The Director of ESTEC instituted ‘Teams Day’ on Wednesday 22 June in response to the debilitating effect of the restrictions imposed to combat Covid-19 over the last two years and to get some ‘team-spirit’ back into ESTEC. In response to the SSCC’s call for clubs ‘to do something’ in support, the Golf Club suggested a Golf Clinic (though where that name came from I’ve no idea). Anyway, we thought we could put to good use the practice putting area, the chipping area, the nets and hole 1 and Clare, Joe, Filippo, Ignacio and myself ‘volunteered’ to run the show on the day. Helma had painted some targets on the putting green and Anna had flyers and posters printed. I was in contact with the GolfCentrum Noordwijk for it to give support in the shape of the golf-pro Michael John de Boor. He brought along three bags of clubs, (mid-irons, sand wedges and putters) to more than supplement our own ‘spare’ clubs and balls.
The Clinic was to start at 10:00 and by 10:05 we were in danger of being overrun by the numbers wanting to give golf a go. Through some sort of divine intervention the cavalry arrived in the shape of David, Erik and Paul and later Dominico and Stephen. We survived but we had to expand the real-estate by doing the chipping up onto the ninth green as Michael John needed the practice chipping area for his basic introduction i.e. holding the club, the stance etc. etc.
We asked our visitors to sign-in and by 12:00, the closing time of the Clinic, we had collected about a 100 names. Just from observation, many of our visitors looked potential golfers and we hope they will join the EGC. We of course impressed on them the value for money of the membership fee, the almost unrestricted access to the course and our closeness to the GolfCentrum Noordwijk with its driving range and Toptracer installation! Altogether a fun day and an experience our volunteers didn’t expect.
Saturday June 12th, the 4th round of the Dunhill cup has been played under the sun, with mild temperatures, and with some moderate cross winds.
The Netherlands were sitting that round out. The current leader Italy was playing France, while Germania was playing against Commonwealth
France was in need of a win to stay in contention for the title, and made no prisoner by inflicting a 3-0 defeat to Italy.
On their side Germania were in search of their first win, and secure it at Commonwealth expense in a very tight 2-1 game
Italy 0 – 3 France Vincent Regis 61 – 67 Raffaele Tosellini Rafael Lucas 64 – 73 Stefano Capitanio Anna Carmio 67 – 70 Luigi Fanchi (score off 36)
Germania 2 -1 Commonwealth Clare Bingham 70 – 71 Klaus Ludwig Garry Gould 70 – 64 Peter Behrmann Stephen Durrant 76 – 73 Andreass Obst
The competition is now completely undecided with Italy, France and the Netherlands having 2 win and 1 defeat. The 5th and last round will decide everything!