45 years and counting
Written by Ron Fautz Sunday, 31 July 2011 12:16
Having been an appreciative guest, once again, of the Beverley Elderly Gentleman's Golfing Society (EGGS) I keep adding to the wonderful golfing experiences that Beverley has contributed since my first time in 1966...45 years ago! If we have any course in the U.S. that matches the unique specialness of golfing on the Glorious Westwood, I have failed to find it. Members often ask me to compare playing at Beverley with that of our typically manicured and softer courses. Your hard, tight fairways, greens that rarely take a ball mark, penalizing rough and imperfect bunkers, are a contrast to our tree lined fairways, water hazards, and golf carts running everywhere. It is, indeed, a different game...one that I continue to enjoy.
Your local rules give a partial indication that golfing at Beverley is not the same game. Free drops from cow muck, rabbit scrapings, and the option to replay a shot when the ball hits a near post or the wires around the green on the approach,often provide a difficult decision.
In my earlier years the tan gallop provided an added challenge. Often, I would hit the course alone at the crack of dawn and while addressing a shot hear thunder from behind, only to see a dozen horses taking their galloping exercise on the tan. No free drops if you unfortunately landed a shot on the tan full of hoof prints. Now the horses are gone and the tan is mostly grass.
My very first experience was provided by two Walkington gentlemen, Donald Henderson and a transplanted Scot named Morris Beryl. The memory of that first match was lost due to several post round pints in the Barrel in Walkington that summer afternoon in 1966. This was, of course, before the necessary changes to the 3rd,5th, 11th,12th,and sadly, the 18th. Not so much traffic, and fewer picnics and dog walkers. In recent years my late brother-in-law, and EGG, Keith Dobson would play a few holes in the evening, often greeted by passing dogs happy to see their favorite vet.
I have now introduced my son-in-law to the wonders of Beverley, and he too, got to participate in an EGGS event and enjoy their company. My "Bucket List" has expanded to be around to celebrate a Golden Anniversary round at Beverley and possibly shoot my American handicap...just once !