29-Mar-2015: Hurstville GC – 4th Round Championships (Stroke)

 

 

 

 

 

Another cloudy and windless morning greeted twenty three (23) players as they prepared for a 8:15am hit-off from both 1st and 10th tees at the nearby Hurstville Public Golf Course. Most players were weary from the previous three weeks of grinding stroke rounds, but with a barbecue (BBQ) on offer after the round, players were psyching themselves up for one last big effort in search of fame and glory or shame and gory.

The split hit-off caused some confusion with groupings, however, every effort was made to assemble the top four contenders of each grade into their respective groups on the day.

Naturally, the Captain Cooks for the day, Messrs Paul Dawkins, Noel Connolly, Rossco Hamer, Alan Tricker and Jeff Hilder, led out early. Thanks fellas for the wonderful chicken skewers and snags, it was terrific. Also, a nod to the big fella, SuperMark, for organising the nick-nacks 🙂

The Hurstville layout is challenging, particularly the front nine (par 37), which is hilly and packed with trees and hazards. On the other hand, the back nine is relatively flatter, has fewer trees and more par 3s (par 33).

Whilst the fairways were in very good condition, the greens can be the Achilles heel for this course. Varying from small to medium in size, they can vary from extremely fast to very slow, it all depends on the season and weather conditions.

Play was reasonably fast for stroke, though some groups had trouble looking for balls in the Kikuyu rough. An unusual amount of time was spent on the greens, as players succumbed to jittery twitches as they attempted to putt on the “Rawhide” fast greens (the balls “keep rolling, rolling, rolling”).

The Revesby “Stinkmeter” for green speed went off the charts as players howled with disdain at their putrid putting performances. The record went to Gary McMahon with his 7-putt on the 10th green, though it was understandable, as some of the slopes and speeds were just diabolical.

The tenth (10th) green was just one case in point. Sloping severely from back to front, it was virtually impossible if you were above or to the side of the hole, as the ball would just run-off the green. In the case of poor Gary, he went off the green twice with his putts 🙁

Other infamous sloping greens worthy of mention were the 4th (par3), 11th (par3), 15th (par5), 16th (par3) and temporary 17th (par4).

After the round, the players quickly convened in the covered outdoor area for the BBQ. Scores were generally very high with CCR for the day set to 73 strokes, which was three over par for the course.

Naturally, most players were discussing their putting dramas to sympathetic mates and wondering which round to exclude from the Championship total. Shell Cove was a killer from tee to green, whereas Hurstville was a killer on the greens 🙁

The outright winner was Ken Little with a fine score of 70 nett (handicap 12). Ken’s game was very solid from tee to green, often electing to under-club or hit away from trouble so as to avoid the big numbers. The tactics obviously proved successful, but like everyone else, he was wounded several times with the putter from long range. Good comeback win, particularly being the last round of the Championships 🙂

The A Grade winner was Greg Jones with a score of 72 nett (handicap 16). Greg’s strengths are his irons and putter, but he would have been sorely tested under today’s conditions. His consistent performance has rewarded him a play-off for the A Grade Handicap Event – well done Greg 🙂

The B Grade winner was Rossco Hamer with a score of 75 nett (handicap 22). It was a hard earned win, just pipping out by a shot a resurging Ken Harris. Good to see him back on the podium after a long absence, it was thoroughly deserved 🙂

The C Grade winner went to a chap who is in-form, namely, Louis Tasaico, with a score of 71 nett (handicap 24). A fine follow-up to last weeks C Grade win at Bankstown, its a pity Louis didn’t start out in C Grade at the beginning of the Championships – it would have been a lay-down misere 🙂

Next best thing to a winners cheque is the Guzzler’s Cup, and it goes to Kevin Gerkins with a score of 73 nett (handicap 26). Kevin has just started playing with the club, and after his sound 74 nett last week, looks the goods. Another top effort Kevin 🙂

The Bradmans of Bradmans (well, there were nine centurions on the day) went to three chaps who were clearly rattling their putters like a Gatling gun.

