Peter Alliss always makes me laugh. His commentary on the Masters at Augusta was a master class in understatement and reminiscences drawn for over sixty years associated with the professional game. Son of a famous golfer, Percy Alliss, he was born in Berlin and served a professional at many British clubs before retiring and entering what probably has become the highlight of his illustrious career, that of broadcasting and public speaking. His after dinner speeches are legendary for their composition and wit and never fail to leave his audience hungry for more.
K. J. Choi was strongly fancied on Sunday, the final day of the event, but on one rare occasion found himself in deep trouble and seemed to take ages over his club selection. Realising that he would probably need a ruling from the attendant referee, Alliss queried whether he needed a ruling or a saw, further adding that perhaps a half open umbrella might just be the solution to his problem. Never a good putter by his own admission, his car registration plate reads PUT 3!
Well, Mickelson did the trick in fine style with a convincing win by three strokes, and by playing attacking golf at a time when others were “being patient” as the saying goes. His second shot from behind a pine tree on thirteen will be the stuff of legend as he ripped it over two hundred yards off the pine needles to within five feet of the flag – not really being patient . Two solid pars on sixteen and seventeen and a birdie on eighteen sealed off an excellent 67 for a five under final round and his third green jacket.
Almost by way of apology do we turn to our local courses and the fine weather that has invaded us for the past fortnight? The fairways are lush, the greens fast and courses are at their Spring best.
Wrexham were busy with a Bank Holiday mixed event which attracted forty players and resulted in a win for Gayle Elson and Jon Tym worth 41 points. Second came Della Evans playing with Keith Miller, the club captain, on the better of two 37 point cards, the other offering going to third placed Monica Jones and Cliff Reddington. Ladies Captain Ann Davies partnered Dave Chadwick for 36 points and fourth place.
April’s monthly medal coincided with the Captain’s driving in ceremony at 1.00 p.m. With a crowd of well wishers on the club verandah the Captain, Keith Miller, accompanied by the Vice Captain, John Dwyfor Williams and the new President who is typing this copy at the moment, all succeeded in hitting the ball forwards avoiding the pond and the first fairway with the exception of the Captain who struck a fine ball on to the stripes down the middle and, as tradition has it, assured himself of a good year in office.
Winner of division 1 was Phil Guest with an excellent 67 – 2 – 65 from Ian Davies on 71 – 5 – 66 followed by Steve Taylor who returned 76 – 6 – 70. The second division went to Mike Palmer with a fine 73 – 11 – 62 for the lowest net score of the day. Following him came Chris Wade with 76 – 12 – 64 and then Jim Davies on 77- 11 – 66. Division three witnessed a win for Andrew Harper with 81 – 14 – 67 beating Paul Hollinshead, 82 – 13 – 69 into second place and Paul Marubbi, 86 – 16 – 70 into third.
Mike O’Keefe handed in 90 – 20 – 70 to win the fourth handicap group from second placed Bryn Edwards on 89 – 19 – 70 and Cliff Hughes with 98 – 28 – 70 for third.
This coming Friday, the 16th April, is the occasion of the Annual General Meeting of the Golf Union of Wales in the Sophia Gardens complex of the Sports Council for Wales a report on which I will add to next weeks column.