Friday 21st September and the Musketeers achieved a good turnout of 20 players for one of our last majors of the year.   Fresh faced and energy levels recovered from some of us having a rest from the Ted Butler, we found ourselves having a shotgun start to ensure we were all finished and ready for lunch by 2pm at Tillac.

Little did we expect that the cooler weather would bring out the most impressive performance of the year by Reg Hole, a superb 42 points (The most this year - Shooting a gross 74 in the process)

1st Place = Reg Hole (42 points)
2nd Place = David Coombes (38 points)
3rd Place = Steve Paterson (35 points) - Prize awarded to Joe Lyons due to "1 prize per person rule"

Longest Drive (11th) = Lucy Hole
Nearest The Pin (4th) = Steve Paterson

Following the golf, the Musketeers enjoyed yet another delicious lunch at Rabastens in Tillac.  

During the Ted Butler week we had the singles Stableford International challenge at Pallane on the Thursday.

Joe Lyon won with 37 points and was looking forward to the enjoying public acclaim of his victory during the evenings presentations at La Vielle Etable in Mirande.  Sadly both Joe and his wife were taken ill and unable to attend the awards.   After a weeks recovery we were delighted to present Joe with his trophy and prizes at the September monthly Medal

Thursday 6th September and Sadly it was our last day of the Ted Butler international challenge.  Following the Musketeers confirmed win at Mont De Marsan yesterday, some individuals from both teams arrived fresh faced and up for the final challenge - whilst others (Including myself) were certainly looking and feeling rather jaded after 3 days of competitive golf.

Despite the weather forecasts predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms, we were instead greeted by a cool fresh day with only a spattering of rain, frankly a welcome break from the week so far.

Our final gathering of the week took place at La Vieille Etable near Mirande, a wonderful restaurant with delicious food, fantastic aperitif's and very welcoming service.   Following the four course meal, presentations for the week and today were made by our captain Peter Giles.  Special thanks were also extended to Steve Paterson who organised the Ted Butler week, Gerard Bouchet for the wine and all of the guests playing for the Grenadiers

Closing the evening out with a Spilarious Heech of spoonerisms was Fil Phaiers, using his skills as a Whining Shit to amuse us all. 

Results from todays competition are;

(M) Joe Lyon - 37 points
(G) Chris Littlewood - 35 points
(G) Gaz Booth - 34 points
(M) Jeppe Bech - 34 points
(M) Chris Barton
(M) Rob Jones
(M) David Coles
(M) Peter Giles
(M) Jean Rene Vidaud
(M) Noud Janssen
(G) Lynn Littlewood
(M) John Goodwin
(M) Christine Vidaud
(G) Dave Hughes
(G) Vicky Hughes
(M) David Coombes
(M) Doug Livesey
(M) Robin Lee
(G) Bob Tomsett
(M) Steve Paterson
(G) Jenny Lee
(M) Clive Robinson
(M) Gerard Bouchet
(M) Malcolm Harris
(M) Phil Faiers
(G) Wendy Tomsett

Longest Drive = Vicky Hughes
Nearest the pin = Phil (let's top it off the tee, bounce it off the fence rail and watch it spin down to the green) Faiers

Day 3 - Round 3 and the Grenadiers are in need of a good result today.   Arriving at Monte de Marsan golf club, many of us looking slightly jaded from the previous 2 days in hot conditions and a fairly long drive to the course.    A few of us were hoping that an easier challenge lay ahead, a relatively flat course should have been easier on our aching legs and sore feet (for those walking), however we were greeted by a tight course, pine lined fairways, bunkers galore and greens that would challenge the best of us putters.

A shotgun start and we were off, some from the 18th (Only to realise it was the 9th, so had to walk 3 holes before even hitting a shot).  The rest scattered between the 17th and the 1st.     The Grenadiers put out a strong team hoping to claw back points from yesterday and sneak a win (I'm pretty sure I heard their captain say "Today is our day", But I think he was talking to Vicky who's ah/hum Birthday it was today)  

Sadly, lunch came all too quickly.  Some amazing rounds of golf were being discussed but the Grenadiers faces told the story of a team that just couldn't fight back from being 12 points down the day before.    We only took 1 photo - that of the Grenadiers Captain 'Gaz' with his opponent Christine who won.. well, lets just say he managed over half the round!! lol 

DAY 3
INDIVIDAL MATCHPLAY.

