Cheltenham October Handicap Weekend

[<<] [>>] by Roger Jackman at Cheltenham
6-8 Oct 2000 (AC - Handicap)

The last Tournament of this wet season took place mainly in bright sunshine, with earthworks on the old 9,10 and George's lawns reducing Cheltenham to 8 lawns. In the past there has been some waiting for games, but this October the club reduced entries to 32 and only occasional waiting for an opponent resulted. The catering was managed by Magee, no surprise there, but this was David with considerable help from a group of summer rabbits (new members) and the usual high standard of catering was well maintained.

The format consisted of a knock-out with a hands ladder consolation event and no time limits but the manager resorted to issuing Wharrad turns to games making little progress.

The knock-out final was between two rapidly improving young players. Richard Smith from St. Albans who started with a flourish and reached penultimate first but made only slow progress with his second ball. Mike Hoggett, from the home club, despite several rash shots to start with, got going and had a very good break with his second ball to win by 10.

The ladder event, with some players playing 9 games in the three days, was won by David Hutt from Bath. He finished 1 point ahead of Chris Hague and Paul Smith from Cheltenham. Mike Hoggett and David Hutt both won Silver awards.

We all left for a winter's rest, looking forward to 3 new lawns for next season, weather permitting.