6-July-2014: Bankstown GC

 Single Stableford- (CCR=32pts)

Its almost the middle of winter, and With a 6:18am hit-off at Bankstown Golf Course today, you could be excused to think there won’t be too many golfers brave enough to show up in the chilly conditions and hit spherical ice cubes all day long.

Amazingly, thirty three supposedly sane Revesby members showed up to prove their skills and bodily functions were impervious to whatever nature could throw at them. Whilst most players utilise the latest technology in equipment to give them an edge, Freckles (aka Wayne Donovan) came up with an ingenious solution to combat the cold, namely, sachets of heat generating crystals to be held in your hand. Freckles confidently asserted it would be a “game-breaker”.

Play commenced from the 10th tee, and with clear sky, no wind and many eyes, the greatest pressure would be felt with the first shot. To thunderous applause from everyone, Gary McMahon had the honour and great distinction of most ignominious first shot when he toed his drive into the trees on the right, which then ricocheted backwards over his head to land 20 metres behind him. Nonchalantly, Gary got out his 3 wood and smashed it 250 metres down the middle to another great applause. Too bad his next shot was a shank back into the trees 🙁

Typical for winter, the fairways and greens will be hard and fast, and With pins cut in position B (if you can’t remember, B means “bastard” positions), you know your short game will be under great pressure.

To have any chance of scoring well on this great course, it is imperative to avoid the trees from the tees, avoid clunkers into the bunkers and remember, its slaughter in the water and don’t be a klutz with the putts 🙂

With free pizzas awaiting all players back in the clubhouse, it was a no-brainer that play was quick today. Many thanks must go to Noel Connolly and Mark Connolly for organising the pizzas after the round, it was well received and consumed 🙂

Feedback from players indicated course conditions were tough (not the pizzas, the golf course), particularly the greens which were hard, fast and difficult to stop the ball for majority of players. A strong wind came up on the back nine which affected accuracy and shot selection. Not surprisingly, CCR was 32 points.

After processing and adjusting some cards, the Captain, Steve Vaughn, announced the winners.

The outright winner trophy went to John Varrica with a fine score, under the tough conditions, of 38 points. John had a fantastic last nine score of 24 points, which was even par off the stick. Looks like he has discovered the magic elixir for his swing and he will need to bottle it up for the upcoming Championships, which by the way, starts next game at Rosnay. well done John.

The A Grade winner went to the $6.6 million dollar man (adjusted for inflation) Greg Jones, who must have done a grease job on all the bionic parts, to score a commendable 36 points. There was concern that the cold weather would drastically affect Greg’s swing (its a well known scientific fact that metal expands and contracts with temperature), but the results prove that titanium gives you an edge, whether it be in the club or the body 🙂 Great come-back result Greg.

The B Grade winner went to the Big Easy, whoops, I mean the Big Lefty, no not Phil Mickelson, someone bigger, that’s right, the one and only Ryan Johnston with a grafting 33 points. With his new evolving swing, Ryan was able to minimise the killer bad shots and grind out a respectable score. Good to see the Big Lefty on the podium.

The C grade winner went to an experienced campaigner, well versed in the art of winning and grinning, yes, that’s right, SuperMark Connolly is on the podium after shooting a solid 35 points. That’s two wins in two weeks, wow, if losing your wisdom teeth is the price to pay then take MINE out 🙂 Congratulations SuperMark on another well-earned win.

Lastly, the Guzzlers went to Ken Little with a grafting 33 points on a count-back from Jim Gardner. Ken was last seen leaving the club drunk on lemonade, whilst a shattered Jimmy was dreaming of the lemonade that could have been his 🙂

The Bradman scores were loooow:

George is a specialist, he has 3 out of 6 Bankstown Bradmans this year, but he is improving.
John is a probie and can be excused as he is still settling into the club.
Freckles was right, those heat generating crystals were indeed “game-breakers”.

 

Revesby results on the day:

Outright Winner: John Varrica [10] 38 pts

A Grade Winner: Greg Jones [17] 36 pts
B Grade Winner: Ryan Johnston [19] 33 pts
C Grade Winner: Mark Connolly [24] 35 pts

GUZZLERS CUP: Ken Little [10] 33 pts c/b

BRADMANS: A – George Lattouf [14] 23 pts
                  B – Wayne Donovan [19] 16 pts
C – John Lovett [24] 15 pts
Nearest To Pins: K.Little(3), J.Hilder(7), P.Dawkins(11), G.Dean(13), B.Craven(15)

Drive & Pitch: J.Gardiner(5)