Only April, and we are halfway through our third major! This years running of the David Ford Cup proved difficult going, as the chosen format is PAR! This game is not much different to any other, but seems to get to us all mentally, as only two members this week managed better than par/or with a positive card.

Conditions appeared to offer large returns for golfers, freshly mowed fairways, and pins you could confidently aim into. Was only Emillio Bassi(again), and kAzim Akdag who conquered the challenging Ivanhoe course this week.

With only 7 holes separating all first round score, even a sausage cooker could  potentially hold aloft this magnificent trophy. Should prove to be a very exciting round, as double championship points on offer could drastically change both our leaderboards.

Match play results for the round:

Trevor Jackson def Stephen O’Sullivan 9 & 7(not really sure)

Ball hole won by Harry Boughen, cash again to kAzim Akdag.

First Round Leaderboard:

E. Bassi(+2) k. Akdag(+1) M. Adey() Targe M(-1) D, Rees, O. Gross, M. Mann(-2)

  

Rain was forecasted in both states our members chose to frequent for this weekend. Again the Ivanhoe chosen were blessed. Perfect golfing weather resulted in great scoring, and competitive golf played simultaneously across the strait.

It is very hard to write a blog of any sort, let alone if not present. So I’ll begin with a quick review of Tasmania.

This quaint little island largely resembles a bus, bottleshop, beach-house, and amazing golf courses. No wonder there is a huge tree change push in the northern states of the country. We were very lucky to avoid horrendously bad forecasted conditions playing memorable rounds at arguably two  public courses as great or even to our beloved Ivanhoe. 

David Howard took first place, and the cash at Barnbugle for this year. While Benan Akdag took the acculations at Lost Farm with an impressive 43 stableford points!(there were 20 holes) There is so much more to tell about this weekend, but alas this is the Ivanhoe website. I will conclude in saying that I’d be certain to say that all will return next year, so if you missed out… Pen it in for 2012.

 

  Apparently this weeks stableford round was played in rather humid conditions. In a vast turnaround from last weeks fourteen members playing to par or better, the 9th only managed three!

Well done to Harry Boughen who obviously shot the lights out with a fantastic 43 points, rapidly propelling him into the third line on the seniors championships. Craig Sharp once again broke into the points with 39 stableford, making for a pleasurable day including his match play result.

Two match play games completed this week:

Craig Sharp def Emillio Bassi 4 & 3

Mal Whelan def Stefen Butterfield 5 & 4

Ball hole won this week by Rod Grant, and the money going to Craig Sharp.

Message from Andrew,

Rodger was speaking with Shane (the new manager of Ivanhoe GC) in reference to a couple of points which I would like to state.

Firstly – if you are going to be playing in main competition (not ours) than his preference is that those comp payments be made in cash.  This is easier for him to manage and balance his books.

Secondly – Shane is allowing us (currently) to not have to prepay.  He is happy for our set up to continue as is (i.e. submitting play sheet for following week and reconciling accounts on the day).  This will continue only on the proviso that IF you have elected to play the following week and you cannot, YOU MUST CANCEL YOUR SPOT PRIOR TO CLOSE OF BUSINESS WEDNESDAY.  If people do not follow these rules, then prepayment will be enforced.  

I will bring  these items up again on Saturday but please ensure (particularly with second point) that you follow their rules or else you will spoil set up for the rest of us. Peps.

Results for Saturday, 09 April 2011
1st Harry Boughen(43) 2nd Craig Sharp(39) 3rd Malcolm Fleming(36) 4th Bill Eastoe(34) 4th Rod Grant(34) 4th Tony Mifsud(34) 5th Emilio Bassi(32) 5th Mal Whelan(32)

 

       With six members playing to exact par on Medal day. Then missing out on championship points! One would assume an easy day at the office was enjoyed by all. You are mistaken.

Light drizzle dominated for most of this Medal round, making for heavy rough, slippery lies, and little value for our topped shots down the middle. Were we had a few struggle, the main field excelled, demonstrating that practice/course management can overcome conditions. Fourteen out of thirty competitors played to handicap or better!

