2015 – October – How to shock a mummy…

Short mans first Hole-in-One!

Given the Mcilroy  esq meltdown at South Herts, both ‘caddies’ agreed to go with him for his next Lannock link event. Also there was a serious amount of practice put in before hand. The good news was it all worth it.. a round of 34 saw him get his little mitts on the gross 1^st place and leave him 3^rd in the order of merit. The sneaky birdie on the 3^rd helped out a little. This was followed up with his first Hole in 1! (on a practice round at Alderwickbury). Two weeks later with mummy caddie presiding he managed a 35 to pick up his third gross win in a row at the Lannock Links. This was followed that same day with a 34 At Alderwickbury (futures tour) were although he didn’t win anything he was promoted to division 1 (handicap Cat 2). Thus this month was all Jekyll and an no Hyde! This left him with one Links event to play in November, and 2 Tiger medals (Nov/Dec). On the whole October made Mr Aaron a very happy golf monkey!  

2015 – September – Jekyll and Hyde golf..

" Daddy....This trophy is bigger than my head!"

The inconsistency of competition golf is a seeming common theme in Shorty-mans golf head. The September installment of this ongoing saga highlighted this to perfection.

Jekyll – A blistering assault on the Lannocks Links on championship day.. Steamrollered round in very creditable 32 (including 2 birdies) thus lifting the Cubs Gross trophy (which was bigger than his head) and 2^nd in the net! Happy factor x10!

Hyde- Two Weeks later at South Herts the home of his first ever competition victory, he was six steady holes in looking to get something close to 34, and then the wheels fell off big time. On three holes he doubled his score….unbelievably from such a good start he capitulated to a 46 stroke finish… Happy factor  x -10.

2015 – August- Holiday Therapy

It's not exactly Chesfeild is it?

Just under a year ago, during a late night battle with BA’s airmiles booking system, the family holiday was booked in the mad scramble of actually getting seats on the holiday booking madness. When the dust settled we realized this year we were going to the Cayman Islands and didn’t have a clue about what to expect / or even if there was any golf facilities there… we needn’t have worried as the hotel we booked was right next the only three course on the island. Learning from previous holiday’s golf kicked off at 7:30, (only nine holes) and then the rest of the day mostly included Pool / beach /getting fat and visiting stingrays. The wee man even made ‘friends’ with the golf course alternative locals, the resident Iguana ‘Family.’ On return to the North Atlantic shores the sun, sand and sea seemed to have an effect as he recorded an improved 38 at Mill green with the futures Tour…Maybe the Iguana’s gave him some tip’s….

I will grow into these glasses

Hello Stingray!

2015 – July – The yo-yo story continues…

Practice, practice and practice (aided by real actual, yes it did really happen good weather) saw the wee monster begin to think a little about such things as stance and alignment.. those little thing many amateur golfers completely fail to pay full attention to. The little golfer was seen in practice rounds getting behind the ball and almost looking like he lining up a shot all proper like.. . It wasn’t long before this policy was transposed to putting and in the matter of a few practice rounds his notoriously bad putting began to improve.  Evidence of this mini transformation came at the first of two July Lannock Link events when he rocked round in 35 (sinking 2 birdies along the way) all under the guidance of ‘Mummy caddie.’  It got him joint 3^rd in the net and 2^nd in Gross .However just to remind us he was still human, 2 weeks later on the same course he crawled over the finish line with a hefty 44 and a case of the Grumps. With over a month till his next completion and a holiday to ‘chillax’ on we hoped this was a blip rather than a road back up handicap hill..

2015 – May / June – Hit, Miss & Maybe

The immediate reaction to the ‘greater involvement initiative’ was positive, a steady 36 at the Lannock link event, Gross winner in his age category and a happy golfer t’boot. Later that day he took on his second County event on the futures tour and posted a slightly higher 40 on the shorter yet ‘sneaky’ tree lined Stevenage course, though not brilliant it earned him a handicap cut and not a bad effort for a first time at the new course and second round of the day. A second bash at the Main course nine holes saw another win and his handicap cut buy a staggering 8! Sadly however this was to be the high point of the period. One week later in nasty wet weather for June he posted an equally nasty 51 (arghhhhh – Aarons exact words…)  followed a week later by a semi recovery 42 back on the links, only to undo his good works with a 49 at the Shire London’s academy course.. shades of the last two years were beginning to colour the scene. Things were not at their best and perhaps his various tour handicaps reflected this.

