Duncan Webster, Northamptonshire based web design company 1PCS’s Managing Director swept up all the trophies at Northants Chamber Thorpeness golf competition.

Here is the breakdown:

Friday 11th June

A grey, windy landscape greets the members of the Northants Chamber Golf Society and their guests for the weekend, Nick Turner (son of ‘you know who’!) and James Greenall (friend of ‘you know who’!!). A quick lunch and it was out onto the course for the first day’s individual Stableford.

This results in a three-way tie at the top between Captain Cockerill, guest Greenall and ‘the webmaster’ himself, Duncan Webster, eventually decided in favour of Duncan on count-back. Returning to the scene of last year’s victory, the emotion of the day proves too much for defending Stanair Shield Champion Martin Wall, who limps home at the back of the field. Ian lives up to his name, winning the longest drive by ‘Leathering’ the ball 280 yards into the wind, whilst Mike Willis is spotted on his hands and knees crawling into a gorse bush!

Prize giving follows dinner, with Martin awarded the Sombrero for ‘handicap protection’. The mystery pairs draw bails out a few under achievers! On to the games room, where the wide brim of his multi coloured hat proves no hindrance to Senor Wall’s performance on the snooker table.  Whilst he is potting everything in sight, over in the corner Keith ‘The Power’ Turner reigns supreme at the dartboard!!

Saturday 12th June

A few bleary faces at breakfast but a ‘full English’ does the trick; Better-ball pairs today. Still the wind blows and low scoring is predicted but at least we see the first hint of some sunshine. Unfortunately, this also triggers the appearance of Doug Iles’ legs and, in keeping with his title of Best Dressed Golfer at last year’s event, a natty pair of shorts.

Scoring is better than expected, but again it’s tight at the top; Doug and his partner Captain Cockerill, registering the same score as Ian ‘Long Drive’ Leather and Nick ‘The Son Of’ Turner. On count-back, Doug and the skipper eventually prevail. James wins nearest the pin (again), whilst Nick Turner is ‘Sombrero man’ for the evening; awarded both for his performance on the back 9 and for stealing the Long Drive prize from the captain!

St George’s flags are distributed and the plasma TV in the hotel bar is annexed by the Society (plus one mystery interloper sporting a beard and glasses!). It’s England in the World Cup, so we should expect the worst (and get it!). It all proves too much for James and Keith, who are seen to nod off mid way through the 2nd half – maybe that bottle of dessert wine wasn’t such a good idea after all chaps!! More fun and games in the snooker room and Brice The Vice’s iphone proves a constant stream of amusement, with comedy clips galore. A few slope of to bed, whilst the hard-core element decamps to Wall and Webster’s luxury patio area for an early morning glass of rioja!

Sunday 13th June

Weary but expectant faces at breakfast, with both the Stanair Shield and T&K cup up for grabs. Captain Cockerill tops the Leader Board going into the final round with Iles, Webster and Turner Jnr hard on his heels. Again the wind blows and it all proves too much for the weary skipper, as his normally straight driving completely deserts him. Webster meanwhile proves the old addage ‘Beware the Injured Golfer’; his daily hot bath routine, to ease his creaking joints, and steady iron play bringing him home in a best of the day 31 points; this secures the T&K Cup.

The overall totals for the 3 days are then added up. Cockerill has blown it and has to console himself with a commemorative long-drive pitch-mark repairer. James Greenall wins nearest the pin (again) and we arrange for Thorpeness to rename the 7th hole after him. Runner-up overall is the sharp-dressing Doug Iles, but it’s that man Duncan Webster again that scoops the Stanair shield for a well-deserved double. The Sombrero really suits him!!

The weekend’s main booby prize goes to Brice ‘the Vice’. At first he is delighted to learn that he has won a lesson with a European Tour Pro, but less so when Captain Cockerill hands him his Justin Rose ‘Play Better Golf’ Interactive DVD. Mike Willis is presented with a ball retriever to avoid any further repeats of Friday’s gorse related incident. Pink balls for Turner (Snr) and Ian Leather….enough said chaps!!

Roundup courtesy of Andy Cockerill, Director Cave & Sons Ltd