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We knew it would be an uphill struggle as the losers of last year's event had chosen the format and the tees. We played the perverse Chapman format whereby each player drives then switches to the partner's ball for the second shot, then playing the chosen ball alternately.
The match was made more difficult for the Musketeers by the Pallanne team persuading the Club Professional to play for them, along with the mens' club champion who is a Musketeer and should have played for us. They also chose to play off the Ladies' blue tees.
However, we went along with it knowing we were a strong team with strong pairings. But it was not to be. The Pallanne team beat the Musketeers comprehensively and rubbed our noses in it over lunch by presenting us with a wooden spoon.
Perhaps our downfall was the buffet table at the halfway point that offered copious amounts of red and rosé, consumed in quantity by the passing Musketeers, but not by the Pallanne members. In the end Pallanne deserved their victory because they played the better golf. The result levels the series at two matches each.
However, aside from the golf the Musketeers won both the singing and the drinking. — always an important part of the day.
On the plus side, as runners-up we will set the format for next year. We look forward to accepting Miguel's offer to play for us and we will be voting on whether to allow Greg back into our ranks as a team player after his defection.
And the good news is that next year we won't be playing Chapman, next year won't be off the blue tees, and who knows, next year we may have ladies back in our team again!
Well done Pallanne, but take note, we'll be back !