CARRINGTON PARK – Garry Buick Memorial
Sunday, 26th January, 2014
Format: Stableford
Second marquee event of the season, the Garry Buick Memorial, this year held at Carrington Park. As per usual, a few late scratchings had the organisers introduce a new starter, Billy Armour to the club.
Tradition would have Koala saying a few words and a toast to Garry prior to tee-off.
Stableford was the format for the day and would see defending champion Sammy, showing his determination to go back to back, after a wayward tee shot and failing to find his ball, decided to return all the way back to the first tee, holding up the entire proceedings, only to fire his 2nd ball to same spot, again deemed lost, nil points.
Perhaps the litre of Grey Goose and Glenfiddich was a wee bit off putting.
Hot and trying conditions and as usual handicaps dominated the days talking points. Newbie Billy Armour, who during the week requested 27 and was given a reduced 24 for the day, even made a mockery of this and shot 46 points.
Due to Billy’s ineligibility to win the Garry Buick Memorial, it was Ryan who would post another very high score of 44 points to empty the MGC coffers of prizes, which included golf vouchers, golf lessons, practice mat, chipping net, practice balls, box of MGC prov1 balls, stubby holders, drink bottles, back packs, bum bags, hats, t-shirts, caps, golf towels, bbq equipment, computer accessories, umbrellas and much much more.
As is a welcome tradition, Aileen would come up and present the Garry Buick trophy to the winner.
R. Lee trying out some of the new goodies
However at the other end of the scoresheet there was a tight battle for the NAGA award which came down to a countback between our lowest handicapper Vic and one of our highest, Jimmy the Chef. Jimmy would emerge the winner on this score by 1 point to leave Victor donning the propeller cap for the first time, with a score of 23 points (exactly half of Billy’s).
Nearest the pins on the day went to Ryan (2), Deeks (2) and Joe Junior (he’s aged)
Controversy for the day was building as the handicappers had some work to do with 7 members shooting their handicap or over. However, the precedence set in recent games was to take a back seat with only Billy A. getting reduced from 24 to 18 and Ryan cut from 22 to 18. It was noted that one of the handicappers (Joe) was one of these that shot 36 with 3 outs (more than eligible for the sword in the past). The ‘legitimate’ reason for this backflip was that it was an easy course; tell that to the 17 members who failed to play to their handicap. This self-imposed leniency proved to be beneficial to Christophe, Winker, Junior and Deeks who all shot over the mark and got off Scot-free.
With a feeble attempt at trying to quell the restless natives the handicappers would ease Vic out 1 shot from 10 to 11.
Alan also stepped forward to request a self-imposed cut of 4 shots taking him to 27, granted.
Another brilliant day, thanks to all who contributed and donated, much appreciated and good to keep these days alive and full of importance.
Group 1: Christophe 15, Sammy 22, Alan 31, Andy Mac 22
Group 2: Jimmy 36, Sutho 18, Ryan 22, Hughie 20
Group 3: Winker 20, Spoon 10, Deeks 12, Tim 36
Group 4: Bob 32, Snappy Tom 14, Barra 18, Billy Mac 36
Group 5: Joe junior 18, Koala 32, Billy A. 24, Joe 13
Group 6: Mitch 18, Stevie 32, Baby Koala 27, Clayton 31