Saturday morning golf – New members welcome
Pace of Play - Tip of the Day
Do putt out (do not mark and rest) unless it interferes with someoneās line.
See what the experts say on the R & A website
OR see our own policy and guidelines.
Next Week’s Details
At Ivanhoe Public Golf Course, Saturday, 25th October 2025. Deadline for registrations is 1200 on Thursday, 23rd October. First tee time will be 0656 or first light (whichever is the later).
Second and final week of the Fred Kitson Spring Cup (Par event). Championship Points, magnificent trophy, Daily BallRun, Nearest the pins x 3 (2 x BallPins – take a ball or cash – and 1 x ProPin – Jackpot on 15th), delectable barbecue lunch after.
If you have not registered on the website or with the Tee Marshal(s), there will be a spot, but the Tee Marshal will be less than happy if there are too many of you.
If you have symptoms of any sort, please do not attend but notify if you have registered to play.
Please note registration time – be there early or be square, or the tee marshals will get angry as they need to rejig the groups.
In the menus at the top of the page there is one labelled Registration (or click on the link above). This is to indicate your intentions about playing next Saturday – just enter your name and click on Yes or No. The form will be available until Thursday. Could everybody please indicate your intentions, even if you are not planning to play.
Don’t forget that if you don’t play the inside comp, and you want your scores to count for your Australian Handicap, you have to fill in a card with your GolfLink number and Australian Handicap to the handicapper. In the case of non-Home members, the card will have to be handed to the handicapper at your Home Club. Also, in stroke rounds, please calculate your stableford points and record them to facilitate data entry.
This week’s Tee Marshall is Adam (or nominated alternate).
Link to Latest Handicap Sheet
Bruised cups and endangered trees on 18th October 2025.
What was it about the back nine today? You can’t really blame the weather. If anything, the back enjoyed the best of it, as the cold, and even a mist of rain, gave way to sunshine. Although the course looks green, the grass hasn’t really got a grow on, and there was plenty of run to be had, with the downside of the occasional bare lie to play from. As it was, fifteen members set out to battle it out in the first round of the Fred Kitson, and they managed to knock out five birdies in the process. If last night’s SnapChat/WhatsApp was to be believed, there would have been more, but maybe it was the sherbet talking.
When asked how he went, Nalin’s response was that he had hit seven trees from the first seven tees. Then, he handed his card in. According to reports, there was a suspicion that he had stolen Bobbie’s putter, as he replicated Bob’s last week’s performance by sinking just about everything from just about everywhere. Some were travelling so fast that they were in danger of leaving the green, if they had not hit the pin dead centre, which prevented the possibility of damage to the back of the cup. Not to be outdone, Harry’s putt on the first was saved from a similar potential fate by catching the pin dead centre at high speed from about five or six metres, to stop dead and drop into the hole for an unlikely par. Nalin finished the front three up, but ‘faded’ slightly on the back to square the nine, to lead the field comfortably on plus three.
Craig played his usual steady game on the front, and should have finished better than plus one for the nine, if some of his putts had been slightly better directed. The near misses with the flat stick continued on the back, and the final tally was minus one to slot into second place on the Leaderboard. Targe turned up looking as if he had just come from, or was about to head off to a disco, if his pants were any guide. At least he wasn’t wearing high-heeled sneakers. His golf was largely unaffected, however, and he was able to match Craig to share second place. Gordon finished just a single point further back from a round that seemed to lack any highlights, other than that his super-powerful second shot on the third brought down a ‘major’ branch from the tree that got in the way. SOS joined him as one of the few who recorded a better score on the back nine than they did on the front. SOS did claim that he managed to hit thirteen trees in the process, but it is not clear whether this was an unlucky number or not. He did remember to hit <record> for his shot on the 18th today, and, although he did not get the HIO, he did get a shot of his BallPin winning shot. There was some consideration of declaring the claim over Brendon (who was barely on the green) because of the ‘obscene’ gesture inscribed on the chit. Bob also shared a piece of third place, with his main complaint being that he had picked up twice when he still had strokes left. This usually happens when people go out rather than having taken a big cut last week.
Harry was pretty happy at the turn, and, on the 10th tee, promised better things. Things did look better for a few holes, but four gashes in the last six holes tore the guts out of the score. Dan should have been right up there with Nalin, after finishing the front level-pegging on plus three. The rot set in when he marked and picked up his ball off the green on the 10th. Six of the next eight were losses. Porks joined the merry band on minus three, as another who scored ‘better’ on the back. Brendon would probably prefer to forget his back nine on his way to minus four for the day and the last spot on the Leaderboard placings. A lost ball on the 13th fairway, did not contribute much to his level of happiness.
