Lee Miller (21.2)

Leicestershire, United Kingdom

HHC A REVIEW

By lee miller on 26-Nov-2008
Comments(9)

High Handicap Competitons - A review

Earlier this year I posted a forum asking if any other like minded golfers wanted to play in a high handicap competition. I was new to golf and not very confident of playing in one of the more established events with lower handicap golfers scoffing at me. I felt like many others, embarassed that a lower handicap golfer would resent helping my look for my ball in the jungle whilst his was in the middle of the fairway...again. I wanted to know if anyone else felt like that and if they wanted to play a round with like minded golfers who are improving slowly.

The response was overwhelming as lots of golfers felt exactly the same. We even joked that we would be the equivilant of Non-League Football. The idea was simple. Only handicaps greater than 23 could enter a full handicap stableford competition at some cheap but challenging courses. This would be a compeition we were all capable of winning and all capable of coming last in.

So the first ever Golfshake.com HHC was born in June at Tamworth Muni course. Yours truly scrambled to 3rd spot with 39 points. Chris Perry shot his way to an impressive 41 points to come 2nd. Mark "Bandit" Pallett smashed his personnel best round to get an awesome 46 points.

It didnt matter who won really - that was the birth of the HHC and over the next 5 months a further 4 events were organised. It wasnt the same faces either, new people entered events close to them and as word spread more and more players attended events. We'd created a monster.

Chris Perry was the brain behind HHC2 - "Return to the bushes" as he took us to West Midlands GC on a scorching hot July day. The 18th hole was a real challenge for us high handicappers and from personel experience was the nicest course I had played on at the time. Carlton Burrows bagged 3rd spot with 38 points, I putted my way to 41 points only to be pipped at the post by Cliff Dadds who scored 42 points including an eagle at the second hole as he pitched in from a good 50 yards! ( seeing Cliff play a few rounds I now know this was not a complete fluke as he is actually a very talented golfer)

Satwinder organised HHC3 and it was almost a washout. The weather was awful. Still though the attendance was impressive. I was at a wedding and remember smirking thinking of the brave golfing souls wandering around Lemington Spa as the wind and rain peltered the windows of the warm room I was in. Conditions made for tough golf as the winning scores were low. Carlton Burrows again made 3rd place his with 26 points. Ray Perryman's reward for braving the cold was a second place finish with 27 points. Adrian Murray adapted best though claiming 1st place with 32 points.

HHC4 took place at Brampton Heath, Northampton. Cliff Dadds was the organiser and arranged for perfect conditions, overcast with a little wind. The deep rough made driving straight an advantage. (although when is it not!) Many a ball was lost before we made it into the clubhouse. Trevor Kirby clawed his way to 3rd with 40 points. Myself and HHC3 winner Adrian Murray shared 41 points each. It was Adrian though who claimed his second HHC crown in a row on countback.

HHC5 - Luckily for me and everyone else Adrian Murray is unable to make Thorpewood in Peterbrough for Martin Lichfields event. With familar faces such as previous winners and podium finishers, Cliff Dadds, Carlton Burrows, Ray Perryman and Trevor Kirby in attendance though anyone could win the final HHC of 2008.

It has been fantastic to attend these HHC events and it has served it purpose as many golfers including Chris Perry, Adrian Murray and Cliff Dadds have registered so many good rounds they may be inelligable for next years events. If you are new to golf or a bit nervous about playing in a competiton or just want a round with a good set of lads then you would be at home in these competiton formats.

I hope they continue in 2009....

Comments

	Timothy Buffham - 2008-11-26 20:19:33 Lee, You won't be playing in these events for much longer either mate!!! Which makes me think, what are the rules about handicap and entry, not having troubled the scorers so far it might be handy for me to know? I seem to remember discussion in Tamworth about a date line if you were a 24 before a certain date then you’d be eligible. We now seem to be operating the handicap on an event-by-event basis. Long may they continue whatever the ruling. T
	Darren Ramowski - 2008-11-28 23:02:23 Excellent review. Hope to attend an event myself in 2009. Regards, Darren.
	Russell Middleton - 2008-12-04 13:50:42 I'm so glad these events took off so well. Russ
	Adrian Murray - 2008-12-05 12:35:32 hi lee sorry could not make thorpe wood in algarve at mo dont see results for hhc5 could you chase them so i can see what i missed struck a deal with hotel manager for next year if anyone interested 250.00 h\b in vilamoura next october depending on numbers adrian
	Adrian Murray - 2008-12-05 12:35:32 hi lee sorry could not make thorpe wood in algarve at mo dont see results for hhc5 could you chase them so i can see what i missed struck a deal with hotel manager for next year if anyone interested 250.00 h\b in vilamoura next october depending on numbers adrian
	Adrian Murray - 2008-12-05 12:35:33 hi lee sorry could not make thorpe wood in algarve at mo dont see results for hhc5 could you chase them so i can see what i missed struck a deal with hotel manager for next year if anyone interested 250.00 h\b in vilamoura next october depending on numbers adrian
	Wayne Santorini - 2008-12-11 08:07:43 Great review Lee, I knew it would take off and I'm pleased for all those that initially started this. I know I'm ineligible to play for any rewards but if one comes up at the right place and day I'd like to attend just to get a game in.
	Robert Fuller - 2008-12-11 18:12:38 any news of a hhc round the south east london area in 09
	Stephen Falcus - 2009-01-20 12:41:56 get one up in the north east, somewhere in northumberland! plenty of cracking courses! I'd like to attend one myself!