Night Golf – 19 September 2024
39 intrepid golfers, in 20 teams of 2, stepped out into the unknown as twilight fell on Bromsgrove. Within 15 minutes it was pitch black and not even the waning Super Moon was casting enough light on the course to help those who did not have the foresight to bring a torch. All the players had to help them were flashing white beacons guiding them up the middle of the fairways, green beacons around the greens and a flashing red flag together with the ominous red flashing beacons to show them where the bunkers were. Not forgetting the glowing balls, of many different colours, which had to be hit to light them up, and then found before their glow extinguished.
Scoring was very close. Par for the 6 hole course was 22, and half of the pairs had a gross of 30 or less. 3 pairs tied for equal second with a score of 26, just one behind the winners, Mark Bilbrough and Alex Jones, with 25. Unfortunately, the winners were first into the clubhouse and then had to leave straight away, so were not able to take the plaudits of their fellow competitors. A picture of the winners accompanies this report for those who were not convinced that they actually existed.
A special commendation must go to Alasdair Pollock who was the only player to score a birdy on the night, with a 2 on the 11th. And a personal thanks to the unnamed player who hit his ball from the trees just short of the 9th green. The zigzag light trail as his ball bounced off 4 trees before landing on the fairway was a wonderful sight to see.
Many thanks to George Lever from Club Night Golf for providing the equipment and expertise on the night and driving from France on the day to be able to set up the course.
The full results can be found here Nightgolf Results 2024
Thanks to Paul Stanford for this report and for acting as the event coordinator.