This is Steve Floyd’s initial Bradmans, so can be excused, however, he is still suffering shell-shock from the greens and is now considering Formula One racing as therapy 🙁

After Gary McMahon’s terrific victory last week at Bankstown, it was no surprise to see another winner crash and burn the following game – its been a constant pattern all year, mind you, seven putting on the very first hole he played would shatter anyone’s confidence 🙁

With three relatively good championship rounds already under the belt, Paul Dawkins paid a high price by resting on his laurels today. I’m sure winning the C Grade Championship today was a good antidote for the Bradman’s 🙂
Noteworthy shots of the day:

Naturally, Gary McMahon’s seven putt on the 10th green is the highlight.

However, a close second was George Lattouf’s efforts on the par5 8th hole. Playing his third shot with a hybrid from the trees on the left, the ball hit a tree in front of him, ricocheted over his head and hit a tree behind him, which then ricocheted forward to land in front of George exactly where he originally hit it. He may have been a snooker wizard in his younger days, but he is definitely a pin-ball wizard now 🙂

Speaking of George, he certainly is a tough cookie. With his back in pain from the third hole, George continued on severely restricted to finish out the round. He still managed to out-drive Ryan Johnston on one hole, though if truth be told, it was a “top” shot from Ryan. Lets hope George recovers quickly from the injury.

Finally, the Championship rounds are now over and talk about a few close results.

The A Graders are still fighting it out with no clear victors in either scratch or handicap events. The in-form Ryan Johnston got pipped at the post by one shot from the older brigade of John Varrica and Ken Little, who both must now conduct a play-off for the scratch event. Consolation for Ryan Johnston is he now must play Greg Jones in a play-off for the handicap event.

The B Grade was clearly won by a resurgent Mark Connolly with a three shot margin over Mark McDonald (MM). The Lanky Lefty (MM) was clear favourite after the first two rounds, but form deserted him on the home stretch to allow the young lion to pass him. MM was rewarded for his efforts by taking out the handicap event. Congratulations to both Marks, super effort 🙂

The C Grade was up in the air until the last round, with John McDonald requiring to play catch up football on a confident Paul Dawkins. With both players 2nd and 3rd rounds cancelling each other out, it was up to John to not only better Paul on the day, he also had to better Paul’s first round of 32 over. In the past, the scores at Hurstville are normally quite good, but alas, the greens were treacherous, making good scores hard to come by. John beat Paul today, but his final score was two shots too many 🙁 Good battle fellas.

A quietly confident John McDonald will now battle with John Lovett in a play-off for the C Grade Handicap event.

Phew, that was a pretty tough month of challenging golf. Now its on to relaxing golf – you don’t really care who wins, as long as you don’t get the Bradmans 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Individual results on the day:

Outright Winner: Ken Little [12] 70 nett

A Grade Winner: Greg Jones [16] 72 nett
B Grade Winner: Rossco Hamer [22] 75 nett
C Grade Winner: Louis Tasaico [24] 71 nett

GUZZLER’s CUP: Kevin Gerkins [26] 73 nett

Nearest To Pins: P.White(2), P.White(4), J.McDonald(12), J.McDonald(16), K.Little(18)

Drive & Pitch: J.Hilder(1)

BRADMANS:
A Grade: Steve Floyd [15] 86 nett
B Grade: Gary McMahon [22] 84 nett
C Grade: Paul Dawkins [28] 82 nett
Championship Results:

A Grade Winner: John Varrica & Ken Little to play-off
A Grade Handicap: Ryan Johnston & Greg Jones to play-off

B Grade Winner: Mark Connolly
B Grade Handicap: Mark McDonald

C Grade Winner: Paul Dawkins
C Grade Handicap: John McDonald & John Lovett to play-off

Please note: venue for play-offs yet to be determined by Revesby Match Committee