By David Waters
The Last chance saloon was open, Titleist’s and Callaway’s were at the ready. Check the target, take aim and swing. That’s the theory. Of course, execution only sometimes matches. That is why golf is frustrating.
A story begins at the start. In the middle of March, the days are still warm, but the nights seemed longer, and so it was this Friday. Seven o’clock should be bright and sunlit. Not so. Players were practising in the very dark nets and on unlit putting greens. The darkness and fog prevented some players from arriving on time, adding more angst to team managers. With maps provided, and guidance from local members, everyone arrived at their designated tee. Step up and play. White balls disappeared into the foggy distance. Coloured balls suffered the same fate. The lucky ones were spotted eventually, resting on the fairway. Search parties found those resting rough. By 9.30 the mist evaporated, and heating commenced.
There was some extra heating coming from players who missed putts on the recently cored greens, not the fault of the groundsmen who did another terrific job setting up the course.
Several new players were entered in the field for this round, the usual stalwarts not being available. The comments from the newbies suggested the competition has a growing following, they all appreciated the comradery as well as the match-play format.
Always the story of despair, we might share the pain of those hitting trees, even worse befell Mick McCrystal of Churchill/Waverley, with 3 consecutive shots he hit different trees disastrously to fall against the butt. He had no release. That was added to the many other tree strikes in the round.
A good story though, was Eddie Goodsir from Eastern. Eddie from seven metres putted up a tiered green on the eighth to sink an incredible winner.
The day was warming as matches began to finish. Those lucky to finish early retired to the clubroom for a drink and recuperation. As the last matches were finished the scores were tallied up. With five wins Heritage Green held off fast-finishing Yering and Churchill/Waverley to hold top position and play the final. Eastwood Gold will oppose Heritage Green in the final, having beaten challengers Churchill/Waverley and Heritage by easily winning this last round.
Next week all teams not in the match play final will contest a Stableford aggregate competition. The venue will be the Endeavour Hills course played today. Results from this round are below.
Green group, Eastwood 5 def Eastern3, Yering 6 def Gardiners Run 2, Churchill/Waverley 4 ½ def Heritage 3 ½
Gold group, Eastwood 4 ½ def Eastern 3 ½ Yering 5 def Gardiners Run 3, Churchill/Waverley 4 tied with Heritage 4.
After checking course conditions, slopes and other nuances, players should fare much better next week in the finale.
Play as well as you can and laugh a little.
