Members News & Results
including Associates playing in mixed competitions

Week ending Sunday ....

3 April 2005

6 February 2005

Week ending Sunday 15 May 2005

Saturday 14 May - Southern Investments Trophy - 18 hole Stableford

It was the Charge of the White Brigade again at Collie Golf Club on Saturday when the vets followed up last month's Scroungers clean sweep by taking out the top three places in the Southern Investments Trophy 18 hole Stableford.

With the poor weather and a smallish field of 51 ensuring a relatively low total would take out the prize, the ever dapper Alf Sanford led the senior citizens home to win with 39 points, a ninth hole wipe on his wet opening nine of 16 points quickly forgotten as he forged home with 23 points on the back. But with Alf no longer hitting the ball as far as he did when he was a strapping and powerful young man of six foot two, the highlight of his round was a par on the long par five 3rd hole - definitely one for the eclectic card, as Alf may not see a five again on the hole for a while! With the CCR set at 72, the win cost Sanford a stroke from 25 to 24.

A stroke behind, Ed Riley was his usual consistent self in carding 17-21-38 to beat Peter Castelli's 17-21-38 on countback, Castelli again rewarded for making the trip up the hill from retirement in Bunbury, with Riley's three points on 18 making the difference between the two players. Riley's second place saw his handicap drop from the maximum 27 for the first time in six months, and Castelli, too, will find it a little more difficult next time he comes up from the coast, with the handicapper pulling him back from 20 to 19.

First under-55 home was Collie Mail boss Joe Italiano, whose 20-17-37 rightly put him a shot ahead of his Collie Mail staffer, Trevor Lawrence, who shared 36 points with Matt Bernardi. Veterans Alan Davies and Dave Henderson were on 35 along with club president Ian Stewart and Peter Gray, with Steve Farquhar and Ron Crabbe no doubt surprised to find they were also in the money with only 34 points.

With the ladies' Wednesday winter season now in full swing, no Associates played on Saturday.

Novelties: John Brown (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Joe Italiano (8, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Kalev Kutt (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Matt Bernardi (18, Outdoor World longest putt). Nobody managed to put a tee shot on the green on hole 7, Quad Caps nearest the pin.

Thursday 12 May 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

Bill Hunter is in top form, playing to his lowest handicap for at least two years, and it was only a countback which saw his 21 points forced into second place when 43 men and seven ladies contested Thursday's Scroungers 9 hole Stableford. At the end of the day Ian Annandale's 21 points won the three balls and cost him three Scroungers strokes, while Hunter had to be content with second and the gross win for his 21 points, 17 gross, and 37 off the stick.

Peter Walsh had one of the hotter of his hot and cold games with a fine 20 points for third place, while John Wray, Fred Bronickis and Eric Annandale all won a ball for 19 points.

In the ladies Scroungers competition Lee Hunter again continued her winning form, although she was beaten into third on countback by June Pike and Gwen Tanian - all three registering a forgettable 13 points.

Novelties: Bill Hunter (4, men's nearest pin), Ray Colgan (9, longest putt).

Tuesday 10 May 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

16 veterans took to the course on Tuesday afternoon to contest the Veterans 14 hole Stableford, and Ed Riley showed the form which led to him dropping a stroke on Saturday when he reeled off a superb 33 points for a big win. Playing well under his handicap, Riley won by four strokes from Les Udy, whose 29 put him in second place for the second week running. Peter Gray, a very good player whose son is a professional golfer, also pre-empted his Saturday form with 28 points for third place, while Ernie Sullivan and Ray Alp took out the minor placings with a pair of 27s.

14 players played Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and yet again big Dave Czerniawsky was in outstanding form, following up his 41 points last week with a magnificent 43 for a huge, handicap shattering win. And it could have been even more extraordinary, had Czerniawsky not wiped two holes on the way to shooting his best ever score off the stick, breaking 90 for the first time to card an impressive 88, and losing a big three strokes from 23 to 20. That should slow him down.

Behind Choppa it was daylight, with second placed Wayne Waywood barely in the same competition seven points adrift with 36 points, Kiwi Brett Smith taking third with 35 points.

Novelties (Veterans):  Ernie Sullivan (4, nearest second), Des Hebb (6, nearest third), Les Udy (9, longest putt), and Harry Banks Banks (18, longest putt).

News

Regrettably, The Hacker wasn't provided with the results from the Pennants games held at Collie Golf Club on Saturday, but can confirm that Mark 'The Claw' Boladeras - he swears by that Chris Di Marco putting grip - won his hard fought game with wins on the 16th and 17th holes after arriving at the 16th tee all square.

Coming Up

Saturday 21 May - Ken Smallwood Trophy - Grandfathers and Others - 18 hole Stableford

Sunday 22 May - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual

Week ending Sunday 8 May 2005

Saturday 7 May - Mayfair Jewellers Trophy - 1st round, Men's Championship - 18 hole Stroke

Bill Hunter has backed up his top form in last week's winning 4BBB by setting the pace in the first round of the Men's Championship, played for the Mayfair Jewellers Trophy on Saturday. Starting on the tenth in a field of 65, 11 handicap Hunter put together two flawless nines of 39 for 78 off the stick and 67 nett, with nothing worse than a bogey and nothing higher than a five on an immaculate card. A stroke back, Gary Dawson, who also started on the tenth, had a hot streak going out with par on 12-15, to finish with 45-41-86-68, squeezing out second place on countback from the big hitting and in form Steve Wallace on 42-43-85-68, while the ever smiling George Davis had plenty to grin about, picking up five pars for his eclectic in his fourth place 44-45-89-69. The top four all lost a stroke, with Hunter down from 11 to 10, Dawson 18 to 17, Wallace 17 to 16 and Davis 20 to 19, as did Jay Robinson, whose nett 70 took him from 14 to 13.

Danny Cheng (70), Charlie Serravite (71), Chris Dunning (71), Steve Farquhar (72) and Hudson Hopewell (72) took out the minor placings, while Hopewell's 75 edged out Cheng's 76 for the gross win.

Novelties: Graeme Williams (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Mark Boladeras (7, Quad Caps nearest pin), Clayton Bell (8, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Chris Dunning (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Dick Earl (18, Outdoor World longest putt).

Thursday 5 May 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

A good field of 50 men and six ladies contested Thursday's Scroungers 9 hole Stableford, with Eric Annandale holding his game together nicely for a fine 22 points to edge out Des Hebb on countback, Hebb recovering with great style from a wipe on the first hole to amass his 22 points on the final eight. The leading pair were two clear of two of the game's gentlemen, Ernie Sullivan and Ron Annandale, with Tasmanian export Barry Baker one behind on 19, while Steve Farquhar, Leigh Bernardi and Danny Cheng warmed up for Saturday with 18 points each. Danny Cheng, as usual, won the Scroungers gross with 15.

