The approach to Hatton Vale was through a very heavy patch of fog, but the 3 degrees welcome for the early arrivals ushered in a fine, clear day which had all shedding their winter garments very early in the Round.
Game numbers today were 69 (52 men and 17 Ladies), eight up on last year due mainly to an increase of seven in the number of lady players. One group or four were never going to turn up as they thought they had put their names down for Gailes. Three new members were registered, two of whom were ladies.
Check the photos of last year’s game to see how conditions can change with a limited rainfall. Consequently, there was plenty of run on the Course and the Preferred Lie was needed on most shots. The Greens had suffered also and they are being nursed through this Winter period. Softer putts had a way of altering course on the way to the hole, or alternatively, stopping short.
Play was a bit late getting under way with the re-arrangement of playing groups after some late withdrawals and the need to meet the buggy needs of other players. Club Captain, Jim Guest, made sure the urn was boiling and generally oversaw that all were welcomed to the club. Lauries lunches were once again spot on.
Shiela Goodbun returned to the winner’s circle with a fine 37 points and Greg Carter and Bob Ellison prevented the expected challenge from the locals by out scoring Ken Marschke in Division 1. It was a different story in Division 2 with locals Jon Merrick and Graham Hauser winning the trophies. Vic Gibbons played a top second shot into the 9/18th hole to within 116cm to win the balls.
Photos.
1. Jerry hits off on the 3rd Tee after quite a time getting to the 11th Green.
2. Quite a daunting shot on the 7th hole but Rainbow had only a short chip onto the Green.
3. Quite a few had this difficult approach to the 8th Green and then a delicate chip or putt back down the slope to the hole.
4. The only place where there was a holdup, but it gave a chance to have a chat.
5. Like so many others today, Joe thought he had this putt but still had to have a tap in to finish.
The next game will be at Gailes on Monday 30th July. We won’t have visitors this time, so don’t be confused, it will be an 8.30am Shotgun start.
