The SCC: September 2008

Thursday 25 September 2008

An Apology...

Dear Reader, I would like to apoligise for the image which i displayed yesterday. I feel ashamed and disgraced to say that the photo had been altered from it's original content. I feel that i must offer my sincerest apology to Nick Brooker and would like to show everyone the true photo and hope that no further mishaps occur again.

It is clear in the actual image that Nick wasn't in a playground scaring young children. In fact he was in a "man's man" bar enjoying a socially responsible drink with his close "companions". This clearly exonorates him as a man hanging around schools and in fact puts him in an appropriate, and legal, "bum sex" environment.

I hope this clears up any misunderstanding.

Mr President

Tuesday 23 September 2008

This is the athlete others are supposed to fear?!?!?!

Given the recent post by the new matchplay champion of Hale GC, the rest of the SCC competitors are in no doubt that Peter Bramwell-Guyton is a huge over achiever in all sporting/athletic arenas.

It was thought previously that his 2 wins in previous editions of the SCC were entirely down to his partner (Mrs Neil C.(h)unt) carrying him the whole way round but given his recent victory the conclusion has been made that he is just a lucky git. The above photo proves beyond reasonable doubt that he has no sporting acumen whatsoever and he should he ever achieve anything in the future it will be complete luck!

Monday 22 September 2008

Two Feet To Victory...

It was a late summers afternoon that has seen the biggest shock in the golfing season this year. A startled spectator commented on the occasion as, "One of golfing histories minor miracles," and as a proud SCC President, I can confirm that "Two Foot Bottle Job" Pete Bramwell clinched victory in his club knockout competiton. In what was a spectacular match Peter managed to sneak a two foot putt to just 18 inches past the hole to secure a solid win on the 18th hole.

What has been a very upsetting result for the other teams of SCC has only bolstered Team Manchester's chances and spirit for next years competition. After what was a very poor show from the aforementioned CHAMPION in this years SCC meeting, we are all hoping that his current form can remain through a tough season to come for the struggling Bowdon 8's hockey side.

A very bitter Nick Brooker and long term "partner" Mike Nowland have commented, "I don't give a monkeys. Even if his new found extra length and accuracy has helped his game, he certainly won't be sharing a bed with us." Nick, 32 (months of no sex with a female), has controversially given up his hockey career to focus on his training for "SCC 2009 - 'Fore' Years". This is a bold move for Nick which is only going to result in him spending more time with Mike and substantially raise his chances of getting gonorrhea.

So with only 9 moths to go the competition against looks very close (obviously disregarding team Nottingham, let's not get silly about it) and it looks like anybody can clinch the coveted SCC trophy (refer back to my last brackets comment).

Bring on 2009.

Mr President

Champion and all round golfing legend Peter Bramwell

SCC History

The idea of an annual golfing challenge between Birmingham and Manchester was first proposed at some time over the Christmas of 2005. Since that time, two-ball teams have fought over a gruelling weekend for the honour of calling their city ‘Britain’s Second City’.

Royal Nefyn Golf Course in North Wales hosted the first competition over the Easter of 2006.

The representatives of Birmingham, Nicholas Brooker and Benjamin Williams fought to the last hole of an intense weekend of golf, over three rounds, only to succumb to a world-class put on the final hole from Peter Bramwell, representing Manchester. Neil Guyton, the other member of the Manchester pairing carded an estimated two under par for the final round to help the Mancunians to the title of Britain’s Second City, 2006.

The success of the competition in its fledgling year was enough to generate interest from other cities around the country believing they can stake a claim to the title of Britain’s Second City.

The competition moved to Royal St Davids in 2007 and witnessed a swelling in competitor numbers with the introduction of groups from Liverpool and Nottingham. Mathew Atkinson playing for Liverpool and Simon Porter and Dominic Williams playing for Nottingham were unable to mount any sort of a challenge in the new format competition. Manchester retained their crown after another tense final hole in which Nottingham could have won either the title or wooden spoon. They ended up with the latter. Birminghams challenge was dealt a cruel blow as Ben Williams was struck down by tonsilitus.

SCC2008 was hosted by Averdovey over a cold and windy April weekend. For the first time, competitor numbers were at capacity with the addition of Chris Seddon to the Liverpool team. As seems to be the tradition with the competition, the title went to the last hole where Birmingham held their nerve against a rejuvinated Nottingham pairing. Liverpool collected the wooden spoon.

SCC2009 tooks the competitors to South Wales and the Pennard Golf Club, near Swansea. With a surge of golf club membership over the summer, the event promised to dish up golf of an even higher quality than had been witnessed so far. However, the extreme challenge presented by Pennard reduced the competetors to wrecks of the former golfers they once were! Manchester secured their 3rd title at the 16th hole of the final round against a highly competitive Team Liverpool. Birmingham narrowly beat Liverpool to second place with a final round victory over the wooden spoon winners Nottingham.

2010 was a big year for the SCC. The 5th year anniversary competition saw the teams take on a the new challenge of Tenby Golf Course. In a break with tradition, this years captain was elected from outside of the original foursome and all agreed than Matkinson did an excellent job. Neil Guytons absence from the Team Manchester line up did little to change the recent trend. Pet Bumwell, partnered by Matt Miller, chalked up another victory on the excellent Tenby track. The only thing counting against the course was the huge journies faced by all.

2011 saw Nick take up the captaincy reigns. The SCC went back to it's roots and introduced Nottingham and Liverpool to the wonders of the old course at Neffyn.

2012 is a seminal year in the history of the competition. The format and name were both changed in order to expand the number of competitors to 9. The Second City Challenge from this point on became simply The SCC. The new competition now pitches 3 3-ball teams against each other, drawn according to handicap this year, but in future years based upon performance in the previous years competition. The first test of the new competition was held at Pyle and Kenfig. 'Getting blobby' was born amidst some high scoring as a result of the usual SCC weather.

2013 took The SCC to North Wales Golf Club, Llandudno in the hope of providing a slightly less harsh golfing test for the players. The rain and wind stayed away for the most part and scores were must improved. An early target for best individual score was set by B Williams of 46 points (off a handicap of 20).