Thorpeness | Heydon Venerables

Venerables’ Thorpeness Tour 2019

A smaller party gathered this year. Small but perfectly formed.

As is the custom most met at the White Hart in Aldeburgh for social discourse and a wet before enjoying the five star fish and chips from the next door chippie in the very fine White Hart garden with overhead heaters turned on for us. Russ true to form arrived in the bar too late to buy anybody a drink and joined us in the garden with his scoff.

Thence to Thorpeness to enjoy the challenge with perhaps a rumbling or two of battered cod and Ghostship in a few venerable tums.

Dry the first day, but as the forecast for Wednesday was predicted to be made for Noah, it was decided to play for the Bill Cook on the Tuesday afternoon when all competitors were starters rather than on the second day. Colin played well to win.

Second day biblical flood but we managed to put back our tee time twice, and the field were finally off with gusto at 1.30pm. New knee Parkes and the wise elder Howarth journeyed into Aldeburgh to enjoy the highlights, and Bernard rested his old bones. The field got damp at times and one feels for Paddy who won on the day but only received a bottle of budget wine rather than the Bill Cook whistle.

Third day dry. Unfortunately Paddy reported in sick with a bandaged wrist due to too much wine glass lifting and went home for sympathy. Mrs Bakers boy showed his class and came in with a magnificent score to ensure his name once again goes on the Ken Brothwell Trophy for the best two scores from three. A brief mention of Peter Howarth finally finding his ball on the 17th in the hole to record an eagle two and the nearest the pin in two. A blind five wood we are told!

Thanks are due to Alan for Tour organisation and pics. Bernard for his ongoing gentlemanly competition organisation. Eagle Pete for wine and whip duties. Steve for presentations. And everybody for making this another enjoyable and memorable trip.

Alan presiding over the first tee