In the ladies Scroungers competition Lee Hunter continued her outstanding form with 19 points and a countback win over Blanche Faries.

Novelties: Brian Banks (4, men's nearest pin), Colin Giblett (9, longest putt).

Tuesday 3 May 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

15 veterans took to the course on Tuesday afternoon to contest the Veterans 14 hole Stableford, and the ever consistent Dave Brunswick, always pretty close to his handicap, played exactly to it to pick up a winning 28 points over the 14 holes. Each of the top four was separated by a stroke, with Les Udy second on 27, Ray Colgan third with 26, and Ed Riley yet again in the prizes with 25.

Ten players played Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and big Dave Czerniawsky again benefited from the more consistent game he has played recently in carding a superb 41 points to win by two strokes from Reg Bluett. The win cost Czerniawsky a stroke from 24 to 23, and puts him on the edge of 22 territory. Hudson Hopewell, taking every opportunity to practice ahead of the first round of the Men's Championship on Saturday, placed third with a very good 37 points and 74 off the stick.

Novelties (Veterans):  Barry Baker (4, nearest second), Dick Earl (6, nearest third), Alan Banks (9, longest putt), and Alan Banks (18, longest putt).

Coming Up

Saturday 14 May - Southern Financial Strategies Trophy - 18 hole Stableford

Sunday 15 May - Collie Golf Club hosts Men's Pennants

Week ending Sunday 1 May 2005

Saturday 30 April - Hitachi Construction Machinery Trophy - 18 hole 4BBB Stableford

A great opening nine from Bill Hunter, scoring 20 points on holes 11-18 after partner Steve Ireland picked up the 10th with a birdie, set up a two point win for the pair in a field of 66 playing for the Hitachi Construction Machinery 4BBB Stableford at Collie Golf Club on Saturday. After Ireland's perfect birdie start on 10, par on 11 and birdie on 12 got Hunter's streak going, the duo turning at the club house with 24 points on the card. Hunter eased off after the turn, Ireland scoring on five holes and adding 14 of the 25 points scored on the front nine, but Hunter won the glory stakes with a birdie on the long par five 5th. With 49 points, Hunter & Ireland beat an extremely competent pair of 11 handicappers, Trevor McCormick & David Laird, into second place with 23-24-47, with Laird's name on the card on 11 holes, while a point further adrift, Chris Bliss & Ken Woods on 23-23-46 won third place on countback over Phil Warburton & Mark Malatesta's 26-20-46, each accounting for 23 of the 46 points.

Tony Barker-May surprised partner Dave Brunswick by picking up 24 points in their fifth place 22-23-45, a total shared with Clive Pullan & Ian Stewart's 25-20-45, while Brett Smith & Danny Curchin (24-20-44) and Les Udy & Graeme Miffling (22-22-44) were also among the prizes.

Novelties: Joe Italiano (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Ian Stewart (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Graeme Miffling (6, Hitachi longest putt), David Laird (7, Quad Caps nearest pin), Phil Warburton (9, Hitachi longest putt), Ian Stewart (13, Hitachi longest putt), Charlie Serravite (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Mark Malatesta (18, Outdoor World longest putt).

Sunday 1 May 2005 - Ron & Lorraine Annandale Trophy - 18 hole 4BBB Stableford

Two mixed pairs games in two Sundays has tested the market for couples, and the weather was threatening, so hard working club members Ron & Lorraine Annandale were very pleased to see 14 pairs turn out to contest a 4BBB Stableford for their trophy on Sunday. And yet again the unlikely combination of club caretaker Mark Boladeras and senior citizen Gwen Tanian were at the forefront - if only just. Boladeras and Tanian have enjoyed considerable success since they teamed up last year, and when you are hot you are hot, with the pair's 22-25-47 points winning on a countback from Joe & Judy Dowling. Starting on 10, Tanian picked up four point par threes on 12 and 14 to send the team out with 25 points, while Boladeras shouldered most of the responsibility on the front nine, accounting for seven of the holes - although Tanian was able to assist with another four point par three on the fourth hole. The Dowlings played a more consistent 18 holes of 23-24-47, Joe winning household bragging rights by registering a score on ten holes. In third place, Hugh & Helen Annandale played well for 45, while John Wray & Dion Tadena's 44 and Ed & Eileen Riley's 44 took the minor prizes.

Novelties: Mark Boladeras (4, men's nearest pin), Dion Tadena (4, women's nearest pin), Steve Farquhar (9, longest putt), Ernie Sullivan (18, longest putt).

Thursday 28 April 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

An excellent field of 56 men and four ladies teed up for Thursday's Scroungers 9 hole Stableford, with Mark Boladeras warming up nicely for his Sunday mixed pairs win with a 22 point, one stroke Scroungers win. Boladeras beat the in form Dan Curchin to take out the prize and to drop his Scroungers handicap to a hard to sustain 14.

One behind Curchin, Frank Battista bettered his handicap with 20 points, as did George Dorozenko with 19, while Brian Banks, Peter Gray, Geoff Donnelly, Dave Willott, Tom Hardie, Jeff Crowe and Alan Davies all won a ball for 18 points.

In the ladies scroungers competition Leslie Motion was able to keep the small field at bay with 17 points.

Novelties: Jeff Crowe (4, men's nearest pin), Kevin Ireland (18, longest putt).

Tuesday 26 April 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

For the second week in a row a good field of 20 veterans took to the course on Tuesday afternoon to contest the Veterans 14 hole Stableford, and it was definitely a case of the usual suspects with consistent vets performers taking the top six places.

Heading the list, Ed Riley did just enough to win while keeping his handicap intact with 29 points, a stroke ahead of Peter Castelli and Ray Alp. Les Udy, Jim Tyler and Jim Hine rounded out the top six with 26 points each.

A small field of nine played Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and it was a far different affair from last week's handicap busting 45-44 finish, Greg Bell winning the day by playing just a stroke better than his handicap with 37 points. With the CCR 72, Kevin Simpson did everything his handicap required by coming second with 36, and the consistent Trevor McCormick took out third place with 35 points.

Novelties (Veterans):  Peter Gray (14, nearest the pin), Jim Tyler (6, nearest third), Les Udy (9, longest putt).

Monday 25 April 2005 - John Wray Diggers Day Trophy - 18 Hole Stableford

Given competitions on the Saturday and Sunday, John Wray attracted a first class field of 38 Diggers and others to contest his Diggers Trophy 18 hole Stableford on Anzac Day - and it helped to be a Digger when it came to claiming prizes.

It only took a score of 35 points for Digger Joe Dowling to win the Diggers section on countback from Ed Riley, with Phil Warburton third with 34 - all three putting in consistent performances ahead of claiming prizes in other competitions later in the week.

