The Second HMS Manchester Association

LOCAL GOLF BANDIT IN GREAT GOLF MARATHON SENSATION

In aid of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Southampton Hospital

By a Somewhat Nepotic Correspondent

News filtered through to 2MA regarding local golf bandit, Martin Tidbury, who set out to play 100 holes of golf in a single day, adhering to the strict rules of golf and using the Stableford scoring system. Wisely choosing June the 21st for his endeavour, and playing off a handicap of just 3, 0430 saw our hero on the first tee at Corhampton Golf Club, well before the normal early morning golfers arrived!

Approval had already been sought for the early start and exceptionally, permission to play through any games on the course throughout the marathon, which had been generously approved by the club committee led by the Club Captain… Martin Tidbury!

Accompanied by two committee members as witnesses, the first 18 holes were completed in just one hour and 40 minutes with a score of 35 points, five over par including 4 birdies, despite breaking his driver on the 7th - unfortunately Club Professionals don't open their shops at 0500 - which proved an additional handicap. Round 2 was completed 7 over par - 33 points - no birdies - but an excellent chipped in Eagle was certainly the shot of the day - 36 holes completed.

Round 3 started just after 0830, and the family back up team arrived, complete with Martin's breakfast! The course is starting to fill up, and Martin has what proved to be his best round of the day - 37 points - four over par and three birdies and with 54 holes completed it is time for a well-earned two hour rest and recuperation period.

1300 saw the start of round four and the pressure is starting to tell with just two birdies and a score of 9 over par - 31 points - and 72 holes played and it's getting rather hot! This led to the final full round, with just the one birdie but the second best score of the day, 6 over par - 34 points and 90 holes completed. ….and so to the final ten holes and it's mid to late afternoon which produced only 12 points and a catalogue of lost balls to add to the score, and to be honest, everyone was too Fxxxxxx Knackered to keep looking for them!

1700ish and its hole 101 in the bar and the first pint didn't touch the sides!

For the record - Martin's Golf Marathon was a minimum distance of 20 miles - (the course is a minimum 6,400 yards) but in reality when consideration is given to the additional distance between holes and tees and any deviation from a straight line, the distance walked was probably greater than a standard marathon. Martin raised £1525 for PICU which included £50 from 2MA… When asked for an unbiased comment our correspondent duly replied - "Well Done! Son!"