Eric Leads the Handicap Damage

Fourteen people arrived at Nudgee for a quick trip around the South course, including the return of visitors Carl Sirianni and David Porter. Sponsor Blair George opted for the Stableford format, if only to increase the inevitable handicap damage that course inflicts.

With a short par of 69, the course was shrunk even more with a temporary tee on the 17th shortening it to a mere hundred metres, prompting a sixth pin shot prize to be offered there. That would subtract at least one from the normal course rating, putting it down to 65. There was pressure to drop the par on 17 to three befitting it’s distance, but the captain decided to leave it as the par-4 designated on the scorecard.

The most damage was incurred by Eric Brunovs and his 48 points, which was built by improving on a 21-point front-nine. While readying the red ink, the handicapper will also catch the runner-up George Young with his 43, plus whomever he beat on the countback.

Of the six pin shots on offer, the first one failed to go off, with the other five going to Tony Armbruster, Eric Brunovs, Allan Gillam, Ian van der Hoeven and Carl Sirianni. With Carl’s pin shot on 17 he drained the putt, which because it retained it’s par of four, was awarded an eagle! Longest drive was Tony Armbruster.

In two weeks time, we’re at Redland Bay for the Captain’s trophy, so if you’re in the putting contest, it’s also the seventh round of that.

First Group Leads the Field

Fifteen people including visitor George Young arrived at Nudgee South for the second time this year. In the absence of the scheduled sponsor, our President decided to conduct the President’s trophy event to kick off the year’s competitions.

The first group made really good time, and were in the clubhouse before 10am. In that group was the day’s eventual winner Tony Armbruster with a net 57. His handicap had blown out to 22, so that’s now been thoroughly fixed. He didn’t stay for the presentations, leaving only instructions that his card wasn’t to be handed in – oops!

Not leaving everything to the first group, Chris Young got runner-up with a 62. That’s a good round, for only his second game back with us after a long absence.

David Brain won a pin shot, with all the other prizes going to the first group.  That was two pin shots and the longest drive going to Ian van der Hoeven, with our winner also bagging the pin shot on the 10th hole. Filling out the first-group heroics was Scott Porter’s slap into the 18th green to take the last pin shot.

Next game is the Lew Llewellyn four-ball stableford. That’s being held at Windaroo Lakes, which is returning to our schedule after a long absence.

Dave Begins a Top Week

Sixteen folks arrived at Nudgee South in the dark, for a real taste of winter. Visitor Carl Sirianni and the rest played a stroke event at the choice of donor Blair George.

A glorious sunrise greeted the field, as the lead group made good time, to finish at 10:15.

Finishing best was Dave Brain, who’s 60 was quite far under even the course rating of 66, let alone the distant par of 69. Runner up was Ray Bugg with 63, further reinforcing why we avoided playing the championship round here.

Pin shots went to Tony Armbruster, sponsor Blair George, Scott Porter and Mick van Bemmel, with winner Dave Brain also bagging the longest drive. Tony Armbruster tried particularly hard for the longest drive, having two goes at it after his first rebounded off the power pylon!

Proving it was no fluke, Dave Brain also played with the Solomons at Redcliffe the following Tuesday, and in a plus-or-minus competition, beat a field of 23 by 4 with his +6. Both handicappers will be sure to enjoy chopping him for those efforts.

Next game is in two weeks at Redland bay, for what is now the third championship round.

Sudden-Death decides the Shield

Only nine folks arrived at Nudgee South for the later-starting second round of the Rocklea Shield. We compressed into just two groups, since Nudgee had to get us off before the early starters finished the 12th hole and needed to use the 1st hole again as their 13th. The field was greeted with a strong breeze coming off the airport, and any shots with some height were affected.

Winning the day, and the Ian van der Hoeven trophy was Allan Gillam with his 62 just edging out the runner-up on the countback. Only three pin shots went off, going to Ian van der Hoeven, Noel Gilby and Steve Friedrichs. Longest Drive also went to Ian van der Hoeven.

For the Rocklea Shield, both Ian van der Hoeven and Allan Gillam finished with 130, so a sudden-death playoff was needed. Both had put their gear back in their cars, so they were convinced to have a putt-off on the practice green. After three holes, Ian van der Hoeven sank a 20-footer to take the prize.

Next game sees us return after a long absence to St. Lucia for the Lew Llewellyn four-ball. Arrive on time to assist the captain with drawing the pairs.

New-Year Cheer, Kept by Chris

Most of us drove through light rain to arrive early at Nudgee for the first game of the year. With the overcast threatening to rain on our parade, Chris Young sponsored the first round the Rocklea Shield, a stroke event at the savagely-shortened South course. Thirteen people risked the dampness, including visitor Mario van Bemmel.

