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A Handicapper’s Delight on 18 February 2023
The day started off a bit on the gloomy side with a fairly heavy overcast sky. But, after a while, things brightened up as the cloud dispersed, and it turned out to be a beautiful mild, windless day, perfect for golf. So perfect that twelve members, and no less than 4 prospects, turned out to face what Ivanhoe had to throw at them. So perfect that you had to play to your handicap to even score a point. The main downside to the day, however, was the fact that some young vandals had entered the course on motorbikes and had desecrated several greens. The third was the most severely struck, so much so that a temporary green had to be established. The general feeling was that a much better spot could have been chosen so that a putt had at least some chance of getting to and going into the hole, although Andrew, Matt and Peter did manage to score their par despite this little challenge. The general feeling also was that the green could be out of service for some time, so it is hoped that a better temporary green can be developed, or a local ‘two putt’ rule can be promulgated. And, of course, that the perpetrators are caught and get a well deserved kick in the pants!
There have been signs, in recent times, that Targie just might be getting some of his old MoJo back. When he finished the front nine with twenty-two points on the card, there were a few raised eyebrows and questions asked whether he could keep up the pace, or would a pack of Throaties be in order. Oh, ye of little faith! Not only did he keep it up, he actually improved and finished the back nine with another twenty-four points. The resulting forty-six points was more than enough to knock off any opposition by a fair margin and to take first place, eight points (of the Championship kind) and a hefty adjustment of his handicap.
Stan had hit the Clubhouse early and was thought to be sitting pretty with his card showing forty-one points. He was only one point adrift of Targe on the back nine, but a pair of triple bogies and a pair of doubles on the front nine provided enough of a short-fall not to be right up there with Targe. In a similar vein, Steve was probably ruing the presence of no less than three ‘fat ladies’ on his card that probably prevented him from being right up there alongside Stan. Still, you would have to be pleased with a score of thirty-nine on any day. Andrew definitely seems to be intent on getting his handicap down to a respectable level by appearing on the podium with a handicap breaking score two weeks in a row, tying with Steve in third place.
It’s hard to believe that it all of a year since we last saw Joe on the course. But, today, he was back with a vengeance, and was obviously out to prove that he hadn’t lost any of his touch (or that he has been practising on the sly). If he hadn’t taken most of the front nine to warm up, he, too, could have been much further up the pecking order after streaking home with twenty-three points on the back. In general, the back nine was the happy hunting ground for almost everyone. Ryan and Rob were no exceptions, and they too were able to come back from ‘ordinary’ front nines to share the spotlight on the fourth place podium. Adam, on the other hand, was very even-handed, reporting the same sore on both nines on his was to his fifth place score of thirty-six points. And, it seems, that he missed a lot of putts in getting there. For a while there, he was chewing his nails, wondering whether he would even get into the points despite playing right to his handicap.
Raj was able to get the closest to the pin on the 4th for the first BallPin. Not only did he not get the birdie, he didn’t even get the par. As a result, that win did not make a contribution to the seven birdies that were carded for the day. On the 18th, for the second BallPin, Porks was able to add to his ever-increasing collection. The ProPin was on the 15th today, and Adam was able to take home the money with his shot to 2.30m.
The four prospects today were James Hale, Josh, Hunt, Jonathan Lau, and John Dimpoulos (a mate of Joe’s). James, Josh and Jonathan all submitted their third card today, and they now have their nice new handicaps, and we will surely see them on the podium in the near future if past history is any guide. John has a couple of cards to go before he attains such exalted status. A big hearty welcome to all and we look forward to seeing you on the tee soon.
Craig was a bit perturbed by the appearance of a woman blithely wandering across the 9th fairway about 75m away while they were in the process of teeing off. It is unclear whether this experience contributed to his attack of the ‘shorts’ on the greens that prevented him from occupying one of his usual spots on the podium. Jonathan apparently produced a draughtie during the round, but claimed ‘diplomatic’ immunity since he was not a full-fledged member yet. All bets are off now, Jonathan! Josh did not score a par in his round today, mainly due to missing about four putts from 300mm (playing for handicap?). However, on the 18th, his putt from the top deck rolled to a stop at the top of the slope. Then, it started rolling again and dropped, ever so gently, into the hole for the birdie. Unfortunately, it doesn’t count in our tally, or for his ‘future’ Eclectic score. And, while on the topic of the Eclectic, Ryan has a comfortable lead and only four holes left to birdie (or better) with most of the year to go. And, while on the topic of Ryan, his drive on the 14th had Matt hiding behind his buggy as the ball flashed by after bouncing on the shiny new bitumen path alongside the 15th tee.