But it was harder work if you hadn't served in the forces, and it took 41 points from John Brown to win the Others section. In fact, the first nine players in the Others beat the Diggers winning score, with Ron Crabbe taking second with 39, Greg Bell third with 38, Mark Malatesta fourth on 37, and Neil Motion, Joe Italiano, Kaye Farquhar, Bill Hunter and Hudson Hopewell all rewarded with golf balls for 36 points.

Novelties:  Hudson Hopewell (4, nearest the pin), Ken Woods (9, longest putt), Barry Baker (18, longest putt). 

News

Entries for the Eclectic Competition

The club website, www.colliegolfclub.com.au, received over 1,000 visitors for the first time in March and April. If you are interested in joining our club, or coming out for a game, all the information you need is on the web site - check it out!

Coming Up

Saturday 7 May - Mayfair Jewellers Trophy - 18 hole Stroke - First Round, Men's Championship.

Sunday 8 May - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 23 April - Direct Fuel Supplies Trophy - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford

21 handicapper Troy Sheppard proved conclusively on Saturday that last month's big Riverside Open nett win was no flash in the pan when he again shaved a healthy slice off his handicap in winning the Direct Fuel Supplies Trophy 18 hole Stableford. Sheppard registered a hot 86 off the stick, beating 90 for only his second time in competition, to win with a first class 43 points. An opening birdie on the par five first and a par on the very difficult fifth hole set up a 21 point opening nine, while a strong 14 point finish over the final five holes, including par on 16, added a further 22 points for 21-22-43. Sheppard will now have to contend with a 19 handicap after dropping from 24 to 21 following the Riverside win.

A point behind, Dave Brunswick waited agonisingly in the club house before finding his 19-23-42 was good enough only for second, on countback from Peter Gray's up and down 18-24-42. Gray scored nine three pointers and a four, including a purple patch of 13 points on the difficult 6th to 9th holes, in bringing his handicap down from 16 to 15, while Brunswick's consistent, wipe free round, a birdie on 18 among the 15 points he accumulated on the last five holes, saw him lose a long overdue stroke to 17. George Davis and Bill Hunter shared fourth with 40 points, Ray Cooper and Les Udy played well for 39, Dave Czerniawsky continued his good form to register 38 with Hudson Hopewell, while Joe Italiano, Graham Williams, Des Hebb and Ken Woods played to their handicaps with 36, and Dean Rakich, Steve Ireland, John Wray and Joe Dowling also won a ball each for 35 points. Missing a prize, Ron Crabbe's 34 points included an even par 36 off the stick on the closing nine, while Danny Clayton nearly aced the 14th to pick up a nearest the pin prize.

Hudson Hopewell won the gross with 35, 73 off the stick, and the CCR was 70.

Novelties: Matt Harker (1, Direct Fuels longest putt), Des Hebb (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Ken Woods (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Bill Hunter (7, Quad Caps nearest pin), Ed Riley (9, Direct Fuels longest putt), Bill Hunter (12, Direct Fuels longest putt), Dick Earl (13, Direct Fuels longest putt), Danny Clayton (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Peter Walsh (18, Outdoor World longest putt).

Sunday 24 April 2005 - Tony & Shelley Barker-May Trophy - 18 hole Mixed Yankee

Getting more than six couples to a Sunday game can be a battle, so Tony & Shelley Barker-May were delighted to see nine pairs join the contest for their 18 hole Mixed Yankee at the weekend - especially given the absence of regular mixed pairs players Steve & Kaye Farquhar and Jim & Bev Moyses, who were playing a corporate day in Busselton. With the pairs playing to three eighths of their combined handicap, the non romantically linked teams took the day over the married couples, with Dave Czerniawsky & May Hollins each winning a $35 Premier Hotel voucher for their clear 68 5/8 win, and Barry Baker & June Pike choosing a bottle of cream liqueur and a bottle of bubbly for their 70 1/2 second place. Ron & Lorraine Annandale took the remaining bottles of liqueur and bubbly for their 73 3/8 third place, with Peter Gray & Dion Tadena, 74 1/8, and Dot & Ernie Sullivan, 74 1/3, winning a $5 voucher each for fourth and fifth place - although how Dot & Ernie got a score ending in a third when the divisor was eight hasn't been mathematically explained.

Sunday mixed games are like London buses - there'll be none for ages, then they'll come in a bunch. Next week, Sunday 1 May, let's put on a good field for Ron & Lorraine Annandale, who are hosting an 18 hole mixed 4BBB stableford.

Novelties: Peter Gray (4, nearest pin), Gwen Tanian (9, longest putt), Barry Baker (14, nearest pin), May Hollins (18, longest putt).

Thursday 21 April 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

It was like a scene out of Cocoon on Thursday as a commando force of doddery old men left the youngsters in their wake to take out every prize in the Scroungers 9 hole Stableford. In a field of 42, the six refugees from the veterans competition mounted a great three way 21 point battle for first and another to share fourth on 18 points to take a clean sweep of the prizes on offer. At the end of the day, a spin of the wheel saw Dave Brunswick rewarded yet again for his consistency with first place, the win met with a smattering of applause and a loud banging of walking sticks, ahead of the very much in form pair of elder statesmen Jim Moyses and Ernie Sullivan.  On 18 points, Bryan Simpson, George Davis and Ed Riley completed the vet sextella.

But the senior citizen clean sweep wasn't over. In the ladies scroungers competition Collie's fittest septuagenarian, Gwen Tanian, won the day with 15 points, while another over 55, Ron Annandale, took out the only novelty on offer for his long putt on the ninth.

Tuesday 19 April 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

A good field of 20 veterans took to the course on Tuesday afternoon to contest the Veterans 14 hole Stableford, with very competent recent member Peter Gray showing his class to win with a big 33 points. Jim Tyler fought valiantly to top Gray but came up two short, his 31 points putting him four clear of Ray Alp and Ross Brody, both firing 27. Harry Hadfield rounded out the top five with 26 points.

14 drew cards for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and it was a costly exercise in lost strokes for the leading three. Stephen Wallace must have thought he had the game won when he posted his best ever competition score of 82 off the stick to amass a huge 44 points, with the icing on the cake a rare eagle on the par 5 10th hole. But while the score was enough to drop Wallace's handicap from 18 to 16, it wasn't enough to match the fast finishing Dean Rakich. Wallace was rewarded with only $5 for second place as, closing with birdies on 8 and 9, Rakich also registered his best ever competition score of a superb 75 off the stick, his 45 points giving him a one point win and a magnificent $10 prize, and costing him two strokes from 12 to 10. Overshadowed in third, Dan Curchin dropped from 20 to 19 with 40 points, Clayton Flynn taking fourth with 38.

Novelties (Veterans):  Ray Alp (6, nearest third), Harry Hadfield (9, longest putt), Jim Tyler (14, nearest the pin), and Alan Banks (18, longest putt).

