2006 Spring Tour                                                     Sunderland                                                     Fri 14th - Mon 17th April

 

                                                                                                                                                                Fri 14th - South Shields

                                                                                                                                                                Sat 15th - Wynyard

                                                                                                                                                                Sun 16th - Ramside Hall

 

            CARNOUSTIE EAST-ENDERS GOLF SOCIETY - Review of Spring Tour 2006, 14 – 17 April, Sunderland

 

Sunderland Well better late than never folks! I’ve been aware of the growing pressure to issue the 2006 Review Newsletter prior to Fuengerola to ensure Dave and I avoid a gorilla snot – so that will now be reserved for our new members. My only saving grace is that I have beaten Brian – his Barcelona Tour Newsletter was issued on 14th April 2006, exactly 362 days after that tour commenced!

 

Day 1- Friday – South Shields

 

The customary charge towards our pre-arranged meeting place from all directions, with 12 CEGS members departing from 11 different starting points including Aberdeen, Carnoustie, Dundee, Harrow, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Plymouth, Baghdad and ………………………….Nigeria. As it turned out, Nigeria proved to be a bridge too far and poor Jules didn’t make it.

 

As it also turned out, Tiger Mugs and Jonny Boy almost didn’t make it. Having arrived 3 hours early they set off to find Midge at his hotel, and despite the best efforts of Penelope’s SatNav instructions, they couldn’t find their way back to the course.

 

South Shields was once again a winning venue, a gentle introduction to the main events bigger courses. As we scoffed our way through some good club grub, TC and Harry texted to say that they had found the hotel and were already making use of its facilities. The helpful Barman at the club gave us all directions and indicated that the Roker Hotel was Sunderland’s finest, a classy slapper venue where the girls know how to spell the names on their tattoos correctly! And so it was, the hotel was fine, the bar even finer.

 

Day 2- Saturday – Wynyard

 

Well, this wasn’t exactly Sunderland, more like Hartlepool, but we all found it. That is, except Midge, Jonny Boy and the ever helpful Penelope as they, once again turned up last ditch. But it was worth it, despite the horrendous house designs overlooking the fairways, the course itself was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed this one.

 

Evening was spent back at the Roker Bar, then we all trecked into the Sunderland centre, where the barmaids wear next to nothing and the locals wear even less. Courtesy of Midge, a session on abnoxiously coloured cocktails ensued, sickly green being the most vivid memory – sadly, also the last memory of that evening for most of us! Alec seemed to befriend a group of local nurses, but then that’s what Alec does!

 

Day 3- Sunday – Ramside Hall

 

Another old favourite, we arranged this one on a Sunday so we could all enjoy the wonderful Sunday Roast, parsnips and all! Penelope once again had her say, but we all got there in time. My day started badly when I discovered they had run out of both buggys and trolleys. It then got worse, as I prepared my scorecard for the day and Steven very kindly reminded me it would be quicker to mark the holes where I don’t get a stroke. But I had the last laugh, not once but twice - my eagle 2 at the 11th took the wind out his sails and I won’t mention the other until we get to the Final Scoresheet.

 

Sunday night in town was a hoot, we ended up in some pubclub where Ed and Midge treated everyone to a dancing extravaganza, I would say dancing on ice, but this is Sunderland and it was closer to dancing on glass as Midge decided to do handstands! Somewhere along the line the DJ also lost his humour, and after a turn on the stage, the evening ground to a halt. Chinkys, kebabs, pizzas and a late night session back at the Roker.

 

And so to the Final Scoresheet and just a wee reminder of Mugs and Boat’s pre tour odds:

 

Singles:

Stevie 7/4 FavouriteLib 9/4Ed 3/1You 7/2Ewan R 4/1Scott 9/2Midge 5/1Jules 11/2Alex 11/2Me 6/1TC 6/1JB 7/1

 

Doubles:

Stevie and Jules 7/4 FavouriteLib and JB 9/4Ed and Alex 5/2Ewan R and Midge 5/2Me and you 3/1Scott and TC 4/1

 

Main Event – Saturday and Sunday only:

Singles Winner Dave Lib with 70 points

Singles Runner Up Midge with 68 points

Singles Wooden Spoon Steven with 43 points

Doubles Winner Dave Lib and Jonny Boy with 121 points

Doubles Runners Up Midge and Ewen Rob with 118 points

Doubles wooden Spoon Steven and TC with 92 points

 

Fridays Fun Day - Best 4 of 5 Scores:

Winning Team Ed, Dave, Ewen, Jonny and Midge with 134 points

Losing Team Steven, Scott, Brian, Mugs and Alec with 129 points (By the way, it was Steven’s score that was discounted!)

 

Other Events:

Longest Drive:

Friday Scott, Saturday Brian, Sunday Dave.

 

Nearest Pin:

Friday Steven, Saturday Scott, Sunday Alec.

 

I cannot recollect who won the Puerto Banus or Fuengirola Trophies, although I suspect the former was presented to Steven by way of a wooden spoon and the latter to Midge and Penelope!

 

For the statto’s among you, all the details are attached

 

Last but not least, Ewen Robertson very kindly volunteered to organise our 2007 Tour. This was after Midge begged to choose Thailand as he threw in his wallet, his car keys and his Spearmint Rhino platinum membership card.

 

So Ewen will be in touch shortly…………………………