VILLADEORO WINS THE
DAY!
What a season - WHAT a
match Phew!!
After 12 rounds of slugging out the Stableford
Winter League it finally came down to the wire Villadeoro, Jimgriff and
Sriley took the stage as they contested what would be a great final
round. Villa was just 4 points clear in that table from Jim withSriley
in hot pursuit. I had the priviledge of listening in "LIVE" and relayed a
hole by hole, shot by shot live commentary to all the members in the
site. And what a match it was. Nerves were the order of the day as the
three gladiators took to the arena.
We're off on the 1st All teed off safely and
heading down that first fairway of Bethpage Black. A steady start for
Villa and Sriley as they both secured safe pars, but it was Jim that was
to make an early move and rattled in a birdie 3 to add some pressure to
an already nervous Villa. Scores after hole 1 Villa2 Jim 4 Sriley
3. This could be an epic as Jim was now only 2 points away from
catching Villa in the overall standings
Hole 2 and the heat was
still on. Villa had to raise his game to keep up with a rampant Jim.
Both securing birdies on the par 4 2nd Sriley was finding the pace hot.
His palms sweating as his nerves were at their peak. He comes away with
a par Scores after hole 2 Villa 5 Jim 7 Sriley 5
The 3rd The players
were starting to feel a little more relaxed as they teed off on the
third hole the par 3. All safely negotiating the green and all securing
steady pars. Scores Villa 7 Jim 9 Sriley 7 Jim still now only 2
points behind the overall goal
Hole 4 approached. Jim fires and
hits his first wayward shot. allowing Villa to smack his drive dead
centre of the fairway. Sriley still hanging in there also made a steady
drive. There was nothing more Jim could do other than play safe and get
the ball back into a playable situation. This allowed Villa to pile on
the pressure as his ball lands 11 yards from the hole Sriley follows
Villa and both are on the green with birdie chances. Jim in the meantime
gradually makes his way towards them , alas it was 4 shots to get to
the green. Jim needs this put for bogey. It rolls towards the cup and
narrowkly misses. A double bogey for Jim. Villa and Sriley both putt out
for pars. All the hard work Jim had done to get within 2 points were
now squashed as the scores stand Villa 11 Jim11 Sriley 11 They were
back where they started in points.
Hole 5 was next and Jim was
determined to quickly forget his previous hole mishap. This time it was
Sriley that struggled abd ended with a bogey. Jim however found that
little extra and birdied whilst Villa secured yet another safe per.
Scores Villa 14 Jim 15 Sriley 13
Hole 6 Villa knowing Jim was
still breathing down his neck was starting to feel the pressure, and
knew he had to try and make a move. His drive was long and sure, Jim
played his drive with similar gusto but alas he shanked it into the
heavy rough. Sriley, still sweating from nerves and anticipation smashed
his drive and found the fairway. It ended with Jim having to settle for
a bogey , whilst Sriley played safe onto the green, leaving himself a
long birdie chance. Villa attacked the pin and landed 3 feet away. The
pressure was building. Sriley pulls back the putter and grazes the hole
leaving a tap in par. Villa steps up and rattles in his birdie. Villa
17 Jim 16 Sriley 16
The Long par 4 7th was waiting for the
participants. Wind blowing in their faces as they stepped up all
managed to reach the fairweay but all were left with long distances to
reach the green. In fact none could make it as they all approached . Jim
off to the left of the greennearly 40 yards away, Sriley gets to within
22 yards of the green and Villa ends up 54 yards out. All play their
chip shots and all get within 2 yards of the hole . The three now
putted out for very respectable pars on what seemed like a par5.
Scores Villa 19 Jim 19 Sriley 19 They were back to level. Who was
going to make that decisive move?
8th Hole loomed. Jim knew he
must make a move soon or it could slip away. And sure enough Jim fires
his tee shot to within 5 yards of the pin. Villa shoots to within 11
yards and Sriley 8 yards away. All safely on green all have chances of a
birdie. Villa shoots and goes 4 feet by. Sriley lips out for a tap
in. Jim sensed that if he could hole this 14 foot putt it could make
Villas comeback putt seem like 40 feet instead of 4. Surely enough Jim
holds steady and sinks the putt for a birdie. Villa now regretting
that sudden rush of speed settles down and secures his par Scores Villa
21 Jim 22 Sriley 21.
The 9th. All played the hole steadily
with straight drives and steady approach shots. Sriley narrowly misses
his birdie chance. Jim and Villa play conservatively for pars. Half way
the scores read Villa 23 Jim 24 Sriley 23
Hole 10 the long hole
was awaiting The wind this time doing the players a favour was
assisting any shot forward. All drives make the fairway, all drives
failry long leaving shots into the green a little easier than normal.
All play onto green and all have birdie shots. It is Villa that
prevails with his birdie whilst Jim and Sriley putt out for easy
pars. Scores Villa 26 Jim26 Sriley 26 Who was gonna make that break
from the field?
The 11th saw all the players vying for position
reach stalemate yet again as they all secured text book pars. Scores
Villa 28 Jim 28 Sriley28
The 12th Hole (What was to be the turning
point for Sriley and leave the game into a 2 man dog fight)
Villa
has the honour and blasts his drive fairway bound. Jim follows suit.
