If the magnificent Pyrenees are Nature's stage, then the golf course at Bagnères has a front row seat.
As Gérard and I drove along the long straight road towards the mountains yesterday morning the first rays of the morning sun hit the distant peaks with a ruddy blush — and we were in a bloody rush. Cards to hand out, briefing to be given, nearest pin and long drive markers to put out, pairings to announce. . . it's always all go once you arrive at a golf course on competition day.
Clive had helped enormously by organising the event with the club and restaurant, and buying the prizes. Richard collected money while Keith raided the lost property box. (I kid you not, he was cold so helped himself to a smart green jumper and hat that someone had left. When we got back and sat in the sun on the terrace he swapped the jumper for someone's lost property sunglasses !)
There were fifteen of us and we set off from the 10th and first tees simultaneously. I was part of a three ball with Pete Giles and Mike Thackwray and it looked as though Mike was going to win everything. On the first hole — a devilish downhill par 4 where it is impossible to stop the ball on the sloping green — Mike's tee shot was just short of the green leaving an unplayable approach. He said he didn't know what to do and started practising a Phil Mickleson 'helicopter' shot. Being on a severe downslope that looked an unlikely shot option, but Mike took a full backswing, slipped the 64° wedge under the ball which climbed steeply and dropped onto the green took once small bounce forward onto the flagstick and dropped into the hole. Thanks very much — an eagle and 5 points! Pete and I both parred the hole but felt totally outplayed.
When we reached the 9th he took a very measured swing and smoothly stroked the ball down the fairway easily winning the longest drive. When we got to the par three 18th — the nearest the pin hole — he again took a measured swing ( this time with a 6-iron) and put his approach 2.9m from the pin. Had he not put a ball out of bounds on one hole and had his putting been anywhere near as proficient as his approach shots he would have shot the lights out. As it was two Musketeers came in ahead of him. Martin Conlong came second (there were jokes at this comment during the prize presentation which probably explains why we are an all-male golfing group) with 34 points and the winner, sporting a newish pair of sunglasses, was Keith Ridding with 35 points.
Once again the food at Bagnères was exceptionally good — baked St.Marcellin in filo pastry followed by a delicious pork chop in a light curry sauce and followed by a croustade. The copious amounts of wine go without saying.
Finally, a word about the trophy. Angus spotted it on Ebay earlier in the year. It is a turned and polished marble bon-bon bowl older than even the oldest Musketeer. Dating from the early part of the 20th century, it is embellished in art nouveau style in silver and gilt. Sitting on its shiny black plinth and with an engraved brass plaque it truly looked magnificent. We decided there and then that each winner's name should be added to the trophy. The bad news for Keith was that as last year's winner Clive had set a precedent by providing the first prize — a bottle of fizz and a dozen golf balls — that Keith was expected to return the trophy next year accompanied by a suitable first prize. Hopefully not a second-hand pair of sunglasses!
As Gérard and I drove along the long straight road towards the mountains yesterday morning the first rays of the morning sun hit the distant peaks with a ruddy blush — and we were in a bloody rush. Cards to hand out, briefing to be given, nearest pin and long drive markers to put out, pairings to announce. . . it's always all go once you arrive at a golf course on competition day.
Clive had helped enormously by organising the event with the club and restaurant, and buying the prizes. Richard collected money while Keith raided the lost property box. (I kid you not, he was cold so helped himself to a smart green jumper and hat that someone had left. When we got back and sat in the sun on the terrace he swapped the jumper for someone's lost property sunglasses !)
There were fifteen of us and we set off from the 10th and first tees simultaneously. I was part of a three ball with Pete Giles and Mike Thackwray and it looked as though Mike was going to win everything. On the first hole — a devilish downhill par 4 where it is impossible to stop the ball on the sloping green — Mike's tee shot was just short of the green leaving an unplayable approach. He said he didn't know what to do and started practising a Phil Mickleson 'helicopter' shot. Being on a severe downslope that looked an unlikely shot option, but Mike took a full backswing, slipped the 64° wedge under the ball which climbed steeply and dropped onto the green took once small bounce forward onto the flagstick and dropped into the hole. Thanks very much — an eagle and 5 points! Pete and I both parred the hole but felt totally outplayed.
When we reached the 9th he took a very measured swing and smoothly stroked the ball down the fairway easily winning the longest drive. When we got to the par three 18th — the nearest the pin hole — he again took a measured swing ( this time with a 6-iron) and put his approach 2.9m from the pin. Had he not put a ball out of bounds on one hole and had his putting been anywhere near as proficient as his approach shots he would have shot the lights out. As it was two Musketeers came in ahead of him. Martin Conlong came second (there were jokes at this comment during the prize presentation which probably explains why we are an all-male golfing group) with 34 points and the winner, sporting a newish pair of sunglasses, was Keith Ridding with 35 points.
Once again the food at Bagnères was exceptionally good — baked St.Marcellin in filo pastry followed by a delicious pork chop in a light curry sauce and followed by a croustade. The copious amounts of wine go without saying.
Finally, a word about the trophy. Angus spotted it on Ebay earlier in the year. It is a turned and polished marble bon-bon bowl older than even the oldest Musketeer. Dating from the early part of the 20th century, it is embellished in art nouveau style in silver and gilt. Sitting on its shiny black plinth and with an engraved brass plaque it truly looked magnificent. We decided there and then that each winner's name should be added to the trophy. The bad news for Keith was that as last year's winner Clive had set a precedent by providing the first prize — a bottle of fizz and a dozen golf balls — that Keith was expected to return the trophy next year accompanied by a suitable first prize. Hopefully not a second-hand pair of sunglasses!
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