In week one of a major, the interest in the first-round leaderboard is matched, perhaps even surpassed, by interest in who will be wearing the aprons in the cooking group for next week.
At the half-way mark, Adam formally awarded âThe Apronâ to Brendon who had scored 9 points on the front 9.
Brendon subsequently rallied on the back with 18 points and his total of 27 was enough to avoid cooking duties, just.
We all know SoS can cook and with his 21 points he will have yet another chance to show us his Master Chef skills next week, with Targe and Harry for company.
Harry was one of the big stories of the day. Having battled through the first 10 holes feeling crook as the proverbial dog, he finally did the sensible thing and pulled the plug. Later on, back in the clubhouse, with Dr Dan still out on the course, SoS did a medical consult with Harry and between them they decided Harryâs heart rate was a bit all over the shop and an ambulance was called. The Ambos werenât too concerned that Harry was in immediate trouble, but keen to get him to hospital and checked out.
Good news is that by Saturday night Harry was back home and feeling much better, the heart rate having got back to normal and heâs already talking about tearing the course up next week. You gave us a bit of scare there Harry, but great to hear you got good care from the Ambos and the hospital (and SoS) and are feeling better.
PS. The rumour that Harry scored more points in 10 holes than SoS did in 18 isn’t quite true, but it was a close run contest.
Without Harry, we had 12 players with completed cards today, and two of those (Prez Priems and Dan) wonât be around next week due to work commitments. Dan starts his 6-month stint at Shepparton Hospital this week. He has been pleased to discover he isnât rostered on as many weekends as he thought he might be, so despite this being his official âlastâ game for a while, he might be able to sneak back for a few games here and there.
Meanwhile Steve was back for his first game in a while and blitzed the field with 42 points, including 26 on the front 9. Quite a stunning score especially given the difficult windy conditions, although luckily the predicted heavy rain mostly stayed away. Hopefully Harry will be well enough next week to make sure Steveâs handicap of 29 gets a big chop.
Michael has been in therapy all week after playing angry last week. Rather than keep throwing his clubs this week, he decided to switch to his alternate set of âwinterâ clubs and on a very wintry day, the club changed seemed to help Michaelâs mood and score. 69 off the stick and 38 points sees him in second place.
CJ played solidly all day for 35 points and third position on the leaderboard. Brother Rob was fourth with 32 points, although with Rob not playing next week the next best, Craig with 30 points, is effectively in fourth position, with Adam next in line on 28, Brendan and Stan on 27 and Raj on 25.
If we get another day of dirty weather next week, it might be interesting what total score will be good enough for fifth placed points and whether this will break any club records for a major.
Raj had two birdies of the five across the field today. His other claim to fame was hitting the same tree 3 times on the left-hand side of the 11th with his second, third and fourth shots.
Brendon won the money on the 12th with a shot to 2.66m. He is also rumoured to have comprehensively won the fight (well the war of words) when some impatient ânon-Ivanhoeâ folk (was it the Burnley boys) who hit off the tee on the 14th before Brendonâs group had completed hitting their second shots.
Steve won the ball on the 18th to cap off his great day and the ball on the 7th jackpots, with Michael, CJ and Brendon all a bit stiff there with shots that finished just off the green.
Meanwhile a bit of movement on the much coveted Eclectic Championship, with Raj’s birdie on the 9th moving him into equal second with Brendon with only “cue in the rack” Charlie ahead of them.
Eclectic specialist Brendon, the defending champion, missed a golden opportunity on the 12th to edge closer. Hard to believe Brendon hasn’t birdied the 12th once this year. He also has the 2nd, 4th and 9th up his sleeve still to birdie.
Raj ditto hasn’t yet birdied the 12th and he also still has the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th and 18th up his sleeve. The smokey in the Eclectic is Bobby in 4th place. He might run them all done by year’s end.
As it stands, we will have 11 players from Round 1 there for Round 2 of the Fred Howe Winter Cup. If any other members would like to come down for a game, please come and enjoy both the golf and the BBQ.
Results for Saturday, 20 Jul 2024
Leaderboard Round 1: 1st Steven Gervasoni (42) 2nd Michael Gourlay (38) 3rd Chris Priems (35) 4th Robert Priems (32) 5th Craig Cameron (30)
Seniors Leaderboard: 1st Steven Gervasoni (42) 2nd Michael Gourlay (38) 3rd Chris Priems (35)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 12th Brendon Mitchell BallPin No 1 – 7th Jackpot BallPin No 2 – 18th Steven Gervasoni