News

Please note that entries for the Eclectic Competition close on Saturday 30 April. If you don't get your $5 to Jim Moyses before then, you're not in it.

Great to see a big party of 20 visitors from Nedlands Golf Club enjoying the course and hospitality on Saturday, the latest in what seems to be a strongly growing number of visitors to our club.

Contact Roger Lynn and hand him a fiver to ensure your name is down for this year's Men's Club Championship. 

New beer prices are now in effect - $3.00 and $3.50 depending on strength, no matter when you buy them.

Coming Up

Saturday 30 April - Hitachi Construction Machinery Trophy - 18 hole 4BBB Stableford.

Sunday 1 May - Ron & Lorraine Annandale Trophy - 18 hole mixed 4BBB Stableford.

Saturday 16 April - Life Members Trophies - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford

Veteran Jim Moyses is a long serving club stalwart who has again this year dedicated countless hours of his time to running the Eclectic Competition. Pity he didn't start it a week earlier. With eclectic scores counting from next week, Jim's 20-21-41 points to win by two in the Life Members Trophy 18 hole mixed individual Stableford on Saturday would have been a great start to his eclectic season. As it is, Jim will have to start again next Saturday to circle the pars on 1, 6, 8, 13, 14 and the long 17th hole which contributed to a fine winning round.

Two behind, Eric Annandale, who can run hot and cold, had a hot one in compiling 19-20-39, two wipes offset by four pointers on the long 5th and 16th holes, to take outright second place. A further two behind, Peter Walsh, another hot and cold player, was on target with 20-17-37 for third.

Leigh Bernardi, John Wray, Ed Riley and John Brown also played to their handicaps with 36 points, and Hudson Hopewell, Ron Crabbe, Dave Brunswick, Ray Alp, Steve Ireland, Bill Hunter, Trevor McCormick and George Davis all won balls with 35.

Like many golfers, The Hacker expects to be able to play to his handicap and rarely can. An analysis of this week's men's rounds reveals that most of us are the same - the average round was just 31.36 points, and only 3 of 59 beat 36. And we're not all breaking 90, either - the average off the stick was 95.08, and only 16 of 59 beat 90. There may be hope for hackers yet.

The ladies must have enjoyed their big turn out last Saturday, because they again turned on a big Saturday field of 14 quality players for the Life Members Trophy. And the cream rose to the top again. Last week the Hacker said Jill Burgess seems to win something every time she pulls a club out of her bag, and he rests his suitcase - Burgess again showing a clean pair of heels to the pack with 40 points and a four point win over Vicky Graham's 36. Annette Atherton and Kaye Farquhar were also in the prizes with 35.

The club was pleased to welcome new country member Tony Lovett and Kojonup visitors Don & Audrey Jackson on Saturday. The Hacker's already been fortunate enough to be drawn with Lovett and Jackson, and they are delightful company for an afternoon's chopping around the paddock.

Novelties: Vicky Graham (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Dean Rakich (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Matt Bernardi (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Steve Farquhar (18, Outdoor World longest putt).

Thursday 14 April 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

The Hacker hasn't had the pleasure of meeting Michael Stocks, but he can clearly play golf, as his 21 points and a novelty win showed on Thursday in the Scroungers 9 hole Stableford competition. Stocks took a one point win over John Brown's 20 points, with increasingly regular players David Laird and Fred Garofano, along with Ed Riley, Ian Annandale, Greg Bell and Craig Brierty, all picking up a ball for 19 points. Gross winner was Greg Bell with 16.

In the Associates' competition, Lee Hunter continued her excellent form with 19 points to add another Scroungers win to her collection - making it two Scroungers wins and an 18 hole Saturday win over the past couple of weeks.

Novelties: Phil Warburton (4, nearest pin), Michael Stocks (9, longest putt - winning Scroungers by a point).

Tuesday 12 April 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

18 veterans took to the course on Tuesday afternoon to contest the Veterans 14 hole Stableford, and consistent winner or thereabouts Dave Brunswick again registered a competent square with the card round of 28 points to win on a spin from another consistent player, Hugh Annandale. Brunswick is often the mug who has to help The Hacker look for his wayward balls, and he's hard to beat, rarely playing a bad round of golf, invariably about the 36 points for 18, and capable of anything on a good day.

The loquacious Barry Baker was again in the money with 26 points, sharing third with one of the teachers behind many of the club's better players, Ray Colgan, an increasingly common sight around the club in Fred Garofano, and, almost invariably among the better scores, Phil Warburton.

11 players drew cards for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and David Laird yet again walked away with a winning score, his 40 points putting him two shots ahead of club gun Hudson Hopewell's second placed 38, with the smiling face of Ken Tate a further two back with 36 for third place.

Novelties (Veterans):  Ed Riley (4, nearest the pin), Dave Brunswick (6, nearest third), and Fred Garofano (9, longest putt).

News

Please note that the Eclectic Competition starts on Saturday 23 April, not the 24th as previously advised. Get ready to circle those pars and birdies.

Contact Roger Lynn and hand him a fiver to ensure your name is down for this year's Men's Club Championship. As last year, the championship is being played over five stroke rounds, with the best three counting for your final result. The first round will be played for the Mayfair Jewellers Trophy on 7 May, so get your names in as soon as possible.

The club is having much needed electrical work done on Wednesday, and this may result in disruption in the power service to the club. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Coming Up

Saturday 23 April - Direct Fuel Supplies Trophy - 18 hole Stableford - mixed individual. Start of Eclectic and Five Point competitions.

Sunday 24 April - The Tony & Shelley Barker-May Win Your Birthday / Anniversary Dinner Trophy - 18 hole mixed Yankee Foursomes - own partners, playing for garlic bread, the best seafood platter you've ever had, and two bottles of champagne, in the Premier Hotel. There’ll be a voucher each for pairs not romantically linked.

Saturday 9 April - Bridgestone Earthmover Tyres Trophies - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford

Well, we asked members to ensure a good turnout to support our very important sponsor, Bridgestone Tyres - and we were not disappointed, when 79 men and 13 ladies teed off to contest the Bridgestone Earthmover Tyres Trophies 18 hole mixed individual Stableford on Saturday. With the course in superb condition and a great credit to the ongoing work of course superintendent Scott Chambers, the four Bridgestone representatives also playing - including the Australian managing director, who travelled from Sydney especially for the game - could not have been other than impressed. Certainly their comments were extremely positive when they presented the day's major prize, a beautiful golf bag, to a rarely seen member, Allanson's Dan Curchin. Playing only his second competition this year, Curchin's almost blemish-free 20-21-41 - wiping only the 13th, and following that with 15 points on the final five holes - cost him two strokes to 19, and gave him a one shot win over Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence's 19-21-40, gross 76, edged out Ian Annandale's 19-21-40 on the closest of countbacks - the scorer having to go back to the 15th hole to separate the pair after both finished with 2-3-3 points on the tough finishing holes.

