There were twelve members on the books, but, in the light of the weather forecasts, there was some early speculation that the groups might need re-rearranging. However, in the fullness of time, the full complement rolled up to the check-in, although there was some concern that Charlie might not be able to pay because Dan had his money. SOS has been taking lessons from Brendon in the art of tightly folding notes, and shrapnel was almost the order of the day. SOS had a great time checking for any ‘valuable’ ones. As far as the weather was concerned, it was certainly overcast with a fair sort of a breeze to make thing interesting. In due course, enough light forced its way under or through, and we were able to set off, although it was a couple of holes before the flight of the ball could be seen reliably. At least it wasn’t raining – yet. And the course was remarkably dry, and the greens were fast – for the moment.
The rain made a few half-hearted efforts to start, and it might have been the wind that made it difficult. However, later, when the wind died down a bit, the rain did make its presence felt, more at the level of annoyance than posing a real problem. The view was expressed at one stage that anyone returning a positive score would be lying, and estimates of the winning score were further downgraded once the rain put in an appearance. What the pessimists hadn’t accounted for was the presence of Mr Steady himself, Brendon. Never one to be rushed, Brendon put in a steady enough performance on the front nine, and appeared to be living up to the doomsayer’s predictions to reach the turn one point below the line, although that result was improved by a birdie on the 6th. However, he had obviously brought his wet weather shoes, and absolutely sprinted around the back nine, taking one stroke less than par, and adding four more birdies (two by chipping in) to his little bag. That was almost half of the eleven birdies that the whole field could manage, which, considering the perceived conditions, was a good return from twelve players. Brendon’s plus two score-line means that he will have to try just a little harder next week, but he does collect eight points for his first place on the day.
Second place was shared around with three contenders on the podium step. Harry managed to finish the front nine in positive territory, but the back nine did not maintain the rage (probably engendered some at stages). He did go mighty close to scaring the Eagle on the 17th when his approach ran across the edge of the hole and finished about a metre past. Charlie wasn’t able to come out on the positive side of the ledger on the front, with the low light being an airie on the 5th tee, from which he recovered to square the hole. The back nine fared much better, and although he was helped by an impressive recovery from long grass onto the green to putt for par, he immediately countered with a loss on the 18th. Dan was the star of the front nine when he made the turn at plus two. A run of losses in the middle half of the back knocked a fair hole in that, and he emulated Charlie with a win/loss result on the last two holes.
Blighty commented on the fact that his front nine had consisted entirely of fives and sixes, which left him right up there with a chance as he rounded the turn on minus one. He went close to repeating the strokes on the back nine, except that he did manage to squeeze in a couple of fours. He spoiled his chance for a better score-line on the 17th where his tee-shot speared off at about 87 degrees to the intended line, hit the tombstone dead centre, just about took his head off as it went past, and disappeared into the shrubbery down the hill. Ever hopeful, a search was made on the teaching fairway, but only ‘coach’ balls were to be found. He’ll gladly accept three points for third with a three under.
Michael came into the Clubhouse with a very concerned look on his face, and made a bee-line for the pile of submitted cards that Prez was jealously guarding. When his card was handed in, the cause for his concern became obvious, although, with the lead that he has in the Seniors, there is probably little cause for concern. There was the usual talk of missed opportunities to explain the minus four result that ensued. SOS, on the other hand, was checking and rechecking his arithmetic to be sure that the results would stand up to scrutiny. Maybe it was down to a recent change in handicap, but he took a stroke on the 17th where there was not one due, so he was demoted to join Michael in 4th place. He did lay claim to one of the day’s birdies after he played a fading shot around the tree on the 3rd, and then putted from off the green to sink the putt, quite possibly winning the ‘drainer’ of the day. Pepsi commented on how good it was to get out and about again, despite the slightly adverse conditions. He went very close to filling his card with fours and fives, and only spoiled it be making a three on the 12th. Not a great result for a man of his ability, but minus five got him a point for fifth place, and he plans to come back next week to win the Monthly Medal on offer. And that would be a nice little present for his birthday, which is coming up, and for which the Birthday Birdie wishes him Many Happys.
The ProPin today was a jackpot on the 4th, and, although there was a nearly-almost (5.1m reportedly), nobody got close enough and there will be a Double jackpot up for grabs next week. The first BallPin was on the 15th, and it, too, went begging, leaving a jackpot to be contested next week. The pin on the 18th was on the top deck of the green, which is generally considered to be a more difficult location to reach. No such problems for a couple of people, however it does present a bit of a conundrum. Brendon pipped Michael for our BallPin, but Michael seems to have collected the money for the ProShop ProPin while Brendon took out the best score. Was Brendon in such a hurry to get away to his kid’s basketball that he forgot to add his name to the card?
CJ managed to tear himself away from the Frog, and his only comment at the end of the round was that he had finished. He did have a couple of adventures along the way, though. Now he is rather well known for a couple of things – his power fade and his uncanny symbiotic relationship with trees. Whether he was allowing for his ‘power fade’ or not, but his drive from the 4th headed well into the ‘swamp’ on the left side of the fairway. The sound of contact with a tree was heard, followed by several seconds of silence, followed by the ball appearing from nowhere to land neatly on the fairway. Later on, he had taken his remote controlled buggy up onto the 15th tee to be sure that he had the option to select the correct club for the distance. As he bent down to place his ball and tee, he was made aware of the fact that his buggy had taken off and was heading down the hill towards the 14th green. Much fumbling in pocket to recover the controller to save the buggy from complete disaster. Fortunately, there was no water filled hazard nearby to reproduce the fate of another member recently.
Next week is the July Monthly Medal, so a good chance to come along and collect a bit of silverware for the games room. It is also close to the anniversary of the passing of our old mate Keith Delzoppo, and, to mark the occasion, there will be a barbecue and a drink of your choice afterwards to mark the occasion. It would be nice to see a good roll-up, particularly from those who have known Keith over the years and who have appreciated his sportsmanship and good nature.
Results for Saturday, 29 Jun 2024
1st Brendon Mitchell (+2) 2nd Harry Boughen (-2) 2nd Charles Gibbs (-2) 2nd Dan Marie (-2) 3rd Andrew Blight (-3) 4th Michael Gourlay (-4) 4th Stephen O’Sullivan (-4) 5th Andrew Petricola (-5)
Seniors Results: 1st Harry Boughen (-2) 2nd Andrew Blight (-3) 3rd Michael Gourlay (-4)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 4th Jackpot BallPin No 1 – 15th Jackpot BallPin No 2 – 18th Brendon Mitchell