After the healthy fields that turned out for the Fred Howe, you could say that today was a bit of a let-down as far as numbers went. But, with thirteen members keen to grab another Monthly Medal, anticipation was high around the registration table. Not as high as Raj, who bowled in and declared that he was going to win it today. We were out on the blocks on time, but there was one group out in front, who, very thoughtfully, left guiding buggy tracks across the greens, front to back, and provided some delays for the front group. The temperature did not seem to be as low as predicted, and the hardy types kitted out in their shorts and sleeves contrasted with Targe in his Macpac puffer jacket. He reckoned you hardly knew you were wearing it, and it was as warm as toast. Whether said jacket contributed to his ‘air putt’ on the first is not clear, but it does prove that the back-handed tap ins are not a good idea to attempt. The day did turn out sunny and pleasantly warm, and the hand-warmers went begging in the pockets after a while. The greens were rated as a bit ordinary, but, we all had to play them, although we did score only two birdies for the day.
The sub-continent is noted for all sorts of arcane practices such as snake-charming and so forth, so it is perhaps not surprising that sooth-saying is one among them. Raj was right on the money with his claim that he was going to win today. He started out with a smashing front nine, a new personal best, just five over the card, which left him plenty of room on the back nine to just play to his handicap and win the day. With a PB on the back a few weeks ago, if he puts them together in one go, he won’t be playing from anywhere near fourteen or fifteen. Adam is back from his visit to the Land of the Rising Sun (as distinct from the House of the Rising Sun), and, although he probably didn’t play any golf while he was there, his game has suffered no harm at all. He put together a very creditable back nine to front the judge just a single stroke behind to collect second place. This stood him in good stead in the Order of Merit, and he scored the ‘rocket’ for this week.
Ryan used up all of his handicap and then some on the front nine, but he really found the accelerator pedal on the back, and completed the nine, one stroke under the card. This was helped by a great shot on the 15th, which just happened to be the Jackpot ProPin, which finished pin high and just 210mm from the hole. Despite the confusion served up to SOS around the table afterwards, he did actually get the birdie. SOS was right up there with Ryan on the podium step, as he, too, turned in a card with a net seventy. Whitey had a bit of trouble getting the par putts to fall, and it took eleven holes before one fell his way. With no real blow-outs, his score was enough to take fourth in the Championship and top spot in the Seniors. Fifth place probably should have been awarded to ‘daylight’, but Craig and Harry will gratefully accept the point for their seventy-seven.
One of the Matchplay semi-finals was played out today between Ryan and Harry. Harry’s start was not too great, and Ryan smartly got out to a two hole advantage. They traded holes for the next few, and, by the 8th, the match was all square. Ryan won the ninth, and there the score stayed until the 14th hole, except for a very brief sojourn on square. Ryan’s shot on the 15th really put the pressure on, and the gettable putt for a square just went begging. The match went dormie 2 at the 16th, and a square on the 17th handed the match to Ryan, 2 and 1.
The first BallPin was on the 4th, and it ended up being not much of a contest after Raj put his name on the card from the first group, and nobody else was able to get closer. For the ball on the 18th, nobody was at all interested, although the use of the high tee might have put some off their swing. JQ had a great deal of difficulty finding a spot for his tee that was actually behind the line of the markers. Harry’s drive finished at the base of the hill on the 17th, while his approach shot hit the top of the flag stick, but not by enough to drop the ball onto the green.
JQ spread his drive a bit far right on the 9th, and ended up having to play his provisional for his second (fourth) shot, and he soundly berated himself when it came up short of the green with something of an up-hill lie. That’s the end of my streak, he muttered. Barely able to see the flag (not saying he is short), he chipped it up, it checked once or twice and plonked into the hole. He almost refused to believe that it had gone in, but then bragged that his streak was back in play. Ken bought a round of drinks, but he didn’t specify whether it was for the ball that ended in the drink on the 2nd, or the one that came back in from OOB on the 3rd. He certainly managed to give the trees on the course a fair work out, and we won’t mention his score on the 5th hole. However, he also topped the ball so many times, that, by the end, he reckoned that it was kencussed. There was an anonymous report that, on the 8th hole, a club travelled about 20m further than the ball that it had just hit. No names, no pack-drill, but you know who you are. Harry can look forward to a visit from the Birthday Birdie this week, and he is looking forward to needing one fewer strokes to break his age.
Results for Saturday, 02 Aug 2025
1st Rajesh Mahto (68) 2nd Adam King (69) 3rd Ryan Porker (70) 3rd Stephen O’Sullivan (70) 4th Rodney White (71) 5th Harry Boughen (77) 5th Craig Cameron (77)
Seniors Results: 1st Rodney White (71) 2nd Harry Boughen (77) 2nd Craig Cameron (77) 3rd Steven Gervasoni (78)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 15th Ryan Porker BallPin No 1 – 4th Rajesh Mahto BallPin No 2 – 18th Jackpot