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.