28-FEB-2016: Bankstown – 1st Round Club Championships - STROKE

Well, its that time of year again when Revesby golfers are put through the 4-stroke mince-meat machine.

The Championships consists of four rounds of stroke play and the winners (scratch and handicap), in each Grade (A, B and C), are determined by totalling the scratch and nett over-par score of the best 3 out of four rounds.

Often regarded as the truest measure of a golfer’s ability, both mental and physical, stroke play will often favour the more consistent player who can grind out each round whilst keeping their emotions in check. Most players will err on the side of safety and play conservatively so as to avoid big scores that can kill a round.

Bankstown’s natural defences of water, sand and timber are well understood and etched severely in the minds of many players. The trees and water hazards can wound a player, but the main danger for some are the sand bunkers which can severely traumatise a player 🙁

After getting past these defences, one is then confronted with the large, slick and ever-so subtle contoured greens that can play games on a player’s judgement and nerves. The resultant misfiring electrical pulses to a player’s twitching muscles is a common affliction 🙁

With all that said, the second last day of Summer saw thirty two (32) masochistic Revesby players show up for a 5:55am scheduled tee-off time from the tenth tee (yellow tees), with holes cut in Pin B quadrant location.

Even the Sun refused to get up at that hour, so players had plenty of time to silently collect their thoughts and contemplate on the dangers that may beckon them on their 4-5 hour trek across the booby-trapped landscape of Bankstown (bit like the P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of World War 2 in Europe when they sat silently alone in their cockpits for ten minutes before starting their engines to fly a mission).

Clear skies, mild temperatures and little to no breeze greeted players initially, however, players knew the heat and fatigue would kick in towards the end of the round.

As expected , play was slow with players spending a lot more time looking for balls in the trees and short Kikuyu rough, and taking more care when putting on the greens (no gimmes today), whilst some players quickly learned to play a provisional ball from the tee 🙁

Most players were tired and worn out after the round.

Behind the 18th green, Medibank and BUPA had erected kiosks to cater for many of the players who needed to take out extra health insurance. Only restrictions were self-inflicted wounds and bipolar swing disorders 🙂

With 32 score cards to be checked, sorted and recorded, it soon became apparent many players had struggled with their game when the CCR was posted at even-par 71. Hitting crooked, getting into the trees too often and poor bunker play were the most common reasons, whilst the greens were perfect and offered no excuses, with the ball running true at medium-fast pace.

Unusual for social golf, but players in recent good form maintained that form today.

The outright winner today was a very pleasing result for Frank Saify, who followed up his 46 points from last week at Georges River, with a terrific score of 65 nett (handicap 18). Who can believe this player got the Bradmans two weeks ago with 17 points:-(

If he keeps this up, Frank will be a strong contender for B Grade, in fact, he scored better than most A Graders today! Congratulations Frank on your sterling win 🙂

 

With a score of 68 nett (handicap 25), Mister George Osterman amazed everyone with his continued success with the new clubs which he procured from his eagles nest winnings, by taking out the C Grade trophy today.

A good follow up to his solid round last week when he took the runners-up prize with Dick Paipa in the 2BBB. George will be celebrating his win even more so, when he celebrates his 60th year of living in Australia on the first of March (lucky it wasn’t 29 February, else it would be his 15th anniversary). Another fine win George 🙂

 

 

 

I’m starting to sound like a broken record player, but another golfer in good form took out the B Grade trophy today with a score of 69 nett (handicap 19). After playing Georges River and The Ridge golf courses the last two days, its not really surprising to find Kila hitting his straps. The Guzzlers win last week provided the fuel to journey so many courses in so few days. As they say, practice makes perfect and the timing has proved impeccable – another notch for the Peacemaker’s handle 🙂
 

 

 

 

 

The A Grade winner went to Ken Little with a score of 70 nett (handicap 11). Whilst his driving form may not be as good as it was two weeks ago, Ken managed to steer the ball around the course without racking up huge scores like he has in the past. His main weapon to tame the course was the putter (25 putts) and to a lesser extant, his short game. A satisfactory result to begin the championships 🙂

 

 

 

 

The Guzzlers went to a player who started the year on fire before he hit an iceberg. Limping back to port (no pun), Jeff Hilder has managed to patch up the damage to his golfing rudder to steer himself back on course with a good score of 71 nett (handicap 18). Steered the course like a seasoned pirate – avast there, me hearties, arr, can ye spare a drop for me matey 🙂

Bringing up the rear, the Bradmans went to a motley crew who didn’t fly, but dropped like a sack of potatoes, into a cuckoo’s nest. Last seen taking some medication whilst putting on strange white jackets with sleeves tied behind their backs 🙁

Highlights of the day:

The dreaded air-swing reared its ugly head (that could be the root cause). The person’s name will go unmentioned to protect their reputation and not because rank-has-its-privileges (well, after all, I’m only a private in this man’s army). Yes sir, I salute the man, out of obedience 🙂

Ever had a bad bunker day? Two leading Revesby experts in this field have started a company specialising in land excavation, in particular, silica extraction. Both experts project a huge dividend if they continue their excavation at the rate they displayed today.

Latest news flash !!
Both Louis Tasaico and George Lattouf announce they have won the lottery and are going on a world cruise 🙂

Singles Match Play Final
Both players (Ken Little & George Lattouf) agreed to defer match play until after Championships.
Venue yet to be decided.

Individual results on the day:

Outright Winner: Frank Saify [18] 65 nett

A Grade Winner: Ken Little [11] 70 nett

B Grade Winner: Phil Kilazoglou [19] 69 nett

C Grade Winner: George Osterman [25] 68 nett

GUZZLER’s CUP: Jeff Hilder [18] 71 nett

BRADMANS:
A Grade: Ryan Johnston [11] 88 nett
B Grade: Noel Connolly [19] 81 nett
C Grade: John Lovett [29] 84 nett