The equinox is nigh and it seems as if the autumn break has arrived. A goodly drop of rain in the last day and a brisk southerly bringing in the occasional shower this morning and keeping the temperature down so that people were glad to don their wet weather gear to keep warm as well as to keep dry. The hardy souls with shorts and no rain pants just had to grin and bear it. Despite the inclemency, nineteen members managed to get here on time although Rodger was cutting it a bit fine after stopping for breakfast on the way. He’d been written in and then written out (but not off) with space in the last group for him and any other stragglers. A later start next week might even allow the Lodger to have breakfast and get here on time.
So, did the rain affect the outcome of the days endeavours? It doesn’t seem so by the look of the scorecard that Mehm managed to persuade somebody to fill out for him. After being told last week that he would have to pull his socks up if he wanted to feature at the end of the year, that is exactly what he did and racked up a total of 41 points as a result. Regardless of whether he manages to keep it up and wins the event, the handicapper is going to come calling after that one. Mehmet’s marker and partner in crime, Ryan, only managed to come up with 39 points to sit comfortably in second place and with every chance to overtake Mehm before the event is finished.
Just a couple of points further back is Rob who could easily have been the front runner had it not been for three holes for which he did not get a point. The last tee group should make for some interesting competition next week as these three slug it out.
Thirty-five points was a pretty popular score but it does leave a bit of work to do next week to catch the leaders. Those with their work cut out include JohnQ, Simon, Harry and the Beast. Just a point behind, and capable of anything, are Bobbie, Blighty and Whitey.
Only one Matchplay match today between Noodles and Harry. Harry had a pretty good front nine and briefly got to 3 up and started the back 2 up. Some errant shot making on the odd holes gave Noodles a sniff and after the 16th the match was dormie 2. A win for Noods on the 17th raised the spectre of the match finishing square with a chip-off decider but Harry’s win on the 18th gave him the match 2 up. There are still a lot of matches to be played in the first round and only two more Saturdays left. Get on to your opponent and arrange a match or arrange a result. There is no extra time. Those that know their opponent for round 2 can play any time they like from now on.
The BallPin was on the 15th and it looked as if the Beast was going to collect himself another ball. But, it was not to be, Last Group Gordon came along and put his name on the ticket. I guess that would have to be what you call pay-back for Bill’s effort last week. The ProPin was on the 18th and for a while it looked as if it was going to go begging but then along came Ryan who put it close enough to get his name on the ticket and close enough to win the dosh. He didn’t manage the birdie, however, and the whole group could only come up with 13. There will be a few moves on the Eclectic Table after today but you won’t see them till next week. Simon was one that managed to improve today and he puts it firmly down to the new set of artillery that is filling his new bag alongside the driver and fairway woods that he acquired a while back. Reckons he will have to put off his retirement, though, as a result. Must be the season or something because Chrispresident is also lining up to be fitted for new hardware. Not as speccy as Simon’s by all accounts.
At one stage during the round, Noodles was heard to tell Harry to keep his pants on. Now that would have be the pot calling the kettle black! In other action on the course, Chrispresident reportedly had an airie on the 11th and after a couple more duffs he picked up less than half way down the fairway. This seemed to set the tone for the rest of the nine with a fairly serious oil-slick following him around. In a similar vein, Bob had a draughtie on the 7th and Harry went close to the same outcome on a couple of holes with only a metre or two in it.
Blighty managed to tee his ball up between the red markers and was only saved by the good graces of his partners pointing out the error of his ways. That really would have rubbed salt into the wounds that resulted from several journeys out of bounds as well including one on the 15th that required a trudge back to the tee. Rodger was feeling pretty pleased with himself to be just off the green for two on the 14th but a chip and four putts soon deflated that balloon. Not to be out-done, JohnQ put his tee-shot on the 18th green and then managed 5 putts to register no score. That could have been expensive had JQ been playing next week.
The rain was tapering off when Gordon got to the 9th green and he put his (open) umbrella down while the group went about their business on the green. Just as they finished putting, a bit of a buster arrived and the umbrella took off with Gordo and Rodger (in the cart) in hot pursuit. They finally managed to crash-tackle the escapee in the middle of the 17th.
So, despite the on again – off again showers during the first half of the round, a good time was had by all. The relative closeness of the scores means that there will be some fierce competition next week as they strive to get their name on this prestigious trophy (and the double points of course). There will be the usual bar-b-que after the round which will be a good opportunity to reminisce by those who knew Stuart and to admire one anothers loud/Hawaiian shirts that we always wear in remembrance of his exquisite dress sense. Even if you didn’t play today, everybody is welcome, but try to let us know so that we can be sure that the catering is adequate.
Results for Saturday, 19 March 2016
Leaderboard Round 1 1st Mehmet Akdag(41) 2nd Ryan Porker(39) 3rd Robert Priems(37) 4th Harry Boughen(35) 4th Bill Eastoe(35) 4th Simon Powell(35) 4th John Quinlan(35) 5th Andrew Blight(34) 5th Bob McDonald(34) 5th Rodney White(34)
Seniors Leaderboard
1st Harry Boughen(35) 1st Bill Eastoe(35) 1st Simon Powell(35) 2nd Bob McDonald(34) 2nd Andrew Blight(34) 3rd Rodger Clarke(33)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin 18th Ryan Porker BallPin 15th Gordon Hill