Lannock links =  11 (Up 3 from a year ago)

Tigers  = 17

Futures  = 31

Main course = 40

Again however the cheeky chaps enthusiasm for ‘beating the course’ remained and as such more mini golfer vs the course were planned + much, much more practice.

2015 – Mar/ April - New courses, Old boo-boos..

1st Tee = No fear!

 The shaky start at Mill Green proved be a glimpse of what was to come, the eight year old bottom lip sticking out action associated with ‘Grumbledown.’ Despite his poor end of season raising his Lannock Links handicap upped by two, his ‘interesting’  shot selection around the greens and wayward drives lead to the Grumps and rushed shots on both his first two Lannock Link events resulting in the cursed 40/41 stroke score line. A trip to Redbourne for the County Futures tour looked to promise a turn around as the first four holes were all solid fours, then a wayward tee shot set ‘Grumbledown’ in motion, and the round began to dissolve rather rapidly. The ‘parental’ coaching staff where a little concerned, and thus set about trying to tackle this bottom lip destruction. This involved both parties being more hand on with both practice and completion day. (Mummy even got a putter and pink club ! ) Before that however he was loosed on a nine hole main course event, and much to everyone’s surprise finished first in his section with a score of 55.. (HC , Junior, 48) The Mini golfer’s interest once again picked up and he seemed excited about Mays upcoming events.

2015 Winter – Cold yet promising

Aaron's new 'Fashion' statement....Plus a wee trophy

Despite the previous year being a near copy of 2013, with regards to improvement the shortmans enthusiasm has clearly not dwindled. The weather in January was not overly supportive of outside activity and as such practice was consigned to the range and putting green. As January rolled into February the Mill green monthly medal appeared on the calendar and proved a fine opportunity to try out the new clubs (he had been growing again!) The new clubs proved a bit tricky to handle at first but he settled into the round and despite some strugglesome putting managed to ‘knick’ 2^nd spot in his division and shave a couple off his handicap. Generally happy with himself, his message to the big people was “This year I will win five medals and a trophy,” all said with a seriously serious totally must be, believed face…  

2014 – Dec - A silver lining

With scores spiraling in the wrong direction, was his interest finally fading… Nope not this monkey! In the final competitive round of the year in deepest darkest December (that was surprisingly sunny) the mini golfer and clubs headed to Mill green for the final medal of the year. And though his driving was a little erratic and more bunkers that greens were found he  kept plugging away and was duly rewarded with a 1^st place in his division, a handicap cut and promotion to the next division.. (Net 20) not to bad a finish. He also picked up a medal at the Lannock Links end of year presentation, though he seemed more interested in the deely boppers and inflatable guitar… 

Rock'n'Roll golf styleeee

2014 – Oct /Nov – The Autumn of Discontent

Another ‘learning curve’ event was encountered during these two months revolving around the fact that golf is an infuriating game. After the rise, comes the fall.. Two round in October and nothing good to report, rolling round the local (par 3) course in 40/41 did little to back up his recent good work. The clubs travelled on holiday with us to sunny Dubai and fun was had on a few courses (including a cheeky nine on the Montgomery.) Sadly we had to return to the not so sunny shores of the Britannic Isles and equally as sadly his score continued their downward trend.. Recording his worst score of the year in the final Lannock’s link event, shooting a staggeringly bad 49… OUCH! Oh well at least the holiday was fun….

2014 – September – Never bet a short person…

After his smash and grab third in the Tiger champs a general improvement on home turf was hoped for, and an duly delivered In the Lannock Links he played pretty much to handicap and just missed a medal in the gross  so no complaints there. A week later the mini golfer was back in action at Mill Green at the Parker classic and put a good performance, though he needed something special to get his mitts on prize… Needing a birdie Mummy ‘foolishly’ bet him a small figure that he couldn’t possibly do that… to shots later the ball was in the hole and a cheekily grinning golf monkey inquired after his winnings… and over all in his category and once again more smiles. 