(M)USKETEERS vs (G)RENADIERS     

(M) Christine Vidaud WON 6/4 vs
(G) Gaz Booth

(M) John Goodwin WON 7/5 vs
(G) Chris Littlewood 

(M) David Coombes WON 3/2 vs
(G) David Coles

(M) Peter Giles HALF vs
(G) Robin Lee HALF

(M) Chris Barton WON 6/5 vs
(G) Malcolm Harris

(M) Steve Paterson WON 4/2 vs
(G) Dave Hughes

(M) Phil Faiers vs
(G) Vicky 'Birthday' Hughes WON 7/6

(M) Jean Rene
(G) Jeppe Bech WON 2 up

(M) Joe Lyon WON 3/2 vs
(G) Bob Tomsett

Wednesdays scores
Musketeers =  6.5 points
Grenadiers =  2.5 points

Tuesdays scores
Musketeers = 10  points
Grenadiers = 2 points

Monday scores
Musketeers = 8 points
Grenadiers = 4 points

FINAL TEAM SCORE After 3 rounds
Musketeers = 24.5 points
Grenadiers = 8.5 points

Back to Pallane for Thursdays individual Stablefords
​Good luck everyone

Day 2 of the Ted Butler challenge and we were welcomed to the stunning views of Bagneres de Bigorre golf club.   Tucked away in the hills of the Pyrenees this stunning course sets a challenge for all levels of golfers.   With short dog legs, long par 5's blind approach shots and sloping greens both teams spent a good amount of time practicing their short game.

Lunch was served at 12noon - and what a lunch it was!!!   T-Bone steaks, cooked to perfection in every conceivable level or rareness to well done..    Plenty of wine flowed and some of us chose to indulge to relax our nerves, whilst others stuck to Eau!  
 

DAY 2
FOUR BALL BETTER BALL MATCHPLAY.

(M)USKETEERS vs (G)RENADIERS     

(M) Jean-Rene & Peter Giles  WON 2/1 vs
(G) John Wilkinson & Jeppe Bech

(M) Noud Janssen & Christine Vidaud HALF vs
(G) Bob Tomsett & Robin Lee HALF

(M) David Coombes & Rob  WON 3/1 vs
(G) Chris Littlewood & Vicky Hughes

(M) John Goodwin & Alain Jardel   WON 1 vs
(G) David Coles & Malcolm Harris

(M) Phil Faiers & Chris Barton WON 2/1 vs
(G) Clive Robinson & Lynn Littlewood

(M) Steve Paterson & Joe Lyon HALF vs
(G) Gaz Booth & David HALF


Tuesdays scores
Musketeers = 10  points
Grenadiers = 2 points

Monday scores
Musketeers = 8 points
Grenadiers = 4 points

TOTAL After 2 rounds
Musketeers = 18 points
Grenadiers = 6 points

On to Mont De Marsan for Day 3 - Singles Matchplay
https://www.golfmontdemarsan.com


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Monday 3rd September and our Ted Butler week kicks off.   The annual gathering of the Musketeers pitted against their guests, non residents, visitors, friends and others that fancy a challenging 4 days of golf visiting superb courses around the Pyrenees.  

Both captains put out 6 of their best pairs to begin the battle of the week..  A cool start with some damp greens but welcoming skies, the course in pretty good condition despite the heat of summer, lack of rain and heavy traffic.      

Results of the first day are below you will find the majority of the players (As sadly some had to leave early)

DAY 1
TEXAS SCRAMBLE MATCHPLAY.

(M)USKETEERS vs (G)RENADIERS  

(M) Steve Paterson & David Coombes  WON 7/6 vs
(G) David Coles & Clive Robinson

(M) Jean-Rene Vidaud & Chris barton WON 5/4 vs
(G) Dan West & John Wilkinson

(M) John Goodwin & Rob Jones WON 2UP vs
(G) Jeppe Bech & Malcolm Harris   

(M) Phil Faiers & Gerard Bouchet vs
(G) Dave Hughes & Bob Tomsett WON 4/2

(M) Noud Janssen & Alain Jardel WON +1 vs
(G) Chris Littlewood & Robin Lee

M) Peter Giles & Christine Vidaud vs
​(G) Vicky Hughes & Gaz Booth WON 2/1

Musketeers = 8 points
Grenadiers = 4 points

On to Bagneres de Begorre for round 2.   4 ball better ball matchplay - good luck everybody

​http://www.golf-bigorre.fr/en

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Just a few shots from the first day