34 members waited eagerly on the 1st tee, over-looking the most magnificent view in South Australian golf, the panoramic view of the Bluff, Granite Island and scenic and historic town of Victor Harbor is breath taking. With all that in mind we must stand high above the first fairway and try to imagine our ball flying straight down the middle, over the road hopefully leaving us an unimpeded shot to the first green. Some succeeded and some didn’t, I was one who did succeed in that challenge but how things can go wrong if you only think of the first two shots. Garry Carr however limped home with a superb round of 39 points, 24 on the front and 15 on the back. Great round!! Second place was a mixture of the new and the experienced (some might say young and old, but I’m not one of them), James Newport stormed home with 24 points on the back nine to take his tally to 38 for the day from Sid Robbins who lost on a count back. I must mention, that 24 points by James for nine holes also had 2 scrubs, for those who may be interested that’s an average of 3.43 points per hole that he scored on. Phenomenal effort.

The free lunches have certainly increased our numbers and it is great to see everyone. The new innovation of the nearest pin prizes this year on all holes has also been a great success, primarily reducing any confusion among the players. Dave “The Prez” Brooker knocked one close on the third, Chris Hayes on the seventh, Dave Hudson and Keith Johns swooped away with the remaining two prizes. Great shot guys.

Unfortunately we only had two ladies out this month, so no prize was up for grabs. Barbara Arnold snuck home ahead of Darlene Crimmins, it is great to see Darlene out there giving it go. It would however be amiss of me not to mention how close Darlene came to doing something special, if it wasn’t for the 7th hole where Darlene hit a 4 for 3points, she would have had a clean score card. Thanks goodness for the 7th!! Keep up the good work ladies and we hope to see more of you out next time.

As always there are some side competitions and betting (which in no way is endorsed by the committee as gambling can be addictive) which goes on. Two years ago , Lenny Dewsnap decided that Crimmo had played so badly that he presented him with a pink ball, well unfortunately for Lenny last year the roles had been reversed and Dave returned the ball to him mounted on a trophy. Congratulations Lenny, I believe this prestigious award for your group has been retained and you are first back to back winner of the “Pink Ball” award. They say there is always one in a crowd, I just can’t understand why I am surrounded by all of them.

We are finally heading North, I am sure the extra sleep in for me will improve my scoring, hope to see you all at Sandy Creek (Gawler) on the 21st of May.

My thanks to Mathew for supplying his match report for the website this month.

On a glorious day 38 players including 3 ladies set to do battle with one of the top 50 courses in Australia, and for some what a battle it was. But more of them later.

It was just fabulous to see so many of our members taking up the opportunity to play and network with each other and 38 members is becoming the norm this season. It will be interesting to see how many turn up at Victor Harbour, which I consider to be one of the best courses we play next month.

I had the pleasure of playing with our Club Captain Jeff Snedden for the first time and what an elegant golfer he is too. With Sid Robbins and Bob Mulder making up the group we enjoyed the golfing challenges Lady Bay has to offer. Shots of note were Bob using his driver on the Par 3 8th hole, (I wish I had) and Jeff’s second shot on the 4th which bounced over the creek in front of the green setting up his birdie. I did say he was an elegant lucky player didn’t I?

Dylis had a great round and congratulations to her for taking out the Ladies prize this month. The men’s placing were finely contested with Jeff once again taking it out on a count back, this time from David Hudson and the 3rd place went to Max James. Just as well Port had the weekend off hey Max??

Nearest the pins went to for the 6th Terry Greaney at 9.8m. John Humphrys on the 8th at 7m. Chris Watson on the 15th at 8m and Len Dewsnap and Brendan Brown on the 17th at 4m. Well done to all our winners given the stiff breeze we experienced during the day those NTP shots were exceptional.

Worthy of a mention is Mr Kennedy and Mr Hunter… The former like a bullet from the 1st with 21 pts then easing into a somber 7 pts on the back nine. The latter with a 13 pts … what do you say?? Although he was in close company with John Humphrys with 16 pts, Scott Healey with 18 pts and Keith Johns with 19 pts.

I know we should be happy that they kept us off the bottom and not mock. Maybe next month. Don’t forget its Victor Harbor on the 9th April. See you there.

