Ognore by Sea, Wales, 2013
From the first couple of pioneering years followed by a bit of repetition in Ireland, via France and double Kernow, there was concern that this proud and progressive showdown was on the verge of stagnation.
All that changed at 8.16pm, February 3rd 2013, upstairs at Ye Olde Cock Tavern in The Strand, London when Messieurs Probert and Chenery cut through the din and delivered their presentation – South Wales.
Never in a million years did people expect this to be such a stand-out venue but in part due to Chenery’s unimpeachable planning, with a roadside M4 pitstop addition from Baz, it delivered on every level.
Inheriting the benefits of 8 years of tradition, convention, wisdom and planning expertise was Andrew Moodie, the newest, and to many the unseen final component of the octet. Elevated to almost mythical ‘good bloke’ status by his work colleague, he had to charm his way past a natural scepticism built up over almost a thousand badgering emails, expounding his virtues and asking for a quick decision.
This he did with charisma to spare and in the blink of an eye, 4 had become 8 and MADJIC had suddenly become a lot harder to win.
What made it even harder was that whilst Wales offered the finest selection of naturally beautiful courses since Ireland, they were also some of the toughest.
To kick off a bit of debate, this particular writer would say that over the years the best courses would rank thus;
- Royal Porthcawl
- St Mellion Nicklaus
- Bantry Bay
- Hardelot
- Southerndown
After setting in to a wonderful but tired stone cottage in the remote Ogmore-by-Sea, the reigning champion got us underway at the unique hillside heathland links course, Southerndown.
Playing amongst the heather, bracken, gorse and free-roaming sheep in the shadow of Ogmore Castle and with far-reaching views of the Bristol Channel, this championship course was an incredible introduction to golf in Cymru and despite the torrential conditions of the last few holes an exciting golfing experience . Awooooga!
Neath and Pyle & Kenfig, the venues for the next two days were also more than worthy courses, offering breathtaking views and holes of exceptional quality. P&K possibly didn’t get the ‘props’ it deserved, being slightly on the pricey side and destroying most of the field with its challenge. Not dissimilar to Royal St George’s, often voted one of the UK’s finest courses, it had a slew of memorable holes built into the dunes, something you wouldn’t have expected from the opening of the bland and long uphill 1st. It also had a few too many forgettable holes for the price, so whilst the course wouldn’t make the top 5, I think some of the individual holes certainly would.
The winner at P&K
As for Neath, the day started with the Lions rugby and some free hotdogs and coffee being forced upon us by the owners of the Green Dragon pub on Main Road. Despite a last minute loss to the Aussies, this James Braid designed undulating heathland course had us smiling from the moment we walked off the first green to the par 3 2nd hole that took you up to a plateau overlooking the Neath and Dulais Valleys. It was a welcome respite from the wind of the links courses and the signature 391yard 15th with the green 80 feet below was one of many for the scrapbook.
Tee box on the signature hole at Neath
Ditto the 183yard 17th; a long and tricky yet unremarkable hole that had the group of Justin, Moodie, Stokes and Chilvers shrieking with delight. History has been kind to this cluster of pinpoint shots and the current narration has them all hitting the pin. Legend is all part of the MADJIC experience but it’s clear the story has been embellished to excuse what was simply loud and boorish behaviour – poor etiquette of a high order. Perhaps they felt they were due an indiscretion after suffering one of the worst breaches of golfing deportment seen since the time Justin lay down behind a fellow competitor’s putt to get a better read.
After receiving a read from The Gadget King’s top-of-the-range yardage-ometer, Pro took out the hybrid to smash one down towards the green of the par 5, 12th.
Mentally ready to let fly, Baz interrupted the eager competitor to question the efficiency of his contraption but with the memory of the ball trickling onto the green for eagle at China Fleet the previous year still fresh in his mind, he launched a 110% missile, hoping that if he caught it plum he might be able to relive that glory. Over-clubbing by at least 7 clubs, his 18 degree Ping i-20 rocket fizzled just to the left of Moodie’s head and caused a full scale riot of accusation and recrimination. Poor etiquette of the highest order. Welcome to MADJIC Andrew.
The Jester from Leicester didn’t let it shake his confidence though but there was a noticeable speeding up in his 4-ball’s subsequent holes.
If anything, the howitzer seemed to galvanize him and he went into the final day with a great chance of winning at the first attempt a feat only achieved once before. Alongside him were Baz, Justin and Frosty, whose massive handicap and efficient swing was simply not letting anyone get away from him. One of his playing partners was quick to elucidate on where it finally went wrong, claiming “ he could have won it on the back 9 but he simply has no course management skills whatsoever”
On his own meltdown, The Earl of Enfield had rather less to say, his shaky swing always just one hole away from being exposed and anyway, history doesn’t remember the losers…unless they are on video that is. Step forward Baz; right in the mix on the final day only to suffer cataclysmic bunker trouble coming down the home stretch. A combination of a steep trap face and dare I say it poor technique combined with the heat of intense competition saw a meltdown of Van De Velde proportions that only video can do justice to.
With Stokes playing superbly in the ‘just for laughs’ group behind and none of Probert, Chilvers or Chenery mounting anything close to a challenge, it was left to the newbie to walk off with the Jug and a worthy winner he was.
Royal Porthcawl was also a winner, garnering unanimous ‘likes’ from every player: A beautifully crafted yet naturally rugged golf course in outstanding condition that one would never tire of playing.
Fun at Porthcawl
Whilst MADJIC 2013 will always be remembered for an ‘off-the-chart’ amount of emails and pre-tournament ‘banter’ combined with an overtly showy and unnecessarily exhaustive prize-giving ceremony, the addition of Pointless, the hedonism of Ogfest, the beauty of Wales and the wonder of the golf amongst friends will make this truly a week to remember.
The next chapter awaits in Scotland.