Friday 11th September 2026

So, it's been a while since the Bandits got on the road and after a lot of ins and outs and shaking all about, eleven Bandits and two guests  rocked up at Cumberwell to take on the morning challenge of the 9 hole par 3 course and the Blue and Red course in the afternoon. 

Everyone turned up on time, which in itself is quite an achievement and after a bit of debate and scribbling on cards regarding the handicap allowances for the par 3 course battle commenced in the morning competition. The par 3 course was challenging, fun was had by all and after the competition completed, the winning team was Newwy, Geoff, Gavin and Tonto with a very impressive 60 points, piping team Shaun, Duncan and Kieran by 2 points, and the individual winner was close too, with Geoff's 23 points beating Duncan by two points, giving Geoff the bumper £20 winners pot. A delighted Geof could hardly hide his joy at winning the eye watering amount, but somehow he managed  😉

So following sandwiches (we're still not sure if one of the sandwiches was egg or something else) and more chips than even Macca and Kieran could eat the main event started, 18 holes of quality golf (I'm sure between the thirteen of us there must have been 18 holes of quality). The weather was perfect the course was in good nick, the greens were challenging, and the winner was Newman with 38 points, beating Tonto (that's right, it's not a typo) into second place on countback by 2 points, Geoff was beaten on countback to come third. 

The winning afternoon team was Shaun, Kieran and Tonto with 77 points, beating Newwy, Gavin and Broomer by a single point. Finally the nearest the pin winners were Kieran and Pete (Saunders) - Macca's mate, well done to everyone! 

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So I think the learnings we can take away from our latest away day are: Newwy is consistent the break hasn't impacted his ability to win on any course, and continues to be the one to beat. What has happened to Tonto 🤔, second place in the afternoon and on both winning teams, has he been practicing? Has he had lessons? Did his new shoe laces make a difference? Or did he just get lucky? Answers on a postcard... And finally, away days are fun, it was great to have Pete and Geoff along and I may organise another one after the next pandemic! 

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Following the golf, the Highworth contingent (Broomer, Duncan, Nick, Newwy and Gavin) went out for a few beers, and after watching West Ham thrash Wrexham with Gerry we moved from the Saracens to the Kinger for some sophisticated drinking and intelligent debate. Unfortunately while there Duncan got separated from his beer, we think he may have gone for a kebab, or was just tired and went home, but he left his pint, so if you know what happened to Duncan please can you let us know as we'd like to reunite him with his beer (we'd like to but someone drunk it).

 

 

​Some pictures from the day: