Seeing a Pattern Here…

The later start lured thirteen out of their winter beds to play at Windaroo Lakes. Also an attraction would be the prospect of winning some of the Captain’s money back after he’d taken a few prizes this year. Weather was fine and sunny, with the course dried out and returning to normality, as we set off to play the back-nine first.

Beating his handicap with a net 71 was the captain George Young, claiming the high moral ground, and his own committee trophy. That used to be a rare thing, except that he’s claimed his, three in a row now. He didn’t set the bar too high, offering his prize to anyone else able to merely beat their handicap, but the closest was Ricky Ong with his 75, who had to settle for runner up.

All the pin shots were won, a pleasant change from recent weeks. They went to Eric Brunovs on the 11th, our winner on 15, our runner up on 5 and Ian van der Hoeven on the 7th. The longest drive was placed on the 18th for some reason, and the captain won that one too, to further reduce the number of prize winners.

Next game is in two week’s time on July 31 at Wolston Park. That’s a 6:30 tee-off, so not the 8am sleep-in we enjoyed at Windaroo.

Carbrook Bests us All

Fine winter weather greeted the field for their return to Carbrook after a rain effected cancellation. Twelve arrived to the course to find that the rain of the last few days had left for a while. The sponsor chose a stableford/stroke hybrid, beginning on the 10th hole, so stableford on the shorter 10-18 meant par for this format is 18.

The course was still a little wet underfoot, but was a vast improvement from even one day earlier, as attested by our host. Everyone still found it hard going, since no-one was able to beat their handicaps. Best score on the day was sponsor and host Phil Dacey getting a 21, but by prior arrangement he handed his prize along to the next best score. Claiming the win with 22 was Allan Gillam, just edging out Gavin Muir’s 23 which got runner up.

Keeping in the theme, only one pin shot was claimed being on 14, that went to captain George Young. Not content with that, George also bagged the longest drive on the hole just prior. Plenty of prizes left for the rest of the field, yet the 14th was got on at least twice.

Next game is in two weeks on July 17, but has had a change of time and venue. It’s been moved to Windaroo Lakes, with an 8am tee-off – plenty of time if you accidentally find yourself at Nudgee.

With the championship rounds finished, the captain has sent me the results

Winning A grade with 257 was captain George Young, with runner up on 267 being Tony Mraz. B grade was won by treasurer Steve Friedrichs with 299 just ahead of Allan Gillam on 300.

Also available are the matchplay seedings, with the qualification order as follows:

A Grade

1. George Young
2. Mick van Bemmel
3. Tony Armbruster
4. Tony Mraz
5. Dennis Hogan

B Grade

1. Allan Gillam
2. Steve Friedrichs
3. Noel Gilby
4. Ricky Ong
5. Eric Brunovs

Typically 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3, but if anyone doesn’t arrive at Carbrook on September 25, the reserves may be needed.

Captain First, Daylight Second

Back to the published schedule had ten of us arrive at Gailes to a fine winter morning. The quite civilised 7am tee-off provided ample daylight and good seeing conditions for all. Unable to find a Dave, Mick sponsored a single stroke/stableford hybrid where the longer stroke front nine made the par result a 19.

Consistent with recent form, our captain George Young did considerably better than that, scoring a 14 for the win. A long way back from him – indeed the other side of 19 – was our runner up on 21, being the secretary and sponsor Mick van Bemmel. The remaining field ended up being closer to a placing than they’d have thought.

Minor prizes were pin shots on 3 going to Gavin Muir, 6 going to our winner, 12 going to the runner-up with the second-shot approach on 17 going unclaimed. Wrapping up the prizes, was our winner again, claiming the longest drive on 10. With all the prizes going to just three people, the other seven got nothing.

Next game is in two week’s time on July 3. That’s a 6:54 tee-off at Carbrook so hopefully the rain forecast for that weekend won’t be too much.

The game two weeks after that was scheduled to be at Nudgee, but the secretary has moved that to Windaroo Lakes. He’s booked a 8:00 tee-time, so plenty of time to get there from Nudgee, if need be.