There was a BallPin on the 4th, and the prize was hotly contested, with Dan and Stan putting their hands up. Unfortunately, Matty’s usual course was being ‘cored’, and he came to Ivanhoe to ‘take home the chocolates’. Barbecue tools and a ball from the 4th will be the only ‘chocolates’ that he will get. The ProPin was on the 15th, and, despite the tee being well back, and the pin as well, the five-metre circle proved elusive, and there will be a Jackpot on offer for next week. Despite Matt’s rather poor showing in the scoring arena, he absolutely shone compared to Raj, who is apparently front-runner in the Shank-king Stakes after today’s effort. One shot, at least, was not a shank, because the ball was missed completely. Just don’t write him off just yet, though. CJ had a couple of home chores to attend to this afternoon after the round, and he was undecided which one terrified him the most. One was doing the vacuuming, the other was meeting up with the Ice-man who rear-ended Carolyn’s car.
Results for Saturday, 18 Oct 2025
Leaderboard Round 1: 1st Nalin Samaranayake (+3) 2nd Craig Cameron (-1) 2nd Targe Mifsud (-1) 3rd Gordon Hill (-2) 3rd Bob McDonald (-2) 3rd Stephen O’Sullivan (-2) 4th Harry Boughen (-3) 4th Dan Marie (-3) 4th Ryan Porker (-3) 5th Brendon Mitchell (-4)
Seniors Leaderboard: 1st Craig Cameron (-1) 1st Targe Mifsud (-1) 2nd Gordon Hill (-2) 2nd Bob McDonald (-2) 3rd Harry Boughen (-3)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 15th Jackpot BallPin No 1 – 4th Matt Hunt BallPin No 2 – 18th Stephen O’Sullivan
Patty/Wazza/Bobby Trifecta
Two venues this week.
The big 2 round Annual “Mustard Jacket” Challenge at Rich River Golf Club in Moama, with 24 players (18 club members and 6 special “ring-in” mates/friends/relatives/ex-members) playing the West Course on Saturday and the East on Sunday.
A field of the bare minimum 6 at Ivanhoe.
What goes on off-course
As they say in the classics, what goes on off-course at the Annual Challenge at Rich River stays in Rich River.
And this is true of 2025. Your blog writer (who wasn’t there) asked various participants for off-course stories for the blog, including from those who rocked up early and played on Friday, but got nout.
On-course Rich River highlights
No golf highlights or stories to report either, only detail coming through the wires was the scores, the top 5 for which you can see below, Patty, from Wazza, Matty, JQ and Andrew V.
To that you can add Peps picking up the NAGA (I won’t embarrass him with his actual scores, reported to have been 23 and 15 = 38 but that must have been a typo surely?). If he was a horse …..
And Wazza, who obviously was dead stiff to get beaten for the Mustard Jacket in a countback, won something called the Cockās Plate for an effort on a Par 3 that involved a shot bouncing off a house.
Bobby Dazzler at Ivanhoe
Meanwhile Bobby blitzed the small field at Ivanhoe with a stellar round of 41 points, including a strong finish with 3-pointers on the last four holes. On the 16th he was robbed of a 4-pointer when a dead centre putt hit the pin and jumped out.
He drove the ball beautifully all day and apart from a brain fade 3 putt from 4 feet on the first hole (his second missed putt there was the shortest putt I have ever seen missed) he regrouped with the putter and slotted absolutely everything from that awkward range of 5-10 feet. In they went every time!
Bob’s highlights included two of the best up and downs you’ll ever see from behind the 8th and 9th greens. Both well behind the green and with pins back, short-sided for the chip. No problems, both chips to about 5 feet and the putts dropped dead centre.
On the 13th he hit another perfect drive and then clobbered his second past the pin to the back of the green. He nearly nailed the birdie putt (which would have been 3 for 5) and settled for a regulation par 4 for 4.
Top effort Bobby. Absolutely brilliant round of golf.
Nalin played well for his 37 points, his 5 for 1 on the last a disappointing way to finish.
Stan played much better than his 34 points suggests, but he probably was handicapped from a headache after shaking his head so much every time Bobby made another putt.
Blighty was back for a game after an extended period out due to ill health. Good to see you back Blighty. You looked your usual fit self. Apparently doctors orders are that Blighty should play every week and we hope you can manage that Blighty.
Michael and Denzil brought up the rear of the field. Michael relegated to 5th from the previously announced equal 4th after a score correction.
The Fred Kitson Spring Cup
The season’s last major awaits, the 2-round Fred Kitson Spring Cup, everybody’s favourite par comp. The story goes that when Fred was honoured with a Major Trophy in his name and was asked what scoring system he’d prefer for the trophy he said “&*%! em, they can play par”.
