2018 The Unfinished Tour.........

2018 had gripped the UK in a wrapping of heat, a never ending summer of hard grounds, impossible lies and baking temperatures. As Massive Attack reminded us it was a little like having a day without a night. As the tour decamped to Stratford - later in the calendar than normal - the late addition and then withdrawal from Simon meant the party had both a new Rookie - Phil James - and also a new playing structure. With a set of rules unplayed (and indeed untested and unknown) anywhere else in the world Team Bryson raced into a lead on day 1 as the numeric superiority of his team led to a first round impetus during the Redyr Scramble.

In true team fashion Bryson also took ownership of Snakey, Sharkey, Woody and Sandy whilst Jack's deliberate attempt to avoid Sandy on the 18th led to noticeable penalties come Saturday evening.

So, half way through and the Bandito Trophy had a number of runners and riders. Bill, playing off his new and universally recognised Redyr Cup handicap of 9; Guy showing everyone how to score 28 Stableford points in 9 holes and Jack, now assisted by £2500 worth of hired golf clubs looking like a real golfer. Jack you need to find a way to keep those! Team Bryson had built a strong and stable lead and, as the teams met in the bar at the end of day 1 Bry/Guy and Phil/Bill were confidence personified. Even the call by Bryson for VAR to be employed next year to check all bunker groundings was met with sensitivity and understanding from Tim.

But a chink of light could be seen for Team Coller. In one of the most middle class boat races every staged Tim's gamble of taking 2 Espresso Martinis won through and an extra point was gained. Dinner at Harvester was excellent and despite finding a right wing, gun toting, Trump voting Virginian sat at the next table the evening ended over a number of bottles of wine on the hotel terrace with all unaware of the excitement to follow.

So to Day 2. Could Jack hold on to his stableford points? Could Bryson live up to his confidence and bravado. Could Tim, unusually quiet on the Friday night encourage his team to great things. So they took a knee on the Saturday morning; part in prayer and part in hope, unaware that the great Bandito in the sky might have been listening. At lunch the gap was closed to 10 1/2 to 8 1/2 with 4 points to play for in the afternoon singles. But the weather was closing in.....

Guy left his wheels in the clubhouse so as he went down 5 with Jack there was nothing left to fall off, Jack winning with a 35 minute score of 10. Tim was outplaying Bryson and Hods had forgotten to bring any wet weather gear at all as the rains descended. As the half way hut came into site and the thunderstorm grew in fury the klaxon sounded and the course was closed! 4 points out there remember and all within reach of Team Coller. Would this have been the 4 point turnaround they needed?

But the course remained closed for long enough to leave the games and the match unfinished and unresolved. Bryson had the points in the bank and Tim had the potential points out on the course. A win cried Team Bryson! Never retorted Team Coller. Would the 2018 Redyr Cup be another Kubla Khan, a Mozart's Requiem or even that odd looking black pyramid shaped hotel in Pyongyang? We will need to wait for the appropriate committee (Results, Rulings and Handicap Allocations) to meet in mid October.

Overall Bill won the Bandito trophy and decided that 2019 would be a year of Heavyweight rematches as Tim and Bryson (and their respective teams) would finished what they had started this time around.