Bob Hope No Hope Challenge 2006

For some annoying reason, blogger has this habit of putting new postings ahead of existing ones, so you'll probably be confused by the layout on this Blog. Don't worry!

The Bob Hope No Hope Challenge 2006 was held at Farthingstone Golf and Hotel Complex in Northamptonshire on 2nd and 3rd April.
The venue was ideal, shame the same could not be said about the weather, especially on the first day. Rain, gale force winds and the occasional, unwarming, sunny interval made for some challenging golf. The prolonged winter lay-off, for most of the competitors, made that challenge damned near impossible.
There were twelve 'No Hopers' for this, the third annual outing of the event. Again it was organised by Alister, who we all admit did a grand job. The usual suspects were there again, Nick Baldwin, Steven Baldwin, Martin Gibbard, Lee Webber, Steve Tidbury, David Baldwin and last year's winner, Rob Mulliss and this time around we were joined by some new blood; Paul Bownes, Charles Muronda, Neil Spratt and Ryan 'Air' Reader.

'On the tee'

Alister Baldwin teeing off. Luckily he lost or misplaced those Mafia-style sunglasses. Al cut a Montyesque figure out there. Produced some fine golf, giving us all a lesson on day two in accurate, long driving and ... well that was it really; apparently it all went to pot after that.

Nick Baldwin. Showed all his Swedish heredity when partnering David Baldwin on day two. Drove the Golf Buggy around, churning up the course like 'The Stig'. Unfortunately drove the golf ball around like Stig of the Dump.

Steven Baldwin and Martin Gibbard. Martin was 33 on the Sunday, seen here getting a birthday hug from Steven. (Well somebody had to do it!). Both were on top form, Martin with his endless one-liners; when Alister potted 3 balls in under a minute to beat David and Steven at snooker, Martin commented, "I've never seen him (Alister) move so fast since Kentucky Fried Chicken had a sale on". Steven showed his true metal at the card table, Texas Hold-em was obviously his sporting forte. Steven did however win a prize for 'Nearest the Pin', for an effort on the 2nd Hole that came to rest almost within 'gimme' range. 3 puts later the 'gimme' was finally conceded.

For some reason I don't appear to be able to upload anymore photos to this page. I'll try to do it on a new page and add a link from here.