Ist Round of the 2017 Championships

SPONSORED by QUEENSLANDERS CREDIT UNION

We couldn’t have asked for a better Winter’s Day for this important game on our playing calendar. Let’s hope that it can be repeated again next Monday to get through the two days of the Championships. The following game will be the first in Spring.

The field was 93 (76 Men and 17 Ladies), which was a bit surprising as it was expected that the 100 would be reached this year. The good point was that all players were keen to get started and this we did as the last arrival at 8.15am allowed time to get to some of the distant Tees. This was just as well since the Championships are Stroke Rounds and Ipswich is a long Course.

Preferred Lie through the Green is still in operation here, and in some areas was necessary to get a satisfactory surface, though improvements are gradually occurring as time allows. The Greens have suffered during this time of the year, making the putting surfaces not as smooth as they were on our last visit.

Those who enjoy the welcoming snacks were well catered for and the choices for lunch again suited all needs.

Terry Haslam treated the Course with contempt and in so doing recorded a fine nett 61 to go with his 80 off the stick. The rest of the Men’s field will have to up their games to make a contest of it next week. In the Ladies Division, Alison Standing has a three stroke lead on the field but the Ladies task in catching her is not as formidable as in the Men’s Division. Joy Wilson was still amazed with her second shot on the 15th hole which was good enough to win her the Pin Shot.

Photos.

1. Peter Frazer would like to know if anyone else has come across ‘Balfore’ clubs as he had not seen any others like his anywhere.

2. Bruce, you would never get to practice a shot like this at Esk.

3. He gave this a good shot, but it narrowly missed.

4. I haven’t heard the explanation of what’s going on here, unlike the glee after Tom’s Birdie on the 16th hole.

5. Graham is happy with Joy’s Pin Shot as he’s one more ball to the good.

The next game, the 2nd Round of the Championships, is at Ipswich City on Monday 28th August. It is an 8.30am Shotgun start. Players who are not involved in the Championships are welcome to play in the Competition of the day. The following game is at Rosewood on Monday 4th September. Woodford Vets will join us for a game that day and it will be a 9.00am Shotgun start to allow them travelling time.