OK guys, the summer season is now officially over, and if I can imitate Jacques Rogge this has been the best season yet. Despite a different and quite novel format for everyone involved, the play, organisation, and commitment from the teams has hit a new level. On top of that, we had an incredible last two days as we found ourselves with no undefeated teams, a six-way tie at the top, and results up and down the league that were affecting the destination of the cup ... it will take a lot to top that drama. I got to the point of staring at the results spreadsheet as each new result flashed up on the screen!
Of course a congrats to Electra Hotties, but also to Goldteam Dragons, a new team that was seeded last out of all the teams (after a random draw of all the new teams) and fought all the way to the runner-up slot. Also to the Italian and Transgressional CCs - from playing each other in the first round as new, low-ranked teams and then moved up to the top 10. And to the Elite CC A and Deviations A, whose response to losing was to go out and just, well, inflict heavy defeats to the opposition in the next rounds, finishing with the two best minor score differentials of +18 and +17. Also a mention to the Skype Players, who at one point had 2 of the 3 undefeated teams after Round 4. I'm glad I seeded you as I recognised many names from UKGE teams of previous seasons. Finally, the hard luck prize has to be shared between English Lakes Greendale (full disclosure - my home club), who finished with 3 wins and 3 losses with a strength of schedule fractionally weaker than the winners of the cup themselves, and GransupergolfmannarCC, who finished with a fantastic record, pushed the Deviations close, knocked off Transgressional, but just couldn't manage to draw the strongest opposition during the rest of the competition and finished last out of the six-way tie at the top.
I could continue (and I know if you have not been mentioned, you are saying "please do!") but I should wrap things up here. Have a great time playing and watching the Virtual Ryder Cup and the stroke play country club league season now set up by the Deviations, and we will see all of you back once the leaves have fallen and the trees are bare.
slor