This letter from John to me has no reply. It must have got lost!
1st June 2012
Hi Colin,
Thanks for the email attachment.
It’s been a very busy this week as Mark B is away on hols so here is a short summary of last week’s games.
Last Friday I played for the county against Gloucestershire at Wenvoe Castle. It was really hot with a fair bit of wind.
In the morning I played top with JT. It is foursomes format and only 9 holes so it’s a bit of a sprint. I didn’t play very well to start with and lost a drive to the right on the 4th and we went 2 down. However, I chipped in on the 6th to win the hole with a birdie and then hit a lovely 7 iron to the 7th after JT’s good drive and they conceded the hole so back to all square. I hit a good drive down the 8th and we halved that one and then we won the last with a par. The win was important in the overall game as we won the morning session 4-1.
In the afternoon I played against a decent player. I started very badly losing the first 3 holes. However, I clawed it back bit by bit and got him back to all square after 13 holes. He got up and down out of a bunker on 14 to halve that one. I then hit a very poor tee shot on the next to lose it to a par. I also lost the 16th after my tee shot hit a tree and he closed me out with a par on the 17th.
It was a bit disappointing because I didn’t play anywhere near as well as I could. My irons were particularly poor. However, we won the match overall.
You’re going to love the next bits!!
He noticed something wrong with my chipping technique and as he was a very good chipper showed me what he did. I must say it worked extremely well and I have used it since with good effect.
As you know, I have purchased some new woods. I got the last one but it wasn’t what I was expecting so on the Sat morning, I went to M to see the Pro about it. We decided the club was right and while I was down there I asked him to have a quick look at my swing. Straight away he noticed 2 things. Firstly my shoulders were way open and secondly I wasn’t following through with my swing – I was attempting to guide the ball.
After correcting these 2 I played Sunday evening and hit the ball really well.
On Tuesday evening we played Swansea Bay away in the league. Our captain was missing so I took over. I put myself and B against their best pair to see what we could do and let our 2 strongest pairs play the others. It worked well. I played well over all but their top pair were very consistent and we lost 3 and 2. Our 2nd pair won 3 and 2 and in the last match, JT holed a birdie putt on the last to win by 1 hole meaning we won the match 2-1. So a great start wining 2 away matches which is almost unheard of!
Club Champs this weekend. 18 holes on Sat with the top 8 going into matchplay on Sun and Mon. I’m playing ok but not thinking too much about qualifying. Just going to get it round as low as I can!
Good luck with the bowls this weekend
Regards,
John
