You know what they say about Melbourne weather – if you don’t like it, just hang around for five minutes. Just as we were teeing off from the first, it started to rain and by the time we got to the 3rd there were more than a few thoughts running through what passes for a brain as to whether we really wanted to be there. Then, it eased off, and eased off and in the end the sun was shining and the greens were ‘dry’ and all was good with the world. Whether it was the weather forecasts or just the time of the month/year, but there were not many bodies on the ground and if it was not for Keith Delzoppo starting his come-back we wouldn’t have made double figures. Chrispy was not pleased about the low turn up as he only took on the job for the challenge that it entails and when he doesn’t even have to take his socks off to keep track of the numbers he wonders whether it is all worth it.
One sign of a true champion is that he doesn’t give up and Oliver showed no signs of doing that in the penultimate round of the year, racking up three birdies and two gashes to lead the field home with 38 points. Given that there were only seven birdies all up for the day, that is a fair percentage. So, not only did he win but he increased his lead in the championship table to be even more unassailable than before.
Not far behind, with 37 points, were Bill and Harry who both left scoring opportunities begging although Bill was apparently chipping in and sinking putts from all over the place. Despite the small numbers playing, not everybody was able to be in on the podium positions and the next three were filled by singletons. Mostyn played to his handicap, Targe was one over and Mehmet was three over. The rest of the field were you know where.
The Nearest the Pin, was set by Craig on the 7th because that was the green that he put the ball onto and nobody else did so he won the ball. The double Jackpot ProPin on the 15th went off today when Eddie managed to skull one onto the dance-floor close enough to get on the card. Pity, a triple jackpot might have been enough to bring a few more out of the wood-work next week.
The big disappointment for the day was the fact that the inside Championship round was abandoned by the management due to the condition of the greens (water – not damage, that’s OK). People who were having good rounds despite the conditions were a little miffed at either having to try again next week or (for one of the front runners – not one of us) not being able to play next week at all.
Keith claims not to have played since he left a few years back but the driver still seems to be working well and particularly when the greens were under water, he was sinking putts from just about anywhere. Mehmet reckons the first group should have been counted as a five, though the word slander springs to mind if the reason was to be published. There was a bit of a private competition on between Chrispy and Craig but as Craig had to get away early to go to a party, he persuaded Mehm to text him a pic of Chrispy’s scorecard. Cruelled Chrispy’s plan to exaggerate his score when he caught up with Craig.
Next week is the last round for the competition year (ultimate, for those of you who like long words) and this is the occasion for the calcutta on the Vin O’Meara that will be played the following two weeks. So that the auction can be fairly done and to minimise the book-keeping, we really need to have an idea that you will be playing so if you could advise Gordon or Harry at the earliest opportunity if you will definitely be playing or not. We would prefer not to have maybes – either a yes or no. There will also be a BarBQ to ease to pain of forking out your hard-earned as you bid up big for the fancied runners. Oliver has offered to speak with his favourite butcher so the snags should be top quality.
Also don’t forget that next week and the two rounds of the Vin O’Meara will make up the inaugural (first, for those that like short words) Club Stroke Play Championship. The placings will be determined by the aggregate nett score for the three rounds from your starting handicap. So mark it on your calendar and make up a decent field for what should be an interesting event.
Results for Saturday, 23 November 2013
1st Oliver Gross(38) 2nd Harry Boughen(37) 2nd Bill Eastoe(37) 3rd Mostyn Gregg(36) 4th Targe Mifsud(35) 5th Mehmet Akdag(33)