Low handicapper Greg Bell also put a gross 76 on the board in taking fourth place out on his own with 21-18-39, well ahead of the following bunch, in which Tony Barker-May shocked everyone by playing to his handicap with 36 points, accompanied by John Brown, Matt Bernardi and Dean Rakich, while Dave Brunswick, Colin Giblett, Peter Gray and club president Ian Stewart also won golf balls for 35 points each.

The ladies did the club proud and impressed the sponsors by mounting a far bigger than usual Saturday field, and Jill Burgess, who seems to win something every time she pulls a club out of her bag, recorded a rare birdie on the par five third hole on her way to a winning score of 20-17-37. Annette Atherton was two points adrift on 35, with Bev Moyses (32), Gwen Tanian (31), and Kaye Farquhar and Betty Sheppard (30) taking the minor prizes. Also deserving a commendation was Eileen Riley, whose unbelievable downhill putt from the very back of the eighth green deserved far more than a mere novelty.

Novelties: Phil Warburton (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Ron Crabbe (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Dean Rakich (5, longest drive, 0-13 hcp), Trevor Lawrence (6, longest putt), Ross Davidson (7, nearest the pin and 18, Outdoor World longest putt), Eileen Riley (8, longest putt), Kevin Ireland (9, longest putt), Bridgestone's Andrew Lomax (10, longest drive, 14-27 hcp), Steve Ireland (13, longest putt), and Ron Annandale (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin and 17, longest putt).

Thursday 7 April 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

The Hacker shudders every time big Dave Czerniawsky ends up among the winners, which he has been doing a lot lately, because it means painstaking spell checking - and he was in the winner's circle again on Thursday in a top field of 66, when his first class 22 points won the Scroungers 9 hole Stableford competition, won him three balls, and cost him three strokes. And he still reckoned he left another three shots on the course! Snapping at Czerniawsky's heels, Kevin Ireland's 21 points kept him a nose ahead of the pack, with Dean Rakich, Peter Ellery, Ron Annandale, Jim Hine, Brian Banks, Phil Warburton, Bill Hunter and Hugh Annandale all racking up 20 points. From the sublime to the ridiculous, stewards were called to swab Tony Barker-May, who managed just two points for the first five holes - and 13 for the last four.

Six ladies also played on Thursday, with Lee Hunter continuing her great form from Saturday for 19 points, and a two point win over Gwen Tanian and Annette Atherton.

Novelties: John Grieve (4, nearest pin), Dean Rakich (9, longest putt).

Tuesday 5 April 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

A good field of 20 veterans played in the Veterans 14 hole Stableford on Tuesday, with big hitting John Wray's 27 points giving him a clear win from Alan Davies on 24. Behind the leading pair, Dave Brunswick and Jim Hine played with their usual consistency, and gentleman Ernie Sullivan made up the top five. The Hacker was not provided with scores for the latter three players - they may well have also scored 24 points.

18 players, a big improvement on the usual field, drew cards for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and Ian Jones put together a superlative round to win a block of beer in a canter. Jones' handicap shattering 43 points, dropping him from 18 to 16, saw him finish six ahead of second placed Neil Motion's 37, with Rob Ferris, big hitting Steve Wallace and Ken Tate making up the top five with 35 points apiece.

Novelties (Veterans):  Phil Warburton (4, nearest the pin, for the second week running), Des Hebb (6, nearest third), Jim Tyler (9, longest putt), and John Wray (18, longest putt).

News

Collie Golf Club's reputation is spreading far and wide, and Saturday saw the club host two visiting groups, both very much impressed with the course and facilities. The Eagles Golf Club, a social club which The Hacker believes plays at the beautiful Wembley public complex in Perth, made one of their regular trips down for the day, and the wonderfully named Bradmans also enjoyed a great day's golf. The Bradmans? They named themselves because most of their members shoot around 100!

Just a reminder that Jim Moyses is running the Eclectic Competition again this year, starting on 24 April. If you haven't paid your $5, find Jim and register - it's a great competition, because even if you have the worst round of the day, if you pick up a hole for the Eclectic it's all worthwhile.

Coming Up

Saturday 16 April - Summer Closing Day - Life Members' Trophy - 18 hole Stableford - mixed individual.

Sunday 17 April - Winter Opening Day - Collie MLA Mick Murray Trophy - 18 hole mixed Canadian Foursomes - own partners.

Saturday 2 April - The Mafia Cup, sponsored by "The Family" - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford

Collie Golf Club is indebted to Collie's Italian community which, with a couple of ring-ins - this year including Eduardo Rili and Alfredo Sanfordini - have sponsored The Mafia Cup for almost two decades, and this year's competition again included a fabulous range of prizes and novelties courtesy of these great club supporters. Regrettably, The Hacker failed dismally in his attempted defence of the title, having to settle for holding up the eventual winner, whose group was snapping at the heels of The Hacker's lethargic mob for the entire 18 holes. But the delaying tactics did nothing to put off 25 handicapper Fred Bronikis, whose fine 20-21-41 points, with pars on 2, 4, and 9, gave him a two point win from the ever present Jim Hine's 21-18-39. Bronikis' round was clearly one of those which quietly sneaks up on their playing partners, though - when The Hacker asked one of them if there was a winning score in their group, the answer was "Fred says he had 41!". But there was no doubting the veracity of the result, Bronikis overcoming three poor holes on the opening nine with eight very good holes over the rest of the round, confirming the good form he has shown this year.

Behind the leading pair, Ian Annandale's 37 took third on countback from Dean Rakich, with Ed Riley, Ross Brody, Greg Bell, Trevor McCormick, Ron Annandale, Troy Sheppard, Gerard Pullan and Dave Brunswick on 36 - Brunswick left speechless when his second to the 18th missed the green by inches and slipped agonisingly back into the bunker, turning an almost certain par and a share of second place into a wipe. All in all, it was an up and down day for many players, with good opening nines followed by poor closing nines - and in a day of up and downs, nobody was more up and down than Eric Annandale. Starting on the first, Annandale had only 13 points after 13 holes - then closed with 14 points on the final five, turning disaster into a reasonable semblance of respectability.

Sadly, the day also brought the news that Mafia Cup stalwart Peter Castelli is retiring to Bunbury. Peter will be greatly missed by his many friends in the club, but we hope he'll take the drive up the hill as often as possible to join us for the occasional game.

Four ladies joined 58 men for the game, with Lee Hunter, back from caddying for son Scott in the WA Amateur Championship, blowing the competition away with 38 points, six ahead of Vicky Graham in second place.

