The Billabong Bar Golf Society
Monday, Dec. 9, Silky Oak – Stableford
Silky Oak was as silky as ever – the course is in great condition and playing long, even from the white tee blocks, with some water carries too long for some of the boys.
There were some ordinary scores today, which goes to show this place is no pushover even for low markers.
With three groups playing it was off to an early start in grand conditions. We only paid out first and second plus the one birdie ‘2’, which Owen got on the 14th hole. The winner today was Willim Lasonder with 34 points while second went to Mick Thomas with 32 on a count back over Owen Walkley. Must have been harder out there than I thought!
Wednesday, Dec. 11, Green Valley – Stableford
Playing our usual venue of Green Valley on Wednesday with great weather and conditions and the course was in great nick; apart from the greens that is which were so fast you only had to look at the ball and it moved. But some of the players were not put off by that and the scores were fantastic to say the least.
Winning scramble winners: Geoff Couch, Dave Done, Jeff North and Helmut Hebstriet
The winner today was the ever-consistent Wayne Cotterell with 41 points, one ahead of Paul Bourke in second, who in turn was one up on third placed Dennis Pelly. Noodle took fourth place on a count back over Bob Newell, both with 37 points each.
Green Valley must be getting easier for some of the better golfers but not for me!
There were four ‘2’s today, coming from Nuan Russell, Dennis Pelly, Paul Greenaway and Wayne Cotterell.
Friday, Dec. 13, Plutaluang – Scramble
Friday the 13th was our annual ‘Absent Friends Classic’, to remember our mates that haven’t made it this far down the line. With 15 teams competing we had a two-tee start playing the East and South layouts at Plutaluang Navy golf course.
This is a fun day out and drinking is compulsory so the Bloody Mary’s started at 6.45 a.m. at the bar and with Graham Beaumont being the mixer there was a little bit of choking, but it was a great start to the day.
We must make mention and give a large thank you to the sponsors for this event, the major sponsor being Pan Pacific Travel New Zealand and we thank their Vice President Greig Ritchie for the food and a big hug for Am North for doing burgers, chile con carne, and masamam chicken, and also Kim Payne for his cooking skills on the BBQ.
Jeff and Geoff with the start sheet for the ‘Absent Friends Classic’.
There were four Billabong golf bags with the inscription ‘Absent Friends Classic 2013’, kindly sponsored by Bill and Pai Trainer, Ron and Yow Gale, Graham Beaumont, and Phil and Dee Elliott. Darl White sponsored two clothing and shoe bags plus four umbrellas, Bill Marsden two clothing and shoe bags, Brian Chapman from the De Vere group four shirts, four caps and a dozen golf balls, Fenex four golf shirts, while the Russell family, Richard Steadman and The Billabong donated drinks, buns & Bloody Mary’s.
Milenko’s ashes got their normal outing, starting in Phil Elliott’s cart then he was transferred to Darl and Jim Whites cart, we had a few drinks for you mate. The official photographers for the day were Chris Marsden and Wayne Rogerson, while the official scorers’ job went to Brian Chapman and Robin Belcher and thank you guys for taking the day out to help us.
The scoring was fairly close for the first five teams. The consistent Courtyard Cavaliers consisting of Geoff Couch, Dave Done, Jeff North and Helmut Hebstriet came first with a score of 58.7, just edging out Graham Beaumont, Bill Marsden, Richard Steadman and Lamun Hanley with them having the same score but the Cavaliers coming home with seven birdies in the last nine holes. Third place went to Billabong Boys and Girls of Bob Philp, Phil Elliott, Noodle Russell and Usa with 59.7. I might add the girls were having such a good time when Phil dropped a very long putt I thought they were going to drag him to his knees.
This was one great day out with laughter all over the courses and after the golf it was back to The Billabong and into the drinks and food. Needless to say that a few people had to be driven home later!
