Claire Kane on the quirks and customs of Captain's Day
When it comes to Captain’s Day there are always a few who dare to wear the brightest and loudest clothes on the market. Neon tops which could probably be seen from space and guys wearing multi-coloured, clown-like trousers that you daren’t look too closely at in fear of making yourself dizzy. Mind you, as a friend once commented, you have to be a darned good golfer to wear that kind of bright stuff. Either that or you’re colour blind.
The day starts for many with a hearty breakfast, followed by a team picture and boundless enthusiasm on the 1st tee. With the odd bulging golf bag stuffed with something ‘strong’ to keep the swing going, it’s fascinating to watch the scores decline in direct relation to the amount of liquid consumed.
What you don’t appreciate is the refreshment area offers a great view of the green and you’re about to provide the entertainment for the day. You can guarantee at some point, someone will drive their ball (usually the one just given to them by the captain) deep into the wilderness so you’ll end up wading through deep grass, praying you don’t fall down a concealed sink-hole, trip over a low-lying stump or, worse still, stumble upon a nest of vipers.
A further deterioration of scores usually occurs when the smell of the BBQ wafts over the course and members quicken their pace (and unfortunately their swing) in anticipation of the legendary halfway hut where more ‘sustenance’ awaits.
What you don’t appreciate is the refreshment area offers a great view of the green and you’re about to provide the entertainment for the day. In my case, the flag had been wickedly set up only yards from a pot bunker and on an impossible hump, making it great amusement for those tucking into their BBQ.
Horrifyingly, my second shot rolled into the deep bunker but despite a dreadful lie and a noisy audience I managed to escape the sand first time, chip onto the green and then sink the putt, avoiding what could easily have been three putts on the lethal green. Clearly the thought of humiliation, a burger and a drink is the incentive I need to play well!
Surprise, surprise, the scores weren’t very high particularly the back nine. They say there aren’t any pictures on the scorecard but when it comes to fun events such as Captains Day, it’s definitely a memory for life.
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