The Week That Was...............

I think it fair to say that there was a general level of support for the one time shotgun start as we had 148 put down their names to play. This is in excess of the numbers we would usually schedule for a shotgun but given the weather conditions we were unable to ascertain how a field of this size actually moved. We anticipate trialing the proposal again in July. The concept of having an entry fee to cover the food afterwards and sausages at the Pagoda also warrants further consideration (for big fields) given its success on Saturday and will probably be repeated.

Despite the weather and significant cancellations a field of approximately 90 hit off in the strong wet southerly that drenched everyone for the first nine holes. The competition was stableford three grades and some good golf was played in all grades. Senior winner was Brad Clark on 38 points from Andrew Gillespie and Warren Jones. Frank Garthwaite led the Intermediates home with 39 from Lawrence Wong and David Barley on 38. The score of 37 by Peter Davey was good enough in the Juniors from Cran Bull and Barry O'Neill both on 36.

As we were all playing together we believed it appropriate to recognise the efforts of the Women in the field so prizes were awarded to Janet Osborn who came home in first from Claire Ronan with Leigh Hooper in third. It was interesting to note a number of wives played out the full 18 while the husbands took the easy option of opting out as they went past the Clubhouse (enough said!!).

The Two's pool reached a value of $175 and there were 11 winners each receiving $15.90. There may yet be some alteration as Ben Frampton pulled out after 6 holes having secured a 2 on the third hole - this was the subject of much heated debate around the fireplace on Saturday afternoon. The 2x2 jackpot was not struck and $135 carries forward. Nearest the pin for 2 on 2 sponsored by Linden Leaves was won by Ken Fergus while Lawerence Wong won the Benjarong Thai Cuisine sponsored prize for closest to the pin on 18 for 2. Closest to the pin prizes were each worth $40 and payable to Garry Ulwin on 3 & David Youn on 11. Nett eagles had a new opening pool of $60 and after a late inquiry it was to be shared by David Barley & Grant Osborn for the 4th.

In addition to the match of the day there were a number of matchplay events booked in so despite the weather there were a number of groups who were committed to trudging around. In a Denniston Cup match Dermot Martin was drawn against Paul Dunn, with Paul having to give 19 shots. In a match that went to the 21st Dermot was finally successful but it was a titanic struggle especially given the early conditions.

In the Top Dog draw 3 games were contested with a Sunday game also played - the father and son combination of of Michael and David Kerr held off the well performed duo of Chris Brockett and Rod O'Brien, the dark horses of the competition Dennis Maguire and Mark Bond ground out a win against Rob Campbell and Andrew Fergus, while Paul Needs and Ross Campbell ended the hopes of the Kotzikas brothers. At the front of the field my partner, Dean Palmer, and I were successful over Ray Vivian and Keith Love who both played significantly better when the rains stopped. Effectively with nearly all 3rd round matches finished we move in a 1/4 final stage where once again there will be some interesting match ups!