Dacey Adapts to Altered Oxley

A large field of sixteen arrived at Oxley for the conclusion of the Championships. This first game of the winter greeted the field with a chilly start but it did fine up into a pleasant winter’s day.

Oxley had begun their ambitious renovation program, with the ninth hole out of play, the seventh cut in half with a temporary tee near the gully, plus the eleventh cut in two with a temporary green serving as the tenth, and a temporary tee using the 11th green as a replacement par 3. All told the course had two par 5s reduced to par 4s, leaving 2 and 12 as the only par 5s remaining, so dropping the par to 70.

Only one player managed to beat that new par, that being our winner Phil Dacey with a 69. Runner up Mick van Bemmel got 72.

That’s two wins in a row for Phil, who’s obviously enjoying his golf at present. Adding to his joy was the present of some pink tees with a note for him left on the seventh tee by Eric Brunovs. Phil replied to Eric from considerable distance away with some digital feedback.

Pin shots went with president Dennis Hogan getting on three, Noel Gilby getting on five, Chris Young getting on the newly par-3’d eleven and Scott Porter getting on the long thirteenth. Longest drive was moved from the now-shortened seventh to the par 5 twelfth, with Tony Mraz winning that one.

Since that’s the last round of the championships, we have some winners! A grade was won by captain George Young with 262 strokes just pipping his dad Chris Young with 263, and Tony Mraz only one stroke back from that. B grade was also close, with Scott Porter’s 282 just getting ahead of secretary Mick van Bemmel’s 284.

That also wraps up the qualifying for the matchplay, with the seedings as follows.

A grade.

1. Chris Young
2. Phil Dacey
3. George Young
4. Tony Armbruster
5. Tony Mraz
6. Dennis Hogan

B grade.

1. Mick van Bemmel
2. Allan Gillam
3. Scott Porter
4. Noel Gilby
5. Ricky Ong
6. Eric Brunovs

Due to a quirk in the calendar, the matchplay semi-final doesn’t occur until September 26 at Gailes. Typically 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3, but if any of the top four don’t make it to Gailes, the reserves will be called on.

Sooner than that is our next game in three week’s time on June 27 also at Gailes. Expect brisk winter weather for the 7am tee-off.

Dacey Winds Up At Windaroo

Perfect conditions greeted thirteen competitors for round three of the championships. A rare event where both president and treasurer were missing from the field. Solomons president Eric Brunovs acted in both roles for the day. The second hole was back to a not so temporary par three and the tenth was preferred lie (although not really needed).

Long and consistent driving helped Phil Dacey to score a 68 and claim the win. Phil demonstrated keeping the ball on the fairway yields good results. Tony Armbruster seems to be a serial runner-up with Sparks and Solomons. A good result of 71 not enough and unfortunately has to re-enter the workforce on Monday! Noel Gilby nailed his driver to claim nearest the pin on the not so temporary 2nd. Allan Gillam was nearest on the 5th and Scott Porter claimed the 7th. Trophy sponsor Dave Brain fluked the 11th and secretary Mick Van Bemmel claimed the 15th. Winner Phil Dacey pipped Tony Mraz for the longest drive and brought up interesting discussions about the fairway on 12. According to the Pro shop the gully dissecting the fairway is second cut and considered not part of the fairway, rendering both Tony and Phil’s ball (stopping in the gully) ineligible. Usually the Sparks utilise the 8th as the longest drive hole and Phil still took home a prize golf ball.

This was the fourth round of the putting competition and numbers suggested Windaroo played hard. The famous Snake Gully also caused a few to bemoan 9’s and 10’s. In considerable distress was the poor waitress in the clubhouse bar. Scott Porter sent an errant second shot on the 18th skittling through members on the deck and eventually to the hip of the young lady. Scott offered to buy a drink as an apology but refused as she was on her way home (hopefully not via the hospital).

Next game in two weeks is the fourth and final round of the championships, an opportunity for those already qualified to improve their total and those not qualified to hand in a third card. This will take place at Oxley on June 6 with a 7:00am tee time.