PERRY LAKES CUP (not)

Is golf in the rain worth it?

The advice is that playing in the wind and rain is a challenge to any golfer, and it's unlikely you'll break any personal bests on a bad day. If you're struggling, it's likely anyone else braving the course is too. So, enjoy the challenge and keep a positive attitude, and you can have a good day even on a bad one!

March 28th was scheduled for the Perry Lakes Cup and our Opening Day, but was scratched when the BOM predicted that Cyclone Narelle would be tearing through the metropolitan area.

Goochy tees off on opening day, 2023

Only six golfers had put their names down to play.

Given that 63mm of rain had been dumped on the city in the preceding 24 hrs, it wasn’t a bad call, except that the weather gods had other ideas. Saturday dawned overcast, but not threateningly so, and as Shelley and Roland entered the pro shop to negotiate the return of green fees for the cancellled game, the Stirling Club were just warming up on the first tee.

They had a decent day of golf, with just the odd sprinkle.

Another time, another place

The moral? Well, there isn’t one really, except that sometimes you can get it wrong.

When Santa played at SOS

The Perry Lakes Cup will be rescheduled soon. This trophy was donated some years ago by ex-member Lorenzo, nicknamed “The Italian Stallion” by the girls, and "The Roman Bogan” by the boys. Lorenzo eventually went on to build a par 3 course in his own garden in Italy - that's the sort of commitment we used to get from SOS members. 

Back in the old days

 Interestingly, a 2008 Swedish study that showed golfers have significantly lower mortality rates than do people in the general population. Lower mortality rates mean there is a lesser probability of dying in a given year. The study covered 666,750 persons who belonged to the Swedish Golf Federation and were born after 1920.

In fact playing golf can extend your life, with studies suggesting golfers live an average of five years longer than non-golfers, representing a 40% lower mortality rate. This longevity boost is attributed to moderate-intensity aerobic activity, mental stimulation, and social interaction, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

An 18-hole course is a serious stroll, so those who walk get the most benefit. An October, 2016 study from a University of Edinburgh team, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that you might walk four to eight miles–or between 11,000 and nearly 17,000 steps during a game.

That’s better than the 10,000-step goal you’ll see as standard on a Fitbit. If you’re already fit, golf won’t count as an aerobic exercise. But if you’ve been spending too much time on the couch, golf is a good way to start moving. You’ll be walking up and down hills, and on sand or pebbly uneven surfaces that will challenge your balance.

However, studies have also shown that playing tennis regularly can add nearly 10 years to one's life, surpassing other sports and activities in terms of health benefits, including badminton, soccer, cycling, swimming, and jogging.

The girls crush it at Mandurah, 2017 

So, no novelties for today, nor birdies, nor trophy presentations. According to Google, a day without golf is often viewed by enthusiasts as a wasted opportunity or a forced break from a beloved, albeit frustrating, "jealous mistress". It can lead to rusty skills, as even a few days off can ruin consistency, yet it provides a necessary break from the mental strain of chasing a better score.

Mental strain? Pick up a couple of favourite clubs and head off to the driving range - you’ll soon feel better.

Next week, it’s the Easter Cup at 8:36, Stableford on the Tuart (weather permitting!)

But take care:-

Stableford on Old Course + AGM

A perfect late summer day greeted 22 players to the Old Course for a stableford competition.

Then, on to Perry Lakes for the SOS Annual General Meeting and competition results!

The forecast temperature did not eventuate and a cooling breeze resulted in a very pleasant experience under blue skies, particularly if you used a cart!

Always leave a 'tap-in' until you have a good stance!

Colin's ball went left off the 4th tee and dropped into the centre of a
 massive fallen branch reqiring both Peter and Colin to move the tree

Annual General Meeting

The SOS 2026 annual general meeting was chaired most adeptly by Derek Longhurst who kept the business moving along at a good pace whilst allowing members to debate the various motions before calling for a vote.

President, Gerry Tessier's report was well received, the focus being on membership, finances and the work of the committee.

Chairman Derek in action! 

All motions contained in the notice of meeting were carried, including motion 5 with a minor amendment. 

Discussion on the motions

Gerry puts the case for Shelley's Honour Status

New Honour Member

The President put a proposal to the meeting that Shelley Yeo be made an Honor Member of the SOS Golf Group.  Members present unanimousley approved the appointment acknowledging Shelley's long term membership and significant contributions to the administration of the club.

New Committee Appointed

The President advised the meeting that nominations for the 2026/2027 committee had been received for each committee position. The new committee for 2026/2027 comprises:

President                            Gerry Tessier

Captain                               Roland Petrie

Vice-Captain                       Paul Gardner

Treasurer                            Peter Baird

Booking Officer                  Shelley Yeo

Communications Officer    Derek Longhurst

Social Organiser                Frances Longhurst

Roland thanks Chair for appointment as Captain
while Shelley records the minutes of the meeting!

Competition Results

Newly apppointed Captain, Roland Petrie, advised that he had won the competition with a score of 40 points!  But only on a count-back from Dave Millar, also on 40 points.

Earle Scarff is to be congratulated for coming 3rd, only 1 point back on 39.

Then a bit of a gap to 35 points, then all the way down to 23.  Over half the players scored in the 20's with Gerry winning the bag of lollies !

The Podium

Earle 3rd with Roland 1st
Dave Millar absent

Eagles & Birdies

There were no Eagles and only two Birdies.