Novelties: Trevor McCormick (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), John Brown (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Eric Annandale (6, longest putt), Ross Davidson (7, longest putt), Jim Tyler (12, longest putt), Ray Alp (13, longest putt), Trevor Lawrence (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Brett Smith (17, longest putt), and George Davis (18, Outdoor World longest putt).

Thursday 31 March 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

Golfers can be a mad bunch, and none could be crazier - okay, more dedicated - than those who braved shocking weather on Thursday to contest the Scroungers 9 hole Stableford competition. While The Hacker sat in front of the fire with a good book and a glass of red, 19 players took to the fairways on an afternoon during which the heavy rain and strong winds didn't let up for a moment. Dean Rakich was rewarded for his dedication beyond the call of sanity with 19 points, the loss of three Scroungers handicap strokes, and a one point win over Stephen Ireland, with Troy Sheppard continuing his extraordinary form to share third place on 17 points with Graham Williams and the ever smiling Hugh Annandale.

Tuesday 29 March 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

16 over 55s teed off for their regular Veterans 14 hole Stableford on Tuesday, with Harry Hadfield's 27 points just scraping home ahead of Jim Hine and Bryan Simpson on 26, and Phil Warburton on 25. However, the round of the day went to a ring in. When The Hacker played a social nine with club caretaker Mark Boladeras the previous Friday, Boladeras stormed off after a shocking eight points, declaring he wouldn't look at a golf club for another month, if ever, and muttering under his breath about inquiring about fees at the bowls club. But his resolution lasted just four days - invited to join the vets as an honorary old man for the day, Boladeras left the competition in his wake with 33 points, and renewed his enthusiasm for the great game.

A good field of 11 players drew cards for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and David Laird continued his excellent current form to leave the field behind. Still pumped up from his eagle on the first the previous week, Laird came home with 39 points to win by four from Clayton Flynn, Dave Czerniawsky and another in form player, Trevor McCormick, all of whom registered 35 points.

Novelties (Veterans):  Phil Warburton (4, nearest the pin), Jim Hine (6, nearest third, for the second week running), Jeff Bebbington (9, longest putt), and Harry Hadfield (18, longest putt).

News

Great to see 17 members of the Narrogin Golf Club making the trip to Collie for 18 holes and a barbecue lunch on Sunday. Many had played the course before, but a couple who hadn't told The Hacker it was one of golf's best kept secrets, wondering why they had previously bothered to make trips to the coast and the city for golf outings when Collie offered such a great course and great value. Thanks go as ever to the ladies in the kitchen and other volunteers who turned out on Sunday to make their day. And at $15 a head to charter the bus down and $15 a head for a round of golf and a barbecue, they'll be back.

Coming Up

Saturday 9 April - Bridgestone Earthmover Tyres Trophy - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford. Members and Associates trophies for first, second and third, plenty of novelties, and hot beef rolls before the game courtesy of Bridgestone's managing director, who is flying from Sydney especially for the game. Members and Associates please note, tee off is from 1, 5, 10 and 13 between 11.55 and 12.30 to ensure a good turn out for the presentation - and to ensure we finish well before the Eagles-Dockers game. Bridgestone is an important and greatly valued sponsor, so let's show their MD that we really appreciate the sponsorship, and the fact that he is taking the trouble to join us for the day.

Sunday 10 April - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 26 March - Club Trophy - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford

The Hacker often uses the word consistent to describe some of the club's better golfers, and it is the highest compliment - consistency is what all hackers aspire to. Des Hebb is one of those consistent golfers, generally in among the prizes, and it was never truer than this week when he followed first place in the Veterans on Tuesday with a clear 42 point win in Saturday's Club Trophy 18 hole Stableford competition. Playing off 17, Hebb took a stroke off his handicap in compiling an error free 21-21-42, highlighted by a rare birdie on the tough par 5 third hole, to take the Trophy from the Easter-depleted field of 42 members.

Two strokes behind the winner on 40 points, taking second on countback from Trevor Lawrence, big hitting 7 handicap Leigh Bernardi started with a perfect long drive to the corner on the tenth hole and never looked back, birdying 14 and three, until a wipe on eight, his second last hole, took him out of contention for the win. Lawrence, another low handicapper on 8, finished like a train with pars on the difficult last three holes to mimic Bernardi's 19-21-40 card.

Two adrift of the leading trio, Ian Jones (21-17-38) tied with school principal Ron Crabbe (20-18-38) for fourth place, with John Brown's 19-18-37 taking the last of the prizes.

Only two Associates dragged themselves away from Easter preparations to play on Saturday, and both were rewarded for two good rounds, with Jill Burgess' 39 edging Vicky Graham by two points - Burgess also winning a novelty for a profitable afternoon.

Novelties: Andy Laurie (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Ron Crabbe (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Jill Burgess (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Peter Castelli (18, Outdoor World longest putt).

Thursday 24 March 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

David Laird wiped the 8th hole during Thursday's Scroungers 9 hole Stableford, but he couldn't wipe the smile off his face - it had been there since the first hole, when he boomed two big shots to the green of the 455m par five and sank the putt for golf's second rarest bird, an eagle. Despite a valiant effort from Graham Williams, whose 21 points put him in second place, Laird was never headed after his perfect start, coming home with 22 points for the win, and picking up best gross of 37 in the process. It won't be so easy for Laird for the rest of the season, though, as his win means he'll be playing off a single handicap until Summer Scroungers comes around!

Behind the leading pair, the trio of Eric Annandale, Mark Boladeras and Ray Cooper all beat their handicap to post 20 points and lose a stroke, as did Jim Hine, Ken Tate, Stephen Ireland and Bill Hunter with 19 points.

Novelties: Bill Hunter (4, nearest the pin), Peter Ellery (9, longest putt).

Tuesday 22 March 2005 - Veterans 10 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Gad, that sun was hot on Tuesday - but that didn't stop 13 dedicated veterans lining up for their regular game. However, mindful of the humid conditions, the old boys cut their game back from 14 to 10 holes, which made Des Hebb's 20 points a very good score indeed. It was certainly enough to see Hebb, warming up for his big Saturday win, take first place on countback from the previous week's winner, Peter Castelli, with the two of them leading home a crowd which could only be described as the usual suspects - Jim Hine in third on 19, and Alf Sanford, Dave Brunswick and Phil Warburton sharing fourth with 18.

Seven players braved the heat to take the field for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and the two prizes awarded were won by exceptional scores, Neil Motion's 42 giving him a two point win over Peter Walsh on 40. Motion proved it's a no win situation when you win the Tuesday competition - there's generally not much in the way of prizes, but they can slug your handicap - and Neil's win cost him two strokes, from 22 to 20. It was even worse for Walsh, though - an even smaller prize, and his handicap has come down from 25 to 23.

Novelties (Veterans):  Jim Hine (6, nearest third), Peter Castelli (9, longest putt), and Jeff Crowe (18, longest putt).

