The weather forecast was for possible showers but they held off and only looked threatening from time to time. So the only danger from water was from that contained inside the hazards and that squeezing up between your toes from underneath. A few pretty soggy patches after the rains of the past few days and some of the works going on around the course. Fortunately, the preferred lie rule was in place again through the green and good use was made, at least by some. As an aside, when the preferred lie rule is in place, you are allowed to clean the ball before placing it back within the specified distance – but don’t forget you have to mark the spot suitably before you lift.
It is pretty clear that Noodles is a bit of a mud runner and after his performance a couple of weeks back he has blitzed the course again to rack up 39 points and continues his rapid climb up the championship table. The big question is, can he get enough points up before the cricket season starts again or will he be prepared to fore-go the cricket for a crack at the Big Kohuna.
Bill battled a bit from time to time, even pulling out his driver for a shot from the short rough on the 6th to try to make up for some errant play. Despite half a dozen single pointers he still managed to play to his handicap. Mister Consistency, Oliver, filled the third spot with 35 points and the placing points have pushed him to a slight lead on the Championship table. Targe, Pepsi and Harry filled the next rank a couple of points back. A further point back was RodG who was heard to claim that he was having a hopeless round.
There were two matchplay matches run today with Jan getting up over Brendon 3 and 2 and Eddie turned in one of his performances to knock the top off Pepsi 4 and 2. There are still two matches outstanding in the second round. Harry and Stefan will be playing next week and David and Richard will have to sort something out as well. If it is not next week, somebody will have to forfeit. In the meantime the rest of the field can get on with the third round matches as the competition gets to the pointy end.
Eddie only played the matchplay today but did manage to get his name on both pin competitions (is that legal?) – the ProPin on the 15th and the ball hole on the 18th. As he didn’t put a card in it is not clear whether he made the birdies but they were relatively thin on the ground today with only seven plodded. Nobody worried the eagle today although Bill seemed to be liking his chances on a couple of occasions though the results did not reflect his confidence on the tee.
Fairly obviously the recent wet weather has been good for the ducks and it seems as if some of them might have kicked the breeding season off a bit early if the little yella fella spotted during the round today was any guide. Or maybe David was just keeping an eye of how things were going – quaaack.
Targe was striding purposefully towards the hole after a putt ready to scoop the ball out of the hole when it stopped and turned left to stay perched on the edge. Must have been one of those volcano holes. Ken’s GolfLink handicap is showing the benefits of his membership at Rosanna with the differential from his Club handicap out to five strokes. If he keeps this up he’ll be able to challenge Adrian Fleming for bragging (or bagging) rights inside.
Although Jan was able to get up over Brendon in the matchplay, it still didn’t stop him pulling off a couple of draughties during the round. Not happy Jan! But what does it say for how Brendon played?
Chrispy played a game of two halves today, managing a mere 8 points on the front nine then absolutely tearing the back nine apart to rack up 20 points and an almost respectable score. All he has to do is remember what he did differently and Just Do It.
Must be the time of the year to buy new gear. Last week Harry turned out with fresh kit and this week it was Pepsi’s turn to show off his new Aston Martin (golf bag – not car). Didn’t help him in the Matchplay but at least he scored some points.
Speaking of points, Bill topped the seniors, followed by Oliver in second and Harry and Targe in third. Still fairly tight at the top in this event.
More details on the changes with the IMSGC. As you are aware we have been registered as an incorporated association and this has a few implications for the general management of the club with respect to account keeping and record keeping generally. We will also become part of the GolfLink network through VicGolf. In addition, if we wished we will be able to field a team in the Victorian Pennants Competition.
We will continue to use our Club handicapping system as a basis for our Club Competition. However, as part of the membership of GolfLink each member will have an official handicap that can be used for competition at any Golf Club in Australia (including the inside comp at Ivanhoe). If members wish to maintain an up-to-date GolfLink handicap but not enter the inside competition, they will still have to fill out a second card using their GolfLink handicap for separate entry into the GolfLink system.
Members will also be covered with insurance for third party and injury and possibly also theft of equipment (to be confirmed).
Obviously, there will be a cost associated with this, which will amount to $80 plus the normal IMSGC subscription of $20 per year. For those that currently have a GolfLink membership, a small fee will see that membership extended to the end of the year and the Club will cover that cost. For those that do not have a GolfLink membership, the full $80 will have to be paid, but the Club will subsidise that fee to the extent of $40 for the six months to the end of the year. This should be settled as soon as possible. On January 1st 2014, the full $100 will become payable but there might be an option, on application to the committee, for quarterly payment if any members feel that this arrangement would suit them better.
If you are a member at another Club (Rosanna, Yarrambat, Riverview etc) and wish to maintain that membership, then a small fee can be paid to affiliate with IMSGC. It is not clear at this stage what this entitles you to.
A further reminder for those going on the Annual Challenge. Ben needs another $50 (like yesterday) – there’s a deadline to meet – he has everybody’s initial deposit. He knows where you live and his mate Terry is straining at the leash.
Results for Saturday, 15 June 2013
1st Stephen Butterfield(39) 2nd Bill Eastoe(36) 3rd Oliver Gross(35) 4th Harry Boughen(33) 4th Targe Mifsud(33) 4th Andrew Petricola(33) 5th Rod Grant(32)