Golf from the Billabong Bar
Monday, Nov. 7, Phoenix Gold – Stableford
Do you understand the idiosyncrasies of golf? How can a golfer record 4 shots with just the one swing? Watch this space.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the rainy season had come to an end with no rain for more than one week, but when we returned to the clubhouse at the completion of our round the siren went for golfers to take shelter and it was not long before the storm descended, unloading torrential rain all around.
Brian Maddox with 21 points on the back nine challenged for third sport today with 34 points but lost out to the just returned Glyn Davies with a respectable 36 points. Francis Goyons went 1 point better for second place while Julie Battersby, on the eve of her return to New Zealand, said goodbye to Phoenix by demolishing the Lakes with 7 pars for 25 points followed by 19 points on Ocean and won the day with 44 points.
Unusually there were two 2s, going to Chris Dodd and Lloyd Shuttleworth.
Back to the day’s brain-teaser: one of our senior members, who will endeavor to remain nameless, found himself in a bunker in front of the green. In his effort to extract the ball from the bunker he hit it twice only to find the ball went to the left to, unerringly, hit his golf trolley for a two shot penalty. He did not record many points on that hole.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, Green Valley – Stableford
Apart from being very wet underfoot – not totally unexpected following 4 days of heavy rain – the course was in good condition but the management, or the greens staff, seem reluctant to move the pins from one week to another. It is not necessary to see what colour flag is being displayed because they are the same every week. There are large areas of each green which are unexplored by those playing on Wednesdays.
Another well supported day with 40 players turning up and, despite the course playing its full length, the overall scores were very good. Richard ‘3 beers for breakfast’ Steadman occupied 4th with 36 points and Brett Gale fell one point short of Murray Hart on 37 points and had to settle for third. Murray had a double bogey on the last to miss out to Lloyd Shuttleworth who had the better of the count back with 20 points on the back nine to Murray’s 19.
Miss Noodle had 36 points but the steady Miss Sa had a better back nine, both with 36 points. Miss Som had 3 blobs (wipes) in a remarkable 37 points falling short to Julie Battersby, in a rich vein of form at the moment, on 41 points to win the day in the ladies flight.
There were four 2s today, going to George Barrie, Jeff North, Keith Allen and Peter Henderson.
Friday, Nov. 11, Crystal Bay – Stableford
On a perfect day for golf we set off for Crystal Bay, and not having played here for a long time we were pleasantly surprised at the condition of the course which was in splendid condition.
With 5 groups playing we got away right on time and were finished about 4 hours 10 minutes later. There was some scattered cloud but no rain in sight and none threatened, maybe the rainy season is finally over.
The course was the winner today with only one golfer bettering his handicap. It was a three-way count back on 32 points for third place with Lloyd Shuttleworth taking fourth place and Rick Culley one step above him. Second place went to Gerard Lambert with 34 points and Gary Ritchie took top spot with 37.
There were two 2s, coming from Don Walding and George Barrie who missed a hole in one by a mere 4 inches.