Congratulations to:

Derek - hole 6

Roland - hole 10

Definition of a Captain*

"The referee, therapist and part time

 comedian for 45 golfers with fragile handicaps".

Novelties

Hole 1    Mens longest drive -   Derek beaten by Boris

Hole 9    NTP in 2   -   Don bettered by Paul G

Hole 11  Womens longest drive  -  Lynley

Hole 14  Closest to bunker  -  Shelley, Lynne, Coops but Wayne B was closest

Hole 7    Closest to 150 marker - see picture of card below (was it Roland?)

Captain's Words of Wisdom*

"If you can't fix your slice, at least learn to enjoy the scenery on the next fairway".

"If your ball goes missing, don't panic. It's probably hiding from you!"

Next Week 

Opening Day -  Perry Lakes Cup

A stableford competition on the Tuart Course commencing at 9.00am.

There will be two Golden Holes in play - the #1 pot will be worth $150 (hole 3) and the #2 will be approximatelty $50 (hole 18).

*  courtesy of Roland

Irish Stableford

 Irish Stableford.

A consequence of being (nearly) St Patrick’s Day.

Who is generally credited with driving the snakes out of Ireland.

Unlike many such legendary figures, it seems he did actually exist.

He wasn’t however, Irish.

Living in Roman Britain, he had been captured by pirates as a fourteen year-old, and taken to Ireland as a slave.

Here he somehow became the patron saint of drinking Guiness and other nonsense, traditionally celebrated on March 17^th each year.

Not to be outdone, we celebrated by playing Irish Stableford, which is supposed to be played in groups of four.

Unable to establish such groupings, our SOS brains trust (Gerry, Shelley and Andrea) devised a complex algorithm that permitted groups of three to compete fairly with groups of four.

In best SOS tradition, each group devised a suitably silly name for themselves.

Thus Wayne, Keith and Dave Millar became the Shamrocks

Roland, Earle and Andrea the Tree Fellas

Lynne, Lynley and Frances the Molly Malones

Paul, Gerry, Greg and Colin the Green Machine, and

Steph, Derek, Shelley and Kerry the Shenanigans.

While it was a team event, individual Stableford scores were recorded.

However, no individual prizes, nor lollies for the 'unluckiest golfer'. 

And there were, of course, the usual novelties.

#3, the ladies’ longest drive was captured by Andrea.

#7, closest to the 100m had Dave on the card, but Roland got closer.

#9, nearest in 2, had Wayne and Keith competitive, but Dave did better.

#14, closest to the bunker, was picked up by Gerry, and

#17, the men’s longest drive, went to Earle.

Shelley completes the picture with socks featuring Irish Elk

BIrdies were thin on the ground

Andrea and Dave, both on #2.

Probably why coaching isn't permitted during the round

There was a special prize for the most Irish turnout, which was won by Lynne and Lynley.

With a ‘Highly Commended’ for Roland, who had even gone to the extent of having his underwear all in the green.

Roland proves his point

Keith kept pretty quiet about his birthday - belated Happy Birthday wishes for today, Keith.

We toasted Andrea, on her last day as SOS Captain. She’s done a great job for several years, and is now planning, in future, to just enjoy her golf. We look forward to playing alongside her for many years to come.

Andrea on the way to a wipe on the 5th

And Peter spent the day at the hospital having his other eye fixed, which means that in future he’ll be a very popular golf partner, as you’ll never have to worry about seeing where your ball went. His new nickname is now ‘The Eagle’!

So, who won?

Both with a 73, certainly not the Shenanigans nor the Shamrocks. 

One better, with a 74, the Tree Fellas failed to make the podium.

A 77 wasn't enough for the Green Machine, so, with a magnificent 81, 

A triumph for the Molly Malones, Lynne, Lynley and Frances. 

Next week, it’s Stableford, followed by the AGM at Perry Lakes. Go straight there after the game, where there’ll be food and drinks.

Entertainment will be provided by Gerry (President’s Report) and Peter (Treasurer’s Report), with compere duties by Derek, and stand-up contributions from members. As usual, the kookaburras will be providing audience feedback.

Don’t miss it.

WHITE LINE FEVER

 

White Line Fever.

Stableford, but played off the white tees.

Well, we can’t say we weren’t warned.

The forecast had suggested it was going to be a trifle warm.

The new SOS Summer uniform

Yesterday, the temperature reached 40.1°C - although the BOM indicated rather reassuringly that this only felt like 38.1°C, so that’s a relief.

Only ten members braved the heat, and of those, all but two were carting.

The intrepid walkers? Andrea and Roland.

Andrea celebrated her birthday. Congratulations, Captain.

The white tees helped get a bit closer for those birdies:

Popey on the 18^th

Dave on the 6^th

Roland on the 6^th and 18^th

Keith on the 17^th

Brett on the 15^th, 16^th and 18^th, and

Shelley on the 12^th.

That's as close as you can get to a hole in one!
We share your pain.

So, the results:

Well done, Popey and Dave. A reasonable spread, and the heat doesn’t seem to have affected the scores too much - probably a very good day to choose the white tees.

Oh, he wasn't that bad!

Andrea outdrives Popey on the first.

Next week, it’s Irish Stableford on the Old Course. There’s been a bit of a tradition at SOS of making this a rather special day.

 

Only 14 years ago? Feels like yesterday!

See you there.