A Week Is A Long Time

It has been my habit to blog from the ferry as we (being JB, Big Willy and the OG) set out for Ireland on our annual golfing gallivant and thereby to publish the result of the Bull Bay Classic, played every year over the prize links at Bull Bay. But somehow this year I got distracted by the need to rant against St Barack of Obama. I stiil don't regret it.

So better late than never I confirm that perennial favourite Big Willy duly won his umpteenth Classic but only by one point from a near-competent OG and with the help of a handicap hike given to BW by the good burghers of Cavendish Golf Club on account of some rather alarming ill-health. The OG was typically magnanimous in defeat. Sadly but not at all unpredictably the OG's golf did not stand up to the greater rigours of the Dunmore East Golf Classic and he delivered four epitomes of sporting ineptitude. Quite seriously he is considering whether to knock golf on the head altogether because there is a demanding degree of public humiliation about his efforts.

Fortunately there is much much more to the Dunmore East Classic than four piddling rounds of golf and the week was rescued by the quality of the company. OG and his travelling companions were joined in Ireland by the legend that is Mikey B. The good times rolled. Everyone bar OG caught a cold. BW and JB were sufficiently incapacitated to hire a buggy each day, leaving OG and Mikey B to lead the foot soldiers. OG actually carried his clubs throughout - this was the only notable part of his game. For those who may care to tread in the footsteps of these golfing gods, here are a few tips: Dunmore East is the least prepossessing of the courses but has the best clubhouse hospitality and food; Like Dunmore GC, the Haven Hotel has been refurbished following a fire - the seafood chowder remains a world beater; Faithlegg is a testing golf course but unlovely; Waterford GC is (in the eyes of the poor old OG) quite unplayable; Waterford Castle is the best of the four but still unplayable by the OG.

Despite there being rain, hail and sleet, Mikey B did not at this renewal incinerate his golf glove.

Having typed in these words OG is already reconsidering his mooted retirement from golf. After all it's only a game.