There has got to be some special significance to the number nine. Perhaps it will be the number of goals that Hawthorn wins the Grand Final by. Perhaps it is the number of planets that used to be in the Solar System – until they demoted poor old Pluto. Perhaps it is the number of strokes that Snags took after his tee shot on the 16th to get the ball in the hole. And perhaps it is the number of members who could tear themselves away from Footy Festivities to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and the magnificent course conditions at Ivanhoe.
So, since there were more than the minimum six players required for a competition, there was some discussion as to whether it should be declared a competition day or not. Common sense prevailed and it remained a Social round, if only to keep Gordon from accumulating more points in the Championship tables. As it turned out, that was a good move as GG (Gouty Gordo) set out to take the course apart. At least he did until the 14th when Snags put the mockers on him to induce an uncharacteristic lapse in putting. A repeat performance on the 15th had the handicapper looking askance and asking whether he was choking or foxing. On balance, it was deemed to be more likely the former. So, despite this lapse, if there was a winner on the day, it would have to have been Gordon who has vowed to keep up his diet of tomatoes, shellfish and red wine to keep the gout ticking over with the attendant need to wear sneakers rather than golf shoes and to keep the weight on the other foot.
In the absence of a club competition, a cash pool was established and divided between two ProPins, one on the 12th and one on the 15th. Snags was tasked with the carrying of the markers and despite his threats to put them out on holes where he had good shots, they did go out on the nominated holes. Mal snuck one in on the 12th and was pleasantly surprised to receive the cash. Lo and behold, the name on the marker at the 15th was Snags which might go some way to explaining why there was no club throwing after the afore-mentioned debacle on the next hole. He did get a bit cranky with the ball though. Or maybe he is just being a good boy in the lead up to his birthday next week. Have a happy one Snags.
Keith has woken up from his winter hibernation and seemed fairly happy with his first round for a while. The Beast has also advised that he is now fit and well and will be a force to be contended with in the weeks to come. Bring it on!
DennisT seemed fairly relaxed about not getting a call-up to work at the Darklands and was pleased to be able to work on getting his swing back into the groove. The greens were deemed to be hard and fast and nary a birdie was heard to tweet. However, Dennis reckoned he putted for par on twelve holes and only managed to get one.
Reports of three putts were common and although some of the pin placings were unusual and tightly placed, it seems that the pace was more a factor than anything else. However, there was one no putt green after Harry took a drop out of the hazard at the back of the 5th and proceeded to chip it up and in for an unlikely five. Never looked like missing according to his playing partners. Some thought the shot had been played out of the hazard and lost interest when they heard otherwise.
On the 2nd tee, Gordon saw something that he reckons you don’t often see on GF Day, to whit, a Magpie, on the ground in front of the tee. He also opined that if it wasn’t careful it could be a dead one. Though a bit off line, Gordo’s tee shot was low enough to have done the job. Thank Gord for that, said the magpie.
Simon has been gallivanting in the course of his employ and tells stories of his amazement at the standard of the driving ranges in Japan. Nobody touches a ball in the whole place, not even the staff. The practice hasn’t paid off just yet but he reckons, when he works on the strength of his left shoulder, he will be a force to be contended with (or at least he’ll be able to keep playing the game).
Next week is the first round of the Fred Kitson. We are hoping for a good roll up and would like to know if we need to reserve another tee spot. We know that a couple of old members are going to turn up so please let us know one way or another if you will be playing. Send an email or use the Registration page.