Well you would have to wonder whether spring has arrived early if the weather today was any guide.  Or is it just trying to lull us into a false sense of well being.  One group of players had obviously not rubbed the sleep out of their eyes when they walked into the club-house past the big sign about preferred lies.  At least they found out about the relief before they completed the round.

Speaking about completing the round, one person who did so in style was the ever reliable Noodles, who carded a 74 for 41 points.  That’s going to hurt the handicap a bit regardless.  Not quite a length behind was the affable Yank, Mo Sabih, with a very creditable 37 points.  He was followed closely by a pack of hounds, too numerous to mention on 36 points.  Obviously trying not to lose any handicap unless they win.  Looks like a very exciting day next week to see who will take home the bacon – the players or the stayers.

In other news from today, Craig is going to buy himself a Texta and write “Remember the grip” on his glove.  It seems he didn’t remember today until the 16th – at least that’s his excuse for his score.  I reckon it’s the nut on the end of the shaft.  Also a big welcome back to Allan Davies.  Although, unfortunately, his holiday of a lifetime was cut short by a run-in with a bus on a narrow outback road.  No fault of Allan’s and fortunately no casualties (other than the car and van).  Also a welcome to Dennis Tiernan, who has decided to throw in his lot with us, despite having to play with Rodger and Laurie.  He has promised to turn up earlier next week.

Slightly older news told to me by a little birdie (not the one under par kind) is that Jan Siemon scored an ace on the 12th a few weeks back.  Modest type that he is, he chose not to publish the fact though I do believe that there were some after round celebrations.  Probably not many eggs in the eagles nest though.

Next week will be Round 2 of the Fred Howe Cup and it will be interesting to see how the event pans out.  Even if you didn’t play today, why not come along and share in the excitement.  Besides, there is bar-b-que on afterwards so you could share in some sausages, hamburger and onions (provided that the cooks remember to put them on).

Results for Round 1 Fred Howe Cup, 21 July 2012
Stephen Butterfield(41) Mo Sabih(37)  Jan Siemon(36)  Brendon Mitchell(36)  Oliver Gross(36)  Mehmet Akdag(36)  Bob McDonaldl(36) Chris Priems(36)  Damien Lee(35)  Andrew Petricola(33) Stephen O’Sullivan(33) Laurie Mannix(31) Trevor Jackson(31) Benan Akdag(31) Targe Mifsud(29) Andrew Blight(27) Gordon Hill(27) Richard Hall(26) Allan Davies(25) Rodger Clarke(24) Craig Sharp(23)

The weather was not quite as kind for us this week with some of the promised clearing showers setting in just after the second group teed off.  Just enough to be a nuisance.  It obviously affected Jan’s grip significantly early on with one tee shot almost ‘caught behind’ – by the batsman.  At least his playing partners appreciated the drinks.  Not sure whether it was because of the inauspicious start but SOS was victorious in their Matchplay round 5 and 4.  Mal Fleming has also had to concede to Ken Grist after his unfortunate accident last week.  On the subject of Ken, he had to pull out early due to feeling unwell.  We all hope it is nothing serious and that Ken is back on the track next week.

Who would have believed that Priemsy could have backed up two weeks in a row.  He couldn’t stay to bask in the glory of it all as he had an urgent appointment with a pig or some such other animal in the form of a spit roast.  The win didn’t hurt his handicap much as nobody managed to play better than the course.  It seems that more than a few had to dash off and at one stage Mehmet thought he was going to have to do the presentations on his own.  Mehm, Richard and Noodles all had their chances to take the top posting but ended up just the one stroke shy of the winner.  Richard picked up the ball on the 4th and Bill was inches from snaring the money on the 18th.  Unfortunately 5.16m is 0.16m too far.  So big money to play for next week but you have to be in it to win it.

The year is just over half gone and things are hotting up on the Championship front.  Mehm is holding a slight lead in the open event with 46 points but there is less than a clear win between him and about five others with five more inside easy striking distance if they can find some form especially with the Fred Howe Cup coming up in July.  The situation with the Seniors is also very fluid.  Gordon has the lead at the moment on 18 points but there are another eight that could possibly run him down before the home straight.