The Birthday Birdie has a week off this week, which should help in getting over his jet-lag.
Don’t forget to register if you want to be included in the Matchplay which is due to start from 4th March, with the random draw to be done next week.
Results for Saturday, 18 Feb 2023
1st Targe Mifsud (46) 2nd Stan Blackshaw (41) 3rd Steven Gervasoni (39) 3rd Andrew Noble (39) 4th Joe Demir (38) 4th Ryan Porker (38) 4th Robert Priems (38) 5th Adam King (36)
Seniors Results: 1st Targe Mifsud (46) 2nd Stan Blackshaw (41) 3rd Steven Gervasoni (39)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 15th Adam King BallPin No 1 – 4th Rajesh Mahto BallPin No 2 – 18th Ryan Porker
11th February 2023 – PAR Comp results
What is the old saying, there are no truer things in life than death and taxes. Well add to that list, new members winning in their first few competition rounds for the club. Wasting no time with his first official round with a club membership, Andrew Noble wasted no time and blitzed his first par round with a score of +5 for the day. This included 5 pluses on the first 6 holes! Even on the 18th hole he missed a par putt and claimed “all well that’ll save me 0.3!”
Not quite up there but close enough, who also scored Andrew’s card mind you, was Raj who handed in a card with a score of +2, much to the dismay of the club house leader at the time. Raj was on multiple occasions sinking puts from everywhere, including a 16 footer on the 18th for birdie which moved quite a long way up and down the slope!
Andrew (Blight variety) took out the seniors and also outright 3rd place with a very respectable +2. Conditions could not have been much better with little wind and warm conditions, plenty of fairway run and greens in decent condition. The course faired well for three others who also beat their handicap, Craig, Matt and Targe all played to +1. Craig claimed to have missed at least two putts from 18 inches or so. Michael also missed a shortish putt on the 18th for birdie. although this was close enough to win the ball hole, he did not however fair in the points.
Andrew (Peps) rounded out the place getters with a square card who was also joined by Brendon. Peps managed a shank on the 2nd although he blamed the tree he was under; although SOS blamed karma as peps was talking during SOS’s drive on the very same hole.
Speaking of shanks, Michael claimed to have scored the best par ever on the 14th after shanking his drive OOB, he reloaded and drove it close enough to the green to chip in for par and a square on the hole! SOS was hesitant to mention mention the word which must not be spoken, and claimed to have never sh@#^ked one with the driver before, however about 10 seconds later he proceeded to do so and his drive sailed over the 16th green!
Porks didn’t have the best day but he turned it around on the par 3’s, winning the pro pin on the 12th with a tee shot to 1.6m and was even closer on the 15th for the other ball prize. No hole in ones but there was a moment on both holes where the thought had fluttered by momentarily.
Adam achieved a first for the club for himself, a draughty and subsequent shout on the 17th. He was seen hitting a second shot from the hill adjacent to the 18th green.
Shout out to Bob and Brent who celebrated birthdays during the week.
Results for Saturday, 11 Feb 2023
1st Andrew Noble (+5) 2nd Rajesh Mahto (+3) 3rd Andrew Blight (+2) 4th Craig Cameron (+1) 4th Matt Hunt (+1) 4th Targe Mifsud (+1) 5th Brendon Mitchell (□) 5th Andrew Petricola (□)
Seniors Results: 1st Andrew Blight (+2) 2nd Craig Cameron (+1) 2nd Targe Mifsud (+1) 3rd Michael Gourlay (-1)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 12th Ryan Porker BallPin No 1 – 15th Ryan Porker BallPin No 2 – 18th Michael Gourlay
4th February 2023 – No Competition
Rained Out – No Competition – No Monthly Medal
The wintry blast from Antarctica that hit Melbourne on Thursday and Friday continued into Saturday morning. Cold, rainy conditions confronted four members who made it to Ivanhoe, hoping that more members might appear and allow us to consider whether we should play for the monthly medal. At 0730 with the rain still falling and no signs of it disappearing we decided that today was not the day for golf, not even a “social” game in the rain.