Coming Up

Saturday 2 April - The Mafia Cup sponsored by "The Family" - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford.

Sunday 3 April - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 19 March - Golf Downunder Trophies - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford

Veteran Jim Hine is one of the club's most consistent players, regularly finishing among the prizes - and he also proved on Saturday that he's a fighter, when he clawed his way back from a disastrous opening to beat 42 other players in winning the Golf Downunder 18 hole mixed individual Stableford.

After wiping the first two holes, a start which would have had most players thinking of nothing but getting the game over with and ordering the first beer, 19 handicapper Hine enjoyed a five hole purple patch which yielded 16 points, including three pars and a birdie two on the fourth, to end the opening nine with 19 points. The good form continued on the back nine, and another four pars helped him to 21 points and a winning total of 40.

A stroke behind, another extremely consistent player, John Michalak, took second place on countback from Colin Giblett, both players picking up 16 points on the front nine before coming home like express trains with 23 on the back. Playing with The Hacker, Giblett proved his monster 59 nett win in January's Bernardi Boys bash was no flash in the pan when after an up and down opening he reeled off six pars coming home for 23 points and 39 off the stick - a remarkable achievement given that the January win was only the second time he had broken 90 for 18 holes!

Behind the top three, Dave Brunswick played with his usual skill for 19 points on both sides, including 15 points on the last six holes, to match the 38 also posted by Matt Bernardi, while Alan Davies (37), Mark Boladeras and Clayton Flynn (36) picked up the minor prizes.

Seven Associates played for their own Golf Downunder trophy, and Vicki Graham had a field day, beating all the men in compiling a superb 42 points - no mean achievement for a low handicapper - to take the prize from Judy Dowling, a long way back with 34 points.

Novelties: Steve Winwood (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Tom Chappell (4, Pine Hauliers nearest pin), Clayton Flynn (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest pin), Alan Davies (18, longest putt).

Sunday 20 March 2005 - Mining Industry Golf Challenge

Barely recovered from the Riverside Open, Collie Golf Club closed the course and pulled out all the stops again to host the annual Mining Industry Golf Challenge 18 hole 4 person Ambrose on Sunday. 152 players came from throughout the State to contest the $125 a head event, organised again in great fashion by Marek Golinski, and we trust they were once more not disappointed with fun and friendly golf on a top course, plenty to drink, and a first class meal to follow. While The Hacker wasn't given a report on the game, it would appear from the barely legible cards he picked up that the Iluka 1 team of 9 handicapper Glenn McRobb, Brian Nichols (19), Keith Simmons (23) and Bogdan Nowak (27) won with a stunning 52.25 nett, over three shots ahead of the second placed (and largely local) Kime & Kime Painting team of new member Alan Kime (17), club caretaker Mark Boladeras (18), Guy Dick (12), and Paul Piavanini (4) - until recently a Collie boy, but now playing out of the Sanctuary in Bunbury. Good to see Alan Kime, who recently moved his and wife Gail's painting business to Collie, in amongst the prizes - he and Gail joined the club as soon as they moved here, and have already become regular faces about the place. Hardly surprising for a couple who played 230 courses on a two year tour of Australia!

Thursday 17 March 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

Club president Ian Stewart is a nine to fiver who can only contest the Thursday Scroungers 9 hole Stableford when he is on holiday - so losing three Scroungers handicap strokes doesn't really worry him. That's fortunate, because he lost those three strokes on the opening day of the Winter Scroungers season with his first class 24 points giving him a two stroke win over club captain Steve Farquhar. Maybe having allocated parking in front of the club house helped the president and captain respectively. No such help for Trevor McCormick, who used the slowest, sweetest swing in the club to compile a classy 21 points for third place. Steve Ireland, David Pullan, Wayne Waywood, Colin Naysmith and Dean Rakich all won a ball for 20 points - union rep Waywood cool as a cucumber in completing his round in style after being handed a writ over the Griffin dispute on the fifth tee!

Trevor McCormick won the gross prize with a fine 38.

Associates scores were not provided to The Hacker, but he is reliably informed by Mrs Hacker that Nancy Lynn and Gwen Tanian tied on 18 points. 

Thursday 10 March 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

Regrettably, last week's Scroungers results were not provided to The Hacker until after the Collie Mail deadline, but the last day of Summer Scroungers is well worth recording.

47 players and four Associates played on full handicaps for the win and a big range of novelties, with veteran Brian Banks' 22 points taking the trophy on countback from Mark Boladeras. Peter Ellery, John Wray and Bill Hunter scored 21, Dean Crowe was all alone on 20, and Fred Bronikis, Phil Warburton, Eric Annandale, Jeff Crowe and Jim Moyses came home with 19.

John Wray won the gross with an excellent one over par 37, while in the Associates competition Gwen Tanian held out over Annette Atherton. Their scores were not provided.

Novelties: Graham Williams (1), Jeff Bebbington (4), Alan Kent (6), Brian Banks (9), George Davis (11, Pizza Wizard draw), Gwen Tanian (12), Annette Atherton (14).

Tuesday 15 March 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Peter Castelli is a quiet achiever whose short backswing gives him a rare accuracy off the tee, and this well honed game enabled him to notch up a very good 32 points to beat 18 other vets to win the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford in style. Nearest challenger Des Hebb was two strokes behind on 30, with John Wray and Harry Hadfield a further two adrift on 28, and Les Udy taking out the last ball with 26.

Nine players took the field for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, with young Clayton Flynn winning with 39 points ahead of Peter Walsh on 37 and Trevor McCormick on 35. But the highlight of the day was nothing to do with final scores. The Hacker was playing with Trevor McCormick on Thursday, and after McCormick started with two, three and four points The Hacker said to him on the fourth tee that he would need a hole in one to keep up the 2-3-4-5 progression. "I couldn't do that twice in a week", McCormick said. Turns out that after 23 years of trying, McCormick aced the 14th on Tuesday, a sweet nine iron that never looked like missing, pitching three metres from the hole and rolling straight in.

Novelties (Veterans):  John Wray (4, nearest the pin), Phil Warburton (6, nearest third), Harry Hadfield (9, longest putt), and Ed Riley (18, longest putt).

Coming Up

Saturday 26 March - Club Trophy - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford.

Sunday 27 March - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Monday 28 March -18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 12 March - Sunday 13 March 2005 - 35th Riverside Open

This week was a huge one for Collie Golf Club, as scores of visiting players and supporters descended on Collie to take part in what is arguably - thanks largely to the countless volunteers, too many to name - the South West's best and most prestigious golf competition, the 35th annual Riverside Open weekend. Regrettably, when it comes to the big prizes, the visitors went home empty handed.

Watched by his playing partners, Hudson Hopewell tees off on the fifth on his way to a second round 70 which got him into a successful playoff, to receive the Riverside Open Trophy from club captain Steve Farquhar.

