SOS CUP - ROUND 1

 Unbelievably, or perhaps not, players vying for the first round of the clubs oldest trophy were greeted once again by drizzling rain.  Here we are two thirds of the way into Spring and yet Winter still seems to be with us. Not only was bird flu threatening to come up from Heard Island but also the sub-Antarctic weather.

A good field of  24 braved the fickle weather, all hoping to get their mitts on the converted trophy. Unfortunately last years winner Puggy couldn't join us as he is still recovering following his recent surgery. 

Peter gets the improvisation award for the week with his Woollies bag cover. Well done Peter

All smiles despite the weather - what a dedicated lot the SOS Golf Group are.

Lets not forget the game also keeps you young and fit . Look at the great Garry Player for example who just celebrated his 90th birthday. There's hope for us yet, just keep playing the game we all love to hate.

Fordy in his return match for 2025 hit a blinder off the first tee and it was looking like he'd snuck in a few practice rounds ahead of his return.

However it was evident he hadn't played for a while when he 5 putted the 5th green from inside 2m creating a dilemma for the penalties crew at the post match presentations - what do we call a 5 putt?

the rust also showed with some further uncharacteristically poor putting by Fordy who may well be called 007 from now on.

 

SPOTS OF BOVVER 

Just one recorded with Don attempting a back handed shot adjacent to a rather large tree that was captured beautifully in time-lapse photography by his two playing partners, the dynamic duo Lynne and Lynley (not sure which fairway, but it doesn't matter). Needless to say it was not a happy outcome and sadly was typical of Don's day.

                       

                                                           

THE RESULTS

THE WINNERS

Stand out winner with a magnificent score of 5 under par 67 was Frances. Only a count back could separate second and third place with Lynne (getting stronger every week) nudging out James who is getting in a couple of 9 hole rounds after work at his new mid-week club, Royal Perth, as practice for the Big One at Royal Wembley on Saturdays. What a privilege it is to be able top play Saturday golf at a great course like Wembley. 

For the rest of us we could but lament our rotten luck, lost balls, balls that stopped agonizingly close to the cup or deflected off at the last roll - unbelievable!!!!! 

One person not lamenting anything was Keith who received a load of trophy's that Andrea had engraved during the week.

THE NOVELTIES

Golden Hole #1 - Hole # 2 - Club

Ladies Longest Drive - Hole # 4 - Lynley

Nearest in One - Hole # 6 - Earle

Men's Longest Drive - Hole # 10 - Garry

Nearest in Two - Hole # 15 - James

Golden Hole (the main one $150) - Hole # 16 - Garry

BIRDIES

Hole # 1 - James and Andrea (normally the kiss of death but not in James this case, possibly though with Andrea)

Hole # 16 - Garry

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Shelly did a magnificent job in Puggy's absence, although I think it should be heralded in with the squealing pig that captures everyone's attention. The only disappointment was that we had more numbers left over than purchased - what's going on, far too many moths in some wallets!!!!

The big winner on the day was Popey, which was only fitting as he celebrates a birthday on Monday.

POST MATCH STUFF 

GALA DINNER - SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER

SOLD OUT - Much better effort this year with 40 people committed to attending.

There was a bit of a dressing down by Gerry directed, righty so, at the lack of volunteers to step up in the absence of our social director, Puggy. Clubs don't run themselves and everyone should at times volunteer for the various duties required to keep the club running like the well oiled machine that it is.

Next Saturday is Round 2 of the Big One to be played on the Tuart with first tee time at 8.04.

DONT FORGET WE HAVE THE BONUS SAUSAGE SIZZLE FOLLOWING PLAY NEXT SATURDAY.

FREE FOOD, FREE DRINKS - THE PRICE IS RIGHT 

(this could bring Gardy and a few others out of retirement)

You have heard of the Three Musketeers well this is the Four Captains

 

Memorial Trophy

 

The Memorial Trophy (aka The Keith Barrow Cup).

A stroke competition on the Tuart

In memory of those SOS players who have passed while still active members.

Tightly held by Keith for the last two years

Could it be prised from his grasp today?

It wasn’t a large field. A total of only 18 players.

Perhaps because the BOM had forecast rain. It didn’t happen.

A very pleasant day for golf

A most amenable temperature

With a gentle breeze.

Colin sustained a sporting injury on the 16^th, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Otherwise, we made it to the afters without incident.

We have birthdays coming up for Frances and Boris.

Boris picked up the Golden Hole on the 18^th, although it wasn’t a large jackpot this week.

The other novelties:

The ladies’ longest drive on the 13^th went to Lynley

Nearest in two on the 16^th (that’s right, the one that the girls can’t reach in two), had Frances very close, but Keith snuck inside.

The men’s longest drive on the 9^th had Boris outpointed by Peter.

Nearest in two on the 7^th had Goochy on the green, but Andrea did better.

Gardy chunks one big time. 

Interestingly, three players in the last group managed to score a 9 on the first par 5 (the 4^th). Keith, Carol and Dave were all unfortunate, while the fourth member of the group, Steph, managed an upside down 9 (a 6). In the first group, Goochy outdid them all with a 10 on the same hole!

Birdies were celebrated thus:

Goochy and Boris on 18

Frances on 16

Lynley on 8, and

Derek on 10.