Sriley alas with still that outside chance of a major upset strides up
to his ball and smashes it into the trees. Nothing more than attempt to
recover. Hits the ball yet into more trees and lands in a bunker. 3rd
shot can only barely reach the fairway leaving a long iron towards the
distant green. Meanwhile Jim and Villa stand there waiting with
anticipation, knowing the game is still in the balance. Both hit the
green. Sriley in the meantime , head down , dejected leaves a long putt
for bogey and misses It was to be a double bogey for Sriley. Jim just
shaves the hole andend up with a par. Villa grasped the opportunity had
grabs another birdie. Scores Villa 31 Jim 31 Sriley 29
Hole 13
(Sriley is down and out)
The par 5 looked inviting. All players
knew a birdie was essential, an eagle would be even better. Jim and
Villa safely negotaited their drives Sriley still have problems hit
his tee shot wayward into the rough making his second shot just a safety
shot. Meanwhile Jim and Villa smash their second shots Both landing on
the green for eagle chances. Sriley following again lands in trouble
and can do no more than chip out for a better lie. Sriley gets on the
green but is some distance way for a par and, las his putter lets him
down. another bogey for Sriley. Jim steps up and leaves his eagle chance
within 12 inches of the hole just short. a tap in birdie. Villa takes
aim and rolls past by 3 feet. His return putt safe and sure for a
birdie. Scores Villa 35 Jim 35 Sriley 31
14th Hole Par 3
All
players get on the green Jim gets closest about 9 feet away Sriley
putts first and just misses . Villa now about 16 feet away riolls
his putt.........it looks good Yes it's in another birdie. Jim now
has the pressure of following that. But keeps his head still and rolls
his putt in another birdie. This is getting hot. Scores Villa 38
Jim 38 Sriley 33
The notorious 15th hole (make or break?)
15mph
crosswind against the players, This is gonna be tough. Villa nd Jim
hit great drives up the centre of the fairway. Sriley hits his well
but it somehow manages to roll into the rough. Sriley hits his 2nd
shot and lands in the rough between the bunkers.
Jim follows
and also short of the uphill green landing on the top lip of the bunker.
Villa seeing whats going on takes his club and smashes it it lands
just on the front edge of the green but also rolls back from the
fringe. Sriley moves in for his third shot from 70% rough . hits it
and it is too weak , it barely moves it forward. Sriley still has the
honouyr, he this time flops it on to the green about yards away leaving
a horrible swinging putt for bogey. meanwhile Jim is having problems
His attempted chip also barely moves and he is left with a chip from
about 11 yards for par. Villa now knowing that this was his chance to
take the game stood and watched in horror as Jim produced a magical
chip into the cup for a par 4. What a shot! this was now vital that
villa could chip and get close to save his own par. But Low and behold
the Spaniard chipped from 9 yards and would you believe it also into
the cup it went a BIRDIE 3 . what an outcome, one that was probably
beyiond his wildest dreams to actually come off winning the hole after
seeing Jims chip. Scores Villa 42 Jim 41 Sriley 35
16th Hole
This
was now within Villa's grasp, he knew no mistakes and it was his. Jim
also knew that something special was required if he was to get past
the Spanish maestro. Villa Jim and Sriley stood on the tee Villa smashes
it dead centre of fairway leaving Jim to follow. Alas Jim lands in
the rough. Sriley follows Jim. It was looking ominous for Jim., and in
fact Villa piled on more pressure as he secured his next birdie. Jim
narrowly missing to save par and subsequently ending with a bogey - A 2
shot swing had just put Jims chances a distance away. Sriley, now
settled, knowing that "there is always next season" went through the
motions and also came off the 16th with a bogey. Scores Villa 45 Jim
43 Sriley37
The 17th par 3
Villa knew he just had to hit
the green and play safe for these next two holes and the championship
was his. He hit his shot .....up it soared and landed softly on the
green 7 yards from the hole. Jim followed and the Sriley. Jim and
Sriley both securing steady par 3's Whilst Villa, now tottaly relaxed,
knowing the walk up the last was one he could take calmly. stood over
his 20+ feet putt and casually knocks it in Birdie number 6 on the back
nine Scores Villa 48 Jim 45 Sriley 39
The final Hole
Wind
favourable Clouds floating by sun shining, Villa could take in all the
scenary as he stepped up and launched a massive drive dead centre of
fairway. Jim still playing with pride strolled up and did the same.
Sriley still reeling from witnessing the Spaniard and his skill was not
to be outdone and drove past the two of them. All second shots made
the green Sriley a 8 yards birdie chance Jim is within 12 feet and
villa only 9 feet away. Sriley shaves the hole and ends with a par 4
Jim shoots .....it rolls.......its in a great birdie to cap off his
stableford challenge. Up steps the now known Stableford Champion.
Villa, calmly rolls his putt in for another BIRDIE and a round of 59.
Magnificent stuff.
The champion is Villadeoro.
Well played
to all three competitors and thank you for allowing me to listen in on
the events, and be able to transfer them "live" into the site. You did
the competition proud. Well done to Sriley, Well done for the most
gallant effort from Jim and well done and congratulation to the newly
crowned champion of the Stableford Winter League VILLADEORO
I
would also thank all players for making the competition a seriously
great event. Without you, it would have been nothing, you have all acted
in the most sporting manner and have conducted yourselves as true pro's.
Thank you all.
Here is to the second stableford starting in two
weeks time. Will Villa defend his crown? Can YOU stop him ?
We
will find out
Regards
Crazyman2