OK so I'm back from the Single Figure Golfer (SFG) Challenge cup, with loads of Srixon and Ashworth gear, and enough anecdotes and 'remember when' stories to keep me drinking for a long time!

A great big thank you to Mr Warters and the SFG team for giving me the opportunity to play in what was a truly fantastic event.

I remember being a bit worried as I approached Woodall Spa, was about to spend the next few days with a bunch of uninterested pro's and chirpy isn't this great business types?  How wrong could I be...

Right from the off the SFG team were organised and welcoming making everyone on our team from various lucky winners to invited accomplished players comfortable. 

And any ideas of a fun knock around with some pro's was immediately banished when, our esteemed captain, Peter McEvoy turned up with the statement "OK guys, we're here to win - I've just seen 'there' team and they look terrified" - I was up for this!

What followed was a fantastic two days of golf - some of which spectacular from both sides - and no end of fun.

In 20 years I can't emember feeling the extremes of nerves, joy and anticipation that the ryder cup style competition provided.  Everyone started out a bit nervously on the first tee - Pro's terrified of getting beat of a bunch of nobodys, amatuers cowering before the inevitable embarrassment of there inadequacies on the course.  But, by the end, of the two days everyone seemed right at home. 

I've got loads of stories from the matches that I'll be happy to regail if the thread develops but for now just keep an eye on the SFG website and make sure you get your entry in next year. 

It's worth it just for the feeling you get when you see someone walking up to you on the first tee carrying your bag wearing a bib with your name on the back!

Sounds like a fantastic experience and I for one would love to hear more.  I'm trying hard to reach single figures, but it looks very much like my son Ben will beat me to that particular goal.

Keep it up Steve and get your entry into the event. 

Get some practise off the first tee though - miggins here dropped a top into heavy rough about 30 yards off the front of the tee.  Thank God, I played all right for the rest of the two days.  It broke the ice with the group at least. 

Peter McEvoy gave us all a great piece of advice for the first tee super nervous situations - He basically explained that these are the situations you practise for, put in all the hard work on the range to know that your swing can stand up.  Same goes for all the tough shots - don't wish them away because these are the moments you play for"  Nice of him to wait until the end of the first round to give us this inspirational talk!! But it paid off day two for the first time in ages i really enjoyed the adrenaline! 

Thanks for the report CBE, I'd love to hear some of the tales.

The way my golf is going I doubt I'll still be a single figure golfer for too much longer...

Sounds like you had a great time.  Wouldn't worry about the following:

Cheers Big Ears wrote (see)

..... miggins here dropped a top into heavy rough about 30 yards off the front of the tee. 

There's another quality single figure golfer on the forum who did exactly the same thing in front of a bunch of fellow members . 

The anticipation of playing such a great course is enough to put you off that first shot, not to mention the company and game you were in.

Stickman wrote (see)

Cheers Big Ears wrote (see)

..... miggins here dropped a top into heavy rough about 30 yards off the front of the tee. 

There's another quality single figure golfer on the forum who did exactly the same thing in front of a bunch of fellow members . 

Name and shame, please !!

Stickman wrote (see)

There's another quality single figure golfer on the forum who did exactly the same thing in front of a bunch of fellow members . 

Sticky, How could you  

How many good shots do I have to hit before you forgive me  

It was funny though. Especially as I repeated the feat on at least 2 further tee shots. Looking back, it was not my greatest golfing day. Bloody good fun though.

 Well done CBE. Trust me, you do come to enjoy the nerves. It sounds sadistic, but there is nothing more satisfying than hitting the shot you want when your legs and arms are shaking, not to mention the knot that someone has tied in your stomach.

Take the positives man, he called you a quality single figure golfer .

Besides, it was a good lay up yardage.

Beast of Barnsley wrote (see)

Take the positives man, he called you a quality single figure golfer .

Besides, it was a good lay up yardage.

Funnily I had a three wood in my hand, the same three wood that I hit four more times in the next two days, a massive pull into tree's, a push into a 12 foot deep fairway bunker , then on the 17th 1 up against John McHendry I pushed one from the tee that rebounded onto a tree bark path about 260 short of the green, I then ripped the same three wood over trees through a narrow opening to the green setting up a par to win the match 2 and 1. 

So in my memory - the three wood performed perfectly. 

CBE glad to hear you kicked Pro butt

Hitting the first tee shot under those pressure conditions, is akin to hitting an electron with a matchstick.

We all want to hear the full SP PLEASE... Who won overall and what were the match scores, any intimidation and/or gamesmanship tactics emplyed by the Pros to throw the Ams off the scent ?

CBE yeah.... I had a look after at the SFG website - quite a drubbing. Well done for winning your match though . So much for the rest of the 'up and coming' golf yoof wanting a big piece of the seasoned Tour Pros.

I bet you had touble sleeping the night before. The only Pro who would have totally intimidated me is Philip Walton. Having seen him play, I would stake big money on him against Tiger on a tough links course in cold foul weather.

As an aside, Tiger plays of +13 at his home course Isleworth. I am sure alot of the Tour Pros are +3/4/5 and should not be playing you guys just off scratch. If you are a 5 HC, its only fair to give you a full HC allowance on such a tough course, off the tips and under such intense pressure.

Just my 2p worth