Sunday last, the society made its way to the historic Buxton and High Peak Golf Course, a venue that dates back to 1887. This ancient course has undoubtedly seen its fair share of golfing ups and downs over the years, and today was no exception as 9 brave hackers took on the autumnal chill of the High Peaks. A big thanks goes to Alan Corbishley who sponsored the annual Chairman’s Cup competition.
A Cold Affair with Layered Golfers
After nervously tracking the weather all week, we were relieved to see the rain hold off, but the day certainly had a chill in the air. Players arrived prepared with extra layers and gloves, ready for a crisp day of golf. The cold winds sweeping across the fairways were a clear reminder that winter was just around the corner. The wind chill made things “interesting,” especially as we approached the 5th, where it was pointed out that it was the highest tee in Cheshire. If nothing else, it certainly felt that way with the breeze making things just a little more challenging.
A Surprise on the 14th
While Alex Baker is known for being one of the society’s longest hitters, there was a surprising twist on the 14th hole. One of our more senior members Len ‘Daily’ Potts stepped up and, in a moment of brilliance, out-drove Alex. It’s not often you see the big hitter humbled, but it was all taken in good humour and added a bit of excitement to the round.
A “Helping Hand” on the 17th
One of the lighter moments of the day occurred on the 17th hole when Steve found himself blocked out by the fairway marker. Ever the helpful playing partner, Stuart decided to relocate the marker. It was all very reminiscent of a lollipop man, minus the pop, of course. Stuart had endured a tough round by that point, and it seemed he was seriously considering swapping it out for his driver!
Steve’s (Unseen) Moment of Glory
Despite the challenges, Steve had his shining moment on the 13th hole where he reportedly made a superb chip-in to claim the day’s twos pot. The only problem? No one was actually around to witness it and we just had to take his word for it. To be honest though, his loud victorious roar, massive huge grin and leaping around the green seemed to confirm the story. In what would have been a ironic twist, Dave Mac nailed the green in regulation to within 4 feet, however he narrowly missed out on sharing the pot after a less-than-memorable missed two-putt, one that will likely haunt him for a while!
Given the modest turnout of 9 players, the twos pot wasn’t exactly overflowing. But Steve’s joy was quickly diminished when, after settling his fines and IOUs, he found himself with a grand total of… £1. Here Steve pictured beforehand. It was not quite the windfall he had hoped for, but it’s the principle that counts, right?
Nearest the Pin by Default and Competitive Finishes
Alex Baker took the nearest the pin prize on the day—by default! He was the only one to actually hit the green, proving that sometimes just showing up is half the battle. Meanwhile, Steve’s consistency didn’t stop there, as he secured the runner-up spot with 34 points, continuing his strong form.
But the day’s ultimate winner was Alex Baker himself, once again making a name for himself in the society by taking the top spot with an impressive 36 points. The man is becoming something of a trophy collector, and with performances like this it looks like there is another sure fire contender for Bandit.
Captain’s Delight and Final Thoughts
Special mention goes to Mr. Captain, who was thrilled to claim third place, edging out the resident bandit by a single point. His excitement was palpable, and rightly so—it’s always nice to sneak onto the podium when competition is tight.
There had been some criticism of the sandy greens but overall, Buxton and High Peak Golf Course held up well, even under the chilly conditions. Playing long today, it challenged everyone, but it’s easy to imagine how delightful this course must be in the warmth of summer. With sweeping views and a historic layout, it remains a favorite spot for the society, and we look forward to returning for another round, hopefully with a bit more sunshine and a little less wind!