Maybe it was the long week-end and everybody was in Moomba party mood. There had been a thought that numbers might be down as everybody headed out of town to catch the last of the summer rays before the weather really slips into autumn mode. But no, we ended up with 22 members and three guests, but, if Chrispy had any hair before the event, he almost certainly had precious little after the event. We started out with five groups, blew out to eight and finished up with seven due to all sorts of late regos (and late withdrawals – if it even was a registration in the first place). As my wise old Mum used to say – circumstances alter cases like broken noses alter faces. But, can we please stick by the rules and register before the deadline. If you are unavoidably late we will try to accommodate you, but there are no guarantees and if you have any special requests – matchplays, early marks etc please also let the TM know directly.
Now, down to the nitty gritty. Today was obviously Bill’s day. Or not! You see, there is the little matter of a qualification requirement for Medals and Majors and, unfortunately, the Beast did not qualify to win the Medal despite a fabulous round that was topped off by a one under back nine for 72 off the stick and a net score of 62. The drive from the 13th tee was not what you would call great, taking full advantage of the run available at the moment to skitter out to between 130 to 150m. The second, on the other hand was quite brilliant and finished on the green some 6m from the hole. From there, the putt rattled in for the birdie. Need more be said?
That left it for mango-nut man Ken to put in one of his better rounds for a little while for a net score of 66 to take out the second points and to collect the March Monthly Medal. The official photographer is hanging his head in shame while admitting that he still does not have a picture of the real Watson. Must have been the excitement of the holiday weekend and the anticipation of the AGM that fuzzed his brain again. Ken’s card was very consistent for the most part and if it had not been for a couple of triples on the home run and a quadruple on the fifth he could easily have challenged for the top spot.
Harry was pretty pleased to grab a par on the 2nd hole from the tees back on the black blocks. Given that two fairway shots were not particularly well hit to finish just short of the green gives some measure of the amount of run available and the chip in was the icing on the cake. And, what is there to say about Old Reliable, other than that he was just as reliable again to break his handicap, yet again, albeit by just the single stroke with a net 67, to finish alongside Harry in third place.
A veritable flock of finishers ended up on everybody’s favourite number, 69. MattA started off looking as if he was going to fill his card with scores of five per hole. An unfortunate brain fade on the 14th more than undid the good work that had prevailed until then. Trevor owned up to having had a lesson with the Pro during the week who made a bit of a tweak to the grip. The change to shots from the tee was nothing short of transformative and if the flat stick had not let him down on occasion, who knows what the result might have been. As far as is known, Bob did not mortally wound anybody with his buggy today. Just a couple of holes outside the handicap limits made the difference. CJ started the day with a cloud over his head. The groups had done his head in and Carolyn was going to do the same if he wasn’t home early. If he plays his cards right maybe his score will play out tonight as well. And rounding out the point gatherers today we had those two ‘guns’, Bren and Bren with a net score of 71.
When the call was made for the first BallPin to be on the 7th on Medal day there were one or two raised eyebrows. But, lo and behold, the white markers were well forward on the tee-box and the distance should not have too far out of reach for everybody. SOS put in a fine effort to get his name on the chit but, unfortunately, he was squeezed out by Anthony who struck it lucky on his first day with us, and he will have a ball to collect when he comes along next to put in his second handicap card. He went close to repeating the performance for the second BallPin on the 18th, but the ultimate winner was Stef. The double Jackpot for the ProPin on the 15th almost went around for the triple. Stef tried to crib a metre on his measurement and asked, do we really have to put the marker in, all to no avail because, in the next (last) group, Craig knocked him off on both counts with a fine shot to 1.71m. Noodles was probably wishing that the money could have been on the 12th where he put his drive to about 100mm from the hole which gave him double joy because it was inside Porks’ shot which had finished about 500mm away. Noodles got the birdie and helped us to 13 for the day, but Porks was not so ‘lucky’ and left his just a little short.
Chris James played his second handicap card today, and he has reason to celebrate during the week as the Birthday Birdie flutters by to wish him well. The BB will also be paying a visit to Mark Minney as well. Stef continued his good behaviour on the course today while his Dad, Jim, tried hard not to try to emulate the big hitting style of the off-spring. Jim also has his second card and should soon join us in competition.
There were a couple of less than spectacular shots taken from the first tee today. Prezo, Rob, and his group were noticed searching around in the grass and shrubs at the front of the first tee box. Shortly after, it was JQ’s turn after he sconed the ball something fierce and it buried itself deeply into the thicket of bushes that has developed along the left hand side. As the day progressed JQ seemed to be able to hit a tree dead centre from greater and greater range. Fortunately, he seemed to have the luck to finish ‘not unfavourably’ as a result. Rob’s woes did not abate much until the last when he managed a par which, hopefully, should bring him back again. Noodles had some sort of a bee in his bonnet about flagpoles and he was giving Blighty a hard time about it on the first tee. Damo was desperately hoping that the banter did not continue the whole round.
The AGM was held in the Clubhouse function room after the round. The President (Rob) reported on the success of the year despite the COVID disruptions and expressed his hope for a smoother run this year. Damo supported Rob’s comments and thanked the Committee for their efforts in dealing with the restrictions and program changes. Despite the curtailed program, the Club’s financial position is sound with significant money in the bank but with some major outlays for VGL and the Annual Challenge weekend to be met. Our Secretary, Blighty, stood down from the position, and Old Reliable, Craig, was elected to take his place. The rest of the Committee is effectively unchanged, although SOS has offered to help out with the role of Assistant Tee Marshal. It was noted that some members have still not paid their subscription for this year (2021) and the Committee will be following up if they are not paid forthwith.
Results for Saturday, 06 March 2021
1st Bill Eastoe(62) 2nd Ken Watson(66) 3rd Harry Boughen(67) 3rd Craig Cameron(67) 4th Matthew Aforozis(69) 4th Trevor Jackson(69) 4th Bob McDonald(69) 4th Chris Priems(69) 5th Brendon Mitchell(71) 5th Brent Rowley(71)
Seniors Results: 1st Bill Eastoe (62) 2nd Ken Watson (66) 3rd Craig Cameron (67) 3rd Harry Boughen (67)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 15th Craig Cameron BallPin No 1 – 7th Anthony Browne BallPin No 2 – 18th Stefan Belevski