Well, it got off to a fairly brisk start and quite a few were well rugged up but there were a few hardy souls who turned out in shorts.  Other than that, the conditions on the course and the weather were pretty good.  Last weeks coring of some tees and around the greens mainly impacted the ease of getting the tee into the ground but the extra sprinkling of sand (apparently officially called dust) on the greens did not meet with universal favour.  None of this fazed Bobbie McDonald though as he came in with a round in positive territory at +3.  Only one other ventured into handicap breaking realms with Bill Eastoe taking that position with +1.  Dennis Tiernan put in a round of two halves to come in square to the card together with Krispy Priems although the card that Krispy signed had his score at -1.  Then followed a veritable platoon on an actual -1 – Ken, Targe, Damien, Brendon, Gordon, Oliver and Pepsi.  Bobbie will have to keep his head down with talent like that snapping at his heels.

As for the rest of the field, with scores ranging from -2 to -10, you would have to say they were fairly average for the conditions.  These players would have to pull something out of the hat to hoist the trophy but it would still not be impossible to pull off.

The 18th proved to be just too difficult to get onto the green today and so the ProPin will jackpot to next week.  Now there is a bit of interest for the back markers (besides the privelege of firing up the BBQ).  When you’re on a roll, you’re on a roll and the ball hole was taken out by our Bobbie with a fine shot just beyond the hole.  He didn’t manage the birdie though.  Speaking of birdies, there were 13 in total, including one by Harry from 104m on the 10th.  Pity about the duffed second shot though the range would have been a bit too long for an Eagle.  And once again the big bird was left in peace.

Gordon had an interesting approach shot to the second from amongst the gum trees on the left and the way it was flying there was a fair chance that it would have ended in the middle of the oval across the road.  Until, that is, it hit some foliage on the melaleuca by the green and pulled up nicely on the green.  Damien tried for a similar effect from behind the bushes alongside the 11th and managed to miss the lot – and there wasn’t even a gap to be seen.  There were a few expletives dropped around the course, including one from Pepsi on the 18th when an easy putt came up short.  And, despite what you might think, the club did slip out of Harry’s hands on the 11th.

On the matter of points distribution of last week’s event, it seems that I misunderstood the discussions that went on at the meeting.  The situation has now been corrected and Zimmer and David have their points and everybody else has been adjusted down accordingly.  I believe that the handicapping has been done correctly.  If not, it could have implications for this event.

Well, the Fred Kitson still has some potential for an exciting finish and there could be a case for a few hours on the driving range during the week just to get that swing back on plane and a few hours on the lounge room carpet to keep the putter warmed up.  Sees you on the tees.

The Spring-time brings on the shearing – or so the poets say.  It seems that it also brings out the golfers.  Today, Royal Ivanhoe was graced with the biggest field we have seen for a long time.  Good to see Mehm got back safely from his trip back home and other places.  He was noticed getting stuck into some good Aussie tucker (potato scallop with tomato sauce).  Apparently not on the menu in Turkey – or anywhere else for that matter.  Also back in harness were the terrible twins – Zimmer and Stefan.

The wind threatened to blow and the rain threatened to fall but both held off until everybody had finished.  The couple of sprinkles during the round didn’t really count though raincoats and umbrellas were unfurled.

The results were affected as much by the attendance rules as by the course conditions.  Zimmer has obviously been getting some practice in somewhere along the line (and he has been seen on the course in recent times) and would have blitzed it with a nett 62 except that he didn’t meet the qualification for Monthly Medal.  That might have left the gate open for David with a nett 64 but he also did not qualify.  So, still with some fine golf it was down to the Three Musketeers, Trevor, Targe and Dennis to fight it out in a count-back for the prized medallion.  In the event it was the Targe who prevailed by half a stroke.  New handicaps all round fellows.  Gordon, Laurie and SOS squared up for second place followed by Mike on his PatMa in third.  The seniors also dominated the top three spots with SOS the only junior amongst them.

The ball hole was on the 15th and was hotly contested with some fine ricochet shots off the hill going close but ultimately not close enough but I forgot to note who actually won it.  The pro-pin on the 18th went to Stefan so at least he got something on his day out.  There were thirteen birdies recorded but the big bird was left in peace to deposit another egg in the nest though Rodger did speculate briefly on replenishing his ball supply on the 17th after a pretty speccie drive.  He also did his best to put the mockers on Harry on the 10th by bringing attention to a pretty good front nine.

Tony and Bill decided on a little match-off to make things interesting and as a result Tony was spotted downing a muggacino after the game.  Zimmer looks like he is going to have to work a few more Saturdays to be able to afford a new driver after a little ‘accident’ putting one of his clubs back in the bag (or there-abouts).  Stefan is still hitting them long and loving the new tee on the 13th that allowed him to end about 20m short of the green.  Some of his other long shots were less than appreciated by those in front on  the other hand.

Allan Davis turned up for the Club meeting afterwards sporting a bad foot that he is hoping to have back in shape for the Club weekend in November.  Hope it all goes well Allan.

Results for Saturday, 06 October 2012
1st Trevor Jackson(65) 1st Targe Mifsud(65) 1st Dennis Tiernan(65) 2nd Gordon Hill(66) 2nd Laurie Mannix(66) 2nd Stephen O’Sullivan(66) 3rd Mike Mann(67) 4th Harry Boughen(69) 4th Ken Grist(69) 5th S Butterfield(70) 5th Damien Lee(70) 5th Chris Priems(70)

Although there was no Club event and most people probably wanted to do something else on Grand Final day (like go to the footy even) three of our members signed up for the two man Ambrose run from the Clubhouse.  Although there was notionally a fourth person in our group, he hadn’t turned up by tee time so we had to form two teams from the three of us.  The Good Guys consisted of Tony and Dennis and the Hardly Normals were Tony and Harry.  Being all similarly handicapped mid-range players, we had to give away nine or ten strokes for the Ambrose handicap.  Birdies were needed to have any chance but despite being in with chances on occasion the putts just wouldn’t drop when we wanted them to.  The really sad thing was leaving putts short by the second putter for the team – no names no pack drill but most of us were guilty at one stage or another.

In the end we were well behind the competition winners but of the two teams, the Good Guys took the honours by half a stroke from the Hardly Normals.

Starting the round on the 14th created a certain amount of confusion with writing up the cards and remembering which hole was which.  The requirement to play at least six drives each for the round left Tony with a choice between the 12th and the 13th.  Tony made the call for the 12th despite a less than stellar result.  As it turned out, Dennis managed to hit the back of the ball with a following wind on the 13th leaving Tony and Harry with two shots to catch him.  The handicapper is a bit concerned about the handicap that has come to Dennis from his three cards.

While you are here on the site, would you all mind checking the member directory for your details and if there are any changes to phone numbers or e-mail addresses could you let me know, prefereably by e-mail or, failing that, next time you are at the Club.

Oliver certainly had reason to smile today.  What a way to start a round, ten pars on the trot.  Obviously, the pressure started to tell and he fell right in a hole (relatively speaking).  Four over for the round and plus 6 was enough to win him the day and a brand new handicap.  However, Eddie was not too far behind on the points side and will also have fewer strokes to play with next time.  After last week’s victory, Jan put in another fine effort to pull in third place.  Jan’s grin was so wide his ears were behind his head.

Another reason for Oliver to be smiling was a fine shot on the 18th to pick up the ProPin so he should be able to scrape enough together for the green fees in two weeks time.  And what can we say about the ball hole…

Trevor was charged with dropping the NTP marker on the 12th.  But guess what, he conveniently forgot about it until he put one on the green at the 15th to about 4m and decided that this should be the ball hole.  It all came to nought when Tony the Maltese Falcon put his about 40cm from the hole and he strode home already feeling the bulge of the ball in his pocket.  However, it was not to be.  Ken Grist, not to be out-done, put his to 4cm to collect the ball but was a veritable Michael Hair from the elusive Ace (and Eagle).

Needless to say, Ken dropped the birdie but our feathered friends were a little thinner on the ground with only six being recorded.  The Eagles Nest has jackpotted again so get out those big beaters guys and see if you can lighten up Chris’s bag for him.

Speaking of the big beaters, have a look at the result of over-clubbing and running out of fairway.  Even a Lindrum shot couldn’t get Richard out of this little difficulty.  beautiful drive though

Just another reminder, chaps.   Please check your handicap before you go out.  I know it can be difficult with different handicaps inside and outside but there were two cards with the incorrect handicap today.  Also, take care with your points calculation and arithmetic.  There were also two cards with scoring/arithmetic mistakes.  Once again, I know it is not easy with different events in the same round with different handicaps to deal with but once again I am sure we would all like to see the correct results being claimed and awarded.

As discussed at the after gathering, there is no Club event next week but members can play in the Clubhouse Ambrose Event if they wish.  At this stage, three players have registered that I am aware of so if another puts their hand up we will at least fill one group.

Results for Saturday, 22 September 2012
1st Oliver Gross(6) 2nd Ed Kloprogge(4) 3rd Jan Siemon(3) 4th Trevor Jackson(1) 5th Bill Eastoe(0) 5th Damien Lee(0) 5th Targe Mifsud(0)