Where we are!
Gordo comes good again for Stableford on 23 September 2017.
What cracker of a day! Melbourne weather at its best and the course drying out very quickly over the week (spoiled only by a few spots where the sprinklers had been applied – wtf). With the excellent conditions one would think that some bright scoring would be had – however Matt Nichols was the only one to break his handicap by scoring a very nice 40 points to win the day. Matt’s recent racing tips may have been a little below par but his golf was on the money today. Coming in equal second on 35 points were SOS and Whitey – both welcome returns to some sort of form. Third spot was filled by El Presidente John Q, Chrispy and Gordo (alias Jack Newton). Playing with one sick and sorry wrist, Gordo played some of his best golf one-handed – even managing 2 birdies in the back nine.
Fourth spot went to Jason Hopkins and the ever-consistent-Championship-points collector Michael Gourlay with Keith, Targe, Pepsi, Bob all gaining a point for 5th spot.
Great to see Stephen ‘Ned’ Kelly back for a round today – it’s been a long time but good to welcome him back to Ivanhoe.
There was a nasty confrontation with the playing group behind our last 5th group when tee shots were made from the 9th while our last group were on the fairway waiting to make their second shots to the 9th green. Little did they know that our local constabulary representative SOS was in that group and certainly read the riot act about common sense and etiquette on the golf course. One of their group did not like being confronted on the issue and called the clubhouse about ‘slow play’ and not keeping up with the group in front but was told to back off and stop being so aggressive. SOS was stirred up enough to put in a pretty good round nonetheless. (PS Ivanhoe MSGC group 4 timed their round at 4hrs 15 minutes …)
NTP $$ went to John Q with the 18th NTP Jack Potts (again). Ball NTP was taken out by Matt Nichols – big day for Matt.
The run on the fairways is improving greatly and it won’t be long before the preferred lies are removed and we have to play real golf again. Golf as usual this coming Saturday even with the playing of some footy final apparently. May the best team win.
Copyright – Gordon Hill Esq.
Results for Saturday, 23 September 2017
1st Matt Nicholls(40) 2nd Stephen O’Sullivan(35) 2nd Rodney White(35) 3rd Gordon Hill(34) 3rd Chris Priems(34) 3rd John Quinlan(34) 4th Michael Gourlay(32) 5th Keith Delzoppo(31) 5th Jason Hopkins(31) 5th Bob McDonald(31) 5th Targe Mifsud(31) 5th Andrew Petricola(31)
Seniors Results: 1st Gordon Hill (34) 2nd Bob McDonald (31) 2nd Keith Delzoppo (31) 2nd Targe Mifsud (31) 3rd Dennis Ward (30)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin No 1 18th Jackpot ProPin No 2 15th John Quinlan BallPin 12th Matt Nicholl
Thank Gord, somebody turned up for Par on 16 September 2017
Storm and pestilence met all the hardy players who turned up for a soggy round of golf. Many of the few who arrived to play were in fact ready to turn around and go home given the possible washout – however Noods for one was not going home given the Championship leader Michael G was there ready to go. Game on.
The 2 groups proceeded to have a rather pleasant day around the wet and muddy course. Gradually over the morning, the surface water retreated and conditions were not as bad as they first appeared. Michael Gourlay played a lovely game to finish with a +3 (69 off the stick) and won the day by what is likely a record margin of 6. Second place shared by Noodles and Brent Rowley (-3), third on -4 were Eddie K and Brendon Mitchell, fourth on -5 Gordo and Chrispy (his first Championship points since May) and Blighty came in fifth on -9.
Highlights:
* Greatest winning par margin of 6?
* Seniors championship points started allocation at -4
* Gordo succeeded in hitting his golf ball whilst making a practice swing! and played his tee shot on the 18th after the ball rolled off the tee onto the ground, putting it pin high and then proceeding to 3 -chip and wipe the hole.
* Blighty made 8 consecutive wipes on the back nine then parred the 18th – his demeanour through all this was stoic.
* Blighty was most pleased to receive championship and senior points for his -9
* Michael and Eddie have called a truce on their playing relationship.
* Harry and Porks both enjoying world travels so the report and handicaps and championship is limited.
Copyright – Gordon Hill Esq.
Results for Saturday, 16 September 2017
1st Michael Gourlay(+3) 2nd Stephen Butterfield(-3) 2nd Brent Rowley(-3) 3rd Ed Kloprogge(-4) 3rd Brendon Mitchell(-4) 4th Gordon Hill(-5) 4th Chris Priems(-5) 5th Andrew Blight(-10)
Seniors Results: 1st Ed Kloprogge (-4) 2nd Gordon Hill (-5) 3rd Andrew Blight (-10)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin No 1 12th Michael Gourlay ProPin No 2 18th Jackpot BallPin 4th Stephen Butterfield
Grand Final Day ’17 – Club Event PAR Competition
The big day was finally here, and given the festivities that were scheduled for the afternoon numbers were a little down on normal. Even though the Tigs won as underdogs in the footy, no such upset at the mighty Ivanhoe as Michael continued his blistering form to come out trumps.
Not only did he win with a very impressive score of +5 but he carded a very even score of 1 under both front and back nine par’s with a 66 off the stick! Enjoy playing off 1 next week Michael. He now has a commanding lead in the club championship with a lead of 36 points over noods and 6 wins for the year.
Another young bloke who is in good touch is Matt Nicholls who again put in a very solid round and ended up on +4 for the day. Another slashing to the handicap may halt his progress but on current form the sky is the limit. Not to be outdone was Dennis W who also tied for second place (no grand final heroics for the doggies this year bud).
Course conditions must have suited the old fossils in the group as Targe, Bill and Blighty rounded out the points positions after playing just over and under their respective handicaps.
The nearest the ball competition was on the 12th hole and Matt struck a lucky one to come home with the prize. There must have been something in the air around the 15th as the pro pin was up for grabs and the pressure was too much for some as 3 out of the 4 players in the last group (Dennis, Targe, Andrew and Ryan) put their balls out of bounds with their tee shot. The end result for the money was not surprising at all as Michael put one close to take home the cash. When was the last time he did not win one of the par 3 prizes some might ask?
The 18th was again a jackpot with a top tier and tricky pin position. With only 11 members played, we carded 13 birdies in total. 5 of them were from Michael however how obviously was hitting them close from everywhere.
Results for Saturday, 30 September 2017
1st Michael Gourlay(+5) 2nd Matt Nicholls(+4) 2nd Dennis Ward(+4) 3rd Targe Mifsud(+2) 4th Bill Eastoe(-1) 5th Andrew Blight(-2)
Seniors Results: 1st Dennis Ward (+4) 2nd Targe Mifsud (+2) 3rd Bill Eastoe (-1)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin No 1 15th Michael Gourlay ProPin No 2 18th Jackpot BallPin 12th Matt Nicholls