As we left the carpark with the rain still falling, golfers fully decked out in their rain gear with umbrellas up, were still arriving seeming determined to play their round of golf in the worst winter conditions – it’s February, where did our summer go. As one of the café staff stated when we expressed our disappointment of no golf on Saturday – “you must be truly mad about your golf to try and play in these conditions”.
The punters club did however play 3 rounds at Mornington and to cut a long story short, many beers were had, Mehmet won the prestigious chipping competition and Jake won the overall 3 day competition. Good times were had by all!
28th January 2023 – Stableford Competition Results at Royal Ivanhoe
Jonathan was lucky enough (or unlucky if you ask some) to play with Peps who by his own admission has not been playing that great of late. He managed to turn back the clock and following some banter with CJ during the week, handed in a card with just 2 over par to win easily for the day with 41 points. This included a double bogey on the 17th! Many were calling for a review of his handicap before next weeks punters club trip after his performance, Peps stated that the HC’s were all sorted but we will let the master of ceremonies dictate terms for that.
Bill was also back to some fine form and after miss-counting his points and slotted into second place with 38 points. Brendon also beat his handicap with a consistent and solid round for 3rd place and ended up with 37 points. This included a pitch from about 30m on the 16th which skidded along the green at high speed and crashed into the pin and the cup for a birdie, one of 11 scored for the day.
After the round Steve’s playing companions were saying that he has a couple of new nicknames, Mr Grumbles AKA new Trevor! Nonetheless after not being too impressed with many shots his round was good enough for 4th place and 36 points. Rounding out the place getters was Blighty who had jotted down the wrong handicap and gained an extra point for his troubles. The assistant handicapper decided to take the lenient approach and not disqualify Andrew for his mistake.
Unlucky to SOS, CJ and Matty who missed out based on the adjustments, guess that’s karma for Matty after reading out and making fun of last place getters for the day during the results announcements :D.
Speaking of announcements on the day, Matty was full of praise for Peps who hit a magnificent shot on the 7th which hit the flag and ended up only a couple of metres away from the hole. SOS was about to hand over the ball for nearest the Pin, but it was then advised that 3rd Andrew (Noble) easily beat Peps to get closer and win the ball and also made the birdie. It was almost a carbon copy on the 18th for the second ball hole as Peps had his name on the marker but it required a measure to verify that Andrew N only just missed out on beating Peps again.
The pro pin was on the 12th hole and there was some confusion as the marker was placed by an earlier group on the green, but there was no name on the card and the marker was more than 5m away. from the pin. CJ was last man standing and apparently his tee shot wast close enough by the narrowest of margins to win the cash (4.9m hmmm).
Jake was a man on a mission, a mission to take out new members James and Andrew that is. On the 14th calls for fore were heard from the tee and Jake’s tee shot landed on the green only a metre or so from Andrew. Next up on the 15th hole Jake’s tee shot flew wide and only just sailed over James’s head. There was a moment where fore calls were heard coming from all around the course within a 30 second spell.
Shout out to Josh who celebrates a birthday during the week. He commented that he will probably give golf a miss next week due to repercussions from his celebrations. As there will be a few away next week for the punters trip, the competition is still on at Ivanhoe for those who can make it.
Results for Saturday, 28 Jan 2023
1st Andrew Petricola (41) 2nd Bill Eastoe (38) 3rd Brendon Mitchell (37) 4th Steven Gervasoni (36) 5th Andrew Blight (35)
Seniors Results: 1st Bill Eastoe (38) 2nd Steven Gervasoni (36) 3rd Andrew Blight (35)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 12th Chris Priems BallPin No 1 – 7th Andrew Noble BallPin No 2 – 18th Andrew Petricola