Papal Tour 2008

The Papal Society meet again for another challenge of the little white ball.
Everybody arrived on time at Maidstone Services at the early meet time of 8am and all with passports which is a good start.
Upon arrival at the Ruminghem course there was slight concern at the quality of the course. With two of the greens being temporary, an arrangement with the manager on a reduction on price everyone began their warm up of a quick beer and a baguette.
A quick inspection of the first hole confirmed thoughts that today's round was going to be a hard one. With fairways that had old grass cuttings left to rot and knee high grass which formed the light rough, we won't even mention the actual rough. A quick count up after the round and it seems a total of 41 balls were lost between the group. The overall standings of the day were Sladey retaining the Papal plate for the second successive year, David Foster achieving second prize for the longest drive and also winning the third prize, closest to the pin, but opting to forfeit that prize and awarding it to the next closest, Doctor Proctor. The overall winning group was group 1, a combination of Sladey, Broadfoot and Doc.
With the hard work over it was back off to La Ferme du Vert for our usual warm welcome and copious quantities of 2 Caps beer, lethal even for the hardy drinker. With the brilliant idea of following advanced technology and ignoring just following the "locals" and returning the way we came a 3 car convoy, following Sladey, went off on an off road adventure to visit a historic wood yards. What a great little adventure. A quick turn around and back the way we came it was off the way we arrived earlier in the day and the straight forward route back to the hotel. A good few 2 Caps were consumed before the hungry amongst us, Brophy, insisted we went in to dine.
The food as ever was exceptional even for the guys not on the alla carte menu. As ever wine and beer was taken on board with the fabulous meal and it was down to Olly to present the awards to the champ of the day and the runners up.











All awards given out and once we scared off the locals expecting a quite night dining we all headed to the lounge to wax lyrical about the days round of golf, sing songs and the winning group to buy their prize for all the others being a bottle of fine port. The evening went on long into the night and the final bottle on cognac was maybe a step to far for some people. At 2am the barmen (not called Daffid... Bonze!) finally went home but only for the arrival of Thomas from his rendezvous. At 2.30 everyone decided that time was up on the evening and everyone retired to their rooms.The morning came too early for most and after a quick light continental breakfast it was time to prepare for the ride home. The group then split in two, the hardcore headed off to La Sirene. Unfortunately the days before off roading was a step too far for Docs car and a puncture had been inflicted. A quick tyre change and again the help of Thomas and his contacts all was rectified and everyone returned home safely.


A great trip and for all those who have not yet been it simply is a must.