SOS 2026 Easter Cup

The 2026 SOS Opening Day commenced with a group photo and newly re-elected President, Gerry Tessier, firing the first ball down the Tuart's first fairway.  It was a stableford competition with the Easter Cup as the prize.

The conditions were perfect! It started warm, around 27°, and then scattered cloud cover cooled it down a bit!

And, the best dressed award goes to ~  ~  ~ Lynley & Lynne !

Slip, slop, slap !

Gary, Dave & Andrea

Gary in his chariot & Dave

Peter re-purposed his X-mas reindeer antlers
 to create creditable rabbit ears!
Shelley perched an Easter Bunny on her hat!

In a masterful display of distance control, Derek's 2nd shot on the par 4 hole 7
pulled up just short of the bunker. A 'chip and a putt putt' yeilded 3 points! 

Roland's tee shot on the 18th landed just past the pin
 and spun back 2 metres in line with the hole!
It must have been very close to a 'hole in 1'.

President's Address

Another group had commondeered the SOS indoor tables, so the post game meeting was held outdoors - and very pleasant it was!

As Easter Eggs were distributed to all in attendance, Gerry congratulated those with recent birthdays, including Lynley and Kerry on March 21 and 30 respectively, as well as Don and Colin on April 3rd and Paul B.

Gerry thanked all of those who attended the SOS 2026 Annual General Meeting held at Perry Lakes on 21 March, with special thanks to Frances, Birgit, Shelley and Keith for organising the food and drinks.

The President confirmed that, at the AGM, Shelley Yeo was awarded the title of Honorary Member for her significant contributions to SOS over many years. Congratulations Shelley.

Gerry confirmed that the fixture on 28 March was offficially cancelled due to the impending cyclonic conditions and Shelley and Roland did an excellent job in having the Pro Shop refund our money! There are now many in credit - see Shelley's list circulated in the last few days.

The AGM approved the appointment of the following committee nominees:

President                            :       Gerry Tessier [R]

Captain                              :        Roland Petrie

Vice Captain                      :        Paul Gardner

Communications Officer    :        Derek Longhurst [R]

Treasurer                           :       Peter Baird [R]

Bookings Officer                :      Shelley Yeo [R]

['R' : re-elected]

The essential duties of the entertainment committee was entrusted to Frances, assisted by Birgit and Keith.

Outgoing Captain, Andrea Williams, was praised by Gerry for providing 2 years of strong leadership in the position.

Gerry mentioned that today's guest, Tom Munson, is a potential new member.

President Gerry Tessier addresses members

Results

There was 19 points separating first from last!

Congratulations to Gary Burgess who claimed the Easter Cup for 2026 with a very respectable score of 40 points!

Paul Cooper claimed 2nd place, 3 points back, with 37 points.

Andrea Williams was 3rd with 35 points.

Greg Bennett admitted to a woeful round and managed to win the bag of lollies with 21 points.

Gary Burgess accepts the Easter Cup
 from SOS Captain Roland Petrie.

Eagles & Birdies

No Eagles !

Birdies scored by:

    -    Gary on 1st, 2nd & 11th

    -    Coops on 5th & 17th

    -    Roland on 18th

Gary Burgess off to the DP World Tour

On 24 April Gary will be travelling to Scotland to play in the Ping Scottish Open at St Andrews. After tackling the skittish links course on the Scottish east coast, Gary travels to London to play in the London Invitational Disabilities Open at the London Golf Club. Finally, its off to Wales for the DP World Tour G4D Open at the Celtic Manor course.

Gary's budget for this mission has been adversely impacted by the gulf war and he would be very grateful for any donations, including Wembley gift cards, to buy balls, gloves, caps etc.

Novelties

Paul Gardner, newly elected Vice-Captain, announced the results of the Easter novelty holes:

Nearest to the Presidents coloured ball on the 1st fairway: Lynne then Peter, but won by Frances.

Golden Hole on hole 3 :  worth $150 but not won since 18 October 2025 !

Ladies longest drive on hole 7 :  Lynne

NTP on hole 18 :  Roland

Mens longest drive on hole 10 :  Gary

Golden Hole on hole 18 : pot was only $21 but Roland's near hole in one won the day!

Ash Tray Collection

Greg led the appeal for donations to the SOS Ash Tray fund, ably assisted by Boris and Shelley.

A total of $35.45 (and 10 euro cents) was raised for uncouth behaviour on the course, hitting trees, multiple strokes in a bunker and many other misdeeds!

Boris collects as Greg reads out the list of fines.

Shellley collects from the other side of the tables.

Raffle

Congratulations to whoever it was that won the raffle fist prize, a $10 Wembley gift card!

After the completion of the raffle draws, the remaining easter eggs were raffled off, much to the delight of those that won an extra egg or two!

Next Weeks Game

The competition is a Ambrose Paired teams.

This is a  stroke game on the Old Course commencing at 8.44 am.

Why do we continue to do this?

💨

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