The Christmas Cracker UK at Thorpeness

For the fourth year in a row, we returned to the Suffolk coast and to the delightful Thorpeness Hotel & Golf Club which has now become home for our annual Christmas Cracker event in the UK. A record 16 of the 26 couples were attending their first ever Fairways event.

Day 1 – Team Event

As always, day one is the team event where from the team of four, two scores are to count on every hole and all scores count on the par 3 holes.

We were greeted with an absolutely perfect winter’s morning, clear blues skies, no wind and the sun shining down on us. This was also “Christmas Jumper” day and the whole group made a fantastic effort as they donned their festive regalia.

After much fun and laughter on the first tee, it was down to business as 13 teams took on this wonderful “Top 100” layout. While many courses were closed due to the recent downpours, Thorpeness was perfectly dry and many of the group were amazed at how much run the ball was achieving on the fairways.

The Bondhay team consisting of David Doig, Jane Hutchinson, Steve Cammock & Sue Clark compiling a fine round together. With a front 9 of 43pts, they continued their great play on the back with 42pts, signing for a wonderful total of 85pts. Hot on their heels just a couple of groups behind, the team consisting of Crews Hill & Mill Hill members Steve & Mary McDowell, Tom Powell & Catherine Stimpson had also had a great round. Coming home in 44pts, they matched the Bondhay teams total and would joint them atop of the leaderboard.

In a result that could not have been closer, the Essex foursome of Kevin Boon, Angela West & Steve & Kerry Elliott then returned to the clubhouse and after checking their card, had remarkably joining the other two groups on 85pts. It would come down to countback and with a scintillating score of 48pts on the back, the spoils went to The Chelmsford & Basildon quartet by the narrowest of margins.

Day 2 – Pairs Event

It was another bright crisp morning on day 2 as the competition reverted back to our normal format of fourball betterball. There was a few sore heads from the previous nights frolics, so hopefully the fresh air from the nearby North Sea would help.

The scoring was proving to be steady rather than spectacular until Rich & Pat Hawthorn jumped out of the pack when they came back to the warmth of the clubhouse and posted a fine 38pts. Manor of Groves duo Roger & Heather Blake then went 1 point better after a back 9 of 20pts shot them to the top of the leaderboard.

Then Kevin Boom & Angela West, part of the previous days winning team, returned and signed for a remarkable score. Consisting of 10-3pt holes and 1-4pt hole the Chelmsford pair had scorched around the Thorpeness layout in an amazing 45pts. It would give them victory by 6 shots and at the same time complete the Christmas Cracker double which had never been achieved before.

A brilliant two days with incredible weather and a fantastic group of people all willing to join in the festive fun. Many thanks once again go to Thorpeness Hotel & Golf Club who always go that extra mile to make our stay so special.