2014 – August – Gainsborough

After qualifying for the tiger championship final earlier in the year we prepared for the final all the way up in Gainsborough.. it was a course that was a little too far  away for weekly practice so the plan revolved around going up a day early to scope out the course. The sneaky tiger people though had a master plan as the course was to be played on main course, with tee positions decided the evening before, thus it was to be mystery tee box golf! At least we had the fun of watching Manchester united humbled by MK dons on the box that night (Ha ha Uncle Pete) The next day saw the short man take on Gainsborough and though it was a tough ask and not a vintage performance he finished third, and snagged a wee trophy and a Umbrella that was bigger than him..  The tour of the Ping factory was a nice touch and on the whole a happy Wee Golfer made his way back to Hitchin-Land.

2014 – July roller coaster..

Buoyed by recent events the Not quite so mini golfer (he is growing y’know) armed with new golf sticks was ready to take on his local course in Julys installment of the league. Another steady round saw a first in the gross category. Thus with high hopes we headed off to Tonbridge for the Wee Wonders qualifier.. things were looking good until the water guards 4^th claimed his ball and the bottom lip made an appearance.. thus the grumps killed the score card on the 4^th and 5^th. Despite a steadying out and 2 par finish.. a lowly 9^th place had to be settled for.  Six days later however and a better score saw a 2^nd place at the tiger monthly medal in his division and another handicap cut. Two bits of silver ware to show for month but we could tell the wee man was not impressed with his Tonbridge performance.. No St Andrews this year then.  Though as treat for the Family we finished the month with a trip to the final day at the open and as The wee man was there to see that man McIlroy sink the putt that let him lift the claret jug. Times one happy chappie.

2014 Spring – summer – New clubs…. Again

Mine, Mine all Mine!

The new clubs were a change from go golf to US Kids, and this time the wee chappie had time to try before you by in the store. Thus despite Nikes best offerings the cheaper US kids won out. They soon faced there first test on home turf.. and paid instant dividends, a shaving off of 8 shots from the previous months round and though no medals a much happier wee man was noted.  The Following month saw a near repeat performance before the statutory shock round at his first Mill Green Tiger Medal.. not having being entered in this before he was told he couldn’t win a divisional prize. But was given a nominal 36 HC…  he thus blasted round in 36 for a net of 0 with a nearest to the Pin thrown in for good measure.. cue the happy face and top tiger trophy. (handicap thus subsequently slashed…) 

2014 – Wentworth & speechless small folks

As the BMW Wentworth tournament drew closer the wee golfer’s questions on would Rory be

there became more frequent. Thus the Wednesday before it all kicked off he had the day off school to see the Celebrity Pro-am tournament.  Thus the early bird start to avoid the London traffic armed with Nannies home cooking and other tummy fillers. Traffic was as ever against us and we just about made the tour of the ping truck organized by the Tiger club for the previous years champs winners.  At the end if this little adventure they were each the recipient of a bag of Ping goodies and let loose to watch the Pros and celebs in action. Not only that his nice new ping hat collected a few golfing signatures, as the day drew to close the wee man was growing concerned over the missing signature of one Mr Mcilroy. Not be denied he caught up with his golfing hero and a little star struck got the missing signature…

2014 (early) Not the most auspicious start..

Teeing off 2014 with a smile

Despite keeping the little golfer safe from harm, the weather (as always) kept him off the green stuff and the upshot of this being his first round was near replica of his final round of the previous year.. in his own words, “It was a bit poop”  joint last in the net category.  Things didn’t improve in the following 18 hole Callaway event on the front nine.. Then some bright spark decided to use a tee to tee off with on back nine and improved by 10 shots….. It appeared somebody had been doing some secret growing again…thus a  trip to the Golf shop for some new clubs seemed in order.. Despite this not so encouraging start the mini golfer was still keen to beat the course..