With a record turnout of 38 players on a beautiful day Mark Duerden blitzed the course and came in with 43 points from Matt Brooker on 42 pts, (Tough day at the office Matt) and his Dad our President Dave on 39pts. Congratulations to our winners and in the Ladies comp we saw the tri-factor from the Brooker family, with Carol picking up the prize on 35pts. I did ask that the whole family be drug tested but the Club Captain declined saying he wanted whatever they were taking and didn’t want it banned for Lady Bay!!

But let me go back to the beginning, 38 players is the most we have had walk up for one of our monthly competitions for over 3 years and we also saw 4 new members, Brendon Brown, Greg Carr, Byron Linsell and Chris Hayes. We also had a 4 women players, it was great to see you all and we all hope you enjoyed your day. It was also great to John Humphrys and John Dann, welcome back guys, watching you tee off was like you had never been away and your 31 and 32 points respectively was an excellent start to the Club Championship.

This Sunday also saw the new innovation of having prizes for all the Par 3’s, a great idea from our new committee. I would say that as it was the only good shot I had all day that saw me plus Chris Watson, Dave Brooker (that man again) and Greg Watson (bit of a theme on families running here!!) having nearest the pin on the 5th, 9th, 12th and 14th.

Not much gossip from the course, John Dann helped his partner to a penalty, but we all know how heavy those flags can be John. Maybe now you are officially retired you could take up weights and get to pull the flag out next time before the ball arrives!!

The course and catering were excellent and I’m sure we will all look forward to returning next year so we can leave another 4 or 5 balls out there!!

Our next meeting is at Lady Bay on 19th March. I hear some members may be staying over on Saturday night and having dinner in the restaurant. Sounds like a good idea, you could even arrange to play on Saturday afternoon, now wouldn’t that be fun.

Happy golfing, remember make you putter and wedge your friend and as David Hudson told me; hit the small ball before you hit the big one!!

Renmark for 2005 is now over but I’m sure like me you have countless great memories from the weekend. It really was a fabulous time and my thanks go out to the Committee men whose tireless efforts brought the whole weekend together. On behalf of the Committee I would like to especially thank our Sponsors whose support we could not do without. I will be publishing the names of the winners once I manage to unpack but just wanted to get a note up on the website thanking everyone involved in making it such a great event.

If you have any photographs I can publish from the weekend drop them on an email to me.

We moved away from our regular monthly format and played a Team Stableford competition this time around. The teams were selected on handicap and this had the added bonus of players getting acquainted with other members of SAOGA who they wouldn’t normally play in a foursome. This idea came from Chris Skewes and although I don’t normally single a committee man out for praise as they all work tirelessly behind the scenes on your behalf, Chris really put out organising the venue, food, raffle and prizes, so many thanks Chris.

The weather had been very overcast for the last few days but a break in the clouds enabled us to enjoy this new venue in bright sunlight, well that was until the closing holes when the sky’s let loose but hey that’s why we lugged round umbrella’s for 16 holes.

24 players turned up and it was great to see a few old faces, Chris and Sue Watson and Chris Porter for this our first visit to the Patawalonga. A later start than normal and it seems to have had a very positive effect on the scores or maybe it was the team format that brought out some of the best golf we have recorded this year. The best score of the day went to Kevin Brenton who broke the course open with a 38, a great score in the conditions but he was chased all the way by Terry Greaney who also had 38 but was pipped on a count back. Barbara Beesley came in with 37 points to take the ladies prize. But to show how competitive a day it was 18 players had 30 points or better which was a fantastic day for golf.

Cyril Arnold using a bit of local knowledge claimed the NTP on the 5th at 2.5 m and made birdie and congratulations to Martin Joyce for his winning shot on the tricky 16th. I say tricky because although there were a high percentage of pars scored on this hole, Martin was the only one who must have landed on the green cause no one else marked down their distances. Go Martin!!

But the day belonged to Team Skewes, Duerden, Carol Brooker and Woodstock who walked away with the coveted title of SAOGA Stableford team of the year 2005. It was a magnificent effort from this team, I know, I did the scoring!! Runner up went to Team Hudson, Brenton, Prater and Keane, tough luck guys, only one point on the 7th really hurt didn’t it?

Our thanks also go to the Westward Ho golf club who allowed us to use their club rooms. The feedback I received after the game was very positive both for the format of the day and the venue, so it looks like we will be adding the Pat to our list for next year.

