Well, well, well – talk about three holes in the ground. Where to start. There were people complaining how badly they were doing and plodding heaps of plusses and people who thought they were doing all right but finding themselves towards the back of the field. Plus three or better to score a point, where will it end. At the end of the handicappers hatchet hopefully.
Despite all that and more strength to his arm, congratulations are well and truly due to Mal who turned with a plus five and despite a couple of wobbles on the back thrust his chest out in a lunge to the line to take first place from a brace of players on plus six. After a round on Thursday, Mal was heard to comment that this had been a practice for Saturday – must have been a darn good practice.
Trevor was contemplating the extra winners penalty stroke for a while until he was joined by Damien and then Andrew B in the eventual second place spot. Andrew will be happy with the ball he collected in the ball run since he managed to lose three and still turned in a score.
Chrispy had thought himself a chance but had to be satisfied with not having to share third place with anyone with a handicap sapping +5. Next cabs off the rank were Oliver and Tony who were only able to manage a meagre plus four.
Last but not least a point each went to Mo and Targe. What happened to Ben you might ask. Well, it seems that Ben and Targe made compensating errors in calculating Ben’s points so that their strokes and points agreed but unfortunately the correct answerwas that Ben only had +2 and so was not eligible to collect a point this time. A good reason to check off hole by hole and not just the totals at the end of the round.
Tony was jumping out of his skin again when he collected another ball for his collection by snagging the nearest the pin on the 15th while Andrew B was smiling all the way to the bank with the proceeds from the ProPin on the 4th. Andrew didn’t manage the birdie but there were eleven others and the big bird is broken hearted after Mehmet raided the nest with an eagle on the 17th. Mehmet was a bit lucky to get the eagle as the ball went very close to going into the hole from the tee leaving him with the shortest of putts that he wanted to play with a pool cue but settled for a very short grip on his putter. The tee shot must have been something of a contrast to a shot on the previous hole where a fallen branch was deemed to not come into play. Unfortunately it did and the subsequent ricochets placed his next shot from somewhere behind him.
There obviously mustn’t have been any slow play today to put Damo off his game considering the score but he did complain that he had stuffed up the last hole. Oliver claims that he has never hit his drives so long and he was having trouble adjusting for the shorter approaches into the green. Maybe the drier course has something to do with the run. As an aside, Gordon is the only square in the field. Pepsi was heard advising himself in no uncertain terms and fairly vehemently to stop moving his head, and this was only while putting. Chrispy obviously has been taking lessons from Ken and as well as running his ball up a tree he also managed to leave it lodged in the branches. The shank of the day goes to Harry who plonked a nice drive down the 8th with a wide open shot to the green only to nearly scone Bob and put it into the billabong. The replay finished pin high (where the first effort should have been) but the putt for a square proved elusive. Targe apparently gratefully accepted what is affectionately known as the moron’s flag.
Social Secretary Ben announced that he has been looking at venues for the Annual Challenge (away weekend) and one place that can accommodate the expected sort of group is Murray Downs at Swan Hill. Ben would like an indication of likely interest so that he can firm up on the tentative reservation that he has made. As I recall the cost will be about $260 for golfers including golf, accommodation on course, breakfast and dinner – slightly cheaper for non-playing partners. Check the website for more details of the course and location.
Also just a reminder that the annual sub is now due ($20) so if you can all ante up to the treasurer or his assistant asap that would be good.
Results for Saturday, 12 January 2013
1st Malcolm Fleming(7) 2nd Andrew Blight(6) 2nd Trevor Jackson(6) 2nd Damien Lee(6) 3rd Chris Priems(5) 4th Oliver Gross(4) 4th Tony Mifsud(4) 5th Targe Mifsud(3) 5th Mo Sabih(3)