Playing Partners

Here is a (nowhere near) definitive list of the family & friends I regard as my playing partners. The frequency of rounds with these folks will vary, but I enjoy their company immensely.

Noel
My father-in-law, officially since May 2006, but effectively since 1997, when I started dating his eldest daughter Sharon. Probably the man with whom I have spent the most time on the golf course over since I started counting this game as a proper hobby. If he spent as much energy concentrating on his golf as he does on his blarney, he'd be off single figures instead of high teens! Noel isn't a club member, although he has threatened to join Richings Park or Thorney Park for years.

Gribbler
Greg probably won't thank me for referring to him as Gribbler but it's appropriate. He is my brother-in-law (married to my wife's sister) and lives near the sprawling metropolis of Taunton. He is a member at Oake Manor (platinum member actually, as he likes to remind us) and his handicap is now under that glass floor of 18. Greg is a genuine rival to Noel for the title of fiercest competitor - he hates losing.

Geoff
One of my oldest friends (more than 20 years) and someone for whom golf is slightly closer to an obsession than it has ever been for me. Geoff is a member at Bearwood Lakes near Reading, which is one of the prettiest courses in the UK. He has overcome some tremendous difficulties in his life but is now blessed with a wife & three children, which more than compensates for his once-invincible golf game! His club handicap is creeping up towards 8 now, though he does well to maintain that playing once a week. The joy of having kids, eh? Geoff joined me in completing the 2011 Macmillan Longest Day Challenge.

Ash
A former work colleague (2002-2008) Ash is an Arsenal supporter but he doesn't let that ruin his personality. Ash loves his golf and has been known to drive many a mile for the opportunity of a game. Whilst he declares a handicap in the high teens, he is more than capable of producing golf of a high standard - as for so many of us, consistency is his enemy! Ash joined me in completing the 2011 Macmillan Longest Day Challenge & will also put himself through the physical mill in the 2014 Golfathon.

Pete
Another former work colleague (2005-2010) Pete is a Brighton supporter and, for that, he has our sympathy. Another of life's good guys, Pete is blessed with a compact, yet powerful, swing which generates some quite absurd distances with the golf ball (170 yards with a 9-iron, anyone?!). Pete does a lot of work for charidee (though he doesn't like to talk about it), having cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2010 and he joined me in completing the 2011 Macmillan Longest Day Challenge. He is also daft enough to complete the 2014 Golfathon with me in June.

Harey
Another old school friend and joined me on the 1994 and 1995 working trips to the Open. Nick is a member at Royal Mid-Surrey and, incredibly for someone blessed with such an effortless, draw-inducing swing, manages to keep his handicap at 12. I've been lucky enough to play golf with Nick at some excellent locations, particularly Vilamoura & Quinta do Lago in 2004, Morgado, Alamos & Salgados in 2008 and La Cala for the 2008 & 2013 Harey Cup events.

Scho
I've had the pleasure of knowing Mark since 1996 - he is a university friend of Harey and I met him when visiting Nick at Newcastle. Since then, I've probably played more golf with Mark than I have with Nick, most notably of which has been at Royal Birkdale, where Mark is a member. I've partnered him twice at the Men's Invitational competition at Birkdale (2004 & 2011), finishing 3rd in 2004. One of the most geniune blokes you could ever hope to meet and I am very lucky to be able to call him a mate.

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