The ghost of a 29 year year old Mehmet was with us as we teed off today. Harry the magican statistician had confirmed earlier in the week that Mehmet’s second round 42 points in the 2012 Stuart Clarke (the equivalent of 6 up in a Par comp) was probably the the best ever come from behind win in an Ivanhoe major (subject to Allan Davies checking a few pre-Harry records).
Who might “do a Mehmet” in the 2024 David Ford, maybe Gordo from -2 (4 strokes back) or Raj from 5 strokes back or maybe Adam from 6 behind. Or would one of the front runners double up with another good round and blow the field away, maybe Chrispy, Prez Priems or Charles?
As it happens, “the Don” Brendon turned up with a determined look in his eye. While David Ford was famous for playing with clubs that were “as old as Bradmans” Brendan had the new 2024 Taylor Made Qi10 driver in his bag and was frightening his playing partners with how far he was hitting it.
As the round progressed Brendon looked most likely of the come from behind contenders. 4 up after 9 (1 over off the stick) and brimming with confidence, Brendan stepped up on the 10th tee and cracked his drive onto the green, only problem being it was the first green.
The back 9 was not quite so hot as the front and after a missing his par on the 18th (for which he had a stoke this week but won’t next week) Brendan signed for +5 on the day (and one shy of Mehmet’s 2012 + 6) and a +2 total for the two rounds. Would it be enough?
If you saw Chrispy play the first 3 holes you would have said no way. 2 up after 3 to add to his +1 opening round and Chrispy was flying. Charles had started poorly. SoS carded three wipes in a row on holes 2, 3 and 4. Prez Priems was hanging in there early and it looked like it might be game on for a fight between the brothers.
Meanwhile in the group ahead Craig was back to his Old Reliable ways. After a square round last week he hit the turn this week at +2 and looked a contender.
But beware the SoS! Perhaps fired up by Scottie Scheffler taking on a traffic cop and coming off second best, SoS rebounded with plusses on the 8th and 9th and then added two further plusses at 10 and 11 (the 11th was a birdie, one of 11 across the field today).
Add a near hole in one at 15 and a miraculous par at 17 after his first was found in the pond (no problems, just chip it backwards out of the pond, pitch it over the pond from a downhill lie onto the green and roll in the putt). SoS’s back 9 of 36 off the stick saw him sign for +3 this week and +5 overall, a comfortable 3 stroke winner.
Something of a David Ford specialist, this is the third time SoS has his name engraved on the trophy after wins in 2011 and 2018. He joins Peps as a three time winner. For those interested in checking out past winners of our majors, head to the Honour Board section of the website.
Brendon’s +2 overall earned him second place points followed by Prez Priems and Michael on -1 sharing third place, Craig in fourth on -2 and a gaggle of 5 players sneaking in fifth place points on -4, Harry, Adam, Chrispy, Charles and Raj.
Chrispy and Charles suggested that the pace of play of their group was super quick (and putting pressure on the old timers in the group ahead) because they were so often “picking up.”
Chrispy managed 4 losses in a row from holes 4 to 7 and another three on the trot on holes 10 to 12. Often this involved some arguments with trees. There is reported to be a tree on the 16th that is only just still standing after Charles hit it three times in a row.
Raj’s was a commendable performance after sleeping in and nearly missing his tee time. Harry recovered well from a buggy accident soon after hitting off on the first tee, when the buggy and St. Kilda bag hit the deck and proceeded to do whirly gigs like a stricken helicopter, writhing around in circles on the ground before order was restored.
Harry made a brilliant up and down par on the first, and an even better one on the 7th from out on the 6th fairway. If not for SoS on the 17th that would have been par of the day.
Adam’s square card today suggests his form is on the way back. In between wipes on holes 1 and 2 and 16 and 17, he played holes 3 through 15 in 4 up. Watch out for Adam in coming weeks.
Bobby’s highlight of the day was on the 7th when his tee shot with a driver found the green within about 10 feet. He missed the birdie but was a clear winner of the ball on offer there. On the 18th, Bobby nearly won a second ball, but SoS knocked him off by the proverbial bee’s dick. The money hole on the 4th was a no contest. Jack Pot by a mile. With the tee well back on the 4th and that tree still not yet poisoned, Jack Pot was always a likely outcome.
Of the other players today, Steve worked his way into form with a +3 back nine after going -6 on the front. Porks managed a +1 back 9 (par off the stick) including 2 “wasted” strokes birdying holes he had a stroke on (10th and 16th).
Gordo’s golf game was perhaps suffering from Treasurer’s curse (SoS reckons being freed up from Treasury responsibilities has helped his game).
However Gordo deserved plenty of credit for the quality of snags and burgers on the BBQ (top buying effort Gordo) but his score was 14 worse than Mehmet’s in 2012.
Ken had another golfing day he’d rather forget but his effort as chief BBQ cook was most appreciated by all.
Porks also chipped in on the BBQ. Big thanks to Gordo, Ken and Porks for the feed!
Our next major is the Fred Howe Winter Cup in July, where Brendon will be defending champion. In the meantime there are eight weekly events, including two monthly medals.
Results for Saturday, 18 May 2024
1st Stephen O’Sullivan (+2, + 3, + 5) 2nd Brendon Mitchell (-3, + 5, + 2) 3rd Michael Gourlay (-1, □, -1) 3rd Robert Priems (+2, -3, -1) 4th Craig Cameron (□, -2, -2) 5th Harry Boughen (-2, -2, -4) 5th Charles Gibbs (+1, -5, -4) 5th Adam King (-4, □, -4) 5th Rajesh Mahto (-3, -1, -4) 5th Chris Priems (+1, -5, -4)
Seniors Results: 1st Michael Gourlay (-1, □, -1) 2nd Craig Cameron (□, -2, -2) 3rd Chris Priems (+1, -5, -4) 3rd Harry Boughen (-2, -2, -4)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 4th Jackpot BallPin No 1 – 7th Bob McDonald BallPin No 2 – 18th Stephen O’Sullivan