The Story of the Day

After the rather lovely photo had been taken by a passer-by who didn't realise or care what he was witnessing, the groups, decided on the basis of the "I want to play with" system,  took their places by the tee. First group, Enty, Jack, Sam and Rick. Group two, Neil, Ally and the Bermudan newsome-twosome. At 10:40am, the first ball of the 2024 Grimbleford was struck by Jack, on the top as is the tradition, and off it scudded along a very dry fairway. Far enough however for the competitors and spectator to inwardly chuckle and mutter good shot. Two more thinned, scudded shots later and golf said "enough!", as Enty creamed, what was probably a 7 iron, 280 yards into the great beyond. Sheryn had seen enough and presumably, naively assuming that Enty was a shoe in for the win, she retired to the Clubhouse to do some work. The seven other combatants however knew better and armed with the correct genes or family pass that Enty didn't have in his armoury, they set off with a spring in their steps, hope in their hearts and balls in their bags, all to be inevitably eroded in the 18 holes that followed. 

Observations from within group one and conversations during chance meetings on the course with group two, gave no clear idea as to who was in the frame to win. Even initial tales recounted over post match beers provided no greater clarity, mainly because winning the Wally Shot trophy seemed more interesting and probably more likely for several players.

So what did we know? Neil. The knee did not seem to be a problem or painful on the day, which in contrast for the rest of us, was a problem and possibly painful precursor to watching yet another "popular" victory. He was also very relaxed post match suggesting he knew that his score was the best in his group, with only group one's scatter-gun approach to golf an unknown.  Rick. Didn't keep a score and expectations were low following a round full of pulls, slices, trees and bunkers, although a few half decent recovery shots gilded an otherwise rather dead lily. Sam.  There were some fine shots, but unfortunately they were not usually sequential. Trees behaved almost as badly as the pesky grass of '24 and the fancy hedge on hole 15 was even worse.  Maybe he needs to play twice a year to get back to winning ways. Jack. As every year, I can report that it was a mixed a bag, full of hypersonic club swishing, Barnes Wallace driving (ideal for the dry fairways, direction permitting), but two balanced halves placed him in the possibles pack.  Ally. I'm going to guess, steady as ever with a few flaws on the bunker and putting front. Her serene calm in the aftermath and the lack of the winning glint in her eyes didn't suggest she'd need a victory speech, most likely explained by the fact she knew Neil's score.  Emma.  It was lovely to have you join the GGA and be the unknown wild card in the pack.  Or you would have been, but I suspect Noah was more of an unknown and definitely more wild. As an observer I can only say I saw a few good shots, a few interesting lies, and a couple of expressions that suggested you nailed some shots. Neil was closer to the action and I recall he suggested you were driving 300 yards and with a few more games would win the trophy most years in the near future. Even dividing this opinion by the "Dad Factor", good luck for the future. I do think however that you need to raise your ambitions above being ecstatic just because you beat Noah. Also the idea that golf without B&B (Beer and Buggy) is unacceptable and I feel you Bermudian Softies will have to stiffen your upper lips to find success in more typical golfing conditions. Noah.  A greater unknown has rarely been known, but excellent to see you lose your Grimbleford virginity. Little feedback came to me during the post match beers, but I heard there was plenty swearing, a clear sign of competitive spirit and enthusiasm, or alternately a distinct dislike for golf and badly behaving balls. It is possible that the lack of B&B took its toll and affected your chances of a surprise victory. And believe me it would have been a welcome surprise to everyone except Emma. Enty. Nothing more to say. Great golf, driving par 4's, sinking long puts with regularity, it was a pleasure to watch. Thank you for singularly raising the standard of the GGA event.

The Winners

As ever, everyone was a winner on a great day on lovely course. However, we must also celebrate success and after several delays due to several folk from Bermuda, Durham University and other parts joining us and becoming part of Grimbleford aftermath, the points were counted and the Champion crowned.

• Grimbleford Champion 2025 - congratulations to Neil in the open and over 70's category.
• Wally shot - Sam on trials and tribulations at the hedge infested 15th hole. Slotting a ball through the arch, hitting his own golf bag were magnificent efforts in true Grimbleford tradition. Not the trophy desired, but we've all been there.
• Verbalising emotion award - Noah The frustration was tangible and audible.
• Golf award - Enty very impressive golf on the day and to continue turning up at a such a minor Major, still defies logic, but great that you did.
• Statement of the year - Emma "Score doesn't matter, I only wanted to beat Noah"
• Patience Award - Sheryn  for working all day in the Clubhouse and apparently having a great day.

Thank you to Neil for organising the seriously lovely course, one we'd probably all like to revisit in future years. Thank you again to the major travellers for making it an international event of such note. Thank you to the unknown lady who presented the trophy to Neil for reasons I don't understand and I'm pretty sure she didn't either. But she seemed happy. And thank you to Margaret for again feeding and looking after us over the extended Grimbleford weekend.

Until next year and Emma's assured victory