Burnham & Berrow

Posted by Michael on 9 October 2010 | 0 Comments | Tags: , , , , , ,

Up next on the roster was Burnham & Berrow Golf Club on the South West Coast of England some 45 minutes South of what has been base camp at Bristol.  After waking up to a few plumming dramas at the abode of JP??s cousin, Ross & Rachel??s house we headed south ?? to continue our loop around England, manager Bart (Doug) in tow, and met our hosts for the day, Euan Bremner & Richard Read.  

These two lads are partners in a corporate law firm based out of Bristol and had taken the day out to entertain us.   The connection was through our mate Zyg from up at Royal Aberdeen so this blogpost inadvertently gives me a chance to recall the now infamous stories of Zyg and his shanks on that picture perfect day at Balgownie that is forever stuck in my memory.  That day Zyggie and SP entertained us like no other & after 12 hours at the club we had enough stories to fill a book ?? probably an R-rated book.  So when Zyg jacked up his mate Euan (formerly from the old stomping ground at Aberdeen) to play with us we knew we were in for a fun day.    Euan had made the connection with his workmate Richard who is a member at B&B and thus the plan was hatched.

We broke the ice over a coffee, a breakfast bap and a few stories, many involving Zyg and a place called Magaloof.  These stories are not for public consumption. 

After playing a few more local courses over the last week Burnham & Berrow was a real treat.  A pure out-and-back links along the coastline and through the dunes.  The turf was good and the greens pure.  As JP would say, the stars were aligned.

We also had some local help at hand ?? in the form of Frank ?? a member who was once upon a time from NZ until he immigrated to these parts in 1956.  

B&B is another course that has been blessed with the touch of Harry Colt, but also had input from Dr MacKenzie during the 20??s.  One of the great professionals, James Taylor, also plied his trade here as a pro for 16 months before he went on to bigger and better things (namely winning 5 Open championships, designing a number of courses and being part of the great triumvirate).   How is that for some name dropping?

It was a classic day out really.  Four guys all playing some good golf, some average golf but generally talking the way around the golf course caring little about putts missed, shots shanked and balls lost.   Don??t get me wrong there were some fine golfing moments such as Euans 320 yard drive on the par five 8th hole.. Actually I can??t go past his tee shot on the 7th?? You see, Euan had started his pre-shot routine ?? a serious pre-shot routine for a serious 19 handicap golfer.  Yet Rick wanted to tell him the line to hit it between the bunkers on the left and the hazard right.  This wasn??t an easy tee shot and definitely not one the prudent golfer would go at guns blazing with the driver.  So Rick wandered up to point the direction, standing mere inches from Euans ball teed up between the pegs.  ??You see, don??t go too far right? Rick said, ??as there is a ?. WHACK? ?. and with that Rick was interrupted by an almighty swing by Euan the swoosh of the club felt on his leg as the titanium driver barely missed Rick??s left leg.  We all got the fright of our lives and looked up, laughter everywhere, only to be shocked to see the ball sailing straight down the middle to position A1.  ??Don??t interrupt me in my pre-shot routine? chipped Euan, clearly stoked that impulsiveness had paid off for him on this occasion.  The blighter won that hole knocking a sand wedge to a few feet to make a 4 net 3.  But, despite Rick??s reliable swing leading him nowhere but straight all day, the match was going our way, match fitness and all prevailing for the kiwi boys who rarely get paired together but on this occasion dovetailed to perfection with 7 birdies spaced out across the round.

The back nine was always going to be more difficult as the wind was unrelentingly in our faces and any golfer knows you need to be on Top Form to come home with consistency in these conditions.  Bogeys were made but the banter continued all the way to the clubhouse, where our resolution to stay off the beers was broken as we yarned over a pint.

Not having anywhere to stay Euan invited us back to Bristol.  So much for continuing our journey south but it did make sense rather than all try and find something further down the coast at this late stage in the day.  Actually Doug had been making some calls in his managerial role, but so far had lucked out (that is lucked out in NZ terminology?? eg unlucky, as opposed to in the US lingo).   The decision to go back to Bristol also made great sense later that night when we were out in the pubs having a whale of a time with our man Euan.  Although I think Rick was still on the side of the motorway trying to change his tyre!!  He thought he had it fixed thanks to us stopping and puregolf2010 manager/ mechanic Doug putting the spare tyre on, but we??ve subsequently found out Doug made a balls up of that and Rick was there some time fixing it?.

Needless to say after a cracking night of banter with Euan we woke up the following day braced for a very long drive to Westwood Ho and feeling a little bit sorry for ourselves.  But Burnham & Berrow ?? one of the best in England so far.  Thanks lads for arranging this ?? thanks for making the connection Zyg and thanks Frank for showing us the ropes.  This time, we??re finally out from Bristol ?? next stop Cornwall! 

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