The TT fortnight gives the opportunity for Head Green Keeper, Ollie Webster and his team to provide some special tender loving care to the greens at Ramsey. The process is designed to improve long term growth by removing dead grass from the surface, aerating, then providing a top dressing of sand and where necessary, seeding. The graden will be set at a depth of 4mm, which will tickle the surface allowing a quick recovery. If all goes to plan and the weather is on their side the greens will be back in decent condition by the weekend. The result will hopefully be healthy gorgeous greens!
This Sunday, as part of Ramsey’s support of local anti-cancer charities, the Men competed for the McDowell Anti-Cancer Open Stableford.
With a good turn-out in sunny weather there were plenty of birdie opportunities at Ramsey. Simon Callow had to wait until the 16th before he rang the birdie bell after a steady mid-round performance. Just a couple of pars to finish and he would be in the mix for the prizes. He was nearly there after a 3 on the 17th but ended with a no score on the 18th and 39 points. Just edging ahead of him into 4th place with a better back 9 was Ian Craine. Ian started with a real struggle dropping shots on the first 5 holes and a double bogey on the 7th. His ship steadied mid-round and a birdie on the 11th put him back into contention with a run of pars on the board. A classic par finish completed a top day for Ian but those opening holes kept the prizes out of reach this time.
The usual last tee start for Ian Liddle, and playing with last week’s victor, Barry Teare, was enough to give him the competitive edge, but only after a very inconsistent start. Early dropped shots put him way down the leader board but a mid-round recovery, using shots to his advantage and crucial pars on the 14th, 15th and 17th meant he grabbed 3rd place on a back 9 count-back with 39 points. The top two slots was a battle between Kerry Hiblen and Steve Geordie Waters. Kerry started out with a no return on the 1st and followed it up with a 5 on the 2nd. An inconspicuous start, but Kerry then put together some scores on the front 9. He slipped-up on the par 5, 14th where a double bogey and a further dropped shot on the long 15th put him back in trouble with just 3 holes to play. By contrast Steve Waters posted solid pars from the 3rd to the 8th and a fine birdie on the 10th, topping the pack at the turn. Geordie nerves on the back 9 then started to take effect and dropped shots from the 14th through to the 16th opened the door for Kerry Hiblen. A double bogey on the 14th for Kerry meant he needed a birdie/par finish on the last three holes to put real pressure on Steve Waters. Steve helped by dropping a shot on the 16th and Kerry got a par. Steve managed to par the 17th and 18th. Kerry did the same but was unable to make up the gap. 42 points for Steve Waters was an excellent score winning by two shots over Kerry Hiblen.
Mad Sunday will see the Grand Island Scratch Bowl and Hydro Trophy Open Men’s Competition sponsored by Fairway Construction Limited. Tee times can be booked on line at www.ramseygolfclub.im.
