With some parts of Victoria experiencing fire and flood this week (e.g. clubs at Maffra and Sale closed due to flooding) there were no problems along the banks of the Yarra at Royal Ivanhoe and all was set for a big monthly medal from the dreaded back-tee white markers, except there were no white markers to be seen.
A somewhat exasperated Chris in the pro-shop explained that there had been a staff no-show and he was on his own and if we wanted the white markers out then we were welcome to do it ourselves.
While the Collingwood supporters mulled about giving each other secret handshakes and generally looking smug, SoS came to the rescue by getting on his bike and herbing about the course putting out the white markers in a cart. Luckily there are no speed cameras on course and the job was done in record time.
Harry is about to head off on a long holiday to Greece, via Helsinki, Berlin and Prague and he looked determined to keep adding to his points tally before his departure. After an up and down front 9, he hit his straps on the back coming home with 39 off the stick (86 in total) a net 66 and a very impressive win. It takes him into second place in the Club Championship race behind runaway leader Raj and further extends his lead in the Seniors Championship.
Harry hit the ball beautifully off the tee all day, was solid with his iron play and stellar with the putter, including one on the 8th that had missed left for all money by a good few inches but somehow did a 90 degree right turn at the hole and dropped in. When the pressure was on late in the round, Harry made a number of crucial 3-4 foot putts to keep his round on track. Playing partners Michael and Stan were in awe of an all round brilliant performance from the new Old Reliable.
In second place, it was good to see Stef back playing and his three birdies helped him to a 74 (net 68). He is one to watch for this year’s Mustard Jacket at Cobram. Five other players added a birdie each for a total of eight, including a couple for Johnny Q and Blighty that helped their eclectic score, although both are well behind eclectic leader Prez Priems.
In third was Brent who turned up with his dodgy ankle with the match play final on the line (see more below) and snuck it around in 81 (69 net on his club handicap, which, incidentally, appears to be very generous compared to his Golflink handicap). Club stewards may wish to investigate that before the big weekend at Cobram. This is Brent’s second win in three years in the Match Play and despite being awarded 16 points for the win, unlike other 16 point majors, the Match Play champion doesn’t get docked any winner’s handicap penalty. Something for the rules committee to ponder perhaps.
Brendan and Johnny Q were three shots back in joint fourth place with 72 net. When asked for what he would like to contribute for the day’s blog stories, John said “concern about SLOW PLAY and PUT THAT IN CAPITALS PLEASE”.
The most interesting scorecard of the day belonged to 5th placed Blighty whose net 73 included four 7’s and 10 on the 8th (including two shanks out of bounds). He also spectacularly near slam dunked his second shot at the 14th into the hole for an eagle, the rattling of the pin startling the group ahead on the 16th fairway.
One of Blighty’s 7’s set off some discussion about the drinks buying protocol when you have had two shots and are still behind the ladies tee. Is that two beers? Apparently not. It was noted that Rob has previously made a Presidential decree that you can only owe one beer per round. The story goes that this rule was invoked on a day when Rob potentially owed 6 beers but that may be another member with the same surname telling porkies.
Speaking of Porks, he was 2up after 3 in the match play final against Brent and looking good. Still 1up after 11, Brent was able to claw back to square with a handy handicap advantage when both parred the 12th (Porks had to give him 5 shots, including the 12th).
Porks then made an 8 on the 13th and Brent hit the lead. It was back to square after 14 when Brent hit his drive out of bounds and despite making a birdie with his second ball, Pork’s par was enough to win the hole. The 15th was squared and standing on the 16th tee it was set for a grandstand finish. However two holes later with par/birdie on 16/17, Brent secured the win 2 and 1.
Witnessing the match, Brendan was struck by the friendly spirit in which the game was played. However rather than commending Brent and Porks for this, it appeared Brendan was suggesting both boys needed a bit more mongrel in them. Maybe Gordo we can add a new “Sportsmanship Award” to the club trophy list this year for Brent/Porks, and maybe a “Best Mongrel” award as well, although it should be noted Brendan would have some competition for that award.
With those heading to Cobram for the big Annual Challenge weekend planning ahead, and those not going wondering aloud if they would be able to muster the minimum 6 for an Ivanhoe comp next week, SoS was busy as always on the finances and handing out the balls. Michael managed to bunt one down the 7th with a 3 wood (Stef hit 7 iron on the same hole) to collect a triple ball jackpot, Brent knocked off Matty and Harry for the double ball jackpot on the 18th and the highlight of the day for Geoff was a shot to 4.86 metres on the 15th for pro-pin jackpot winnings of $30+.
Another type of win was had on the 16th when Matt and Chrispy had a drag race of their buggies. Chrispy declared himself the winner but like Usain Bolt in the 2011 World Athletics Championship, there was a false start controversy and the suggestion that Chrispy might have jumped the gun.
Your club Apprentice Assistant Handicapper (on duty this week) is still a bit befuddled by various aspects of the data entry and blog systems Harry has been trying to teach him. This includes the Birthday Report, which this week shows up no less than 5 birthdays in red (which means we might have missed them – the sorrys there include Beast, hope you had a good one Beast) and also our tee marshall Adam, who might have had a birthday this past week. Happy birthday Adam.
Meanwhile big thanks to all of today’s 16 players for getting scores and totals 100% accurate. It does help the admin when cards are nice and clean and add up. The only mistake this week was Harry’s marking of Stan’s round, with Harry signing off Stan’s card with a handicap of 23 when after his win last week Stan was a 22. Nice to know Harry ain’t perfect.
Results for Saturday, 07 Oct 2023
1st Harry Boughen (66) 2nd Stefan Belevski (68) 3rd Brent Rowley (69) 4th Brendon Mitchell (72) 4th John Quinlan (72) 5th Andrew Blight (73)
Seniors Results: 1st Harry Boughen (66) 2nd Andrew Blight (73) 3rd Bob McDonald (75) 3rd Chris Priems (75) 3rd Michael Gourlay (75)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 15th Geoff Lyall BallPin No 1 – 7th Michael Gourlay BallPin No 2 – 18th Brent Rowley