Sunday, 1st May, 2016
Format: stableford
Last game of the season and we’re back at Eagle Ridge for the 4th time. Wet weather was the forecast and wet weather we got.
An extended field would see a few subs called up, plus the inclusion of Jimmy the chef and a long awaited return from Hughesy.
Everything to play for today, along with the day’s awards we’d also have the closely run ’player of the year’ and ‘naga of the year’ awards contested for.
The return of Hughesy would also see the ‘wildlife award’ up for grabs for the naga of the year.
Controversy wasn’t far away as Paul had a major airlock half way round and walked off the course.
This would be the talking point of the day, as it meant that he would pick automatically up naga of the day for his petulance.
Hughesy swiftly swung into action and produced an extra wildlife award fitting of the deed.
A cock for being a cock
Honours for the day would be contested by 3 Ranfurlie boys, with big Red holding pole position in the club house with 37 points, grinning like a Cheshire cat , confidence was high as he asked to get measured up for the Tweed. Alas the last group home would have Bob pipping the big fella at the post with a score of 38 points, his partner Christophe carding 36 points to finish 3rd on the day.
The attention quickly turned to the annual awards. The ‘Naga of the year’ was a close run event, with Clayton and Billy Mac running a tight race. Both would accumulate 9 points for their time spent out on the course, however the new rule brought in at the start of the season of scoring half a point for not attending meant Clayton would be heralded as this year’s dud as he went on a cruise mid-season. Fair result as he was pretty brutal all year.
Clayton would now be the proud owner of a Guinea pig courtesy of Hughesy.
Player of the year saw the bookie’s favourite, Christophe get up. His 3rd place today and subsequent 1 point meant he’d pip Bob onto the dais with an annual score of 8 points to Bob’s 7. Certainly the most consistent golfer all year.
Alan was to introduce a new NAGA trophy for next season, called ‘dog of a day’. This meant that the trophy which has been the bane of many for the last 5 years was being retired. Traditionally, this would be fittingly taken home by the person who’d won it more times than any other.
Barra, trawled through the past 5 years records and found that both Joe and Billy Mac had contributed to its keep on 8 occasions each. However, with the benefit of a countback it showed that Billy Mac had taken it home in 3 singles events and Joe only the twice. Billy Mac’s it is.
It was also noted that 5 years ago Billy Mac had taken the last NAGA trophy home for the same reason. In summary, since the naga trophies were introduced, he has been absolute shite for the full 10 years. Huv a word wi yersel.
The winner Bob, would have his handicap cut from 21 to 19, the bottom 4 would all have their handicaps eased out 1 shot with Tim going from 37 to 38, Baby Koala 27 to 28, Mitch 21 to 22 and Joe 12 to 13. Although Paul got the naga he did not qualify for a handicap slide as he did not finish the game.
Nearest the pins on the day went to Barra (6th), Winker (8th), Baby Koala (11th).
A tinge of sadness on the day with Alan Anderson announcing his retirement from the club. Alan had been a stalwart of the club for many years and a major contributor of prizes for many of these. Always playing with a smile on his face, he’ll be sorely missed on our monthly outings. He was presented with a gift from the members as well as being inducted into life membership of the Strikers. Everyone wishes Alan well and we hope he can get out with us again in the future.
As the awards drew to a close all that was left was the annual ‘McClelland gift’, a race between Bob and Clayton, 30 years his senior. The bookies had closed the book on this month’s ago and this proved to be with good reason. As once again, the younger man was left face down in the turf as Clayton eased himself over the finish line to remain undefeated. Embarrassing.
A massive thanks to Jimmy for the catering today, also to Barra, Winker, Sutho and Alan for event management of the day.
For the season, to each and every one involved in the club, well done. The club is going from strength to strength and it’s a credit to all. Another brilliant year gone as we can only look forward to September.
Group 1: Clayton 35, Hubba 22, Ryan 24, Red 29
Group 2: Andy Mac 24, Tich 28, Winker 25, Tim 37
Group 3: Barra 21, Vic 14, Mitch 21, Billy A. 21
Group 4: Deeks 14, Koala 34, Hughie 24, Paul 20
Group 5: Bob 21, Christophe 12, Snappy Tom 18, Jimmy the chef 36
Group 6: Hughesy 32, Billy Mac 40, Joe 12, Taffy 29
Group 7: Baby Koala 27, Sutho 26, Alan 30, Biggsy 28
Event management for the day; Barra, Winker, Sutho, Alan