Centenary Park
Sunday, 5th May, 2019
Format; stableford
Event management; Clayton, Koala, Vic
The final game of the season saw the members go local to Centenary Park. Course report was very ordinary for the second year running and begs the question for the organisers.
Another depleted field of 16 attended, but it was all to play for with the annual Animalia Cup on the line, not to mention the coveted Player and NAGA of the year awards alongside the re-badged Knockout Cup.
First up the previously mentioned Knockout Cup fizzled out as one of the finalists Joe, lodged a forfeit due to being on the UK seniors tour, leaving Bob to stroll home to pick up the readies.
On the day, it would be one of our own seniors, Clayton, romping home with very tidy score of 38 points to pick up this year’s Animalia Cup, along with some very decent prizes for his troubles.
Clayton also managed to set a new club record for the Secret 6 with a tally of 17 points.
At the tail end of the field it was the usual suspects, Jimmy the chef and Billy Mac going head to head marking each other’s cards. Both recording scores of 24 points with Billy Mac prevailing on a countback to send Jimmy to the kennel to pick up the dog.
Fortunately for Jimmy, our resident animal catcher Hughesy couldn’t front up this year and so the wildlife prize didn’t appear and no-one else was game enough to fetch anything in.
All focused shifted to the annual awards, with the leader board bunching up, another first in the MGC saw Koala and Christophe tying on 11 points for the player of the year 2018-19. Unforeseen by the organisers, along with the tight budget in which we operate, the trophy was badged on both sides and will be shared, but not the prizes, as there was much to go round.
Last award on the table was the NAGA of the year dish, this was an absolute landslide by the bookies favourite, Billy Mac. His 2nd last display today only pushed his tally to 21.5 points for the season, with his nearest rival way back on single figures, this also was a new MGC record.
Although he did manage to pick up a new set of Callaway’s to help improve his standing in the game.
Nearest the pins for the day went to Tich, Ryan and Taffy.
Handicap adjustments were as follows, Clayton cut from 37 to 35, Bob cut 16 to 15, Christophe cut 9 to 8 and Koala cut 31 to 30. Jimmy the chef 36 to 37 and Billy Mac managed to ease himself out to the magical figure of 40.
All that was left was the annual MGC gift, last year’s loser Red, had his opportunity to turn things around, however he passed on this and bolted from the club before the starting pistol fired. Leaving Billy Armour and Koala to challenge Bob in the handicapped event but this proved to be a farce. Work required.
Thanks to the event management who looked after the day.
Finally, all that was left was for me Barra, to announce my retirement from the organisation duties that the club need to survive month to month each year.
After 14 years at the helm it’s time for me to pass on all that’s kept me busy over the years. Mostly, it’s been very challenging no doubt, but also very rewarding and I’ve truly enjoyed my time in this position.
I would like to personally thank all those who have helped me along the way, organising and prize donations along with all the behind the scene stuff needed for a smooth operation.
We have come a long way as a club, from when the ladies used to serve us to the event management set up we enjoy today. From when I used to print photos and put them on the club wall each month to the website for all our records, also the Men’s Health fund.
The mammoth efforts gone into organising Marquee events for 3 members spring to mind, but there’s much more and we should all feel proud of our achievements, I certainly do.
But it’s mostly about laughs and I feel, and hope I given much there. The time is right for me to hand over to a new team with much confidence and I look forward to joining all the members back on the course, I know you’ve missed me on the first tee.
Group 1; Taffy 22, Deeks 17, Ryan 20, Tich 27
Group 2; Vic 9, Christophe 9, Billy Mac 39, Clayton 37
Group 3; Billy A. 20, Biggsy 26, Red 19, Winker 25
Group 4; Sammy 25, Bob 16, Jimmy the chef 36, Koala 31