Alex chipping in from off the green (and this after one of his nameless partners hit the hospitality hut). Strong performance from all three.

THE ARGONAUTS- Jason Hutton, Jack Munro and Nigel Phillips scored 83

The "Foinavon" of all our society competitions. Even more astonishing than the rush to victory by Doug, Miranda and Gil seven years ago at The Shropshire. Why? Because they took 16 on the first three holes and were a solid LAST at that point!

They had a 7 on the first, relying on Nigel's tee shot (yes, read that again..) to even get that. A storming back nine of 39 pulled away from the field, allowing Nigel the tee shot on the 18th as well. Jason was second in the best drive challenge.

So well done chaps! Jason has a habit of winning. What an absolutely dream debut for Jack. And as for Nigel. After July he was thinking of retiring. Think again. Think about what you could do if you played more than 3 times a year!