THE LAKES AT LEESBURG in Florida is an over-55 community. It features a 9-hole, par 3 golf course, and every December a Christmas golf cart parade takes place. Decorated with garlands and Christmas lights the carts tour the grounds, cheered on by staff and visitors. The highlight of the 2023 parade was the sight of Santa on his sledge pulled by nine flying pink flamingos wearing antlers, which probably caused the residents to wonder if they’d overdone the fortified wine.
THE 2024 WORLD GOLF AWARDS obviously wanted to get off on the right foot with The Donald. World’s Best Golf Hotel was awarded to Trump Turnberry, although it’s doubtful if many people stayed long considering Scotland’s soggy summer. Trump International Dubai was awarded the World’s best par 3 as well. Portugal scooped up the prizes including the World’s Best Golf Course (Terras da Comporta) the Worlds’ Best Golf Destination, and Europe’s best new Golf Course (Ombria) Spain missed out this year, not even Best Golf Venue (Portugal again, Quinta do Lago.) Must try harder.
Dr. FRANK STABLEFORD deserves to be remembered by amateur golfers everywhere. Dr. Stableford, a surgeon in the Boer war and WWI, afterwards became Captain of Wallasey Golf Club on the Wirral. He devised a system of points scoring after realizing one day that many players were getting very little fun out of their golf, often tearing up their score cards after a few holes, especially at Wallasey, where strong winds could make play extremely difficult.
Golf handicaps had originally been used for the purpose of wagers but eventually there was a need for a central handicapping authority. In 1881 the use of three rounds and then take the average was adopted. Many clubs played medal competitions, hard for the less formal golfer, or they played against bogey, based on the best average scores over a particular course, which was very individual, with widely differing standards.
Dr. Stableford’s points system was first played in competition at Wallasey on 16th May 1932, and was an instant success. At the time the maximum male handicap was 21, but not liking the idea of anyone receiving 2 strokes at a hole he restricted the allowance to 7/8th of handicap, giving a maximum of 18 shots. Gradually he refined the system to give 4bbb, foursomes and mixed matches.
The great advantage of the Stableford system is that it enables a player to continue after a few bad holes and speeds up play by letting a player pick up when he is out of contention. Henry Longhurst said: “No single man did more to increase the enjoyment of the more humble golfer.” As a very humble golfer, I second that.
SCOTTY SCHEFFLER CAN AFFORD to hang up his clubs until January. His seven victories in 2024 are the most in a single season since Tiger Woods in 2007: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship, Masters, RBC Heritage, Memorial, Travelers, Tour Championship. In 2024, Scheffler’s haul – on-course winnings plus bonus money – is $62,228,357. As the song goes: It was a very good year!
IT HASN’T BEEN A BAD YEAR for the viewers either. To name a few highlights: The Masters – Scottie Scheffler. The PGA – Xander Schauffele. US Open – Bryson DeChambeau. The Open – Xander Schauffele. I did have hopes for Rory in the BMW at Wentworth, but Billy Horschel saw them off on the 2nd playoff hole. Never mind, Rory made the list with the DP World Tour Championship. Saved him having to pawn one of his Ferraris.
GET YOUR DELIGHTED expression ready for those Christmas golf gifts: ball markers printed with “May the Course be with You,” golf balls stamped with “Jingle Those Balls,” tees printed with “Have a Tee-rrific Christmas.” Then there’s the shot glass with “Dad’s best Shot,” not forgetting “Dad’s Lucky Golf Socks.” You’ve got a drawer-full from last year, but who cares, it’s Christmas.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a great golfing New Year.
Contact Mick for regripping and repairs. 638 859 475.
