The SCC: February 2011

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Top 5 Memories of SCC History - part iv

Part 4 of the Top 5 memories goes to the entire SCC 2010 competition due to the absence of Neil 'humungously Massive C' Gayton! Pictured here in probably his most heterosexual stance! There were so many plus points in 2010, so many fond memories it is hard to pinpoint a specific situation, the entire experience was exhilarating.

Players and spectators alike all said what a great tournament SCC 2010 was to participate in and to observe, the majority of people putting this down to Team Manchester dropping Neil Gayton and selecting his sister-in-law Matt Miller who hit considerably fewer high fades than Gayton would have done!

Sunday 20 February 2011

Top 5 memories of SCC History - part iii

Day 1 of SCC 2009 at Pennard GC, Ben Williams was seen disgracefully chipping out the back of a bunker... if you look really carefully, you can just his lipstick, eyeliner and tampons falling out of his golf bag! Disgraceful behaviour Ben... hang your head in shame!

Top 5 memories of SCC History - part ii

Day 1 of SCC 2009 at Pennard GC (nicknamed F***inghard GC), Team Nottingham take on the might of Team Birmingham in the morning session. This particular scene (see image) could have been taken on any of the 1st 17 holes, Team Nottingham's talisman Si Porter torn between thrashing a 5 wood out of the heavy rough having duffed a tee shot or just picking up his ball and walking to the next tee! Team Birmingham's Ben Williams can be seen here thinking about the most appropriate comment to make... should he go with 'chin up' or maybe just take the piss which I am sure is the tact that he went with!

Monday 14 February 2011

Top 5 memories of SCC History - part i

Day 1 of SCC 2008, the wind at Aberdovey blowing harder than Ben Williams' arse after a curry. Pet Bumwell, decided to be a big man and have more than the required 2 pints in between the morning and afternoon rounds, then subsequently nailing one of the biggest drives of his life off the 1st tee... it must have flown all of 9 yards ending up in this lovely position (see image)... nice lie, sitting up, ball slightly below his feet, I don't remember the outcome of this shot as I spent the next 5 minutes changing my trousers having wet myself with laughter! What a legendary moment and one that this great tournament should dwell on in the years to come!

More memories to follow...

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).