Brendon was hoping to hit the headlines today and his drive on the first into Charlie’s bush was indeed the day’s big early news.
Blighty then went one better with a drive that dribbled off the first tee and didn’t even make it to Charlie’s bush.
We really should get a plaque for that bush.
Meanwhile, with third placed Blighty’s form not improving (-6 on the front 9 and -10 for the day) the big heavyweight title fight for the Fred Kitson very soon just had JQ and Craig in the ring punching and counter-punching.
Craig wiped the first even though he had a shot there, while JQ’s 5 for a half saw him extend his lead to 3.
But Old Reliable was soon back in town with a par for a plus on the 2nd, another on the 4th after a great tee shot there, two more on the 7th and 8th and he hit the turn at +3 for the day and +5 overall.
Meanwhile JQ had kept things steady and turned with +1 for the day to match Craig at +5 overall.
Game on!
Ali and Frazier had three big heavyweight fights back in the day, the Fight of the Century at Madison Square Garden in 1971 (Fraser in 15 rounds), Super Fight II in 1974 also at the Garden (which was a bit of a dud, Ali adopting controversial holding/clinching tactics and being lucky to be given the win on points) and 1975’s Thriller in Manilla which is remembered by many as one of the best and most brutal fights in boxing history.
Playing partners Blighty and Michael had the best seats in the house as Craig and JQ went at it over the back 9.
Ivanhoe’s Thriller in Manilla saw both Craig and CJ get themselves out of trouble to salvage great 5’s for half on 10, JQ sinking one of his new trademark 15 foot putts and Craig chipping sideways after being stymied by a tree.
Both parred 11, with Craig making a good up and down there. However with JQ sneaking a shot there off his 14 handicap (and Craig with no shot) it was advantage JQ by one.
The first crack in Craig’s armoury came on 12 when he missed a short par putt. JQ up by two.
Craig bounced back with two great shots into 13 to about 10 feet while JQ had been all over the shop out on the 10th fairway with his second and had left himself a 15 footer down the hill for a half. It was looking for all money like a two shot swing and back to all square but JQ nailed the putt! JQ one up.
Still all square after 14, both fighters hit the green on 15 but faced long putts, 40 feet or so. JQ’s magic putter won the battle there, putting to gimmie distance while Craig 3-putted. JQ by two.
Craig counterpunched again on 16 with two greats shots in there and slotting the 10 footer for birdie. It was a “double plus” that unfortunately for Craig only counted as one. JQ halved 16 and saw his lead back to one.
Off his 14 handicap JQ had a shot on 17 but Craig didn’t. Craig had another 10-15 footer for birdie and it just missed. JQ then had a rare putting blemish missing a short par putt but his 5 a half was enough to keep the lead by 1.
Before heading to the 18th, Michael gently enquired about the state of the contest. Having forgotten that JQ got a shot at 11, Michael had calculated them even, which is probably why he never got invited to score the Ali-Frazer fights.
JQ professed to not know the scores (bullshit thought Michael as they were marking each other’s cards) but Craig clarified that yes JQ was 1 up. With both having a shot on 18, it was a bit tense out there.
Both hit good shots into 18 but they pulled up a fraction short. If Craig could get up and down for par and JQ made a 4, it would be all tied up and a countback would be required (which Craig would have won by the way). If JQ stuffed up and made a 5, Craig would win outright.
But that all became academic when JQ, after hitting a dodgy chip to about 15 feet (his new pet distance with the putter) stepped up and knocked it straight in. Another 15 footer!
Craig, realising the fight was over, then carelessly 3-putted 18 to leave JQ the winner by 3. But that margin belies what a tough, close, high quality knock ’em down drag it out fight it was all day long.
JQ at +6 over the two weeks (+2 this week) and Craig at +3 overall (+1 this week) pummelled the rest of the field, with the best the rest could offer being Michael (-3 overall for 3rd), Steve G and Brendon -7 overall for joint 4th) and Gordo 5th with -8.
Note: when JQ and Craig next saddle up, JQ (14 into 10) will no longer have those cheeky strokes on 6, 9, 11, 17 that a good player like him shouldn’t need. Craig is back in single figures (10 to 9).
In other news of the day, the same driver of Brendon’s that crashed Charlie’s bush on the 1st drove it onto the green at 14, quite an effort considering the tee was about as far back as it can be there. Not to be outdone, SoS nearly drove the 16th green (only problem was the shot was from the 14th tee).
SoS did manage the win the money for a great shot to 1.91 metres on the 12th, while Adam hit it close on the 7th to win the ball there and Michael won the ball on 18.
When it comes to member temper tantrums, Harry can chuck one as good as most, especially when his putts keep rimming the hole. On 17, Harry had another one doing the rimming thing and Gordo was reported to be running for the hills fearing the blowing of the Harry volcano. Luckily the putt did a full 360 and dropped in. “Phew” said Gordo.
Earlier, Gordo had shocked his playing partners with a big long high drive on the 16th, a launching path much higher than his usual low worm burners.
Harry also hit a birdie on the 8th, but it was the feathered kind. Reports suggest no major injury to the bird.
It was great to see Raj come down for the BBQ. He is planning to be back in a fortnight or so and play in a cart for 4-6 weeks and then hopes to be back to normal and walking and playing in 2025.
As always, big thanks to the BBQ chefs and others who pitched in to help with organisation and clean-up. Our BBQ’s are one of the 10 “selling points” in our new club brochure designed to encourage new members to join us.
If you know anybody who might want to join us for the 2025 season and they need a bit of convincing, give them a copy of the brochure (copies available in the clubhouse).
Judging by today, JQ and Craig need some fresh competition.
Results for Saturday, 26 Oct 2024
1st John Quinlan (+4, + 2, + 6) 2nd Craig Cameron (+2, + 1, + 3) 3rd Michael Gourlay (-3, □, -3) 4th Steven Gervasoni (-6, -1, -7) 4th Brendon Mitchell (-5, -2, -7) 5th Gordon Hill (-5, -3, -8)
Seniors Results: 1st Craig Cameron (+2, +1, +3) 2nd Michael Gourlay (-3, □, -3) 3rd Steven Gervasoni (-6, -1, -7)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 12th Stephen O’Sullivan BallPin No 1 – 7th Adam King BallPin No 2 – 18th Michael Gourlay