On a beautiful winters morning with the air crisp and clear, 29 players from SAOGA lined up to take on Murray Bridge’s finest golf course.

It was therefore with some sadness as I watched my first drive sail out of bounds, was this an omen that I should have stayed in bed or was it for-telling me of even worse things to follow. Not quite but it was interesting to reflect on the players scores over lunch how things can change in a month. The winners from Flagstaff Hill were nowhere to be seen in the winners circle this time out. In fact some of them you had to look a long way down the list to find their names. What happened Captain Jeff, only 26 points this time out and 4 pointer Mark Duerden only 29, it’s easy to mock but my 27 points sits comfortably within these two fine players!!

It was good to see Scott Healey working on his handicap and a warm welcome to a prospective new member Brendon Brown. It was also great to see Tony Graves back playing after his accident. Obviously you need a bit more time on the driving range and practise putting green Tony but your DIY skills looked spot on, however, joking apart you told me you were very happy with the days outcome and a three way split for the Naga award on 22 points with Chris Skewes and Ron Burrows!!

It was pleasing to see more names down for the NTP this month and congratulations go to Jim Stobie for his magnificent shot on the 2nd and Chris Skewes had at least one shot he was happy with for his NTP on the 4th. The prize giving was over quickly for the NTP’s as the committee man responsible for these prizes didn’t!! But we promise to get them back to you next time!!

So who did step up to the plate this month and dazzle us with their skill and dexterity around this well prepared course. I can speak glowingly of Graham Hackett’s magnificent 39 points which earned him second place. His round was exemplified by his play on the final hole. A terrible drive saw him lost in the dense undergrowth to the right, but he was able to get the ball back out the fairway some 170 metres out. Then a fabulous iron shot onto the green and two putts saw him claim those vital 2 points. I’m sure Matt Kennedy who took first place with 40 points and Carol Brooker who took the Ladies first place had just as fine shots to boast about in the bar after, its just that they didn’t tell me about them!! However Kim Keane who came in third on 37 points did tell me about his round. Ten, 3 pointers and 7 lucky single pointers were the highs and lows of his round. Isn’t golf a great game and doesn’t it do strange things to your head!!

Well done to the winners and we look forward to seeing you all next month when we take on the new challenge of the Pattawalonga course on 21st August.

It never ceases to amaze me the veracity that my fellow golfers display when it comes to playing their sport whatever the weather. On a very cold and cloudy day reminiscent of a summer’s day in England, 27 of our hardy members turned up to do battle with the Flagstaff Hill Golf course. The first tee was booked at 7.36 and the Mulder’s, Bob and Leon and your intrepid author led off the field. I would like to report that local knowledge and skill gave this team an edge but that was not the order of the day, others more worthy took those honours. But we did get round in 3½hours a credit more to our speed of golf than an ability to shoot a low score.

But before I name the names it was good to see a few more of our members taking up the opportunity to take part in these monthly gatherings: Banjo Paterson, Augustin Paul, Cameron Galloway, Warwick Pope and Tony Meadows to name but a few. A couple of no shows Neil Hunter and James Czornhalan. Now James’s wife is about to give birth so what is your excuse Neil, it can’t have been too hot for a young Scot now could it? At least Dave Brooker didn’t put in an entry form, he knew his Saturday night out did not have waking up at 6am on Sunday morning printed on the dance card!!

So on with the golf, and congratulations this month go to Mark Duerden, I have never seen so many 4 pointers and scrubs on one card, but it doesn’t matter how you score only that it adds up to more than anyone else and in Mark’s case 38 points was enough to win the day. Commiserations go to the runners up, our illustrious Club Captain, Jeff Snedden on 37 points and Rick Karolewicz on 36. For those regular readers of this monthly update you will note that these three have been regular winners and already I can see the club championship slipping in their direction. Catherine Robinson was once again the winner of the Ladies competition and she is playing some great golf, well done Catherine.

So fellow members if you have any aspirations of winning this prestigious award you have a few events left to make your mark. It should also be noted that Jeff was nearest the pin on both of the chosen par 3’s but in accordance with the new rule (Jeff and I made it up yesterday) he could only take out one, so congratulations also go to Bob Mulder for his 1.8m shot of the 13th. It was therefore something of a shame that he three putted!!(or was that the next hole Bob?)

