Golf from The Billabong Bar
Monday, Nov. 21, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
Last week we were lucky to narrowly missed the rain but this day it decided to exact some revenge and did so without mercy, fortunately for just 2 or 3 holes but enough to force us to return to the clubhouse like drowned rats.
In case you were not aware, Australia beat New Zealand in the rugby league final recently so full of inspiration Wayne Cotterell and John Player threw down the gauntlet to challenge Kiwis Bob Philp and Lloyd Shuttleworth to a better ball match. Cottee mentioned that he was undefeated against the Kiwis but on his way round the course he made every effort to re-design the bunkers, which did not help the Australian cause and they came crashing down with a defeat by 3 holes.
The greens on the Lakes were very slow but that all changed on the Ocean which must have been a yard faster and took a hole or so to get used to.
Five players came in with 33 points, with the count back placing Lloyd Shuttleworth in second, John Player third and Capt. Bob in fourth. They say that a week is a long time in politics, well that certainly applies to golf also and on this occasion to Peter Bird who talked about giving the game up last week due to his frustrations out on the course but made a rare visit today to the No. 1 spot with an even par 36 points.
There was only one 2 today and that went to Lloyd.
Wednesday, Nov. 23, Green Valley – Stableford
We were welcomed by some dark, overcast skies this morning and around the 9th green we were treated to what sounded like extracts from Beethoven’s 5th symphony in stereo, with lightning by Technicolor and a threat of water world. Fortunately we did not have to take shelter for the weather took pity on us but it was obvious someone somewhere was having very bad day.
The Billabong ladies were playing in the Green Valley members’ competition but Da decided to take on the men and made a valiant effort on the front nine with 23 points, however the wheels fell off thereafter and she finished with 32 in total including 6 holes where she did not register a point.
Keith Allen, in a rich vein of form at the moment, had a similar experience with 24 points on the front nine but just 15 on the inward half for 39 in total, which was sufficient to leave everyone else trailing in his wake.
Murray Hart, only 2 points after 3 holes came back well to have the better of a count back over Roger Emery for second place, both with 38 points. The ever-present Lloyd Shuttleworth was the best of the rest in fourth with 35 points.
As an indication that the greens are returning to normal, there were five 2’s coming from Da, Keith Allen, Murray Hart, John Fitzgerald and Mitch Black.
Friday, Nov. 25, Plutaluang – 4M-Scramble
The monthly scramble today with 12 teams playing and we got away a little early in cloudy conditions but with no threat of rain. The course was in great condition with the dams absolutely filled to the top.
As with every scramble, it all comes down to the flat stick and if the putts fall you win – it’s as simple as that. Coming in third place was the team of Keith Allen, Jim Payne, Stewart and Steve with a net score of 60.6, while second spot was taken by the Billabong team consisting of Paul Greenaway, Bill Marsden, Greg Ritchie and Bob Philp with a net score of 60.2. Occupying the top of the podium and winning by a country mile was the quartet of John Player, Wayne Cotterell, his lovely wife Eng Cotterell and New Zealander Graham Ball with a score of 54.7, just 1 point from setting a new record. Included in their round was a 50-foot putt for eagle by John Player which was accompanied by shouts of joy that could be heard across the course.
