This format restricted the competitors to 3 clubs of their choice and a putter as the only weapons within their armoury. You can only imagine the weeks of serious forethought and discussion before teeing off as players racked their brains in deciding which clubs to select for the battle ahead. Some players still brought a full bag and had to be more agile in their selections. Most players ended up choosing some version of the following: • A long club, such as a driver, 3-wood or 5-wood • A mid iron, such as a 6-, 7-, or 8-iron • A scoring club, usually a wedge It was good to see some new players, Ally Daly, Alan Storey and Paul Sheffield, entering the event, and the 22 competitors made the following observations: 1. you can’t fall out with any of your club selections or banish them for the rest of the round, 2. some selections were made under the false assumption that the men were also playing from the Red tees, and 3. you can’t fake your way out of a greenside bunker. It certainly seemed to be the case that some players were destined to spend the next four and a half hours like a couple trapped by a lockdown mid-divorce. The eventual winner, Dermot Whelan selected the following clubs using a delightfully “old school” approach: a “play” club, a mashie, and a niblick! AKA, driver, 5 iron and wedge. Congratulations Dermot, a well-deserved win with 39 points (1-2 shots under handicap). Well played also to the runner up Andrew Butler-Miles with 37 points, despite bagging a 5-point eagle on the 6th. So what did we learn from all this? 1. Limiting the bag forces better concentration, cuts out over-thinking/indecision over yardages, and makes you focus heavily on where not to hit the ball, and 2. We’ve all done (far) worse with a full set! The event does therefore beg the question, why do we lug 14 clubs around the course with great risk to life, limb and bank balance when 3 clubs and a putter would suffice? Answers, please, on a postcard to the Committee. Top tips for club selection for 2027: Look at the scorecard and think through what each club choice would leave you on par 4s, whether three solid shots could reach certain par 5s, and what club gives you the best chance on the par 3s. Once more, thanks are also due to the greenkeeping team for their increasingly high standards which make the greens, especially, more playable and predictable. Finally, a call out for members to sign up for the Chair’s Challenge on October 11th. Jarlath Brine, Club Chair