Portarlington Golf Club – January 11, 2018

I MUST admit that even if I wasn’t holidaying at one of our beautiful coastal resorts, I would have chosen not to play in last Saturday’s extreme heat that swept the state. One of my companions down here spent Friday evening phoning around various cricket clubs in his role as an association secretary, cancelling the next day’s play due to the predicted soaring temperatures. I know it is a personal choice to play golf in these conditions, but I wonder if the clubs should take some responsibility by also cancelling the day’s play in such dangerous conditions?

Tuesday January 2, Men’s and Ladies’ Stableford
Plenty about the place, with 163 men out for a hit. Doug Hill made his presence felt early in the day with a very-well-compiled 43 points to take home Trophy of the Day and B Grade by a point from Chris McCulloch.

John Rowe continued some great form to top the A Graders with 39, a point clear of Jeremy Owens, Wayne Pavletich waited until the end of the day to hand in a 42 and relegate me to 2nd place on 41, and Trung Truong was best in D Grade with 41, a point in front of John Anderson. Nearest the Pins were scored by Peter O’Neill, Mick Whyley and Ian Fraser, and Peter Bauer got the ProPin.

Wednesday January 3, Ladies’ Stableford
A good field of 63 ladies took to the course, but it was visitor Val Cleary from Kooringal GC that showed a clean pair of heels to our locals with 42 points to win the day and A Grade from a 39 by Sue Hazell. Diane Roede topped the B Graders with 39 on a countback from Chris Tezise, and Marg Quick’s 40 won her C Grade from Pat Worsley on 37. The pinshots were won by Jenny Champion and Donna Utt, and the ProPins by Chris Cunningham (0-25) and Chris Trezise (26-45).

Saturday January 6, Men’s stroke, Ladies Stableford
A stinking hot day with raging northerlies still didn’t stop 133 men and 10 ladies from joining the fray, with a men’s monthly medal up for grabs. Forever member Colin Evans thrived the conditions to return a spectacular nett 65 to collect the medal and the C Grade voucher from Robert Barker’s 68. Tim Benham did best of the A Graders with 67, a shot ahead of Peter Steele, John Rowe continued his good form to win B Grade with 69 on a countback from David Bond, and George Spence topped all D Graders with 66, a shot in front of Jim Wilson. The NTPs were won by John Crossett, Darren Heaton and Chris Dodds, and the ProPin by Stuart Anderson. Best of the ladies was Helen Barry with 40 points from Marg Mascoll’s 38, with Pat Peacock claiming both the NTP and ProPin.

Coming events
Saturday January 13: Men’s and Ladies’ Stableford
Tuesday January 16: Men’s and Ladies’ Stableford
Wednesday January 17: Ladies’ Stableford
Thursday January 18: Men’s and Ladies’ Stableford