Royal St Georges

28 degrees, sunny and not a breath of wind.  Not quite the conditions we were expecting at Royal St Georges today.  I am so glad that we had this weather as it could have been torture if there was a strong wind.

Viewing the clubhouse from the 1st tee

Yet another day with knee high rough, but we found that the course was playing a little firmer and faster than most of the previous ones, Birkdale excluded, a bit more like the links golf we were expecting.

The starter's hut at the 1st tee

The layout was as brilliant as expected, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The bunkering on the 4th hole.  It was the bunker on the right that Mike Harwood got his tee shot buried in the face of in the 1993 Open.

Just as Birkdale was my "hero" course, St Georges is Matt's.  He played a great game today and shot even par 72.  He was not the only one to play well.  Mike McCann and Richard Logan both carded round of 41 points.

T Mac, on his way to a staggering 50 stableford points

It was Tony McLean who dominated proceedings today. 50 stableford points were on his scorecard at the completion of play.  I played with him today and he played some amazing golf.  His round started with 4 point, 4 point, 4 point, 3 point, 3 point.  18 points after 5 holes!!!!  Needless to say the match was toast at this point.

Mike McCann valiantly trying to restore the balance in our match

Looking across the 13th fairway to the old clubhouse of the neighbouring Princes course

I was also there today to witness an event that occurs about as regularly as Haley's comet.  Geoff Vincent missed a fairway as was captured on film hitting from the rough!!

Proof that the bisector missed a fairway!
Considering this is a foreign shot for him he did really well removing the ball from this position. 

After golf we all showered and changed into Jacket and tie, and made our way into the clubhouse dining room for a lovely carvery roast lunch.  The is some great history at the club, with many distinguished names littering the honour boards.

Members enjoying the carvery lunch

Members enjoying the carvery lunch

Everyone looking very sharp on the lawn prior to departure back to the hotel

We make our way to Sunningdale tomorrow, where we all play the Old course in the morning, and some will continue on to play the New course in the afternoon.  For the first time we will see some trees, and move away from the knee high rough.