Keen readers of last week’s blog will know that straight-talking “Steady Stan” got a mention, along with Harry, for being the only club members known to have “shot their age” off the stick.
If you haven’t already read it, do yourself a favour and scroll down and read last week’s blog before this one – some of my best work there last week! The Raj pyjamas photo has been entered in a national golfers photo competition.
Before this week, Harry had shot his age twice, Stan once.
Make that 2-2 and game on for who gets first to 3-2!
World War Two was in its second year when Stan was born (1940).
He has missed a bit of golf this year because he has been busy renovating a house or two. Stan does most of his renovating work himself – quicker and easier for most things if you do it yourself he reckons.
Tee to green this year Stan has been his usual stellar self, taking advantage of all the run on offer through the unusually dry autumn and winter in Melbourne. But his putting has been dodgy. Today the flat stick behaved itself and Stan motored around, closing with two pars for 85 off the stick and 44 stableford points.
Harry was duly informed and has updated the “Play Your Age” Honour Board on the website (look under the tab Honour Boards in between Club Policies – we know you have read all those – and Statistics, ditto).
Josh was born a few years (63) after Stan (2003 – Iraq War, Space Shuttle Colombia Disaster, Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut for Manchester Untied, Makybe Diva’s first Melbourne Cup). He also had a blinder, 40 stableford points and second place points. His highlights included a four-point birdie on the 4th (this week in Grandpar that would count as a “double plus”). It was one of six birdies across the field for the day.
For those who keep tab on the prestigious Vardon Trophy race (best average points per game “strike rate”) Josh’s round takes his average to 3.71 and puts him further ahead of Porks (3.38) Rod White (3.20) Nalin (2.79) Matt (2.69) and Peps (2.58). However there is a 15 rounds qualification for the Vardon Trophy. Josh has played 9 rounds. Will he turn up for another 6 games before our “points” season ends on 29th November? If not, Porks leads that race. Nalin is probably the best placed to overtake him. BTW Harry, why is their no Virtual Honour Board on the website for the Vardon Trophy?
Prez Priems finished strongly and unlike some others on this second last Saturday of September, he was full of running in the last quarter and wasn’t impeded by any umpiring howlers, with a 21-point back nine, 39 overall and third place. Highlights included birdies on the 7th and 17th.
Johnny Q has been in good form lately (enough to scare off a sick Harry from today’s scheduled Match Play 3rd/4th place play-off). Harry might have done well to “do a Raj” and stay in bed. JQ’s 37 points for fourth place included a four-point birdie on the 3rd and a run of 7 straight pars on the back 9. He left the proverbial “a few out there” including two chips that for all money looked like they were in the hole, but somehow hit the hole and bounced out. In the CJ style re-telling, both apparently went to the bottom of the cup for a good ten seconds before bobbing out. Dead stiff JQ, robbed.
JQ also won the nearest the pin on the 4th. He has “caddy Stan” to thank for that. With JQ about to take his swing, Stan helpfully intervened to suggest “you know you are aiming way out there” (pointing towards the Yarra on the right). JQ was observed to be not particularly happy with the unsolicited advice, but then reset himself and knocked it close to the difficult back pin. Stan was still waiting for his thank you after the round. Maybe JQ donated his winnings to Stan?
Another golfer in form lately is Peps who picked up fifth placed points with 35. Along the way he won the Pro-pin cash with a shot to 3.94 metres on the 12th. He was lucky not to be knocked off by Michael’s guest Denzil, a prospective new member, who enjoyed Gordo’s company during the round (but perhaps not Grumpy Old Man Michael) and was a few inches from knocking off Peps for the cash.
On Harry’s generous handicapping system for new members, Denzil looks like he might start with a handicap in the high 20s. If he can “do a Stan” and get the putter to behave, maybe mid-low 20’s will be the go.
Honourable mentions to Wazza and Andrew V 34, Targe 32, Gordo – off the back of a Geelong “nerves drinking” hangover – 31, Chris V 29, including a 4-point birdie on the 13th (good to see you make it down Chris in between kids sporting commitments) and Craig 28.
The NAGA battle looked like SoS’s for the taking (26) but then Michael proudly pipped him with 25, before he was disappointed when Raj rocked in with 23 (including one 4-pointer and 2 x 3-pointers). If you do the maths that’s 13 points from the other 15 holes. Good job Raj!
Chris V snagged the jackpot double ball NTP on the 18th, knocking off Peps.
Grand final day golf this week. Will any Collingwood supporters have recovered in time to turn up? Will Gordo be too nervous to play? Hopefully we will get at least the six we need for a points competition.
Results for Saturday, 20 Sep 2025
1st Stan Blackshaw (44) 2nd Josh Hunt (40) 3rd Robert Priems (39) 4th John Quinlan (37) 5th Andrew Petricola (35)
Seniors Results: 1st Stan Blackshaw (44) 2nd Robert Priems (39) 3rd Andrew Vogan (34)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 12th Andrew Petricola BallPin No 1 – 4th John Quinlan BallPin No 2 – 18th Chris Vinecombe