The Drum Beats at Aldwickbury Park

Guess what? The rains came again to try the players and our patience at Aldwickbury Park on the first day, but the green keepers did a fantastic job in getting the course playable for us and off we went, on time.


A strong field had assembled once more to challenge for the win, some had won before and some are yet to win, so each player has his own agenda and in some cases Demons, to deal with.


Early signs were that the course was holding its own against a high quality field and it would be tough to break the heart of this golf course given the wet conditions that were to set prevail for most of the day.


Previous Jamega Tour winner David James set the clubhouse target of 4 under par with a well-crafted score of 67 that we felt could be equalled but hard to beat. Not long after, another James, this time it was the previous winner of this event, Lee James, who also carded an impressive 4 under par 67 to join his namesake in the lead, for now!

Former winner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Scott Drummond, soon joined the pair on 4 under par but their joint leadership was short lived, however, when a relaxed Joe Braddon strode into the scoring area with a great score of 5 under par to sit on the overnight lead.

The second day was in complete contrast to the first, with a clear blue-sky framing a golden sun the course looked fantastic. A stiff breeze blew up as the morning wore on so it was not going to be an easy day for the leaders and any one of a dozen players could still win today.

The first to show what could be done was the very talented, but highly unpredictable, Ben Martin, who took the early lead adding a 5 under par 66 to his first round 75 to finish on 1 under par.

Young Owen Curry, the amateur son of former European Tour player, Paul Curry scored a brilliant 4 under par 67 to finish on level par and, shush! Beat the old man by one! James Doswell and James Ruebotham joined Martin on 1 under par and led for a while until the penultimate group came in with Scott Drummond carding a score of 68 for 7 under par winning total of 135.

Drummonds playing partner, Nick Flynn, who last played with Jamega as a 17 year old amateur, finished a valiant joint second with David James on 4 under par each winning £1,750. Overnight leader Braddon could not keep his form going and fell away into a joint fourth place finish alongside Lee James on 3 under par.

Drummond secured his first significant win for some time and was pleased to pocket the winner’s cheque for £3,000.

What can you say about Aldwickbury Park? Nothing, other than it’s exceptional, with caring clubhouse staff serving reasonably priced food to golfers who have enjoyed playing on a fabulous golf course cared for by Course Manager Stuart and his staff.

If you haven’t played Aldwickbury Park, near Harpendon, yet, make a point of doing so because you will not be disappointed, the greens are superb.

Next week we are at Essendon for the second in the “Super 7 Series” of events that has an enhanced prize fund an extra £3,500. So enter soon because it will be popular. Details and conditions are on the website.