SUMMER CUP - ROUND 1

The first major for the SOS golfing calendar heralded the beginning of the 2025 season with Round 1 of 54th playing of The Summer Cup on the Tuart in fairly warm and balmy conditions. Together with the SOS Cup the Summer Cup is the oldest event in the clubs history.

A strong field of 22 players that included defending champion, Keith Barrow, two time winner Mark Wilson (2022, & 2023), and one time winners Paul Gardner (2017), Shelly Yeo (2016) and Don Beesley (2012). A number of previous winners including Garry Burgess (2021), Glen Pope (2013 & 2020), Lyn Malone (2011) and Brett Fordham (2014) were not able to tee it up because of injury, illness or prior commitments. 

We also welcomed back Goochie after a long absence. Not yet a winner of the converted trophy but his day will come and it can't be too far off.

Despite the diminished field hundreds of spectators lined the fairway to get a good view of the first group to tee off.

The change of forecast for the days play from a mild 29 degrees to a hot and humid 35 degrees combined with some late withdrawals resulted in some very complex reshuffling of the field with many opted for carts instead of walking. You have to admire the the patience of our tee time administrator, Shelly for dealing with it all in a calm and methodical way.

I'll leave it to you to decide which is more complex - mad scientists attempt to calculate time and money or Shelly tee time rearrangement.

As usual there was much activity and pre tee time chatter amongst the field

"Spots of Bover"

After a drought of Spots of Bover over the past couple of weeks the flood gates opened and restored the average. Following are just some of the many tricky situations the field found themselves in. The first of the day was Goochie on the tee box at the first who made several unsuccessful attempts to tee his ball up, not a great start to a round.

Glen taking on a grass tree again

Lynley executing a perfect backhand shot by the grass tree on the 7th

Paul B with an awkward bunker stance on the 8th

Paul B with a tricky ball position on the 13th

Not to be outdone Gardy came up with an unorthodox shot on the 8th using his driver from 15 metres off the green to run the ball up to be within a metre of the hole..

For those that have recently purchased new equipment only to be left wondering why it performed so well at Drummond Golf's simulator only to let you down dismally on the course, the following diagram, may provide an explanation.

The Results

The Winners & Losers

In first place with a sensational round, despite the tussle with the grass tree was Glen Kelly with 78 off the stick for a net score of 67. Glen for the benefit of the uniformed then explained with great modesty how "The cream rise to the top", and hence his convincing win. Let's see what Round 2 brings.

In second place on countback from Roland was Lynley with a net score of 73 and commiserations to Don, also on 73 but relegated to 4th on countback. All very solid rounds

Peter took out the lollies but didn't seem to displeased with that, better than nothin.

The Novelties

Longest putt - Greg

NTP in 2 on the 6th - Greg (in the hole)

NTP in 3 on the 14th - Lynley

NTP on the 18th - Karl

Longest drive on the 17th - Andrea (her favourite hole on the Tuart)

Golden Hole - Club

Birdies

Andea on the 17th following on from the longest drive

Gardy on the 5th and the 17th

Mark W on the 12th

Barry on the 7th

Greg on the 6th from a chip in. Never looked in doubt

Penalties

Surprising very little money raised in the expletives category this week as the usual suspects were on their best behavior. Regardless a healthy amount was raised for the club. With tempers kept in check there was also no club abuse.

Victorian Open

The Australian PGA Victorian Open Championship is currently being played at the 13 Mile Beach course and our club is represented by our all abilities champion and member, Garry Burgess who is putting in a solid performance despite only recently returning from injury. We all wish Garry well in the final days play today.

Sick & Injured

Out thoughts and best wishes go out to all those who are not well or injured and are no doubt chomping at the bit to get back out on the course again.

Lyn, we all hope your treatment is progressing well. Popey, hopefully that back is getting better and the acupuncture is helping. Gerry (Hawkeye), great the hear that the surgery went well but sorry to hear about your current battle with influenza A 

and Brett there's not much you can do following your shoulder surgery but wait it out.

From the Captains Desk

Andrea has locked everyone’s handicaps today (Saturday) for the Old Course next week as we have a 2 week comp.

Therefore please play your own card (stroke) next week for the daily comp and I will make any adjustments to those scores (if required) for the purposes of the summer cup.

Round 2 of The Summer Cup

Round 2 will be played on the Old Course with a first tee off time of 7.56 which is reasonably civilised - even Stephanie can be on time for this one.

The forecast for next Saturday is 34 degrees so those requiring carts please let Shelly know well in advance.