THE WINTER CUP - ROUND 1

 The first round of the 43rd playing of The Winter Cup this year was on The Old course with a very respectable tee time of 10.12 allowing for breakfast to be taken at a civilized hour without fear of indigestion. 

Some concerns were raised however concerning a late tee off and its implication in finding a parking place in what has become a major issue at Wembley and a legacy of having such a great facility. However, the Armageddon like weather forecast put paid too that, and there were no parking issues. 

The anticipated foul weather did however see a greatly reduced field of just 15 registering to play, regardless of what the weather gods may throw at them. Things looked ominous just prior to tee off with a heavy shower causing a group huddle under the awning outside the Pro Shop. By the time the first group prepared to tee off the rain had stopped and miraculously stayed away for the entire round, reinforcing that there is a golf God.

Should Wembley invest in one of these?

Despite the small field some of the game's best were there. The notables being last year's champion, Vickie Scarff, the 1988 champion Colin Kerr, 2009 champion Earle Scarff, 2013 & 2015 champion Garry Burgess and the 2023 champion Tony Gooch.

Your blogger failed to take any pre-game photos and offers apologies for this oversight. Likewise, there were apparently no Spots of Bovver to reports either. There was however a work in progress happening on the 17th fairway where Vickie has commenced construction of what appears to be a new bunker. 

Vickie looking a little disheartened with her handiwork on the 17th fairway - from small things big things grow.

Two of Vickie's playing partners suggested she should have "dialed before she dug". "Vickie's Crater" was substantial, but when compared to some of the maestro's, that bunker is going to take a some time for her to complete. We'll check in on progress when we next play The Old.

We've all seen the sign on the pathway leading from the 13th green to the 14th tee on the Tuart. The photo of Greg following, catching his breath before teeing off on the 15th, suggests a similar sign needs to be placed on the pathway leading to the 15th on The Old. 

Phew!!!!

 There was no trouble finding somewhere to sit at the post-match presentations

 

THE RUNDOWN

In summary Earle had a day he'd rather forget, the ladies had a day out and took off first and third place with Faye backing up her great play of the previous week, and our 1988 past champion made his presence felt with a very impressive par round following a back massage the previous day.

First & Second place getters

THE NOVELTIES

Hole # 2, The Golden Hole 1 - Club

Hole # 4, Longest Drive (Men & Women) - Gary

Hole # 9, Nearest in Two - Mick Fisher followed by Roland

Hole # 10, Nearest in Two - Andrea followed by Puggy

Hole # 16, Golden Hole 2 - Club

Hole # 18, Closest 3rd Shot - Kerry, followed by Gary, followed by Andrea followed by Goochy

BIRDIES

Andrea on the 1st

Glenn K on the 11th

Due to reduced numbers there was no raffle, however the squealing (please note the correct spelling) pig didn't disappoint and made an appearance.

THE AUCTION UDATE

The auction night last Saturday at Peters by the Sea was a great success where the Match Play auction raised $1,290 and the auction of donated items raised a further $800 for the club (out of which came the expenses for the night)

"THE GREAT WINE HEIST"

An unexpected offshoot of last week's auction night was the clubs first "Wine Heist" (please note this is intended to be tongue in cheek).

Earle has asked the members who were at Peters By the sea last Saturday to put on their thinking caps to ascertain the whereabouts of the bottle of red wine that mysteriously disappeared.

Earle brought to the function a magnificent 2009 Warrabillah Durif, purchased on one of Earle and Vickie's wine/golf holidays in the Murray River region, problem was the wine has a cork, and the restaurant had lost their corkscrew, so it remained on the table unopened.

It disappeared when Earle went to get his car which was close by, to give Peter Baird a lift to his car which was about a km away.

Now Earle drank various other persons wine on the night, so it needs to be drunk, but by multiple SOS members, not one.

 So, whoever took the wine, obviously by mistake, needs to fess up, and the wine can be reserved for a future club function.

 Earle has told the committee that a Royal Commission is an overkill, but CCTV from the function centre is a viable option to investigate the whereabouts of the wine.

Return of the wine or a suitable replacement next Saturday is required to avoid an inquisition!!

NEXT WEEK

The second and deciding round of The Winters Cup will be played on The Tuart course with a 10.04 tee off allowing once more for a leisurely start, and plenty of time for pre-game practice.

The forecast at this stage is almost identical to yesterdays but without the benefit of the "Weather Forecasting Stone" BOM's forecast, as we know, proved wildly inaccurate. So, please don't let the possibility of showers deter you from registering to play

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

What are big days on the SOS calendar?

Club Championship Days.

Match Play Auction Days.

To have both on the same day? Amazing.

A bit like when Christmas and Easter fall on the same day. (Apparently not a common event)

Stroke play, of course, and a few disasters to spoil otherwise good scores.

No excuses for the weather - it was absolutely perfect.

The novelties featured a number of the usual suspects:

Longest Drive on the 4^th went to Mark Hill.

Nearest in 2 on the 10^th, Hilly had his name on it, but it went to Pug Dog.

Nearest the bunker on the 14^th, Hilly again but outpointed by Shelley.

Nearest in 3 on the 18^th, Gardy, beaten by Colin.

Neither of the Golden Holes were claimed this week.

Birthdays were celebrated this week by David Williamson and Tony Gooch.

Hope you both had a chance to enjoy yourselves.

The results

A three-way tie for second place, Keith losing out on countback.

Pictures from Gary of a Whistlng Kite on the 4th last week. Great shots.