Our Medal winner today was Stephen Butterfield with a 1 under 32 back nine giving him an impressive 61 net, a round consisting of four birdies, and a triple bogey! Great golf mate, unfortunately the 3.1 handicap adjustment happens to be the largest of the season.

 Within three strokes of this rounds winner we had four members: Ken Grist(63), David Rees(63) Stephan Belevski(64), and Mehmet Akdag(64) taking out the remaining top three placings, and the championship points offered. Well played gents, points are hard to come by, and handicaps easier to lose.

This years club championship continues to gather interest, with another new leader. After only one week at the top of the table Oliver Gross has relinquished the mantle to Stephan Belevski. Consistent golf, and attendance rewards. This exciting gopher may just well be the one to catch this year. Things aren’t all bad for Oliver, he stills maintains a narrow one point lead over Emillio Bassi in the seniors championships but the pack are knocking on the door.

With the Tasmanian trip scheduled this round for a decent third of members, easy points should be on the mind. Roll up Roll up. Good luck gents, hope you don’t become as rained upon as the travellers.

Ball winner was Stephan Butterfield, and the jackpot cash went to Kazim Akdag.

Results for Saturday, 02 April 2011
1st S Butterfield(61) 2nd Ken Grist(63) 2nd David Rees(63) 3rd Mehmet Akdag(64) 3rd Stefan Belevski(64) 4th Andrew Blight(65) 4th Damien Lee(65) 5th Tony Mifsud(67)

A major played.. A trophy won..

We are a blessed group at Victoria’s number one public course. Consecutive Saturdays of perfect golfing weather, for this memorial trophy. When rain is dominant, the sun always shines on the chosen.

Was an extremely interesting second round, with double championship points up for the taking.

Two members managed to hand in cards of 40 stableford point on the second Saturday, scrambling their way into points after the first round. With middle of the run returns first round, Chris Priems, and Emillio Bassi forced their way up the leaderboard joining Gordon Hill(35). All were rewarded third position, giving them 6 championship points each. Well played Gents the practice is paying off. Steven O’Sullivan(32), and Mo Sabih(33) first round scores providing the base to collect the remaing points(*2).

Our winner today Oliver Gross continues on his impressive form, and those defying statistics(matchplay over Harry). Oliver’s 41 stableford point was enough to secure the trophy by 2 points, But. It was the back nine that really set up this result for him. Oliver,s first 6 back nine scores reads: birdie, birdie, par, bogey, birdie, par!! Incredible golf, watch out Andrew. This win now takes Oliver to the top of both championship tables.

Credit has to be given to that unfortunate halfway leading gopher Stefan Belevski, who succumbed in the pressure to maintain his first round advantage. Saturdays round of 36 was enough to hold on for second, congratulations Stefan. It is consistency that wins Majors, and I’m sure this young gopher will be in contention for the remaining events, and challenge the club championship.

Question: how do you have 76 net with a front 45?     Answer: obviously play very good golf!!! Well done Andrew Petricola for an amazing 31 back nine(hope the new handicap of 4 helps).

 

Hats off to our chefs for this Majors BBQ, not only is bad golf in your repertoire. I’m sure most enjoyed devouring a well deserved burger or snag . others.. well.. they just inhaled them!

In remembrance for why we were all brought together in such a way, glasses were raised to remember a good mate.Hope our performances were worth watching. Thanks for looking after us ledge.

Ball hole winner was Harry Boughen, while the cash JACKPOTTED!!

Lastly another reminder that first round matchplay games must be played  before the 14th of May, so grab your partner and dossie dosse.

Results for Saturday, 26 March 2011
1st Oliver Gross(77) 2nd Stefan Belevski(75) 3rd Emilio Bassi(71) 3rd Gordon Hill(71) 3rd Chris Priems(71) 4th Stephen O’Sullivan(70) 5th Mo Sabih(68)