Despite the competition from the Birdmen of the Yarra and the attraction of skiving off for a long weekend, eighteen members (including Stuart’s Dad, Rodger) turned out to try their hand at winning the Stuart Clarke. They were accompanied by Nalin, who was fronting up to submit his second card. Unfortunately, Bobbie had to retire due to feeling somewhat off-colour, and we hope that it is nothing serious, and he is soon back with us. The weather was fine and warmed up as the day progressed, and the management seem to have found some water to apply to, at least, some of the ‘back’ fairways. The north wind that promised to push the temperature even higher held off, and the breezes that did blow even had something of a cooling effect on a sweaty body.
Some people were tipping scores in the forties early on, but, in the end, thirty-seven was the best that we could do with all four contenders claiming that there were a few left out there. For instance, Josh putted for par on the 6th and the ball caught the edge ran around ninety degrees to the back of the hole and stopped with half of the ball hanging over the edge of the hole. Harry pitched into the 17th, and the ball ran over the edge of the hole and finished about 100mm past, just missing the eagle. He almost spoiled SOS’s party, who had driven onto the green with his trusty three wood, and sank a three-metre putt to get the eagle and clean out the four eggs that were sitting in the nest. We won’t mention SOS’s power shank from the 18th tee, that finished at the base of the hill below the 17th tee, that followed.
Brendon could have come unstuck on the 4th when he played a provisional with a carefully chosen yellow ball. It finished remarkably close to another yellow ball of the same brand and identifying number, that was being used by Blighty. Blighty being Blighty, his ball was rather weather-beaten, whereas Brendon’s was a brand sparkler. As it turned out, Brendon’s original wasn’t OOB, so all turned out to the good. Rodger didn’t sound too happy with his game, but, then, he was playing without a handicap on his card, so the scoring wasn’t done until after the round. Four strokes in arrears is not a bridge too far for him to achieve his long held goal of winning Stuart’s Trophy. At the end of the day, any of the list in the top five placings, and a couple just outside the list as well, could easily do a Bradbury for a come from behind win.
The first BallPin was on the 15th, and AndrewV had cunningly placed the red marker in the shadows towards the back of the green, where it was nigh on invisible until you tripped over it. Unfortunately, Dan was able to make it even closer (quite close, apparently), but he missed the putt, so that score did not contribute to our tally of birdies today. On the 18th, Porks usually registers for the video replay, but, today, he didn’t. His shot headed straight for the pin, and he actually hoped that it wouldn’t go in. And it didn’t, but, at just 0.47m past and in line, he easily knocked off Adam for the ball, and should be a fair chance for the inside ProPin as well. Our ProPin was on the 7th, and the win by Brendon at 4.58m was slightly controversial, as there was a failure to put out the marker as a guide to the following groups. No birdie there, so that left our total for the day at four.
Porks lashed out and bought himself a brand-new driver, all specially fitted, just for him. On the first, he was lucky to get past the red markers by dint of the ball making it onto the path and getting a good bounce. Prez was not so lucky on the 11th, but he claimed that it was because he wanted to welcome Nalin with a shout. Marc had a variable day with his driver. He absolutely smashed one, a measured 270m, on the 13th, but failed to make the red markers on the 17th. CJ whacked one ‘too straight’ from the 17th into the rough stuff along the course boundary. Chopped it out of the rough, pitched onto the green, and sank a big putt for par, declaring – that is why I’m on single figures. Prez made a drive on the first that was a bit left in the direction of the tank. A search failed to find it. At the second tee, Dan had a need to find somewhere private, and headed up the steps to the bank of the tank. There on the path he found the missing ball.
Don’t forget, all members are welcome to register to play next week, and we need accurate numbers for catering for the barbecue lunch after the round. Traditionally, we wear a loud Hawaiian shirt as a nod to Stuart’s penchant for similar styles of dress. If your wardrobe does not extend that far, Op Shops such as Salvos or Savers can probably fit you out. Let’s see you all, for Stuart.
Results for Saturday, 08 Mar 2025
Leaderboard Round 1: 1st Stan Blackshaw (37) 1st Andrew Blight (37) 1st Harry Boughen (37) 1st Josh Hunt (37) 2nd Brendon Mitchell (35) 3rd Rodger Clarke (33) 3rd Andrew Vogan (33) 4th Steven Gervasoni (32) 4th Stephen O’Sullivan (32) 5th Craig Cameron (31)
Seniors Leaderboard: 1st Andrew Blight (37) 1st Harry Boughen (37) 1st Stan Blackshaw (37) 2nd Andrew Vogan (33) 2nd Rodger Clarke (33) 3rd Steven Gervasoni (32)
Nearest the Pin Results: ProPin – 7th Brendon Mitchell BallPin No 1 – 15th Dan Marie BallPin No 2 – 18th Ryan Porker
Eagle’s Nest Results: Eagle – 17th Stephen O’Sullivan