2025 Challenge Cup - Captains Report
Not a bad start to the proceedings when, on arrival, a hearty full English breakfast awaited us. With bellies full and spirits high, our dozen intrepid golfers teed off with gusto.
Course Conditions & First Impressions
Twelve players headed down the first tee: some slices to the left, a few pushes to the right, and a brave handful straight down the middle.
The hard ground rewarded rightward wanderers with extra roll, thanks to another rainless spell.
Unfortunately, all that foot traffic plus crispy fairways meant patches of bare earth were more common than lush grass.
The round also stretched to a leisurely five hours, thanks to overlapping competitions and a few groups ahead who seemed to be auditioning for a slow-motion golf documentary. Plenty of time to admire the scenery... and question life choices on the 14th tee.
Scores & Standouts
Despite the firm turf and occasional rogue divot, most of us managed respectable tallies in the high 30s.
1. Graham stormed home with a superb 41 points, proving that persistence—and perhaps a touch of luck off the tee—pays dividends.
2. Luigi’s little brother, Neel, finally claimed the Nearest the Pin crown after last time’s surprise vacancy.
3. The Longest Drive accolade also went to Graham, whose perfectly placed shot down the fairway (despite a left-sweeping fairway) was a sight to behold.
It seems that after finishing third on his last Nomads outing, Graham has discovered that the handicap ladder can be as slippery as a dew-wet green. Well played, sir!
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
All in all, another fantastic event filled with friendly rivalry, laughter, and memorable shots (and mishits). Thanks to everyone for making it such a success.
Until the next time, happy hacking!
Your Captain
2025 Vikingaskepp Trophy - Captains Report
A day for societies on the course at North Downs today, I've never seen it so busy here before, with cars parked on the road for as far as the eye could see.
So with breakfast done and golf clubs at the ready, we headed off to the first tee at 10. With most players getting off to a great start and the Nearest the pin approaching early on the third hole, I thought that everyone would of had their eye in for this short par 3 to of made things interesting. How wrong we were, not only that no one made par, but not one actually hit the green either. Just a hint for some short game practice required by all. So with 15 holes left to play the standard could only get better, which it did for some. With the course playing a bit tired in places due to the weather, the greens were still in good condition. That then left the longest drive on the 18 after playing up cardiac hill, which is a mission on its own, but after Darrell tee's up and took his monster drive down the left, over the trees and beyond, I thought for a moment that we all might get a chance to challenge, until his ball took a members bounce back out onto the fairway. It was at this moment, no one had a chance of beating it, so well done Darrell, eh, doesn't matter how it gets there. So after 3hrs 45min of play with the movers and losers, Congrats goes to Phil coming in with a massive 41 points, oh dear, that's going to hurt, having to cut yourself 4 point, being the handicap secretary.
So till the next time, happy hacking.
Your Captain.
2025 Canon Masters - Captains Report
Another day on the course, this time for the Canon Masters at Hoebridge GC. It looked like it was going to be a scorcher of a day and with the temperature hitting the high 20s and above, like it had for a few days previous, making the ground hard would produce some roll on the ball, only if you hit it right that is, not like me, slicing and hooking all the way, but at least I was in the shade looking for my ball, or should I say in the woods keeping the sun off my back, this was to Deno's delight as he did'nt want the wooden spoon 3 times on the bounce. So, back to the real golf, again a very deserved nearest the pin by Grant who had to squeeze his shot in between what looked like a winning shot already when we arrived on the 12th and to Darrell who actually got one of his tee shots in the right direction this time for the longest drive, so well done to them both. We were then expecting some really good scores at the end with the top 7 players all in the 30s. so after some count backs to sort out, the player who arrived last to the venue, came first with 36 points, So well done Kit. He may not of come first if he had the breakfast roll we saved him as he was late for breakfast, mentioning no names there.
So again, another great day for the Nomads and hoping this heat wave stays with us for the next encounter, so hope to see you again on the next adventure.
Your Captain.
2025 Edwards Shield - Captains Report
Plenty of interest for this one at the Surrey National. Then we had players on the list injured, not able to play, then they were back on the list the following day, the power of those tablets is another level. Another cutting his finger with a Power tool, obviously he never attended the health and safety meeting that day, and from all the Boys, get well soon Simon!!!, then we had someone who on the day wanted to play a completely different course, an hour away from where we were, so guess who got the prize for Longest Drive!!!, Well done Roger for catching up. Also in the mix was Grants guest called Richard, being some time ago since he played, but seemed to enjoy the day and says he's looking forward to the next one, so it'll be great to see another guest make a regular appearance. So now we were all here, we could get on with the game. A nice course, slightly damp from the rain earlier that morning, but we all got around in the dry, with most of the scores being in the low to high 30s. Course played well and with undulating greens, made it difficult for some to read, with a few 3 putts or more being recorded. Also a little water around a couple of the fairways to keep it interesting. Otherwise a delight to play, especially for Shaun, again winning Nearest the pin and Longest drive, he's just too good and for Grant who finished his round and said, that was the best round of his life. Now winning back to back trophies and a smug smile on his face, I'm sure his new handicap will bring him back down to earth. Well done fella!!.
Till the next one,
Your Captain
2025 Spring Bowl - Captains Report
So, second group match of the year and played at Coombe Wood Golf Club in Kingston and on first impressions was set in very lavish surroundings. The course was well looked after with a nice club house overlooking the grounds. The weather was again kind to us, and the course, not being too long was pleasant to play.
Never have I known a four ball group in the Nomads to of played a par 3 nearest the pin hole, with the first up to play their shot and walk off saying "that's the one lads, no ones coming close" (looking all smug) then hearing the words "hang on guys, this is close" another three times. Just getting four balls onto the green is amazing, but for all of them to be as close as they were, brilliant!!. Then the group behind, well, a few voices shouting out explicit words as their ball started to fade towards the mansion house, luckily only hitting the back fence, and this was for the nearest the pin at 126 yards, so should of been straight forward.
Well done to Grant who won this event and not lost it due to count back rules which has scuppered his attempts in the past.
All in all, a great day, more so than others but that's golf for ya.
Until next time, enjoy the practice and hope to see you all on the next event.
Your Captain
Terry
2025 Potholers Cup - Captains Report
So it begins, the first match of the Nomads season. This was played at Leatherhead Golf Club and we were blessed with the sun shinning down on us. Whats that saying, suns out guns out, well Simons were anyway. Unfortunately they didn’t convert to the longest drive for him, but it made a change to start the season on a high note. The course was interesting but firm underfoot which made it difficult for some on those delicate shots out of the bunkers or across the greens, but for the guys either side of the void and I mean the movers and losers of the group someone made a move by taking 4 point here and 3 points there and was making it look easy. A pleasure to watch when someone plays this well, definitely a deserved points reduction for Roger, we all wish you well with your new handicap. So back to the drawing board for the rest of us to reset and go again at the next event, looking forward.to seeing you all there.
Your Captain
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