BURNHAM BIRDIE BLITZ GIVES NEV NEWS OF THE WORLD CROWN

Words & Pics: Russell Dewey

BURNHAM Beeches proved to be a bountiful birdie bonanza – both on and off the course.

While most of the small PGS field were happy just to marvel at our feathered friends,

including red kites, pheasants, woodpeckers and ducks, PGS skipper Nev Appleton was

busy creating his very own menagerie.

The weight of responsibility of high office – and the ceremonial chains – are supposed to clip

the wings of the PGS Captain, but as blustery showers swept across the Buckinghamshire

course, Nev took flight.

With his unerring trusty two-iron, Nev playing off 11 (including a three-stroke PGS penalty)

spotted five birdies – including three on the spin from the 15th – and despite also racking up

three “blobs” he chalked up an incredible 40 points.

His flock of birdies over the closing holes proved crucial in pipping Oli McCormack, who also

bagged a 40-point haul, off eight, to win Division One and the coveted News of the World

trophy on countback.

A delighted Nev said: “I was very happy with my performance and wanted to win one event

in my Captain’s year. It’s good to be in the mix with some of our finest single figure players –

Steve Lewis, Paul Kelso and Andy Glen – in the march to Morocco.”

Andy, playing off just 4, rattled off four birdies of his own to claim third spot in a round of 73

notching an impressive 37 points.

Those of us off higher handicaps (12 and above) in Division Two had our feathers ruffled by

the undulating fairways and greens, which left even the deer looking perplexed.

However, PGS vice-captain Hugh Whittow continued his good form, after vanquishing

Northcliffe in the annual match in March, by taking the honours with 32 points off 19.

He beat Ben Todd, also 19 handicap, into second place on countback with Ben’s wife

Caroline Day (29) nabbing third spot with 30 points.

Ben and Caroline’s wine cellar had another boost with a second-placed finish in the

afternoon greensomes.

While their fellow Muswell Hill-billies, Kevin Price, Kevin Mitchell and PGS newbie Richard

Fenn, enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the 19th hole, they joined seven other pairings back

out on the course.

Nev, in the company of Evan Samuel, was unable to repeat his morning exploits as the

expected downpour never materialised and the afternoon remained relatively rain-free and

even turned sunny late on.Caroline and Ben (26) powered to 34 points, to take second place on countback from Colin

Hancock and Tony Smith (15).

Andy continued his scintillating form alongside his former BBC colleague Rick Evans to win

the Sir Leicester Harmsworth Trophy by shooting 38 points off their 12-handicap.

Andy also took the Nearest the Pin honours for Nev’s Captain’s Charity in the morning round

– finishing within three feet on the 13th hole. While Jim Murray’s monster tee shot flew to the

Longest Drive prize down the 18th.

But for Nev, life is looking tweet as his plans for our Wryter Cup Morocco migration take wing.