The SCC: April 2013

Monday 15 April 2013

The excitement builds...

As the main event draws near the SCC boys have been busy congregating in packs to hone their skills:

Seddon/Gayton - Bolton Old Links- Friday 12th April
Inside reports suggest that although Gayton started well, carding an impressive level after 11 holes, his high fade seemed again to be his weakness and left him with a miserable finish. Seddon on the other hand just couldn't get the round going, finishing last behind a group of 18 - 36 handicappers.
Mr Seddon Senior had this to say to the waiting reporters, "I can't say im surprise, he talks a big game and he has plenty of time to practise, if he could just concentrate and stop fucking off to various countries to 'work' then i feel he is in with a shout of another first place finish this year."

Bumwell / Brooker / Willams.B (and Matkinson) - Brum - Saturday 13th April
Although no golf was played, serious discussion were held on this years strategy to prevent Bumwell from securing a 7th win. The highly acclaimed player didnt have much to say on the issue as he was too busy signing autographs, seen by his absence below.

No-one knows what the two golfers and Matkison were discussing in this leaked photo, but undercover reporters suggest that Matkison was spouting a convincing lie that he beat someone in a knockout match earlier in the day.

Williams.D - Vegas - Sunday 14th April
Trying to drum up support from the American contingent, the door-to-door Wispa salesman is visiting city of sin to get some well needed sleep from his at home commitments. Only time will tell if this huge break in his pre-SCC practise will be devastating on the final day.

Miller/Porter - Travelodge - Monday 15th April
Not to be left out the two workhorses of the SCC have had their own special meeting this morning at a hotel just outside Brighton. Ever the shroud businesman Porter only paid for the room for an hour, this was obivously enough time for the two to frantically practise their putting skills coming from the shouts of 'In the Hole'. Miller, clearly drained from the intense session, only managed to give a quick wave to his fans as he limped to his waiting car.

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).

Monday 15 April 2013

The excitement builds...

Blogspot Visitors

SCC Archive