Controversy hit the 2005 Southbank Trophy as Steve Woodrow dismissed the unfair handicapping enforced by the committee to walk away with this years event with a stunning 41 points.  His fine round o 82 was enough to see him home by two points from guest player Gazza Jones (39 pts) and former Southbank stalwart Jim Thirlaway (33 pts).

With a heavy downpour welcoming the players at Sherfield Oaks things didn't look too bright before the big tee-off.  However, it wasn't the rain that was the focus of most discussion.  In a rare negative outburst Woody raised questions against the accuracy of some of the handicaps allowed certain members of the field.  The main bone of contention was the number of hackers player off a technically illegal 36 strokes.  After much discussion it was agreed that the 36's were indeed justified but a couple of un-named players were allowed slightly more generous allowances!  So as it stood there was much excitement and trepidation when social secretary Steve Brown opened this years event with the first tee-shot with the field lining up as follows:

Browner (28)

Gazza (14)

Stuart (36)

Jonah (18)

Luke (36)

Rolfie (14)

Towner (24)

Persaud (36)

Woodrow (18 or 22)

Piss Chip (36)

Jim (10)

Tappern (18)

Rob (10)

Harvey (24)

Budda (10)

With the round starting at a somewhat slow pace all eyes were fixed on first team goalkeeper Luke Howroyd as he took to the first tee.  This wasn't just Luke's opening shot in a Southbank event, but his first shot EVER on a golf course!  Standing infront of 15 piss taking blokes isn't the easiest of places to start your golf career but Luke took it in his stride and went on to set a new Southbank record score of 155!  Well done Luke, better luck next time....

With Luke providing entertainment it soon became clear that it was Woody and Gazza setting the pace on the front nine.  Woody claimed 19 points in the first seven holes to pile on the pressure whilst Gazza was consistency personified, picking up points on every hole on his way to 18 points at the turn.  As the back nine drew to a close it was Stuart who claimed the longest drive on the 328 yard par 4 ninth.  Nobody would try to belittle his drive but it appears that it was probably the only one to hold the fairway and his quadrouple bogey 8 would certainly suggest he didn't follow up with anything special!

The back nine saw Woody and Gazza pull further away from the field with some cracking golf.  Meanwhile Andy Persaud amassed his highest points total of 32 to share 4th spot with Tappern and Rob whilst Stuart and Brown also finished well to return 30 points with Brown also winning a tricky nearest the pin contest on the 15th.

The final leaderboard looked like this

Well done all those that braved what looked like awful weather.

Congratulations Woody (a superb 82 under pressure!), Stuart and Brown on taking home the silverwear, and also to Luke for showing that he's golf is worse than his kicking!

Roll on the next one!

Back