SOS Golf: Ambrose Pairs

Ian goes through his rigorous pre-match routine

It's Ambrose Pairs

He'll be back playing soon

A nice easy game, where you can rely on your partner to get you out of trouble

Finally looking like a real club

And you never have to play out of the bunker or from under the trees

The pair to beat?

In fact, a little bit like real golf

Looking suspiciously like a new shirt

There were some very good scores

Peter meets the dealer

And some very poor ones

Might as well..

Dave managed to pitch in from 80 metres on the 18th

Probably doesn't play at Wembley

Only a few minutes after sinking a thirty foot putt for birdie on the 17th

So, how did we go on the novelties?

NOVELTY	HOLE	CONTENDER	WINNER
NTP	2	Lynne	Max
NTP in 2	9	Lynne, Derek	Colin, Greg
NTP in 2	15	Gary, Robb, Dave, Colin	Brett
LD	17	Rob, Gary, Max	Paul

And the pairs?

PARTNER 1	PARTNER 2	SCORE

Richard Y	Shelley	74.5
Gary	Rob	70.5
Jan	Malcolm	70
Colin	Greg	70
Ian	Ross	69.75
Keith	Eric	69.75
John	Frances	69.25
Brenda	Richard O	68
Paul	Max	67.5
Stephanie	Derek	66.5
Lynne	Dave	63
Peter	Brett	60.5

No raffle this week, so no opportunity to stake $1 for a 50:1 chance of winning $10.

The Rainbow Coalition

Ross suggested we all just chip in our $1 for the committee, since they always win anyway, but they were nowhere to be seen. So that wouldn't work.

Tell 'em they're dreaming

Shelley gets the Cassandra award for the week, having predicted on the 10th that they would win the lollies, only for Richard to strenuously protest that there was no chance of that happening. Ah well..

And here's something you may not have thought too hard about in the past, but should have:

When you're finished raking a bunker, what do you do with the rake?

Do you place it inside or outside the bunker? Are there rules or guidelines that govern the placement of rakes?

It's a common question among golfers because no matter where you place that rake - inside or outside the bunker - it will still be in a position to influence golf balls rolling its way.

So what's the rule? Well, there is no rule, which, of course, is what leads to the confusion.

The USGA does state, "Ultimately, it is a matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed."

And if the course does not have a policy, or you are unable to find anyone who knows what it is?

While there aren't any official rules about rake placement, there are rules of thumb and guidelines provided by the USGA in Decision Misc./2.

She definitely doesn't play at Wembley

The USGA Guidelines

"There is not a perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it is felt there is less likelihood of an advantage or disadvantage to the player if rakes are placed outside of bunkers."

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America further recommends that rakes outside the bunker be placed laying flat on the ground (tines up) and parallel to the hole's direction of play.

So there you have it. Unless there are local rules in place, it's considered better to leave it outside the bunker, parallel to the play.

Next week, it's Vice-Captain's choice on the Tuart. So, expect the unexpected.