Our thanks go to the Flagstaff Hill staff for a beautifully prepared course and to the bar and kitchen staff for the excellent service post golf.

Our next monthly meeting is at Murray Bridge on 17th July and I look forward to catching up with as many of you who can make the journey. Oh yes the low score of the day, congratulations to Allan Dix who was well out of the frame this month but the winner this month whose name starts with Len and ends with Dewsnap 16 points was by far the best of the day!!

Once again we were blessed with excellent condition with which the 26 intrepid players could take on and challenge the Championship course at Lady Bay It was also good to see some old friends, namely John and Helen Humphreys who although unable to play had made to effort to come and see us off. John has just had a shoulder reconstruction. Pay more attention next time Helen is speaking to you John!! We also welcomed a soon to be member in Scott Healey and Leon Mulder was playing his first competition as a member and a welcome return to Bob Watson.

The course was in excellent condition the weather benign and some high scores were expected. So congratulations to Bob Mulder and Len Dewsnap who must have made excellent use of the course and had more shots than anyone else. I know it’s a tough game and we should be sympathetic, but the author only hopes this does not deter them from making further appearances during the season.

In all competitions of this type there are always tales of what might have been and Allan Dix was first and foremost in that category. If Mark Duerden hadn’t turned up and scored 38 points Allan’s 38 points would not have had to face the Club Captains scrutiny and alas he lost on a count-back. But congratulations to both of them as any score better than par was an excellent effort. Once again our Captain, Jeff Snedden was in the winners circle with a well constructed 37 points. The ladies winner was Catherine Robinson with 37 points and Dylis Hinde was runner up with 34 points, well done to both of you.

It would be remiss of me not to mention two of the day’s best shots and congratulations to Darryl Letts for his nearest the pin on the 6th hole at 3m and to Ian Woodstock for a wonderful shot on the 8th at 1.801m (yes I do carry a tape measure Jeff).

This was our second year at Lady Bay and we were able to use the superb new facilities and all agreed it was an outstanding venue. A number of the players had taken the opportunity to bring there families along and stay at the onsite accommodation. It was great to see them at the after match celebrations and lunch. It was suggested that perhaps next year more members might like to advantage of this facility and enjoy each other company for a meal on the Saturday night. The venue has been booked again for next year on the 19th March, so put it down in your diaries and the committee will look at trying to organise an evening.

Finally commiserations to James Newport, who came back to the field with 30 points this time, there’s is always Victor Harbor on the 10th April James.

On a beautiful sunny Sunday morning 31 golfers lined up to test their skills against the Fleurieu Country Club Course. This was an exceptional turn out and all players are to be congratulated for their attendance. They say winners are grinners but young James Newport must still be smiling after pummeling this well turned out course to the tune of 47 points. In the clubhouse after I heard his marker telling anyone who would listen that he had never had to take both shoes and socks off before to count someone’s score on just 9 holes!!

Other starring roles on the day were Jeff Snedden, James Prater and James Lunnay, all had 36 points which is a very creditable score for the day. It was down to our Club Captain, Jeff, to decide the minor placing’s and they came in as shown above, well done Jeff!!

Leading the way for the women was Carol Brooker who took the Lady’s prize with 36 points. I’m not sure who was the most surprised when our President gave her a kiss when he presented the cheque, her or the first second and third men who he didn’t kiss.

There were many stories of shots well played, but only two were recognised. Ron Hinde who took out nearest the pin on the 5th hole with his tee shot 1 meter from the hole and Bob Mulder on the 9th at 2.5meters. I promised Bob I wouldn’t tell anyone that he three putted, so my lips are sealed. Well done Ron and Bob, there were no prizes for the next shot so who cares if you got the birdie or not!!

David thanked the Fleurieu golf club for the use of their facilities and for the excellent after match food. He was also very complimentary to all of the members who had played and particularly pleased to see some of the wives who had made the effort to come along for the lunch.

To those who didn’t walk away with a prize there is always next time and with Lady Bay on the 13th March, that opportunity is not far away.

Author note: Have you noticed that you had to have a name beginning with the letter J to get into the winners circle this month, is this a conspiracy or what!!