Blackwell goes one better to seal first Sign-Up win

Seniors Section Sign Up - Monday Nov 4

Seniors Captain John Blackwell notched up his first Sign Up win of the season on Monday, a week after securing his previous best finish.

John won the 4-clubs-and-a-putter challenge, his 30 points edging out John Blackburn and Alan Scott-Davies (both on 29).

"I went for driver, my 24-degree hybrid which I hit about 160 yards, 8 iron and wedge," said John, whose 35 points with a full set of clubs last week saw him finish as runner-up.

"My plan was to focus on accuracy off the tee and lay up where possible to give me a full shot into the green. For the most part, it worked.

"My ball striking has improved after a few lessons with James. And I like the challenge of playing with only four clubs - it makes you think more."

Perfect tactics

His tactics worked perfectly for the first 8 holes, four pars and four bogeys earning him 18 points, only for a triple bogey on the next to halt that momentum. 

An approach to 6 ½ feet for birdie on 14 was cancelled out by a wayward drive and lost ball at the 15th before John guaranteed his victory with a 3-point par at the final hole.

Playing partner John Blackburn, meanwhile, grabbed his first Sign Up podium finish of the season with a strong finish, parring both 17 and 18.

A full member at HHGC since April, he opted for exactly the same club selection as John Blackwell (although his hybrid was 23 degrees). For him, though, Monday was all about putting.

"I was trying out that Jordan Spieth method of looking at the hole rather than the ball and I promptly holed 10-footers on the first and second holes!

"I don't know if I'll stick with this approach, though. I started losing confidence in the middle of my round - it didn't seem to work as well with longer putts. But then I holed another nice putt on the 18th after splashing out of the greenside bunker, so who knows!'

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