Yet, we all escaped dry – possibly because most of us got around in only 3.5 hours. The threatening conditions didn’t harm the scoring either, as the worst score was a 70. Winning and keeping his own prize, was Chris Young with a 60. Just behind that, was Eric Brunovs with 61.

Two pin shots went to both Matt Hogan and Ian van der Hoeven, with the other one going to Eric Brunovs. Longest Drive was won by Mike Brennan.

With a par of 69, the handicapper could savage the handicaps of most of the field, though I’d recommend he base it on the course rating of 66, since I came in just above that!

Next game is the second round of the Rocklea shield at the same venue in a fortnight’s time. Confirmed start time is 7:24, which was incorrect on this website for some time.

Ian Pokes his Head above the Crowd

Appreciative of the later starting time of eight o’clock, 18 people arrived at Redland Bay for the last round of the championships. Numbers were boosted by visitors Carl Sirianni and Chris Hogan, who both showed us how golf carts are meant to be used.

After the shocking results at the previous game, everyone was scared away from par, with the winning score of 71 by Ian van der Hoeven being the only one to break it. Second place had several folks on 72, with Dennis Hogan winning the count-back. Longest drive went to Allan Gillam.

Pin shots went to Eric Brunovs and Steven Friedrichs, with the other two going unclaimed. While the 13th is a long shot that often goes missing, the lack of results on the 4th is quite disappointing for such a large field!

The results of the championships can now be calculated, but they weren’t ready to be announced at Redland Bay. Seedings for the matchplay should also be available now that the championships rounds are concluded. Perhaps all this information will be available for our next game at Carbrook.

Nudgee back in the Fifties

Seventeen folks approached the shortened layout of Nudgee South, with numbers bolstered by visitors Peter and Trish Mylonas. The third championships round and the Blair George trophy provided ample incentive to perform on the day.

Last time we were at this venue, a 57 net took the prize – a feat we weren’t sure we would see repeated. Until this week, that is! Mike Brennan matched that feat with his own 57 to street the field and come nine strokes under the course rating. The round featured five birdies, and two pin-shots. Daylight came second…

Runner-up was Ray Bugg, also playing in the lead-group with a 63. Other pin-shots went to Troy van der Haar, Peter Mylonas and Noel Gilby (along the ground, I heard). Longest drive went to Ian van der Hoeven. The trophy donor also provided some golf balls for a daily putting prize, and after much angst, the winner was determined to be Troy van der Haar with 26.

The handicapper will splash around the red ink ahead of our next game, the last championship round at Redland bay with the late start-time of 8am. We’ll all be needing lunch after that at the fine kitchen they have there, with the vouchered drinks to wash it down.

Noel Surges in the Wet

A light but persistent rain greeted the field of eleven for the final round of the Rocklea Shield back at Nudgee South again. The clever golfers were safely in carts during the heaviest bits, allowing them to keep their powder dry.

Certainly with dry powder was Noel Gilby, as he exploded across the layout at the back of the field. His 88 gross left him with a net of only 57 after removing his ample handicap to take out the Will Williams trophy. Troy van der Haar got a good look at the layout last week, and obviously remembered the important bits, bringing in a net 60 for runner-up.

Dick Spelman returned to golf after a short absence, taking out three of the pin shots, leaving only leftovers for Ian van der Hoeven and Mick van Bemmel. The longest drive going to Troy van der Haar must have been impressive to overhaul Will William’s earlier attempt.

The Rocklea shield is won by stringing two good rounds together in a row, and without placing in either of the two rounds, Dennis Hogan takes it with his pair of 62’s.

Once again Nudgee South was playing easy, with many in the field beating even it’s course rating of 66. Reality will set-in next game, as we play at Keperra.

Happy New Year for Will

The new year sees eleven of us trying out the adjusted layout of Nudgee South, featuring four holes being played twice, and some others modified. The changed layout would have given grief to those that rely too much on their GPS databases! Certainly, the general impression is of a shorter course with some of it’s teeth removed, albeit in great condition due to the recent rains.

And it showed. Nine of the field played below their handicaps, though none more than Will Williams, who’s 60 net was nine below the new par of 69. Runner up at 62 was Steve Friedrichs on a countback with most of the field within shouting distance.

Pin shots went to Tony Armbruster, Steve Friedrichs, Ian van der Hoeven and Mick van Bemmel twice. The longest drive was on the same hole as usual, though it’s now numbered 11th, going to Tony Arbruster.

This is the first round of the Rocklea Shield, with the conclusion at the same venue next week. The bar has certainly been set high, but I can appeal to the handicapper to consider the course rating to be significantly below it’s par, to try and limit the bloodletting.