Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Jim Hardie's Email from New Zealand


The Cramond/Hardie golf tour rolls on in the blistering South Island heat, the latest as the photo shows, against the much travelled Peter Smith (first left in picture), and scratch partner Scott Ritchie (second from right). John Cramond is second from left and Jim Hardie on extreme right.
To say it was no quarter asked or given would sum up the duel at Cromwell golf course, a testing par 72 and the game played off the back tees in 33 degrees, thankfully with a breeze !
Game started with a birdie 4 from yours truly, immediately countered with a birdie 3 at second from Scott who then birdies the next two. 

 I respond with birdie 2 at long par 3 a bit of a beast at 212 metres, then I also birdie the next to  square the match. Then Cram gets in the act with a birdie 3 for us to go one up, only till the next where Peter stiffs his approach
With the opposition in all sorts of bunker trouble, Cram and look certain to go one up after 9, only for Scott to chip in from 30 yards range for a half in par
Back nine was similar, halves in birdies, till the most basic error by not only a pro, but his scratch partner. The BOTH played each other's ball, and did not notice until after holing out! Cram and Hardie one up again.

 Next hole Peter holes a raker for birdie, all square, which carries on to the 16th, a monster par 4 over 450 yards. Cram chips in from an impossible place fpr us to regain the lead.
Not to be outdone, Scott birdies the par 3 17th, and it's all square again.
The last hole at Cromwell is a huge par 4 and in the heat after some long tee shots, yours truly had the chance with a six-footer to win the day, but missed, and all square was just about correct for the final outcome.
Lost count of better-ball score but in region of 10 under !
Last week in Christchurch the mighty Sir Bob and partner Geoff Saunders, a three-handicapper, simply put Cram and me to the sword.

Sir Bob was simply unbelievable, a 69 round his home course at Clearwater. Cram and I lost 6 and. Ouch!
Weather has been amazing, with John wishing he could stay longer in New Zealand !
On another point, Peter Smith will be leaving Cromwell late February to take up the post of Director of Golf at Millbrook, one of the top golf jobs in the South Island, if not indeed New Zealand !
Regards to all
Jim Hardie

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