CAPTAIN'S BLOG - NEWS

The Bowral Golf Clubs charity of choice, Legacy, was rewarded by a most successful golf day on Saturday. Played in ideal conditions, a field in excess of 80 players competed in a 4BBB and individual Stableford for the many prizes on offer. Success was had by all as Geoffrey Hammond and his Mash outfit put on their customary 2576 Mash Tent on the 5th hole to be revisited from the 11th on the way home. The food and beverages for the cost of a raffle ticket, were just what we needed to make it a most successful day. The evening dinner and presentation were equally successful as we were joined by Major General, The Honourable Michael Jeffery and his wife Marlena, together with Retired Admiral, The Honourable Justice Michael Slattery and his wife Melissa. John Jones and David Farthing certainly did their bit in the introduction of dignitaries and presentation of prizes. As the day was all about Legacy, a cheque was handed to John Jones as the representative of Legacy for funds raised during the day. David said after 15 years he would retire from the organising roll and let others take over. He was warmly congratulated for his efforts. Our chef, Regina and her staff did us proud once more, serving great food and the bar staff were most attentive to our needs. A gallery of photo's is attached together with a list of prize winners. If you were not able to be there to pick up your prize on Saturday night, please help David by visiting the club to collect those prizes remaining. They are well worthwhile. Well done to the winners and congratulations and thank you to all those who made it a fabulous day for such a worthy cause.

"C" Grade Referee Roger Williams reports : The two C grade finalists, Peter Metcalf (PM)and Peter Dunn (PD), teed off just after noon on Sunday 19th November in perfect golfing weather. PD was 1 up on the 1st hole, and stayed there on the 2nd, but PM pulled the game back to all square on the 3rd. The game went one way and then the other with only one separating the pair until PD went 2 up on the 10th after a clean recovery from the front bunker. He then stayed ahead by 1 or 2 holes until the 14th, when they were again all square. Both drives on the 12th were just a few feet short of the green, with PD's chip to 18" being the decider. PM grabbed the 15th after PD's drive found the water. Then, after two great drives onto the fairway on the 16th and PM's second shot to 15' below the hole it went to PD when the former's first, rather enthusiastic,  putt ended 6' above the hole  and they ended all square yet again teeing up for the 17th. PD won the 17th so the match teed up for the 18th dormy to him, and the match looked all set to end in short order. Things never work out as you expect, though..... Two lovely drives, two efficient second shots and two nice pitches had them both on the 18th green almost level with the hole but PM some 25' away to PD's 15' or thereabouts. The match looked all over but then PM's first - and only - putt shot like a bullet into the back of the hole, lept into the air and dropped into it. PD couldn't match that and off to the 1st they went, all square, to continue. PM put his ball in the fairway, PD off to the right of the poplars with his chip back just short of the ditch. They each pitched short of the green, PM holed out for 5, leaving PD a downhill putt to halve the hole and take the game on to the second. His putt looked in the hole all the way until it stopped an inch to the right, and the match was over after two of the most exciting final holes we've seen. Congratulations to both for a sportsmanlike contest, and especially to Peter Metcalf for that bullet-like par putt on the 18th which brought him back from the dead! " Thank you Roger for your taking on the role of referee and the report.

The final of the Club Championships were played on Sunday in absolutely perfect conditions. The "A" Grade started at 8.30am between Jim Phillips and James Larkin for their marathon 36 holes. Although the Captain was referee for the first 18 holes, I realised I was only their to make up the numbers as these two players were intent on rising to the occasion, with concentration, determination and focusing on their job at hand. James jumped out of the barrier to go up three holes in the first three. After settling in to his well known rhythm, Jim picked up the next two. They then gamely battled on not halving a hole until the 14th. At the end of the first 18, James was 4 up. Stopping for a quick bite and drink for lunch, referee duties were taken over by our president, so the Captain could concentrate on all matches. "A" Grade resumed at 12.30 with "B" Grade between Alec Dietsch and John Mellen commencing at 12.40pm and "C" Grade at 12.50pm between Peter Metcalf and Peter Dunn. Jim Phillips clawed his way back with a win on the 17th to go 2 up with one to play. Jim has never won the Club Championship and was a very proud member at the conclusion of the match. "B" Grade finished a little earlier with Alec Dietsch playing the "game of his life" securing a win on the 11th hole. As John put it, he had a "shocker", however Alec is a very competitive player when he is on his game and very difficult to beat. The "C" Grade match was a closer match with Peter Metcalf sinking a 20' putt on the 18th, that only stopped because it went into the hole, to square the match. They then headed for the 1st hole again where Peter Metcalf won, one up. All players were worthy of the contest and played the game in the best spirit possible. It is a great achievement to reach the finals of our Club Championships and they should all be very proud of making the finals. Congratulations to all winners and Runners Up. Trophies will be awarded at the Anniversary Dinner in March next year. A special thanks must be given to the referees, my relief referee President, Kevin Burke, Don Barker and Roger Williams. A great job, well done.

After the rain on Friday, players lined up for the St. Andrews Day 4Ball Agregate on Saturday morning, as more rain was forecast in the afternoon. Leading the charge was Terry Downing, Norris Dudgeon, David Boyd and Peter Ingle, who returned to the club house with a great score of 140 points, an average of 35 points per player. Later in the day the rain did arrive, however it did not dampen the enthusiasm of our noble Scotsmen, who were last out, Ian McKenzie, Alan Turpie, Alan Lindsay and Ken Dobie and they were worthy runners up with 132 points. As is tradition in our club on this day, the Scotsmen dig deep into their pockets and purchase a bottle of fine Scotch each, to be given to the winners. Our photo shows Ian McKenzie presenting Terry Downing with the Scotch in the absence of his team mates, who I am sure picked up their bottles at a later time. The runners up each received a voucher for $20.00 to soften the blow of having to purchase the Scotch. Well done to all.