Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > OC Golf Society > OC Golf Tour May 2017

OC Golf Tour May 2017

Dave Tooze writes about the recent informal OC golf tour to the south coast
OC Golf Tour
OC Golf Tour

Old Colstonian Golf Tour 10th – 13th May 2017

The informal Spring Golf Tour originated as a few days away in different venues for enthusiastic golfers who needed an adrenalin top-up between Carlyon Bay visits.  Some of the original regulars are temporarily not playing, hence “impact subs”  Paul Winterbottom and Dave Tooze were drafted in for this year’s tour in the Bournemouth/Poole area.
 
Day One
 
A relaxing drive through typically picturesque Dorset countryside, passing spectacular Corfe Castle, led us to our first venue – the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club.
 
The clubhouse, and much of the course featured marvellous views, across undulating heathland to Poole Harbour, Sandbank and Brownsea Island with other holes looking out over the Swanage Bay. Weather conditions on the day were perfect; with many holes presenting challenging features, not least that any wayward shots off the fairway were punishingly lost in the dense gorse and heather of the rough.  Dave Tooze broke the course record -  for lost balls!  12 in total, however most of the party coped well, and the winner on the day was Mike Humphries with 31 Stapleford points.
 
A couple of miles to Studland, an interesting trip on the chain ferry to Sandbanks, a  less than one mile drive found us at the Plantation Hotel in  Canford Cliffs.  This proved to be another Bob Jennings winner, a quiet location, excellent food, facilities and staff, and a friendly welcoming atmosphere.  The day concluded at the hotel with evening dinner and a few beers to recharge the batteries.


 
Day Two
 
A p.m. tee time gave a free morning for a bracing walk down to the beach and along the sands to Sandbanks.  It was quite fascinating after a gap of many years to see the development in this location, albeit very appropriately done, and in no way overpowering.  Many of the houses and apartments on this narrow peninsula feature English Channel views on one side and the tranquil waters of Poole Harbour on the other.  Hardly surprising that these reflect the most expensive property prices in the UK, outside London.
 
The course for the day was Broadstones Golf Club, just north of Poole, and listed in the top 100 golf courses in the Country.  A magnificent clubhouse was the introduction to a heathland course and a varied and interesting selection of holes, steep climbs and descents and water hazards on some of the early holes.  After a very enjoyable afternoon’s golf, the day’s winner was Bob Jennings with 35 points.
 
The evening concluded with an excellent curry in a top Indian Restaurant, and a couple of night caps in a nearby pub with some very good live music.


 
Day Three
 
Friday’s course was located around ten miles to the east of Bournemouth and overlooking the Solent – Barton on Sea Golf Club.  Although self-designated as a links course, the layout is far more diverse than a traditional links, with elevated tees and greens, and very undulating fairways on many holes.  The club features three nine hole courses – Becton, Needles and Stroller, of which we played the first two.  The rain, which plagued much of the south of England, had passed through during the night and conditions were most pleasant with bracing sea air, and clear views to the Isle of Wight and the Needles.  The culmination of many challenging holes was the 91 yard (Par 3) 18th – an island hole overlooked by the clubhouse.  Dave Tooze added to his lost ball tally, but most of the OCs were more successful, particularly Mike Brown whose tee shot less than three feet from the pin.
 
Another enjoyable day was celebrated with photographs at the final hole, by a following four ball of Swiss Golfers who were requested/pressganged into acting as cameramen.   Winner of the day was Paul Winterbottom with 36 points.
 
Returning to our hotel we were faced with two challenges, far more daunting than any of the day’s golf holes.  Firstly our plan to watch Gloucester v Stade Français that evening in the European Rugby Challenge Final, was thwarted by the fact that all local hotels and hostelries which featured television would be watching Chelsea v Watford, in hindsight, hardly surprising in a soccer area like Bournemouth.  Even more serious was the fact that the hotel had run out of beer, surely not due to the abstemious OCs?  The latter was eventually resolved with some diligent action by the hotel manageress.  Mike Brown enterprisingly came to our aid on the rugby problem by setting up his Ipad in one of the small Mongolian style yurts in the hotel grounds, and we were able to relax around the circular table, enjoying a good meal, a few beers and a good game of rugby.


 
Day Four
 
A final, fortifying , full English breakfast set us up for our ultimate venue, a mere 2/3 miles to Meynick Park Golf Club situated in the middle of Bournemouth.  The clubhouse includes a leisure centre/gymnasium, and is fully open to the public, hence the course and facilities were fairly busy, but apart from one or two early hold-ups the day flowed well.  The first hole was a wake up after three days of golf and socialising – a 244 yard (Par 3)! With an elevated tee, and a fairway dropping into a narrow valley, with an equally steep climb up to the green.  The course levelled off in a parkland setting on the rest of the front nine, but become more wooded and tight on final holes.  Meyrick list their signature hole as the 14th, a very long Par 5, but our group mastered this very well.  A great day, with again excellent weather, the winner being Bob Jennings with 36 points.


Bob Jennings and Dave Tooze amongst the gorse
 
The results of the tour were analysed over a final beer, and scores for the four days were:
1. Bob Jennings – 115 pts 
2.  Paul Winterbottom – 110 pts
3.  Mike Humphries – 105 pts         
4.  Mike Brown – 98 pts
5.  Kev Griffiths – 94 pts                    
6.  Ian Gunn – 87 pts
7.  Dave Tooze – 78 pts
 
This just left a return drive via  a number of scenic Dorset villages, courtesy of my excellent navigator, for the four days, Kev Griffiths – no need for a SatNav!
 
Our immense thanks are due again to Bob Jennings for selecting four excellent courses, a superb hotel, and the faultless running of the tour,  plus the top company of  O.C.s.
 
Dave Tooze

Similar stories

Paul Winterbottom receives the trophy for the best Stableford score

OC Golf Society club captain Dave Tooze reports on the recent autumn meeting at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club More...

OC Seniors at Blenheim Palace

Dave Tooze reports on the recent OC Seniors' trip to Blenheim Palace More...

Mehrdad Modarres's video

Rare video footage of rugby at Colston's in the late 1970s More...

Most read

Have your say

 
This website is powered by
ToucanTech