The culmination of the 2017 season saw the top 8 qualifiers win their place in the Race to Chepstow to compete for the fabled Shaun Ryder Cup. This years edition, hosted by the St Pierre Golf Club, has been held later than usual to accommodate the busy playing schedules of the superstars ensuring the quality of competitor and golf was the highest the Cup has ever seen.

The winner of the much desired Green Jacket and Jigger Knicker trophy was Ben who held off Rob to win the seasons finale. Big thank you to Pickler Tours for organising the weekend and making it all go smoothly.

Final Standings:

Ben 71 points (42 and 29)
Rob 69 points (37 and 32)
Adrian 56 points (33 and 23)
Mark 55 points (27 and 28)
Nick 54 points (27 and 27)
Ian 54 points (32 and 22)
Richie 50 points (25 and 25)
Andy 44 points (23 and 21)

How it went down:

The St Pierre superstars gathered on the wet morning of 11th November in Chepstow for the season finale. The glory of the Newark Cup forgotten, the numerous weekends played  on the Gloucestershire tour a thing of the distant past and all the handicap committee meetings had led to this final showdown. The first draw saw the teams split into Ben, Mark, Ian and Browner with Rob, Nick, Adrian and Richie in the second group. The weather didn’t look promising and the wet weather gear was out in full force but the camaraderie and excitement of playing this championship course pulled the players to first tee.

The winter tees and rules were in play shortening the course but the autumnal leaf fall combined with sodden ground made veering off the fairway a dangerous game. Within the first 2 holes the players found out just how easy it is to lose a ball around the course as each 4 ball suffered. The third hole saw a downpour, forecast at 11am, which would be the last of the rain for the round – a welcome blue sky and slight breeze bringing forth perfect golfing conditions. Nick was setting the early pace and would end up with 19 pts on the front 9 only to be surpassed by Ben, who parred the first 7 holes, to take it with 21pts.

The back 9 proved more competitive with some outstanding golf – Ian found form to shoot an impressive 19pts to put in a good shout for the money only for Rob to score 20 pipping him. In turn Ben, having his best round for a good few years, came back in 21pts to deny Rob his back 9 winnings and produce a clean sweep for front 9, back 9 and overall taking a 5 shot lead into the 2nd day.

With the weather closing in the players hit the bar to debrief on the days play, decide the handicaps and teams for the final day and then perform their individual warm down rituals. As some headed to the pool and sauna to ease those weary muscles others embraced the Celtic atmosphere to watch the Autumn Internationals before having a late dinner and retiring to bed.

After a nutritional breakfast involving some suspicious serviettes and questions put to the staff the leading group headed to the tee. Ben was the player to catch on 42 pts, holding a 5 pt advantage over Robbie who was 4 ahead of Adrian with Ian a further 1 behind. The second group, still in with a shout but an unlikely one, consisted of Nick, Mark, Browner and Richie and as the 10am tee off drew closer the tension in the air was palpable.

Robbie had opportunities over the first few holes to close the gap but couldn’t quite maximise but still clawed 2 shots back on the lead, as did Ian and Ade who looked to close the gap on the top two. The nerves were getting to the top group as hole 5 saw none of them score, leaving them with a team blob. Ben took his opportunity on the 7th par 5 as Robbies drive found the rough to re-establish his buffer only for Rob to score 6 points over two holes to finish the front 9 only 2 shots behind the lead overall. The back 9 became a cagey affair with Rob and Ben matching each other shot for shot until long par 3 13th where Rob grabbed a par to cut the lead to 1. Ian suffered some bad luck through the back 9 effectively ending his challenge whilst Adrian played the conditions to make sure his podium position was safe. With Ben missing out on another opportunity to increase his lead on the 15th it turned out the 16th would be the decisive hole.

As Robbie put his tee shot into the rough Ben found the fairway with his drive and then the green with his second. Robbie, knowing the hole was crucial, holed a 20ft for his 2pts to put the pressure on only to see Ben hole his birdie putt giving him a crucial 3pt buffer going into the penultimate hole. As Robbie found the rough again on the 17th leading to double bogey Ben walked off with 5 giving him a 4 point lead going into the last hole knowing a birdie on the 235 yard par 3 into wind was the only way Robbie could match his score. It wasn’t to be and the Jigger Knicker trophy was once again heading back to Winchcombe where it had resided for the last 12 months. Better luck next to the Cheltonians.

 

The second group allowed the tension of the competition to get to them and saw a falling out within the team before the first green. Thankfully for the team competition the competitive spirit (and thoughts of pushing a lot of money) became the catalyst for some team bonding and an enjoyable back 9.

St Pierre Golf Club provided a good competitive end to a full season and a great weekend from Pickler Tours. As the hardiest of the group dusted off their finger warmers the rest of the players will be looking to cement their places in the team for the next major, the 2018 Newark Cup.