Surry Victory is a Walk in The Park

Yes, it was raining again for the umpteenth time this year for The Jamega Tour and the players at Cumberwell Park near Bath.

The pace of the day, from a scoring perspective, was set very early on with first out of the blocks, Sean Whiffin, scoring a 2 under par 69 and then in the very next group Lee James posted the same score to tie for the clubhouse lead.

Much was expected from local hero Steve Surry, who was also an early starter, but Surry's driver was showing him parts of the course of which he was not too familiar with!

However using his other many golfing skills Surry eventually carded a creditable one under par 70 to slip in behind Whiffin and James.

Thomas Curtis joined the leading pair scoring an excellent 2 under par 69 in rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.

Later on in the day, with the rain abating, the breeze picked up and that was to have an effect on the later starters and, as they started to drift in, only The Asian Tour member, Yasin Ali, was able to join the leaders on 2 under par.

It was now apparent that a low score on the combined nine holes of the Red and Blue courses at Cumberwell Park, was not on the day one agenda.

Sam Matton, in the penultimate group, stole the thunder of Whiffin and James by extracting a well crafted 3 under par 68 to take the lead into the second day.

What a difference a day makes, with the second day dawning bright and sunny and with an excellent forecast for the rest of the day, our spirits rose and we all had a spring in our step.

Ashley Mansell, from nearby Clevedon Golf club and playing partner David Griffiths showed what could be done when the sun shone, by respectively scoring a 5 under par 66 and a 4 under par 67, with Mansell's 66 including 2 Eagles on the Ninth and Eighteenth holes

Steve Surry, who had by now regained control of his naughty driver, was scorching through the front nine on the Red Course in 4 under par to make the leaders look over their shoulders and worry!

Of the leading group only James and Whiffin were trying to keep Surry at bay as Matton boarded the non-stop bogey train travelling on the back nine holes of the Blue Course.

Surry had a minor hiccough on the very testing par 3 seventeenth giving up his only bogey of the day in a stunning round of 7 under par 64 and he then retired to the clubhouse to see if Lee James could beat his 8 under par tournament score.

James arrived at the last hole needing an Eagle to tie Surry and force a play-off but it was not to be and he tapped in for a birdie to finish one shot adrift of the delighted Surry.

A consolation cheque for £1,500 almost brought a smile to James' lips and certainly Surry's grin at picking up the main prize of £2,500 was a joy to behold, but with his mum Mary and girlfriend Ali in close attendance I feel that not all the winnings will be going to the bank!

A special thanks goes to Matt and his green staff for presenting the course in excellent condition, especially considering the appalling weather they have had to deal with this summer.

Cumberwell Park, with it's four very different nine's gives the golfer many choices of courses to play and it is one of our most favourite venues.

The club has just completed a stunning extension to the clubhouse and can now cater for any number of golfers in spectacular surroundings.

Again the superb Pasties on sale took their toll on the strict diets that the Jamega Team try to adhere to, so much work to be done at Weight Watchers!

Caversham Heath near Reading is our next stop so entries and payment please before 6pm on Friday or you may miss out.