You would have to say that there couldn’t have been a better day for golf for a long time. A little freshness in the air first thing but then warming up to a balmy 23C or so by the time we had finished. So what can be the explanation for the mostly fairly average scores that were returned. Maybe it is just that the silly season is upon us once again and peoples minds are on other things or is it the start of a new competition year and everybody is relaxed about the clean slate in the Championship Table. Well, wake up chaps, it won’t be that way for long.
It was up to one of our lifers to show us how it was done though as the form guide said this old horse has been training on another track and the experience seems to have stood him in good stead. And he bought himself in the Calcutta – nothing like the smell of money to get his ginger up. A 63 nett is a good start to getting his name on the Vin O’Meara Cup again and it should be an interesting group teeing off last next week.
That’s because, playing along with Rodger (and his trusty side-kick Laurie) will be young Edgar who managed to string a few together to record a nett 65. Rounding out the group will be Mostyn who doesn’t seem to be any the worse for wear from his travels around the country but reckons he left a few out there with his 67.
In the mix with the potential to threaten the leaders are two of the Club’s low handicappers with Zimmer carding a 68 and Pepsi coming in with a 69 (also his favourite number). A bit of a pity we couldn’t send out a five so that they all could have a red hot go. Also a bit unusual in that all placings were singletons, not something we see very often.
As for the rest of the field, unless something remarkable happens, they can probably console themselves that at least they haven’t harmed their handicap.
The Nearest the Pin for a ball on the 12th went to none other than Oliver and the ProPin on the 15th went to the old Pro, Eddie (again). There were 13 birdies including a double by Gordon on the 17th and 18th. Certainly enough the bring him back next week and they added a modicum of respectability to his score. Gordon, Targe and Brendon all reckoned they had lost the plot from about the 13th whereas Harry claimed not to have lost the plot, as he hadn’t had it in the first place.
Eddie was channeling the inner woman by using a delicate pink ball though it doesn’t seem to have done his game any harm. Zimmer’s enthusiasm went close to bringing the players in front into danger on a couple of occasions. More than a few reported difficulties getting the ball to fall into the hole, some even doing a 180 to avoid doing so.
The venerable old eagle was shaking on its perch in the tree by the 17th when Pepsi was attempting to sink his putt to collect the nice little nest eggs on offer. It was Pepsi’s feathers that were ruffled when he only managed to get the par. The about to be crowned Club Champion has obviously suffered a psychological set-back from the pressure of the adulation and expectations of his myriad fans and couldn’t even get it together with his practice balls before the tee and had similar problems after as well. He did manage to contend in the various NTP comps on offer so it wasn’t all bad.
The Club Stroke Play Championship has now completed its second week and the progress table is available for viewing but it can be revealed that Zimmer and Pepsi have a bit of a lead and given that they should be playing in the same group next week it should make for an interesting shoot-out. They could be caught, but Brendon and Oliver would have to get their mojo back.
The 2014 Eclectic is also under way and the leader board is also posted. No prizes for guessing who are the current leaders but if you can’t guess, have a look. Early days yet though. And if you are wondering, the system has a maximum score on any hole of 9 strokes so for those of you who made double figures, go figure.
Keith has now completed his three cards to qualify for a handicap and he will be on a very comfortable 21. Welcome back young fellah.
Nominations for Committee positions are open and over-due. All positions are up for grabs and if you think the Club could be better run, put your hand up and make it happen. If you have a home computer and would like to fill in for the handicapper when he is away there is an opening for an assistant but it doesn’t have to involve a Committee role unless you want to be involved in that way.
Results for Saturday, 07 December 2013
1st Rodger Clarke(63) 2nd Eddie Kloprogge(65) 3rd Mostyn Gregg(67) 4th Kazim Akdag(68) 5th Andrew Petricola(69)