2013 Round up

This was a bit of a mixed bag, firstly a start with a broken collar bone, the lows of Dr Evils Par 3 of doom, and his final Chesfield round of the year that was far from his best, and the highs of the Fox Hills victory + a personal best on the Lannocks links course of 35. This season also saw his first outright victories and as such a generally happy wee golfer. So for a second year in a row he picked up a medal at his local course and had few more trophies on the shelf.. The average round score was down by 2 strokes and so too was his ‘average’ handicap.  Thus we ended the season hoping the back garden golf could cope with winter and taking the precaution of hiding all bouncy hoppers in early January…  

Autumn 2013 – Somewhat unexpected….

Given the Shorty mans run of form in the Lannock’s links competitions this year, a solitary best finish of 5^th and a bunch of mid and lower end finishes, it seemed like we were just going through the motions. But persist we did and unlike last time tiredness was not an issue and Chief coach daddy, was back in the caddy seat.. Thus with limited expectations (ie a 45/44 for a 5^th ish finish) we waited for his tee off. What followed was quite impressive. Four pars off the first four holes and plenty of happy dances! 5 & 6 were in the Boo-boo territory (oddly enough a 5 & 6) but a finish of par, bogie, bogie finish meant the cheeky chappie went home with a quite impressive round of  34! And first place in his age group! Whilst the Order of Merit may be out the window this season, at least he going to get a medal (his first Gold in the Lannock links!) Well done Aaron!!! Uncle Pete better watch out!

Autumn 2013 - Evolution of the Golf Garden

Goodbye pesky lawn....

After the excitement of Foxhills, came the reality check of the Lannock links Championship and a lowly 3^rd from bottom finish. Tiredness and missing head coach (Daddy) seemed to be the main causes of this not so hot performance, however the next stage of the plan was under way.. Earlier in the year we had been on the Phone to Huxley Golf and sized up a putting green in the back garden. And thus the master plan was put into action. ‘Daddy’ had the fun job of lifting the turf, to help out the ‘Huxley Man’ (As named by shortie). Thus followed three days of lifting shifting, rolling digging brushing etc.. but the final result was a nifty 15 by 18 putting green with 4 holes and plenty of cheeky challenges.. Would it be enough to help the Wee man with his Achilles heel.. time will tell. It did however meet with wide eyed wonder when completed and putting fun began in earnest. The next job of painting the house was far less exciting....

....Hello putting green.

Early Autumn 2013 – Operation Foxhills.....

No fear on the first tee!

Given recent highs and lows of the Wee golfer, the trip to Foxhills was undertaken with a pensive air. The early signs were not the most encouraging either. Arriving the day before to have a cheeky look at the test ahead Family E took on the interesting looking nine holes and the Short man set about finding just about every bunker, ditch and tree in true adventure seeker style (Daddy wasn’t much better). After a wee stop for lunch we decided to revisit the scenes of our worst crimes and to some relief things improved. The following day arrived and annoyingly so did the rain! However as soon as it came to pre match Photo time the clouds began to thin and the little golfer / showman began to emerge. With the good shots from the day before firmly loaded into his little noggin, the battle of Short man Vs course began. It was as ever a round of highs and lows, but eventually all lead to a tense presentation in the club house. After a plate of chicken and chips and what seemed like the longest five minutes ever, the winner of the Tiger club Championships 6 & under was reviled to be …….Aaron Evans, needless to say he didn’t waste any time rushing off to get his little mitts on the prize!

Summer 2013 – Mixed bag

So Mini Me, What shall we call this Evil Design.. yes Nailcote Hall sound perfect..

Despite the positives of recent performances, the fickleness of the golf gods was once again highlighted over summer. A somewhat under par performance in his local completion and a trip to Cambridge Lakes Par3 course on for the Wee wonders saw the little golfers hopes of a trip to St Andrews slide off the green. Though a week later at his home course he was once again able to sing the ‘Aaron is a winner’ song as he marched home first in his age group at another Tiger club event… Sensing an upturn in events we headed to Nailcote hall with high hopes only to have them quashed on course designed by Dr Evil… 18 holes of par three hell and scores in triple figures says it all. Rumour has is other plays did in fact see sharks with lasers on their heads in some of the water hazards….Finally at the end of the Summer holidays the short man seemed to be finding his way again as he played to his handicap in another local comp and narrowly missed the out on a top three finish. Summer has thus left us with much to think on, but the little fella seems unperturbed by all this and so all eyes are now on the Tiger club Final at Fox Hills