Results for Saturday, 09 June 2012
1st Chris Priems(35) 2nd Mehmet Akdag(34) 2nd S Butterfield(34) 2nd Richard Hall(34) 3rd Brendon Mitchell(33) 3rd Mo Sabih(33) 4th Gordon Hill(32) 4th Laurie Mannix(32) 4th Tony Mifsud(32) 5th Rodger Clarke(31) 5th Bill Eastoe(31)

Well, earlier in the week, the weather forecasts didn’t look too good for today’s outing but as it turned out it was a beautiful day even if a little chilly to start with.  Despite the good weather, only two people managed to better their handicap while some of the results were downright ordinary.  At the end of the day, it was Priemsy who saluted and adds another trophy to his, by now, bulging cabinet.  Oliver was pipped at the post with a stumble on the last.

Although some of the ladies tees were well forward of the mens it does seem that there were a few instances of not making the distance.  There was some dispute about David Howard’s and a decision of  ‘on the line’ didn’t please some.

One match play result today with Gordy overcoming Noodles 4 & 3.  Noodles went on the score a birdy and a par on the one hole – the birdy by flinging his club from the tee.  Poor little mud lark.  For the rest of the match play field, time is starting to run short for the completion of the second round.

Damo thought he had done well out of his eagle on the seventeenth until someone remembered the Rodger had picked one up a few weeks ago so the nest wasn’t quite as full as he had hoped – well done all the same.  Oliver scored a ball on the 12th while Brendon picked up the jackpotted cash on the 15th.  Just a reminder to put the distance on the card even if you are in the last group and, according to the rules, the money card has to be signed by your marker.

Also just to wish our injured members a speedy recovery.  Mal Adey will be off for a while yet with his ankle and Mal Fleming took a trip and damaged his ribs, pelvis and lip. The lip required some surgery apparently.  Looking forward to seeing you on the course again soon fellows.

Results for Saturday, 02 June 2012
1st Chris Priems(66) 2nd Oliver Gross(67) 3rd Damien Lee(68) 4th Gordon Hill(70) 5th S Butterfield(73) 5th Ken Grist(73)

Well, after the tropical downpour that we had yesterday, a lot of people were half expecting to need their goggles and flippers.  In actual fact, the course was remarkably dry with only a few wet patches that some wussy types declared were casual water and took a drop on marginally dryer ground.  At least one fly ball into a green left itself three parts buried where it landed.  Other than that, the weather was actually quite nice and those that chose to stay at home missed their chance to get amongst the points.

One who didn’t miss his chance was Noodles who took out top points after a fairly erratic start with only nine points after six holes.  From there on, a combination of skill, blind chance and deadly putting destroyed all contenders.  Richard Hall managed to get into the hole on the 14th with only one strike of the ball after a tee shot – unfortunately it was his second shot off the tee after the first went well and truly out of bounds.  Still, not a bad way to get par.  Trevor Jackson also put in a good showing despite having some serious problems with pretty much all of the par 3s.  Trevor is also sporting a somewhat rearranged front end on his car following some excitement with black ice in Tassie after the Barnbougle trip.

The pro-pin was obviously not worth winning today with the small numbers and so we kindly left it to jackpot to next week.  The decision on the ball hole was a line-ball thing and they had to call in the third umpire to separate the contenders.  Unfortunately (for Harry), Priemsy got the nod but there were only millimeters in it.

A vote was taken on the destination for the Melbourne Cup weekend Annual Tour and by a significant majority Bendigo got the nod.  If you haven’t nominated yet, you should get in and do so as Rodger will undoubtedly be wanting to finalise numbers and bookings and will want deposits before too long.  Speaking of Rodger, he turned up heavily bandaged and half shaven after his brush with the plastic surgeon.  A bit early to tell before the bandages come off but the early betting is that the new face won’t be much of an improvement on the old one.

No matchplay contested today but with only four more Saturdays to complete the second round, there better not be too much more delay in arranging your match.  If you don’t know who you are, check the draw from the link to the right of your screen.

Results for Saturday, 26 May 2012
1st S Butterfield(40) 2nd Richard Hall(38) 2nd Trevor Jackson(38) 3rd Ken Grist(36) 3rd Gordon Hill(36) 3rd Chris Priems(36) 4th Bill Eastoe(34) 5th Brendon Mitchell(33)