Results for Saturday, 11 Oct 2025
Annual Challenge: 1st Patty Don’tknowsurname – a non-member mate of Peps (37, 41, 78) won on countback 2nd Warren “Wazza” Capes (40, 38, 78) 3rd Matt Hunt (29, 38, 67) 4th John Quinlan (35, 31, 66) 5th Andrew Vogan (32, 32, 64)
Ivanhoe: 1st Bob McDonald (41) 2nd Nalin Samaranayake (37) 3rd Stan Blackshaw (34) 4th Andrew Blight (31) 5th Michael Gourlay (29)
Seniors Results:
Annual Challenge: 1st Matt Hunt (29, 38, 67) 2nd Andrew Vogan (32, 32, 64) 3rd Ken Watson (31, 29, 60) Gordon Hill (25, 31, 56)
Ivanhoe : 1st Bob McDonald (41) 2nd Stan Blackshaw (34) 3rd Andrew Blight (31)
Nearest the Pin Results at Rich River Annual Challenge: Results not known to blog writer. Was played on holes – West Course Saturday 4th, 8th, 16th and NTP with second shot 15th – East Course Sunday 3rd, 8th, 13th, 16th
Nearest the Pin Results at Ivanhoe: ProPin – 12th Michael Gourlay BallPin No 1 – 15th Michael Gourlay BallPin No 2 – 18th Michael Gourlay
Best bet quinella
A few of the clubās most avid punters are gearing up for another big weekend on the punt at Rich River.
Some golf apparently will also be played.
Today if you had taken the good odds available for a Prez Priems/Bobby quinella in the October Monthly Medal youād be laughing all the way back to the TAB to collect some good coin.
Storming home on the back nine with birdies on 11 and 14, an 84 off the stick for net 66 saw Rob three lengths clear of Bobby (69) with āOld Reliableā Craig and Brendon dead-heating for third (70).
SoS and Nalin shared fourth (71) and Gordo and Peps snuck in a point for fifth (72).
Honourable mentions to Steve (74), āMango Kennyā who is back in town on the mangoes (good job Kenny!) and Raj (75). Stan, Andrew V, Josh, Beast, Wazza and Marc trailed them home.
Priemsy Trees
Lots of talk about helpful Priemsy trees today, including Raj right off the third tee heading into the Yarra, hits a tree and finishes up on left edge of fairway. His second shot then hit the big tree on the right and bounced left. His third shot hit the tree again but deflected neatly onto the green. Thatās a triple Priemsy!
Wide lens
Raj suggested we needed a wide lens for the group photo, but Michael couldnāt cope with the hi-tech involved.
We had 17 players in the club comp, plus Marcās guest Neil and Denzil putting in his third card for handicap (which will be somewhere between 28 and 30 depending on who wins a handicapping argument between Harry and Michael ā has Michael ever won an argument with Harry?).
Raj also had a friend playing in his group on the front 9. So we had 20 blokes out there.
Welcome Denzil. Be warned if you ādo a Charlesā and win everything for a while with your new handicap, there will be some push-back from sometimes cranky old-timers. I wonāt mention names (JQ).
Most exciting card
Your blog writer was very excited when he saw the sequence of scores on Gordoās first three holes.
Birdie 3 on the first, perfect drive, then wedge to three feet and putt right in the middle. It goes without saying you would then expect a double bogey 6 on the second. But the best hole from a statistically satisfying sequencing point of view was Gordoās 9 on the third. So thatās a start of 3, 6, 9. Unfortunately he managed better than 12 on the 4th.
Shots of the day
Brendon (allegedly) to 1.97 metres on the 4th to win the Pro-pin cash. Missed the birdie putt.
SoS laser like 4-iron to a couple of feet on the 7th to win the NTP āballā there. Made the birdie, one of eight across the field for the day.
SoS again near perfect 7-iron into the 18th, on track for a hole-in-one all the way to the difficult top tier pin, but just as well he dropped his phone and didnāt press the button properly to enter the hole-in-one cash prize because it settled about 10 feet from the pin.
It wasnāt even good enough to win the NTP ball there as Neil had hit an even more perfect 7-iron a few inches closer earlier on.
Honourable mention to Marcās pitch with his 60 degree wedge into the 13th from under the trees between the 10th and 13th fairways. Perfectly executed, it stopped a couple of rolls short of going in.
Raj also happy with his first ever birdie on the 8th.
Beast showed he can still do Beast things with a huge drive and second into the 6th and only narrowly missing the eagle from the fringe.
Best narration with shot of the day
The Priems brothers are known to wax lyrical with some narration about what they are going to do with a shot before they hit it.
