nnomads Golf Club

The Santa Decanter 2011

Winner on Handicap: Date: Course: Competitors: On course coverage: Prize winners:

Bryan (Thombei the Mist) 27^th December 2011 Growling Frog GC Player groups SD 2011 On course at the SD 2011 SD presentations 2011

Event Report:

‘Thombei takes the tequila’

Tuesday 27^th December 2011: Being just two days after Xmas, the member turnout for the annual running of the Santa Decanter was somewhat limited by short and long term injuries, viral infections, public hospital waiting lists, boxing day hangovers and the travelling diaries of the nnomads golf club elite. That was not say those that did turn up had it easy. Not at all because the Santa Decanter trophy is one that every nnomads Golf Club member aspires to have on their mantelpiece in part due to the fabulous look of the Santa Decanter trophy itself and in part due to the fact the trophy comes filled with an appropriate spirit (of the liquid type), in this year’s case - tequila. As all members know, the winner of the SD each year has the privilege of being able to consume the trophy contents over the year but has the responsibility of refilling it with something appropriate in readiness for the following year.

The magnificent seven: As it was, the quality of the competitors proved to be really top end, although Freddie Five Iron was a late withdrawal due to a viral infection and Bull tuned up ten minutes after tee off making the rest of the tour wonder whether it would be a six man competition. But it didn’t prove to be that way as Event sponsor Pup, soon to be club champion The Bloke and past winner Shags led the field away in group 1. They were followed by Markus Octavious, Telfon, Thombie the Mist and eventually Bull in the second group to round out a truly magnificent seven competitors (see Santa Decanter 2011 player groups).

Fierce competition between players and groups: The competitive nature of nnomads Golf Club members was clearly on display not only at the player level but also at the group level. For example, Bull gathered group 2 together early in the round for his traditional leadership motivation speech, you know how it goes…. “Look I am sick to death of not having the winner come out of my group. This has got to change gentlemen. Lift your game. We can do this…” and on and on he went which was fortunate because the speech seemed to have the desired effect inspiring players generally to compete at the highest level possible on the beautifully prepared Growling Frog layout (see on course at the Santa Decanter 2011).

Mist opportunities: However, what proved to be possible was indeed variable illustrated by the inability of players to take advantage of the available opportunities. For example, not a single NTP (of four available) went off all day and only one of two longest drives available went off (predicably to event sponsor Pup who smashed a magnificent drive down the 15^th). Further, not a single player broke 100 strokes off the stick and no one ended up even with or under the card on handicap at the end of the round. Clearly, this was an unusual situation and in fact no one really expected to win the event based on their personal performance on the day.

Thombei takes the tequila: But of course someone had to win in 2011 and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. The final results showed that Thombei the Mist (101,26,75) edged out Shags by one stroke (100,24,76) to take home the magnificent Santa Decanter trophy (including tequila contents) for the next twelve months. And of course much to Bull’s delight Thombei was playing in group 2. Unfortunately, the interview with the winner didn’t work (couldn’t hear and thing over the wind) but Thombei made the following statement to the press after the event:

“I would just like to state for the record what an absolute honour it was to be awarded the Santa Decanter for 2011 and to have it on record that I am so glad that it was my team that won!..... Oh yeah and that everyone else must be shit ....'cause I played shit .....and to keep the envy levels high.....”

Short on presentations: So as you can imagine, event Sponsor Pup’s job at the presentations was relatively easy, that is, present Thombei with the trophy for 2011, present Shags with a ball for coming 2^nd and presenting himself with a ball for the longest drive. “Gee it was almost not worth coming” mumbled Brendoon who had turned up specifically to watch the presentations (see Santa Decanter presentations 2011). But of course that wasn’t the case because it proved to be a very pleasant afternoon at the nnomads normal spot in the Growling Frog car park including slugs of tequila and ongoing merriment.

The Club committee congratulates Thombei on his event winning performance and indeed all other winners on the day (Pup and Shags). And as we say every year, clearly the spirit of Christmas has been the winner once again setting the scene for a new nnomads Golf Club champion to be installed in a few days’ time – midnight the 31^st of December, assuming a triggered major doesn’t take place displacing the leader at the time The Bloke, which it didn’t but that’s another story.

Detailed Results

The Santa Decanter 2011

Player	Gross	HCP	Net	Prizes
Tom	101	26	75	1^st on handicap
Shanksy	100	24	76	2^nd on handicap
Harry	109	31	78	3^rd place on handicap
Steve	105	24	81
Mark F	116	34	82
Pete S	103	21	82	Longest drive

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Player groups SD 2011

On course at the SD 2011

SD presentations 2011

This month’s competition: What song does the Santa Decanter trophy play
when the decanter is removed? Hint: Hear actual tune.