Coup d'etat in Metro.....??

As you are all aware team selection for Sunday was delayed until the field for the Wood Trowel had been finalized so there was an air of expectation as to who would front up on Sunday.

It quickly became apparent that the Team would have a new leader in that myself as Team Advisor, Steve Ellis as Assistant Team Advisor & Ben Frampton as Acting Interim Team Advisor were all unavailable. The Selection Committee met albeit briefly with glasses in hand just after 5.00pm to confirm the final composition – to the gang of 4 were added Glenn Bongartz, Dennis Maguire, Marcus Annan & David Blair. The math added to 80.5 so we were in with a good chance as to handicaps. After 30 years with the Club with no level of responsibility whatsoever it was determined that Mr. JD (aka John Dickson) would receive the hitherto poisoned chalice associated with Metro leadership as Temporary Deputy Assistant Team Advisor.

While it could hardly be said that JD grasped the cup eagerly with both hands he evinced a desire to “back up the truck” and put his best foot forward before he would “Walk Away!!”. The first task of the home Metro leader is to introduce the teams to one another. As we were playing Rawhiti the opposition had a distinct Polynesian flavour and being the master of tact JD sidestepped any pronunciation problems by using first names – forgetting we had 2 Dennis’s – once we sorted that out the next problem arose with “Kolio” having got to “K” several times JD took the easy course of saying “Well you know who you are and you’re playing the other Dennis!!”.

Having watched the teams tee-off I retired to the clubhouse for coffee and relaxation watching the PGA Tour in preparation for the battles of the afternoon. Paul Needs arrived mid morning and undertook to head out and bring back a progress report prior to my tee off time. I departed the first tee to the news that we were ahead in three and behind in five of the matches – not much of a confidence booster!! Reports then ceased and it wasn’t until I reached the 14th green that Ray Vivian was able to inform me of the final outcome.

In our bottom pairing our usual 8, Cran Bull, was playing with David Blair who despite not qualifying for the Wood Trowel and having previously failed to win any Metro Match oozed confidence and excitement. Both players had evenly matched opponents in the handicap stakes so all boded well. Cran once again proved himself to be a stumbling block to the opposition with a hard fought half but unfortunately David’s lack of success at the Metro level continued with a 5/4 loss and the imposition of the maximum allowable fine.

Early indications pointed towards a good day for the kitty as Marcus Annan appeared attired in “off white” trousers – fortunately for him before tee off he changed into what could loosely be termed black trousers. Marcus had drawn to play that inimitable character known throughout Christchurch as “Grub”. Grub is the Räwhiti team leader and generally so long as he hasn’t had a hard Saturday night can provide stiff opposition. Clearly it was not one of Grub’s better days as he succumbed to Marcus 7/6 – the biggest winning margin of our Metro team this year and equaling the Barry O’Neil feat against Coringa in 2005 (Barry was away at Coringa)*!! Dennis Doherty took a slightly more conservative approach but secured a two up win. (My win was rather fortunate & certainly adventurous - as I was 5 down after 6 - & I won the 18th with a par after breaking a clubhouse window with my 2nd shot. Fortunately the ball somehow bounced off the window onto the brick work & into the 1st bunker on the left hand side of the green. From which I managed to have a sandie save. Comment subsequently received from Dennis. Ed)

Mr. JD bearing the burden of leadership bravely moved to attack from the front but in the end settled for a half. Making a guest appearance (having retired after Templeton) Dennis Maguire, in his lowest ever start position for Metro - 3, increased his winning percentage by securing a 2/1 victory. There is still life in the “old dog’!! There is no truth to the rumour that a protest has been lodged because he and JD played in a cart. With 4 in the hutch so to speak there was significant interest in the final match.

Steve Savill having had his slope index cut to 6.5 was relieved at the inclusion of Glenn so at least he did not have to play number one. Savill as is sometimes his wont did however draw the short straw in playing a much younger man. In the end his experience and guile could not prevent a 4/3 loss. As the news filtered back it became apparent that we needed a half from Bong at 1 to secure a much needed victory. Glenn had stepped up to the mark again given our reduced numbers and had drawn Nathan Andrews – who some will know played for us in Blank Cup in 2007. Nathan is a power player and possibly one of the biggest hitters ever to walk the Shirley fairways – well past the bunker on 12 & a PW in! Glenn is however a canny match player and knows that finesse around the greens is a recipe for success. Having finally slipped to a one up lead Glenn held his nerve up 18 to secure a much needed win for himself and the team.

So after a run of 4 losses a scratch combination, picked at the 11th hour has triumphed and righted the ship so to speak to move us onto a more positive path. We now have two matches to go - Coringa at home and Russley away. While winning the competition is now not probably an option we do have the power to influence the competition outcome and move into the top half of the finishers. Our next game is against Coringa Sunday 10 May @ Shirley 8.30 for 9.00.

A bit like the democratically elected leadership of Fiji the future of the Metro management team is uncertain but things may clarify as selections are made over the next wee while. In the interim good golfing.

* The biggest Metro victory ever recorded by a Christchurch player was 8/6 against Russley at Christchurch on the 15 May 2005; I was dropped for the following week!!