KANGAROO CUP Pairs Championship
Berkshire 2014
BERKSHIRE - 15th SEPTEMBER 2014
The 22nd holding of the Kangaroo Cup took place at its home, The Berkshire. For the first time in the event’s history the number of teams was odd so Lumley & Bragg lead the field as a two-ball on the Red course, with the buggy brigade left in their dust finishing 3 holes ahead of the field.
The morning mist was slow to burn off, but ideal golfing weather. Playing on the Red course with its unique combination of six Par 5s, 4s and 3s, scoring is often low, but the heather, which has benefited from the reduction of trees in recent years, severely punished any stray drives, resulting no eagles and 16 birdies out of the 156 times the Par 5s were played. There were 3 teams scoring 7 points on one hole being Hedges & Taylor on the 9th, Cressy & Ryan on 5th and Woolsey & Hanna on the 16th. Field was composing his winner’s speech on the 18th tee but overlooked that there were still 19 holes to play. Field blocked his perfectly hit 5 iron into the right heather with his partner Berryman airmailing the green into deep rough leaving an impossible chip. His 2nd chip was better than his first but still ran 30’ past the hole for a 2 putt double while Field had half the field searching for his ball, which was never going to be found as the organiser had slipped it into this pocket having found it in seconds – nil points scored on the hole. With his mind scrambled Field added up his card showing 63 points but upon further inspection was correctly signed for 58 points, tied for the lead with Walton & Taberer putting their local knowledge to good effect. Woolsey & Hanna who also tripped up on the 18th hole for only 2 points were joint 3rd place on 57 points with VC Bragg & Lumley also on 57 points with 2 further teams on 56 points – there wasn’t going to be a run away winner at this KC!
An enjoyable lunch was had by all sitting on the balcony overlooking the 1st Blue in glorious sunshine. Pimbley and playing partner Berry (who for the 2nd time in a week found himself up a creek without a paddle having returned to defend the title from a rowing trip on the Thames), sadly had to retire as both players were suffering from back pain with 44 points. As it turned out, the leading pairs headed out together in the afternoon in the luxury of buggies while the VC Bragg was keen to support the new Berkshire rule of short socks – see photo under Berkshire pairs tab.
As the saying goes it’s all down to the back 9 holes on a Sunday - well it’s actually a Monday in the Kangaroo Cup! Field & Berryman banked 30 points to Walton & Taberer’s 29 on the first 9 holes but Walton at 75 years young was feeling the effect of walking the morning round. Woolsey & Hanna continued playing well with 32 points going out as did VC Bragg & Lumley also on 32 points. The Blue course is the more difficult of the two courses with only the team of Peplow & Radcliffe banking a 7 pointer on the 5th hole. The buggy leaders took a wrong turn and got on the bogey trail falling victim to the “both scores count” format despite Taberer’s run of 5 straight pars scoring 13 points from the 12th to the 16th. With the smell of victory lingering in the air standing on the 18th tee, Field & Berryman made one last push for the line with Field sinking a 15' birdie putt for 4 points to add to Beryman's 2, thinking they may well have done enough to get another Berryman/Field combination inscribed on the trophy – our much missed good friend Simon Berryman having suddenly passed away 3 years ago on the 13th September.
Back on the 17th tee Woolsey & Hanna were also smelling victory in the air after 5 points on the Stroke Index 2 16th only to both pull their drives close to the left gorse and walk off with only 2 points. VC Bragg & Lumley also picked up the scent after their 6 points on the 16th for VC Bragg only to miss the green long and left from the centre of the fairway with an 8 iron in his hand. VC Bragg must have stepped in some deer poo to bring him luck on the way to the green as he chipped in for a birdie for a team 5 points.
As with tradition scores are not disclosed till the presentation with all teams announced in reverse order. Field was feeling job done with only the 3 remaining scores to be announced, but sank slowly back in his chair hearing his 115 points announced in 3rd. In the closest Kangaroo Cup result ever, the teams of Woolsey/Hanna & Bragg/Lumey were tied on 117, both 57am, 60pm. Both had 28 back 9s, both had 21 last 6 so victory was awarded to VC Bragg & Lumley with 15 to 12 points on the last 3 holes. Nearest the pin competitions were won by Maciver on 18th Red and Hedgers on the Blue 1st.
