• We have 6 groups and 4 carts reserved with a 09:06 start time

• We currently require 5 groups (for 20 players) and 4 carts

• In the carts are: JoeB/Wilbur, Tony/JoeK, Clapper/Fintan and Ged/?

• There are 4 playing spots currently available

• One Pairs match this week: Tony/JoeK v Dom/Lindsay

• It is the Winter Mug match quarter finals

• We are playing Stroke for Club trophies

• The Mug holder for June is Maurice (not playing)

Group and cart requirements need to be finalised by Wednesday evening.

I will confirm group and cart numbers with the course on Thursday morning.

A marvelous outcome to a tumultuous week, with OJ pulling Hamersley out of the fire for us. Well done OJ. On a fine winters day, we had 19 starters for the stroke comp and first round of Winter Mug.

ON COURSE:

·         Hamersley set up a clock at the first tee, and a clock at the 10th tee. A genius initiative, which ensured that there was no slow play at any stage of the afternoon.

·         Ged was first Dag to tee off yesterday at 11:45 (I know this ‘cause I looked at the clock). But the other 2 in the first group Steve & Tampo didn’t tee off till 11:55 – how is this so, it sounds like slow play? It’s because Ged jumped the gun, and so Tampo & Steve had to stand back while the correct group of randoms teed off, & played on. Be patient Ged.

·         Joe B was knighted Hughes Rellies custodian last week, a task he is very well suited for. So how did it go? Well Joe forgot the flask didn’t he. FAIL! When pressed (by someone who really needs a drink early) Joe rustled through his golf bag, and came up with a flask he remembered he had there – an EMPTY flask. Geez. Can the former HR custodian (who did a wonderful job) please call Joe this week, and step him through the basics?

·         Dom was in a match against Joe B. On the way to the course in Wilbur’s car Dom said “When I saw we were playing Hamersley, I was glad cause it’s long”. This slight against Joe B’s ability did not go unnoticed, with both Joe’s eyebrows raising and lowering out of sync. On course, Dom was 5 down after 6 holes, a blazing start by Joe B, fueled no doubt by the earlier insult. And on the only hole where Joe didn’t get a shot on Dom, the index 18 P3 5th, Joe used his driver to get on the green 117m away. He then sunk a 15 footer for birdy hitler! – cop that Mr Smartypants. Talk about counting your chickens before they have hatched. Dom was soundly beaten, and dumped out of the Winter Mug.

·         Bruce in his match against Aussie was 4 foot from the pin on the P3 5th, after a magnificent tee shot. He thought he had Aussie covered who was over near the 6th tee, 20m from the pin, & without a shot advantage on that hole. Aussie chipped his ball into the mound at the left of the green, it rolled up and stopped on top. NO IT DIDN’T, it found a second life with it’s last gasp, and staggered onto the green surface and started down the slope. Then to Bruce’s horror it FOUND THE CUP! A magnificent hitler. Talk about counting your chickens before they have hatched. Bruce was so rattled he forgot to pencil his name as NTP on the 5th, and was soundly beaten in the match.

·         Lindsay 5 putted not one, but 2 holes on the front 9. The 5th putts were both rippers reportedly!

·         I stopped 130m out on the P5 14th, unclipped my bag and tipped all my clubs out on the ground, then shook said bag vigorously. The last group were puzzled – was this some weird rage at Muzza being on top in the match? No, I had dropped half the banana I was eating down the 7 iron bag hole, and it HAD to come out.

·         Andy in Group 2 on hole 14. He was 110m out, skulled his 9 iron into the 100m marker peg, and his ball Rick O’Shea’d backwards leaving his next shot from 160m out. He trudged back, to the bemused impatience of group 3 and lined up his shot. Meanwhile Lindsay had walked fwd 100m, trying no doubt to speed things up. Andy called Lindsay, but thinks he better get on with things (the clock again), and his next shot sliced straight at Lindsay. “Look out” - too late, with Lindsay struck in the leg from 100m away. Crikey. And Wilbur earlier had to dive to deck to avoid another errant Andy shot - it’s dangerous out there.

·         Tampo on the P5 6th played army golf, never on the fairway at any stage, and chips in from 15m for a fine par, & a zero putt – well played Tampo.

WINTER MUG MATCHES:

·         Rod beat Pig 2 up

·         Tampo rolled Ged 2 up

·         Muzz won against Pete 2 up

·         Aussie too good for Bruce 5&4

·         Baz ground down Joe K 4&3

·         Clive got home over Tony 2&1

·         Joe B gave Dom a comeuppance Dom 5&3

·         Wilbur winning over Lindsay 1 up

Winter Mug Rd 2 games on 13/6 are:

·         Rod V Tampo

·         Aussie V Muzza

·         Baz V Clive

·         Joe B V Wilbur

STROKE COMP:

Announcements were done by Ged, because he was the first to grab the microphone. Poor Bruce (Capt Bruce I’d like to point out) has not made the announcements for the last two times he has played, and he does a mighty job? A second instance of Ged jumping the gun yesterday. I have included a photo of Capt Bruce so you all know who he is.

Anyway Ged rolled on to “least putts is Muzza on 28”. Dom to his credit leapt to the defence of his tormentor, and told Ged that “Joe B had 26 putts, so how could this be” (loudly). Ged didn’t break stride, continuing his announcements with “and the winner of least putts B Grade is Joe B on 26”. A second instance of Dom speaking too soon yesterday.

Runner up on a net 73 was Joe B, a solid round. And winner was Tampo with a fabulous 2 under par net 70, taking his pick of Geds fine trophies, snagging the bottle of chicken wire wrapped Godet Cognac XO Fine Champagne – how posh is that?

A great day had by all.