Just in time, the high moved on and allowed a front to move across and drop the temperature down to a reasonable level from the scorching heights of the last couple of days. There was a little rain associated with the front and that prompted the unfurling of umbrellas and unrolling of rain jackets. But, they soon became an impediment and they were relegated to storage, at least until the next little shower came through. All up, eleven and a half members turned up to try their hand at gathering some cheap points in the last of the ‘holiday’ rounds. The half wasn’t a reference to Targe, it was a reference to SOS who ‘slept in’ and only made it to join in at the 10th. Fortunately, there was a three that was willing to accommodate him.
Jason claimed to have played in a ‘boring’ group with nothing newsworthy to report. However there was something newsworthy from the group in that he was able to score plus three on the back nine to come home and lead the field with a total of plus three. Daniel, on the other hand, did even better on the back with a plus five, to also finish tied for first on plus three. He was obviously playing some explosive golf as the wedge that he left behind by the green on the 10th was labelled TNT. No wonder he was so keen to get it back as he played up the 12th and the group behind, who had picked it up, approached the 11th green.
Keith was another of the un-newsworthy ones who just happened to break his handicap by the one stroke with his card of plus one. Peter, on the other hand, played a round of contrasting halves. His minus five on the front did not augur at all well for a podium finish and included a fresh air swing as well. But, undaunted, Peter put his head down and fairly blitzed the back nine, turning in another plus five tally to finish the day all square and third place.
Targe is still in recovery mode and is starting to get used to his new handicap. He even suggested that he was starting to enjoy having all the extra strokes. But, he is equally determined to break it in the not too distant future. He wasn’t too far off today with his minus one score line and a few aberrations in the short game department made all the difference. Harry’s driver abandoned him for a while today and resulted in a pair of draughties on the 2nd and 3rd. Despite this and a swag of ‘just missed’ putts, a bottom line of minus 2 was enough to grab the last point for fifth place.
The BallPin was on the 4th and nobody was able to stay on the green to collect a pill. ChrisV went close when he finished about 300mm off the green. Chris looked like needing every ball he could get after a series of errant draw shots cost him big-time with lost balls and OOB (at least four). When he put his shot on the 18th to 3.29m to take out the second ProPin, his main concern was whether it would be enough to buy new balls. He had hopes of making the birdie for the eclectic but, in the end, it was one that did not add to the total of 5 for the day. The first ProPin was a Jackpot on the 12th and Dale was able to take that one with a shot to 4.156m. The group agreed a three way split of the dividend leaving out SOS the free-loader.
While on the subject of SOS, he was playing at a disadvantage today as he had no putter. It seems he left his golf gear in an insecure location after a late night and ‘somebody’ must have stolen his putter. Better get the coppers onto the job, SOS.
Noodles seemed to be almost proud of the fact that he had missed a putt from about 1cm but when you consider the rest of his card….. Dennis might have to consider putting a distinctive mark on his ball after he hit the wrong ball on the 14th. Pretty inconsiderate of somebody else to use the same brand and number as he did though. This wasn’t reported as a draughtie but it seems that Dale teed off on the 2nd, hit a tree and finished close to being on the 6th green.
The new calendar year kicks off next week with the January Monthly Medal. Could be a better than average chance if members are still away or getting over New Year. Joe might be getting over a birthday bash as he has one coming up in the next week.
The Annual General Meeting is coming up in March. All positions will be spilled, so, here is your chance to put your hand up for the role of your choice and you can have a go at running the Club better than the current lot are doing.
Results for Saturday, 29 December 2018
1st Jason Hopkins(+3) 1st Daniel O’Rourke(+3) 2nd Keith Delzoppo(+1) 3rd Peter Damou(□) 4th Targe Mifsud(-1) 5th Harry Boughen(-2)
Seniors Results: 1st Keith Delzoppo (+1) 2nd Targe Mifsud (-1) 3rd Harry Boughen (-2)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin No 1 12th Dale Webb ProPin No 2 18th Chris Vinecombe BallPin 4th Jackpot