If you and your guest are planning on coming to the Gala Dinner on November 29^th, you’ll need to have registered by the end of this week to Frances, (falonghurst1@gmail.com) and to have paid to the SOS operating account by the end of the next.

Otherwise there will be no food for you.

Make your payment of $35 for members and $50 for guests to

SOS Golf Group Inc

036-032  816543

And so, to the results of the Memorial Trophy.

A closely fought battle for the podium positions, but no countback necessary to determine the winner.

Meanwhile, Gary is competing in the WA Open at Mt Lawley. 

(Which, incidentally, seems to be sponsored by an undertakers. They certainly know their demographic.)

We understand from Gary's caddie, Roland, that the bunkers and the slick greens have been creating problems for all the competitors. Round 2 continues today.  

Next week, it’s the first round of the SOS Cup, with a 7.48 tee off.

The following week, we’ll enjoy a sausage sizzle at Perry Lakes after the game. 

See you there. 

 

BenKerr Cup Round Two.

 Round 2 - the BenKerr Cup

With Australia versus the Rest of the World.

ROW holding a narrow lead after the first round.

Would the Aussies stage a comeback

Or is it ROW, for the third year running?

The day dawned bright and sunny.

Hard to imagine a more perfect day for golf

After the rather damp experience of the previous week

Although interestingly, apparently this year we have had the most wet weekends for several years (and that’s official, courtesy of BOM).

Colin faces a dilemma - right or left?

A full field this week,

And no shortage of golfers finding themselves in difficulty

Let's see you get out of that one, Roland. 

Although compared to Secret Harbour, the difficulties generally weren’t as difficult as we experienced at the Country Cup.

There’s something to be said for a nice friendly course like Wembley, where you can confidently walk into a bunker carrying a fairway wood.

Now, a reprimand from our booking officer - make sure you have let Shelley know by 5pm Wednesday if you wish to play on Saturday.

She is being asked to make unreasonable and time-consuming accommodations to meet everyone’s wishes, none of which are necessary if members can get themselves organised by mid-week.  

There were some good scores this week.

David Millar celebrated an eagle on the 15^th, after a good drive, followed by a 3-wood to just the other side of the bunker, and a delicate chip over the trap and into the hole - well done David.

Eagled it!

The novelties were spread around (Mark Wilson wasn’t playing this week).

Nearest in two on the 7^th, Coops first, then Gerry, but Boris was better.

Longest Drive on the 9^th, had James up the top of the hill in the first group, and no-one got further.

The Ladies’ Longest Drive on the 13^th went to Frances.

Aussie in trouble?

Karl was nearest in two on the 16^th, and

Dave Williamson picked up the second Golden Hole on the 18^th, so perhaps Merryl can look forward to a romantic dinner for two this week. (Although it was only $23 - maybe a romantic coffee?)

Seriously  - it was that close!

Birdies a-plenty,

Paul Boquest on the 10^th

Glen Pope on the 5^th, 8^th and 10^th (wow!)

Faye on the 3^rd

Wayne on the 10^th, and

Coops on the 18^th.

The second group were lucky enough to have a great view of a snake on the tee at the 14^th, a handsome dugite seemingly unconcerned at sharing the course with weekend hackers.

Did someone say snakes?

After the game, we congregated in the covered area, where it began to get a little chilly as the afternoon breeze came on.

Paul Cooper was heard to ask “Why are we here?”

It is of course, an existential question which has bothered philosophers for centuries. Some believe there’s no inherent purpose, with life arising from cosmic chance, while others find meaning through spiritual beliefs, or by creating their own purpose.

Anyway, after half an hour the Wembley Whackers vacated our usual space so we moved inside.

We were sad to learn of the loss of Richard Yeo. Richard was club president for many years, and was the eponymous origin of the expression  “Doing a Yeo”, as he was, in his time, a renown club thrower. May the bunkers be few and the fairways wide wherever you now find yourself, Richard.

Richard Yeo

Preparations for the Gala Dinner are gathering pace - you can now reserve your spots by paying into the SOS Operating Account - not the booking account - $35 for members, and $50 for non-members. Always a great night, and we’re promised excellent food and entertainment. First come - first served, so don’t be the ones to miss out.

You don’t have details of the Operating Account?

SOS Golf Group Inc

036-032 816543

We’re also looking forward to a sausage sizzle on November 1^st, the second week of the SOS Cup.

Feeling fit

You will all have noticed that we seem to have negotiated the migration to the new Golf Australia system relatively painlessly - all went well yesterday, the first day of operation, and full credit to those involved in managing the transfer for SOS.

That was close, Roland. 

Earle celebrated a milestone birthday, congratulations Earle, and he left early to prepare for a night of festivities.

We said hi to Maureen’s guest Gerry, who is considering the possibility of membership.

This hurts the grammarian in me. Fewer holes, damn you, not less. FEWER!!

The results for the day:

 

The Aussies certainly coming back strongly this week. Well done, Paul, Frances and Faye.

The podium

Which means, aggregating the results for the two weeks, and dividing by the number of players, an average score of

58.06 for each player representing Australia, and

59.49 for each player representing ROW!

I had already reserved a spot on the mantlepiece.

SO, the trophy goes to ROW for the third year running!

Thanks to all our contributors this week - you make it all so much more fun.

Next week, it’s the Memorial Trophy on the Tuart, with a tee-off at 7:48 - that’s early!