A few weeks back keen blog readers will remember Stan had some commentary of his own about CJās lengthy pre-shot story-telling on the 14th green, along the lines of ājust shut up willya and hit the bloody thing.ā
This week Rob had a big, long left-to-right curler to the back pin on the 14th and he let it be known that the correct line was to hit it directly over the rubber cup of the previous hole location. No need to move my ball he said, Iāll just hit it straight over the rubber cup and in sheāll go. And that is exactly what happened, sort of. It didnāt go straight over the rubber cup, it hit the side of the cup which sharply changed the ballās direction and then in she went!
Rob also made a huge putt on the first, which a bit like CJās eagle 8-iron on the 9th a few weeks back, and a few fish caught over the years, got longer and longer with each re-telling. Somewhere between 25-50 feet it was.
Champion of Champions Field
Congratulations on a great win Rob. It adds you to the field of 14 qualified for the 2025 Champion of Champions to be played on our Christmas Break-Up/Trophy Presentation Day on 20 December. See the full field on the website under āCompetitionsā.
For the rest of us who havenāt qualified there are a few more chances, the November and December Monthly Medals and the last major of the year, the Fred Kitson Spring Cup on 18 and 25 October.
Annual Mustard Jacket Challenge
And then of course if a club member not already qualified for the Champion of Champions wins the Mustard Jacket āAnnual Challengeā this weekend at Rich River, they too will make it into the Champion of Champions field.
Have fun up there boys.
Results for Saturday, 04 Oct 2025
1st Robert Priems (66) 2nd Bob McDonald (69) 3rd Craig Cameron (70) 3rd Brendon Mitchell (70) 4th Nalin Samaranayake (71) 4th Stephen O’Sullivan (71) 5th Gordon Hill (72) 5th Andrew Petricola (72)
Seniors Results: 1st Robert Priems (66) 2nd Bob McDonald (69) 3rd Craig Cameron (70)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 4th Brendon Mitchell BallPin No 1 – 7th Stephen O’Sullivan BallPin No 2 – 18th Neil Brocket
Steve G second half blitz
Short story highlights:
Steve romped home for the win with +5 in today’s “Grand Par” comp despite an “airey” on his tee shot at the first hole.
I might be wrong but I think no Collingwood supporters were present.
12 players, including 1 guest (Mark Dunn, a Fitzroy supporter who normally is an afternoon player but plays with us once a year for some reason) and Denzil, a new member putting in his second card.
There were 5 birdies and 6 “double pluses” (Peps on the 7th, Wazza 10th, SoS 11th and 16th, Andrew V 14th, Steve 16th).
Pro-pin Jackpot on the 4th, Mark won the NTP on the 12th and Peps the 18th (great shot to top tier pin and we won’t mention his 3 putts from 4.89 metres)
Porks and Michael shared equal NAGA with minus 8. Michael coming off 26 points last week is in especially good form. He spent the second nine googling retirement villages with bowls and croquet.
Slightly longer story for those who read novels:
With everybody wanting a quick getaway (or not turning up) so they could get a good spot in front of the telly for the afternoon’s big match (spoiler alert the Wallabies got done by Brendon’s All Blacks 33-24 in their Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park) rugby union fan Steve G cantered home for the win at Royal Ivanhoe in today’s Grand Par event.
After an “airey” on the first tee (no problems he still made 5 a half) he was “scores level” at half-time, all square. Steve then made his decisive move in the third and fourth quarters, including a “double plus” on the 16th and four other back nine pluses.
Harry didn’t play as he is in preparation mode for another holiday (that man needs a job, he’s having too many holidays). But he rocked up to get the cards and do the handicapping (something about not trusting Michael to get the handicapping right for the big weekend away handicapping process).
Once home and entering the score data, two players improved a stroke on their announced scores to share second place points. Wazza and Andrew V both in the scorebook at +1 (rather than the square announced at the after-party).
SoS was third with square and Gordo fourth with minus 2.
Peps was knocked down to minus 3 and fifth after Harry’s card check, meaning Stan on minus 4 and Nalin on minus 6 both missed points (despite earlier having been announced as fourth and fifth).
October Monthly Medal next week, then the big weekend away at Rich River.
Results for Saturday, 27 Sep 2025
1st Steven Gervasoni (+5) 2nd Warren Capes (+1) 2nd Andrew Vogan (+1) 3rd Stephen O’Sullivan (ā”) 4th Gordon Hill (-2) 5th Andrew Petricola (-3)
Seniors Results: 1st Steven Gervasoni (+5) 2nd Andrew Vogan (+1) 3rd Gordon Hill (-2)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 4th Jackpot BallPin No 1 – 12th Mark Dunn BallPin No 2 – 18th Andrew Petricola