And
After The
ANZAC Day is commemorated around
25th
April 2008 – Anzac Day: There
was an eerie feeling in the air as the competitors started to arrive at the
Growling Frog Golf Course on the northern outskirts of Melbourne early on Anzac
Day. They were there to compete for the Anzac
Day Medal, the first sanctioned event on the nnomads Golf Club 2008
competition calendar. As usual, players were competing for the prestigious
Anzac Day Medal pin, which the winner of the event keeps for eternity. However,
this year saw the introduction of a new perpetual Anzac Day Medal trophy, which is to be handed from winner to winner
down the years (see photo of new trophy left). As would be expected, past
winner names were added to the trophy and each past winner was allocated a few
minutes to fondle the trophy before it was presented to the winner for 2008. “It was only fair to let the past champions
handle the trophy for a few minutes each. It gave the trophy a nostalgic feel
about it” explained Brendan as he handed the new trophy to Jack and Tom during
the warm down. “Letting those two handle
the trophy with their grubby hands only soils it” suggested Min who was
almost drowned out by the rest of the admiring and aspiring competitors all
goggling at the trophy (see photos of past
champions fondling the trophy).
An Elite Field: So the
stakes were high as competitors stepped up to the first tee at 10.00am. The
first group away showed huge potential and contained Brendan (sponsor of the
event), Tom (last year’s winner),
Testing Conditions on Course: Contrary to what was said in last years article, the Growling
Frog is a Graham Marsh designed, links style course, set among the
red gums. This superbly crafted 18 hole, ACR 73, 6185
metre layout is designed for golfers seeking a challenging golfing experience in a true Australian environment, or
at least that’s what they say on their website.
And that wasn’t far from the truth, that is, the challenging golfing
experience bit, because conditions proved to be testing in the prevailing wind,
albeit in otherwise lovely sunny conditions. “It wasn’t the weather that made it a challenging game. It was all that
we stuff we consumed on the way around” explained
And
of course there was more truth to that statement than meets the eye as
competitors battled their way around the course. And as usual, the spirit of
the Anzacs shone through as the various the player groups rose to the challenge
on the day, or at least some players did while others fell by the wayside as
the trenches took their toll (see photos of players
on course).
Freeman
Fighters Shine Through: There was tension in the air as Brendan
started to run down through the scores during the warm down after the game.
Slowly various player names were eliminated as their relative performances were
revealed. Eventually, it became apparent that Mark F had won the day with a
brilliant net 76 strokes (113, 37, 76), which was just in front of Tim on an
excellent net 77 strokes (107, 30, 77).
“Look those were good scores for these conditions when the wind is considered.
Mark deserves the recognition” reinforced Brendan during a post game
discussion. “I can’t believe I won! No
further comment” waved Mark who refused to comment further because of a
media contract with a different media outlet (see doorstop
interview with Mark, winner ADM 2008). Just as an aside, the next couple of
players included Min, who followed Tim by one stroke on net 78, and Brendan, a
further stroke behind on net 89 strokes. The balance of the
field were eighty strokes plus, a significant distance behind these pace
setters.
Presentations
in a Comfortable Car Park: With a little help from Brendan and
Harry, a circle of seats appeared between the cars in the Growling Frog car
park along with an esky full of beers. Logically the players took advantage of
the facilities as they went through their ‘warm down’ process and prepared for
the presentations. “I’m not sure why we
are in the car park and not in the clubhouse bar, but the view is wonderful”
sighed Steve admiring the vista from a comfortable chair. “And the beers are much cheaper” added Min who was working up a tab
with the club (see pictures and video of
‘warm down’). Note: If you listen carefully, the video records Mark
suggesting his handicap should come down to 27 strokes, which would be a ten stroke
reduction. Towards the end of the video Mark says “Now that I have won, you have to chop ten strokes off my handicap”.
At the time of writing this article the committee has not discussed Mark’s
request but will do so at the next committee meeting. “Yes slash his handicap as 
requested”
agreed Brendan with a wry smile “We can’t
do it. If we act on this request there will be a flood of requests from across
the club. Everyone will want their handicaps reduced and mainly for image reasons”
countered
Back
on message for a moment, the presentations were just sensational. Deservedly
so, the centre of attention was Mark, which created some problems when the
photos came around as Mark normally is in the background of most presentation
photos. While Tom and Min tried to help out where they could, it just wasn’t
quite the same.
Despite
all this, Brendan (event sponsor) and Bryan (last year’s winner) did a great
job pinning on the Anzac Day medal and presenting the Anzac Day trophy to Mark
(see video with presentation photos).
Not
to be forgotten was Tim who came in second overall earning two balls for his
efforts. The committee congratulates Tim on his fine performance. Brendan also
played well winning two NTPs and the longest drive,
getting three balls for his efforts. The committee congratulates Brendan on his
great performance. Club champion
Mark
Leads the 2008 Championship: So, the first championship
event for 2008 has now been completed and Mark is in the lead with an average
score of 76 strokes. As most members will know, the nnomads Golf Club champion
for 2008 will be the player with the lowest
average net score at the end of the year across at minimum of three
official nnomads Golf Club championship events. It is calculated as follows:
The gross scores
of each player's best three net scores
from all Official nnomads championship events entered, are added together,
resulting in the total gross score. The handicaps used to get these best three net scores are also added
together, resulting in the total handicap. This is then subtracted from the
total gross score, to give the players total net score. The total net score is
then averaged, giving the players average net score. The Player with the lowest average net score at the end of
the year will be the club champion. Entrants must compete in a minimum of three Official nnomads
Golf Club championship events in the relevant calendar year.
Lest
We Forget: The nnomads Golf Club committee would like to
congratulate Mark on his fabulous win in the Anzac Day Medal and indeed all
other winners on the day. The committee also wants to call on all members and
associates of the nnomads Golf Club to rise to the challenge and give Mark some
stiff competition by contesting as many club championship competitions as
possible in 2008. Sanctioned club championship events on the calendar so far
include the PIS (early July in SA), the BIT (11th October), and the
MCC (November). Other events will be announced during the year. So don’t
forget. These are must attend events for golf lovers. Put them in your dairy
and see you there.
Results: The Anzac Day Medal
2008
|
Course |
Player |
Gross |
HCP |
Net |
Prizes |
|
Growling Frog |
Mark F |
113 |
37 |
76 |
1st prize (3 balls) |
|
Growling Frog |
Tim |
107 |
30 |
77 |
2nd prize (2 balls) |
|
Growling Frog |
Min |
109 |
31 |
78 |
|
|
Growling Frog |
Brendan |
92 |
13 |
79 |
2 x NTP, 1 x LD (3 balls) |
|
Growling Frog |
Jack |
100 |
19 |
81 |
|
|
Growling Frog |
Harry |
108 |
24 |
84 |
|
|
Growling Frog |
Mark V |
111 |
26 |
85 |
|
|
Growling Frog |
Tom |
108 |
21 |
87 |
|
|
Growling Frog |
Emile |
118 |
31 |
87 |
NTP (1 ball) |
|
Growling Frog |
Steve |
106 |
18 |
88 |
|
|
Growling Frog |
Fritz |
121 |
28 |
93 |
|
This month’s competition: What was the mistake
in last year’s article?