The rain gods did visit during the week but the libation that they delivered was not all that generous and though the grass on some of the fairways did look a little fresher for the experience, there was still plenty of run to be had. Fifteen members and two guests had not taken the extra day to get away for a long long weekend and turned up to try their skills against the wiles of the course architects at Ivanhoe. There would have been at least one more on the tees if SOS hadn’t lead himself astray last night and got lumbered with baby-sitting duties for his sins. Still he did make it to carry out his escort duty for the coffers.
We welcomed Les Kitchin who is a bit of a regular at Ivanhoe and who is going to join us on a regular basis on Saturday mornings. Also along today was Brent Rowley, who just happens to be Chrispy’s son-in-law and who might very well join us when he moves a little closer to town from his current digs. Having Brent along obviously distracted Chrispy as he plodded his GA daily handicap on his card but it was scored according to his Club handicap. Anyhow, a big welcome to Les and Brent and we look forward to seeing them round and about.
Although the course was unaffected by the rain, the scoring today was not all that fantastic, with only one member breaking their handicap. Perhaps it was the effect of the heavy mist/showers that had people going – umbrella up, umbrella down, jacket on, jacket off and so forth. Reminded one a bit of Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid – wax on, wax off. And, the one to break his handicap today was none other than ChrisV who karated his way to a grand total of 37 points and he seemed pretty pleased by the size of the thumbs up that he gave himself.
Rob had a bit of a day of it and, despite complaining about the size of his handicap before the round, managed to play exactly to it and so picks up a bunch of points with no other damage. While it is a while since Rob has played on a really regular basis, he was given a task today to pick up the markers from the BallPin and the ProPin holes, which just happened to be the same holes as the ProPin comps for the inside competition players. So, what does Rob do but pick up the inside markers as well. It is unclear how many following players might have missed out on a trophy as a result but, if anyone did and they find out – watch out Rob.
A bit of a bunch followed in third place with Gordon, Steve and Bob coming in with 35 points. Bob reckons he should have done a lot better after playing so badly (in his opinion). Then again, doesn’t just about everybody reckon if only they had sunk that putt etc etc. Bob did chip in on the 18th for his par and, judging from the commentary around the tables there were quite a swag of chips-in (or should that be chip-ins) to be had today. Ed put his drive from the 17th out past the 18th tee, pitched over the fence and then chipped it in for the birdie. And while on the subject of birdies, we managed to produce a total of ten today which you would have to say is fair to middling. The poor old Eagle was ruffling her feathers when rumours started circulating that Ryan had managed to get his ball from the 14th tee and into the hole with just two shots. Which was true enough, the only problem was that he had carefully placed two others out of bounds and was actually hitting five off the tee and had to settle for his six.
Michael had to rush off to do his RSPCA duties and there were no reports on how the shoulder(s) are coming along but things can’t be too bad when he can put together 34 points to gather 4th spot on his ownsome. Simon will be relieved to know that Michael is not yet a member of the Seniors and so Simon’s 33 points got him the points in both the main Championship and an extra one in the Seniors.
In those events, the lead generated by the double points for the Vin O’Meara are being whittled away and there could soon be some changes at the top. There were quite a few moves on the Eclectic today but from now on, for most, it will be a slow grind to try to wear down the lead that Pepsi has in the event at the moment. For the less birdie and eagle conscious among you, the par holes now have a colour of their own.
The BallPin on the 4th was collected by Gordon who edged out somebody else who edged out somebody else who put the marker out on the green but did not write their name on the ticket. Still, it didn’t matter as, in the event, they wouldn’t have won it anyway. The ProPin was on the 18th and, despite some valiant efforts, nobody managed to get on or within the required distance and so there will be a Jackpot to next week. That should take some of the pain out of another Par round.
In other news, DennisW reckoned it was a beautiful walk that was somewhat spoiled by the presence of a little white ball. Reports also have it that Dennis has a new club in his bag but there are some doubts as to whether it is actually any younger than the rest of the set. Chrispy also had a new club in his bag today and it seems that the wished for new set is inching inexorably closer. He has to clear it with Carolyn but he thinks that he really needs a stiffer shaft. Draw your own conclusions about that!
Simon tried to repeat his return to home base shot from last week on the 11th but the rebound only made it back to the blue tee side of the reds which, unfortunately does count as a draughtie. Rob also had a draughtie on the 4th which pleased Chrispy and the rest of the group no end. Chrispy also reckons his tree luck has run out with every hit finishing in or under rather than in the middle of the fairway as it usually does.
The Birthday Birdie has just fluttered around with a big birthday wish for Keith, who we haven’t seen for a while due to a foot injury. Have a great birthday Keith and hope you are back to full strength and with us soon.
At great expense (to somebody) we now have a Bingo barrel and this will be used next week and afterwards on alternate weeks to draw the groups so that the socialising gets spread around a bit more. There will be spaces available in the first group on request for anybody who has to get away. When the Matchplay starts, those playing a match will be grouped together provided that notice is given of the intent to play (ie to the tee marshall on registering). Speaking of Matchplay, just a reminder that seeding will be done on the most recent three cards (gross) scores as of last round in February. So, still time to get three counters in before then but you will have to hurry. If you absolutely do not want to be in the event or feel that known absences will interfere with your ability to compete please use the Matchplay Registration page to make your intentions known.
On another administrative matter, there were a few errors on the cards today which required cross checking on the markers card. The points calculations are not so bad as it is up to the Committee (read Handicapper) to check these but when the strokes are incorrect, according to the Rules of Golf, there should be a penalty. So please check your hole by hole scores and not just the totals as it seems that in some cases, totals were adjusted which then did not correspond with the recorded hole by hole scores. According to the Rules of Golf, if you sign for a score higher than actually taken, that score will stand. If you sign for a score lower than actually taken, then the player is disqualified. If the Club applied the Rules, then one of our leading players today would have been disqualified. Most members have received the latest Rules of Golf and it would pay to remind yourself of this rule (and many others). If you haven’t received your book, let the Handicapper know as we have a plentiful supply.
Results for Saturday, 23 January 2016
1st Chris Vinecombe(37) 2nd Robert Priems(36) 3rd Gordon Hill(35) 3rd Stephen Kelly(35) 3rd Bob McDonald(35) 4th Michael Gourlay(34) 5th Simon Powell(33)
Seniors Results: 1st Bob McDonald (35) 1st Gordon Hill (35) 2nd Simon Powell (33) 3rd Trevor Jackson (32)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin 18th Jackpot BallPin 4th Gordon Hill