After the game today, we got tidied up and made our way to Peters by the Sea, for the Match Play Auction.

We mingled with the trendy crowd at the Scarborough beach, where we were probably mistaken for Health Inspectors or undercover police in mufti. The free drinks and finger foods were enjoyed, and thanks to Andrea, Frances, Carol and Puggy for making it all happen, and of course Brett for his auctioneering skills.

Our very own Master of the Mallet auctioned some excellent gifts, warmly donated by members - thanks to all those very generous souls. The proceeds will go to enhancing our enjoyment at the annual Gala Dinner.

So, how did the Match Play Auction itself go? Spirited bidding for the favourite seeds, and some bargains available on the less fancied horses. With a notional 8/1 chance for the winner, with payouts for the minor placings as well, all the successful bidders were getting pretty good odds.

So what did they go for:

Barry	$110
Peter	$100
Keith	$210
Roland	$140
Pug Dog	$130
Steph	$200
Gerry	$150
Goochy	$250

 

So, heavy betting on Goochy, Steph and Keith. We’ll see whether the punters got it right on August 12^th, the day of the final.

There was a mega-raffle with $200 in prizes, well-done those winners, and well-played everyone.

 We understand (but were not present to witness) that many members partied on at the karaoke bar until the small hours - we stand in admiration of your stamina.

A great evening all round, and one of those things that SOS does so well. The benefits of membership spread well beyond the golf course,

Thanks to Birgit, Paul B and Gary for your great photographs this week. 

Next week - first round of the Winter Cup on the Old Course at 10:12. The latest tee time of the year (and yes, the days are already getting longer. Surely you’ve noticed).

We understand that current holder Vickie will be defending her title! 

If you weren't there last night, here's a taste of what you missed:

Shelley and Barry's auction items waiting for their Uber home.

MATCH PLAY, ROUND THREE

Doesn't he look like he should be on a sun-bed in the Bahamas?

 

What a day - the most beautiful blue skies, and warm sunshine.

Yes, this is Perth in winter - why would you be anywhere else?

The last round of the Match Play Round Robin phase.

Who’d make the finals? Four or more points should guarantee a place. Three points would be a maybe.

But there are no losers on a day like this - just made for golf.

For the record, last week there were four players on one of the wettest days of the year. How things can change in a week.

Birdies today:

Pug Dog on the ninth

Goochy on the eleventh

Stephanie on the fourteenth

Andrea on the twelfth

 

There was a mini-Stableford competition in the middle of the field for the waifs and strays. Results as follows:

Frances 27

Lynne 29

Lynley 32

Shelley 34

Take a drop? Me? Never!

 

The novelties, and indeed some novel ones today:

Nearest the pin on the 18^th - Gardy

Closest to the 100 marker on the 7^th - Peter and Frances, both equidistant.

Closest in three on the 15^th, Goochy, bested by Shelley

Longest Putt on the 2^nd - Mark W, a good fifteen footer or so, and downhill too.

Nearest in two on the 10^th, Lynley.

The Golden Hole was unclaimed, and the raffle was won by Shelley - a good return on her investment, which will presumably appear on her tax return at the end of this week.

Talking of which, if you haven’t got all your financial ducks in a row by now, you’re probably too late anyway. Hat’s off to all those who’ve managed to claim their new set of Pings as a deduction.

If only I were left-handed..

Next week, it’s the next round of the Club Championships, and also the SOS Auction night, where not only will be auctioning steaks in the Match Play finalists (sorry, stakes, not steaks) but also a number of exciting and valuable quality items from members and sponsors - there’ll be some great bargains to be had.

So be there, next Saturday July 5^th, with the festivities starting at 6:30pm.

The venue is Peters by the Sea on the Scarborough beach front, there’ll be finger food and a cash bar, or BYO wine with a $10 per person corkage - if you’re bringing your own, give $10 in cash to Andrea on arrival.

Do please email Glen Kelly and let him know if you’re coming - partners, spouses and whatevers are all welcome.

A big thank you to all those who’ve donated, and do keep the donations coming. If you have something to add to our mega gourmet food hamper, Fran will collect before the game on Saturday. Think maybe a nice cheese, something from the deli counter, or an interesting bottle.

Now, in auctioning the players, think carefully where you can find value. The pairings will be as follows:

Goochy v Barry

Gerry v Peter

Stephanie v Keith

Puggy v Roland

The results yesterday:

	Stephanie	6/4	Derek
	Greg	7/6	Gary
	Pug Dog	3/2	Colin
	Gerry	6/5	Mark Smith
	Dave	1up	Faye
	Peter	4/2	Mick
	Andrea	1up	Earle
	Goochy	1up	Mark W
	Roland	6/4	Gardy
	Glen P	1up	Barry

Which means these are the qualifiers:

 

	Goochy	5
	Gerry	4
	Stephanie	4
	Puggy	4
	Roland	4
	Keith	4
	Peter	3
	Barry	3
	Greg	Reserve 1
	Earle	Reserve 2
	Mark W	Reserve 3

The Match Play competition will hold a play-off for third place between the two losing semi-finalists, and the auction proceeds will then be split 60%, 25%, 15% between the backers of first, second and third place.

There’s at least $1000 in the kitty - more if the auction goes over this figure, and it usually does, so some good odds available on the night. Goochy starts as favourite, but favourites don't always bring home the bacon in this contest.

The birthdays, we missed Gary’s last week due to the wet weather, and David Millar also enjoyed a celebration this week. Next month we look forward to a big flush of birthdays.

 

In the meantime, enjoy this: