New Year's Cup

 

First and foremost, a Happy New Year to all our SOS members.

A very pleasant day to start the golfing year, with a warmish start moderated by the sea breeze which came in half way through the round.

Plenty of spaces in the car park. No traffic on the road. Most of Perth has now decamped to their holiday villas in the cooler southwest or their ski tours in the northern hemisphere, so we’re left with just us odds and sods who stubbornly remain in the world’s hottest city through the height of summer.  

The New Year’s Cup.

A stroke competition to start the year with! Is there no mercy?

A virgin sheet today (not for long)

Currently held by Gerry Tessier. Could he retain the trophy, or has another golfer recovered sufficiently from the celebrations to snatch it from him? We shall see.

Anniversaires? All the best to Mark Smith and Gordon Gryzb - watch those candles don’t melt in the heat.

And as you’ll be aware - the days are already getting shorter. It’s just downhill from here into winter.

Winter golf - remember this?

There were 23 of us left to compete for the coveted trophy. Does anyone’s mantelpiece still have room for another piece of silverware?

The novelties were hotly contested amongst the usual suspects:

Nearest in 1 on the 6^th, Wayne, outpointed by Paul B, and swept up by Gary

The ladies longest on the 9^th, Lynne until Maureen did better

Nearest in 3 on the 11^th, Lynley, Roland, Andrea but Popey almost with a birdie

Men’s longest drive on the 15^th, had Karl, before Don went further

And the Golden Hole on the 18^th went off, winning Andrea a handy $43.

(And just to mention, Golden Hole #1 is still worth $150, no-one made a claim on the 3^rd today).

A rules reminder to everyone, if you’re on the fairway, it’s OK to clean your ball. Mark the position, wipe it clean and replace. Unfortunately, the same concession is not available in the rough.

Stephanie has made a New Year’s Resolution to turn up in plenty of time to play. Good on you, Steph!

Gardy was criticised for bombing one into the group waiting on the fourth tee from his drive on the third. His defence was that it was only an 8 iron, and he doesn’t usually hit it 175 metres.

However, he apparently repeated the offence with his second on the eighth, scattering the group waiting on the ninth.

There were birdies galore - Gardy on the 15^th (after a ten on the 14^th. That’s golf!)

Andrea on the 18^th, as she picked up the Golden Hole.

Karl on the 13^th.

Keith on the 16^th.

Glen on the 4^th and 18^th.

All in the same bunker

Derek lost his ball off the tee on the 9^th, only to find it later when playing the 10^th. Now, what is the ruling on fines?

Was the ball lost, or not lost?

(50 cents at stake here. He paid up, but not without protest).

Pass me my chain saw!

The raffle prize went to the raffler, Shelley. We’ve examined the CCTV and there doesn’t appear to have been any sleight of hand involved. (And a bit of justice, after a round that saw Lady Luck distinctly absent).

One of many for Shelley

And Andrea swapped her number 13 with Gardy (the Welsh being known for both leeks and superstition) and received number 56 in return - which went on to be a winner! Gardy not happy.

 The Annual Par 3 competition is confirmed for Wednesday February 4^th at Lake Claremont. We’ll be teeing off between 5 and 6pm, followed by a meal and presentations on the veranda.

Cost for the game will be $15 for members, while you pay for your own meal and drinks at the Tee Box cafe.

Priority booking is now available for members only, as places are limited - register with Derek at derekcva@gmail.com and pay your $15 to the SOS booking account, the same one you use for your weekly games.

Next week, it’s Stableford, then Captain’s Choice the week following. She’s keeping the details close to her chest for now.

And of course, the results.

Strong competition for the minor places, but the winner, by a country mile, congratulations to Glen, who presumably went round in 72 off the stick!

Let go! It's mine.

It was a pleasure to watch.

Leave you with this, a reminder of the futility of so much in life, including the great game of golf. 

 

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