Introduction

Three cars set off soon after 6.00 am for Dover. Don, however, had had probably been forewarned that there was not going to be proper champagne at Mike's house this year, just Cava, so his car steered straight for the ferry.
Concerned about the French petrol strikes, all car drivers ensured full tanks of fuel.

We were very pleased to welcome Club President John Chard to the Tour. Like John West in February, his formidable handicap was severely tested in the Wingco 'Big Games'.

Again, Bernard Doswell was not able to join us, so you are stuck with Roger's prose yet again. In Bernard's absence, and in the usual tour tradition, the BMW crew prepared dutifully to report that 'The Tide was Out' when turning left at the little roundabout with the boat beached by the side of the Boulogne road. But the boat was gone! Never mind, in Bernard's memory, we said at each 18th tee (much to Mike's annoyance) during the tour. ' We've all had enough, we are going in after this hole.'
Sadly, Les was not fit enough to play a full round this year, but he did take his putter.
Read on.

Tuesday 19th October

Breakfast at Langhams, as usual. Haddock was 'off'! Then, a straight drive to Wimereaux Golf Club, except for Mike and John, who went first to the hotel so as to get the best bedrooms. Fortunately for the rest of the tour, there was no one at reception to check them in. John had planned to request a room 'with a sea view', but, of course, none were available so far from the prom!

It was a teams game that morning, three players vs. four, average score per person to count. Les was supposed to meet us at the clubhouse, half way round after the 9th, but he fell asleep in the car park and was not available for suitable encouragement to his crew..

Team BMW lost to Team Audi/Nissan. Scores were very modest. It was windy. John was the exception with 36 points and 2 nearest the pin awards.

After a drink in the refurbished clubhouse, we returned to the hotel for the usual warm welcome from the Boulanger family. Onion Soup was on the menu for Roger. Dinner and early to bed in readiness for the Wingco Cup the following day.

Wednesday 20th October:

Off to Belle Dune after breakfast. Traffic on the journey was modest, probably due to the petrol strikes. Don's sat. nav. again had trouble finding a sensible route around a road closure.

Les 'started' us off with suitable announcements.
John's second shot to the first surprised all onlookers. The divot went further than the ball! At least he found it. Roger lost his ball for the first of three consecutive blobs! Les caddied for Roger for most of the holes.
Mike had a senior moment when he went back to retrieve a club left on the previous hole only to find that it had been still in his bag all the time! Mike is hence to be known as 'Memory Man'.
Don nearly fell off a hill, insisting on playing his ball from a near vertical lie.

Scoring was difficult for everyone due, no doubt, to the windy conditions and the pressures of the occasion.
Joe's 29 points won the day. Those who had backed him at 7/1 on the tote did well. Favourites John and Andrew had struggled. Rank outsider Roger at 39/1 did not figure in the placings either(he was second from last actually) in spite of much encouragement from his caddy Les and the extra shot he had craftily gained for his handicap at the previous Saturday EGC qualifier. (editors note for next year's tote punters, Roger had the best score on the Thursday!)

Back to the hotel after a drink, frites and baguettes. Then a short kip and a walk to Catharine's restaurant on the front for prizegiving and Irish Champagne. Unfortunately, Catharine had closed the place and she refused our kind invitation to have a drink with us at the hotel. I wonder why?

At the presentation of the Cup, Joe said he had always wanted to win this prestigious trophy (he had never won it before)and return some cash to the kitty at the end of the tour. He asked if the cup was insured? .Joe also remarked that' 'You lot must have had a terrible round if I can win with only 29 points!'. Well, previous two time Champion Don had broken the tour record for the lowest score.

Lots of chat about super society deals available in the UK and the price of golf and buggies in France. Joe related his story about some Americans charged for a buggy on another tour "Gee, its $50! We don't want to buy the thing."

Thursday 21st October:

Last day and a pairs competition at Hardelot Pines, both scores to count. The crews drove to Hardelot on the first really cold and frosty morning of the year.

John had walked into a plate glass window at the clubhouse and damaged his nose. Bad luck John, hope it did not affect your golf. He'll get Health and Safety on to the problem.

Andrew played with Les whose ball was always placed on the fringe of every hole, two under net par, at position 12.00, 3.00, 6.00 and 9.00 o'clock in hole rotation. A two put was worth 2 points etc. There were lots of undulations on the greens and Les had a few problems. One of Andrew's drives should have incurred the usual penalty when his ball landed short of the Ladies Tee. But is was very cold that morning and frostbite was a real possibility.

Roger and Joe finally ran out winners with 61 combined points giving Joe a clean sweep on all competitions. Then a nice lunch of ham & chips followed by Tarte Pommes in the clubhouse.

The crew returned to the ferry and the P&O Club Room for champagne and free Newspapers. Kittymaster David gave us a dividend of ten euros. Joe, as the only cash winner on tour, had generously donated his 31 Euros to the pot. Thanks Joe!

We bade our fond farewells at Dover.

Vive la France! Vive le golf! Vive le Wingco Tours!

PS We all wish Bernard, Carolyn and Les a swift recovery and a return to golf.