This past weekend, the society gathered at the prestigious Cavendish Golf Club in Buxton for our Autumn Handicap event. A course with a rich history, Cavendish is the brainchild of Dr. Alister MacKenzie, who is renowned for his work on Augusta National, home of The Masters. Often hailed as the “Inspiration for Augusta,” Cavendish did not disappoint, offering us a challenging and picturesque backdrop for our competition.
The course in immaculate condition was complemented with cloudy blue skys although a gusty wind added an extra layer of difficulty. Several members, caught off guard by the chill, made a hasty retreat to the pro shop in search of additional layers. Despite the breeze, spirits remained high as we prepared to tackle this historic course.
A solid turnout of members assembled for the event, with everyone eager to test their skills on such a revered course. First on the tee was our sponsor for the day, Joe Wilcox, who had the honour of getting things started. With anticipation building, Joe took his swing—and promptly sent his drive a mere three yards, failing to clear the ladies’ tee. The silence that followed was quickly broken by laughter, and Joe, ever the good sport, took it in stride. Embracing the moment, and the ensuing ribbing, Joe obliged the traditional “dick out” challenge, dropping his trousers and marching across the tee triggering an even larger roar of laughter from all present. It was a fitting start to what would be a day filled with great golf and good-natured banter.
Joe wasn’t the only one struggling to get off the tee that day. Even our usually steady Captain had his troubles, producing what he himself declared the “worst drive ever.” His ball gently brushed from the tee and advanced a mere centimeter up the fairway. It was a humbling start for some of our more seasoned players, proving that even the best can have an off day.
The Captain Elect, Alex, had his own moment of misfortune on the course. After finally nailing a perfect shot down the fairway with his 6-iron, the ball mysteriously disappeared. One of the most frustrating moments in golf is losing a ball after a well-executed shot, and this was no exception. The group scoured the area to no avail, with frustration mounting. Just as hope was fading, Dave’s voice rang out from the buggy, “Is your ball a Titleist?” “Yes!” came Alex’s reply as his heart leapt with joy at the prospect of finding his ball. You could hear a chorus of angels singing as clouds parted and sunbeams filled the fairway. Finally some luck… only for Dave to add, “I’ll let you know if I find it!”. The laughter that followed was a much-needed remedy to the moment’s frustration.
As the day wore on, the course continued to challenge us all. On the 18th our resident Bandit ever the picture of mystery couldn’t help but crack a wry smile as Joe pressed him for his score. Dave Mac ultimately triumphed though, racking up 40 points to claim victory and a result that led to yet another cut in handicap. Joe Wilcox, despite his rocky start, rallied to finish as runner-up with a solid 36 points.
Nearest the pin honours went to Len Potts, who displayed excellent accuracy in a round where precision was often elusive. Did anyone else actually hit that green? Meanwhile, the infamous ANGs visor was suspiciously absent once again, leaving the matter unresolved with the visor committee.
All in all, it was a fantastic day out on a course steeped in history and tradition. Cavendish Golf Club lived up to its reputation, providing us with a challenging and thoroughly enjoyable experience. As we look forward to our next outing at Chorlton-Cum-Hardy for the Pairs Trophy, the memories of this weekend’s antics and triumphs will no doubt stay with us for a long time.