The View from the Hill on Monday 31st May

I have developed an irritating tickle, down in my throat, between the clack and the uvula - it has meant a disturbed night for myself and Mrs B.

And I needed a good nights kip as I am assaulting Blankney Golf Course this morning and I have not played for about 87 years and I wanted to be as fresh as possible.

Of course I have played more recently than 87 years but this was a tribute to a chap called Bob Alexander who always claimed that he hadn't picked up a golf club for years, then would hit it miles.

I love golf, I even sat last night and watched Tom Lehman win the Senior US PGA title in Colorado, this was via the red button on Sky - a new discovery. I knew the BBC had a red button but I didn't know Sky had one.

I love watching the Senior golfers, I actually know who they are and they all have one thing in common - none of them are Tiger Woods.

Last evening it was Lehman fighting for the title against Fred Couple and David Frost, Nick Price and Mark O'Meara and lesser lights like Bill Glasson.

Glasson had spent three years undergoing various surgeries to fuse vertebrae in his neck and back, and now he swings the golf club with a great deal less energy than he did 25 years ago - I have a bad back as well as a tickle so perhaps I might play well?

I can't get the word uvula out of my head now - I blame Victoria Wood, her Audience with was on telly last night and I watched it for the umpteenth time - she is a very funny lady.

Anyway, I will purchase some Lockets and prepare for what will either be a disaster or a glory of a round of golf - there is never anything in between.

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Golf is so popular simply because it is the best game in the world at which to be bad.

A.A. Milne