BA Burnt in Atlanta

A team of eight set sail for the Americas to take on Delta Airways. Led by Captain Les Sibley, Vice Captain Stan Knollman, and salty old seadogs Nigel Finch, Alastair Wisley, Richard Croxford, Mark Mohamed and new cabin boys Clive Jones & Manjit Bains. Every one arrived as planned; gratefully meet at airport, welcomed and transported by Bob, Sean & Jodie. The rest of evening was spent in Tacomac, which supplies as many world beers as it is possible to get in one bar, good start.

Day One (Sunday) Flat Creek.
A friendly warm up had been arranged, no decision as to competition. Les then took control; it was decided to play what US call British stableford. When Richard arrived and found out it was only $5 a man, shook his head, “I don’t get out of bed for that” no matter as was not in shake up. Les collected cards & money, and then after some calculation time stated that Bob, Alastair & himself had all got 32 pts. Resulting being himself winning on count back, the game is now known as Les’s stableford. It was off to and old favourite Big Daddies, food ordered, recommendation of Crab & Shrimp bucket, this proved to be a battle for Nigel, as it came in claw, if had been a match the crab would have won about 6&5.

Day Two (Monday) Durham Lakes.
Another friendly, this time mystery pairs, on arrival in shop a deal of $25 for golf & buggy set, plus driving range, happy days. This time Bob collected money and cards resulting in Alastair / Stan 64pts & Bob / Bill W (both US) 64pts this time, Bob as always a man of fair play decided to split money. Off to another old tried and trusted watering hole the Mellow Mushroom for evening. Monday nights are half priced beer, what a surprise then, to bump in to Big Eric who by the look of waist line, his fitness DVD is still a work in progress. Much merriment continued, not least walking back to hotel in dark along freeway.

Day Three (Tuesday) Planterra Ridge.
First day of competition proper, better ball pairs. Bad start for BA as first three matches go to Delta, Les/Mark losing 3-1 to John O / MJ, Alastair/Clive 5-4 to Larry A/Bob. Any comments about Stan being an old woman were confirmed when Larry the shagger (old story) & Paul talked him & Mark into playing off ladies tees due to age, Paul then proceeds to smack 250 yard drives on regular basis. Resulting in 2-1 victory. The last match going BA’s way 3-1 due to remarkable play by Richard supported by Nigel over Steve/Bill. After plenty of “let that be a lesson to you”, even we were feeling sorry for Bill, Richard being his guest. Bill did enquire as to availability of rooms at hotel so as to have a quite night. The evening planned at the local Longhorn Bob & Judy attended, a little delay due to Stan & Alastair (roomies) more like Waldorf & Statler, for those who can remember the Muppets, managing to turn a spilled coffee into blocking & overflowing toilet. Mark  & Manj proved to be very entertaining after downing best part of a bottle of Bacardi Spice before falling in to restaurant.        Delta 3 BA 1.

Day Four (Wednesday) White Water Creek.
Second Day of competition better ball pairs. Another bad day for BA, Sean and ever steady Bob accounting for Les & Stan 3-2, Mark & Manj did well to only lose 2 –1 to John & Paul. Richard & Clive lost to the two Larry’s (Hagman & Mize as Richard called them) 2-1. Last game again went to BA, Nigel & Alastair taking out Delta star Steve & MJ 4-3, it did contain shot of the tournament by MJ, bouncing ball off water up a 2 foot bank hitting red stake knocking it on to green. When told, Bob’s reply was “ I see that sh*t all the time”. Sad to have to report Stan now with villa in Spain is no longer the holder of whitest legs that now goes to Nigel, who after seeing only colour change in two days was red spots from bites, dispensed with shorts.
Southern hospitality continued with Bob & Judy hosting a BBQ. Excellent food & drink for everyone though Richard claiming the mosies ate more of him than He got to eat. There seemed to be a plan to finish of Brits by supplying copious amounts of a Gin cocktail, when Sean found out some of Brits were not drinking it, a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue label appeared. The plan looked to have backfired when it was noticed MJ laid out on a recliner, that wasn’t the give away, it was the fact He started talking sense worried everyone. With some old friends turning up, had an excellent night.               Delta 6 BA 2.

Day Five (Thursday) Cannon Gate.   
Last day singles, Steve picks up his first point plus $20 off Richard, Manj goes down to straight not boring Bob and then things brighten up with games looking to be going BA way. 2 games close and 3 in BA favour. Sadly from both being 3 up, Les lost 1 down to Larry, & Alastair only managed a half with MJ, Clive also loses to Paul 1 down. Mark again takes out John O, who has made into a personal quest, every time He has asked for Mark and result has been the same, like a Rocky film, He won’t lie down, if it were a boxing match a referee would have jumped in to stop the punishment. Stan lost another close match 2&1 to Bill W. Nigel secures 4&3 win due to Sean’s putter having a flubber insert & Nigel’s happy Gilmore 5 wood. This being his 3rd win tournament only to have handicap questioned, with final score of  11 ½ to 4 ½ how much do these boy’s want. For presentation it was back to Mellow Mushroom. Excellent turn out with several wives from Delta plus Debbie to add a much needed bit of glam to BA team. Stanapidia as became know due to endless facts about anything mentioned (true or false who knows, who listens) presented trophy to ever-present captain Bob Wooster. Talk was of who would take trophy as they had held it for best part of 14 years, Paul stepped up to the plate, stating He had a place for it, then disappeared. An enjoyable night had by all, trophy back to it’s spiritual home with Bob.                                         

Day Six (Friday) Planterra Ridge.        
Last day golf arranged, just to fleece Brits of last few dollars? No as always it can’t be over stated the hospitality given. As always Bob/Steve & Larry A turned up. Format mystery pairs, the day topped by the golf being arranged next to a private airfield where a practice for air show including acrobatics, big fighter planes flying low enough to rattle ground going on next door as we played, Steve, Larry & our man Clive able to give expert analysis & commentary. Steve took to coaching Manjit, after nine holes looked have turned out a world-beater with 22pts. He did fade a bit on back but seeds are there. Cards were sorted winners informed, it was decided to watch continuing air show and spend the money on beer.
Every one then dispatched to airport by Bob & Judy, completing a very successful trip. Special thanks to the three who turned up every day, Bob as always, Steve official photographer & Richards gambling partner, sadly did lose $5 on last day. Larry with new R11 driver, which when good was good, when bad, frightened wild life in Alabama. Hopefully some chaps can come over next year and we can reciprocate in same way.        

Roving Reporter: Nigel Finch