With the course in magnificent condition, a total of 187 players competed in the Riverside Open. And boy, was it close, with the gross prize not decided until the second playoff hole, when Collie's Hudson Hopewell - The Hacker's Collie Mail tip last week - came from behind to sink a massive birdie putt, clinching the title from the overnight leader, Pinjarra's Paul Tuckey. The pair forced the playoff by tying on 147 after 36 holes, with the 18th hole on Sunday proving crucial - Tuckey sinking a monster putt for a birdie 3, and Hopewell nervously three putting for a bogie 5. However, despite the bogie, Hopewell's second round two under par 70, with birdies on 1, 6, 11 and 13, made up for a poor 77 on the opening day, while despite the final hole birdie, Tuckey faded on Sunday with 75 after a fine even par opening round of 72. Ironically, Hopewell spent all last winter trying to birdie the 13th for his eclectic card, having birdied every other hole on the course - when he finally got it right, it got him into a playoff for the club's biggest tournament!

The dramatic playoff, starting on the 5th hole, saw Hopewell slice wildly onto the 6th fairway - not necessarily a bad way to play the hole, as local members will attest - while Tuckey sent a screamer down the middle of the fifth fairway. Hopewell's response was a high iron over the trees, leaving both players just off the green for two, and down in regulation for par fours. Play then moved to the par three 4th hole, where Tuckey had one of those shots which happen under pressure, sending his tee shot sharp left into the trees, barely half way up the 160m hole - a location with which The Hacker is intimately familiar. His almost impossible second just cleared the bunker before trickling agonisingly back into the sand. He recovered to put his ball close to the hole for three. But he could then only stand and watch while Hopewell, whose tee shot finished just off the green to the right, pin high, looked over the very long putt from every possible angle before calmly stroking it into the hole for a birdie two, and the Riverside Open title.

Behind the leading pair it was classy visitors all the way, with Bunbury's Danny Ennor third on 74-75-149, former Collie player, Cottesloe's Brad White, fourth with 76-74-150, and young Shaye Tresize of Capel rounding out the top five with 73-79-152.

Troy Sheppard addresses the crowd after his great 64-69-133 win in the nett competition for the Riverside Open, while on the fifth, Busselton's Rob Hogan shows how important it is to keep the head down through the ball.

Not unusually, the nett prize also went to a Collie player - local knowledge really counts for the nett, and only one visitor has won in 35 years - with Troy Sheppard putting together two first class rounds of 64-69-133 to win running away from two other Collie players, John Wray's 68-70-138 taking second on countback from Matt Harker's 64-74-138. Bunbury's Steve Kilfoil spoiled a Collie clean sweep in fourth with 68-71-139, a stroke ahead of Collie's pocket dynamo, Greg Moyle, on 75-65-140. Former East Fremantle footballer and Royal Fremantle member Brian Peake, a regular Riverside Open visitor, returned to Perth before realising he had won the 36 hole nett unplaced visitor prize with 71-72-143. The Hacker's tip for the nett prize, hardworking club caretaker Mark Boladeras, had a shocker after working until 2am on Friday cleaning the clubhouse, and getting up at 4.30am for more cleaning before a pre-8am tee off on Saturday. Nobody was surprised to see him pull out on Sunday - maybe next year we'll have to give him a well deserved weekend off!

Prizes were also awarded for the best rounds on Saturday and Sunday, with Rob Hogan of Busselton winning the Saturday gross with 73, Mark Bevis of Capel runner up on 74, Kwinana's Ron Watton - one of a contingent of 28 Kwinana visitors - taking the nett on 68, and Collie's Des Hebb runner up on countback on 69. Sunday's gross was won by Adam Davey of Manjimup with 74, one ahead of Pinjarra's Jason Trainor, while the nett prizes both went to Collie players, with the mercurial Chris Shea's 67 putting him one ahead of Chris Dunning on 68. This was a remarkable result for Shea, who took 20 shots on the first three holes, and another 8 on the par four 13th!

Novelties: Russell Goldsworthy (1, nearest third), Rob Hogan (2, nearest second), Stephen Wilkes (3, longest putt), Ron Annandale (4, nearest pin), Adam Davey (5, longest drive), Matt Harker (6, nearest second), Brian Peake (7, nearest pin), Russell Goldsworthy (8, longest putt), Dave Czerniawsky (9, longest putt), Adam Davey (10, nearest), Ian Darwen (11, nearest second), Mark Archibald (12, longest drive, 0-12 handicap), Ian Lee (13, longest putt), Jerry Hetharia (14, nearest pin), Dave Smith (15, nearest second), John Brown (16, longest putt), Andrew Dabrowsky (17, longest drive, 13-27 handicap), Nev Cutts (18, Liquorland longest putt, Saturday), Ron Crabbe (18, Liquorland longest putt, Sunday).

Liquorland Trophy Long Drive Competition: Mark Bevis, 275m.

Friday 11 March 2005 - TBS Merrey Riverside 4BBB Par

An excellent field of 160 players teed up for the traditional lead up to the Riverside Open, the TBS Merrey Riverside 4BBB Par competition, with Collie players taking out the first three places in the nett competition, and visitors scooping most of the pool in the gross.

Leading the charge, in a precursor to his fine play at the weekend, the diminutive Greg Moyle teamed with lanky Ray Cooper to post a first class +12, just ahead of another player who had a good weekend, John Wray, who teamed with Mark Malatesta for +11. Moyle contributed 11 of the Odd Couple's 17 scoring holes, with one wipe, and not to be outdone, Wray did exactly the same, scoring on 11 of 17 holes, with a wipe on the first!

Three teams on +10 were separated by a countback, with The Hacker's tip for the event, Clive & Gerard Pullan, taking third ahead of visitors Murray Jones & Terry Lees, and local players Brian Banks and Peter Ellery.

Other leading scores included Ray Alp & Jim Hine, Mark Boladeras & Alan Kime, visitors Brian West & Graham Roberts and Ian Darwen & Trevor Glossop, all on +9, and Steve Ireland & Andrew Adam, Ian Annandale & Kevin Ireland, Peter Bellinger & Kerry Coates, Dave Innes & Ian Thomas, Roger Lynn & Alf Sanford, Mike Bower & Jan Orbinski, Joe Wnuk & Alan Birrell, and Wayne Waywood & Ryan Duff, all on +8.

Pinjarra's Paul & Simon Tuckey took out the gross with +1, one ahead of the all square rounds of Dave Smith & Gary Marks, Brad White & Tony Lovett, and local heroes Leigh & Matt Bernardi.

Thursday 10 March 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

What can we say? The Hacker can't find last Thursday's Scroungers result, which means either they weren't left out for collection (unlikely), or The Hacker has lost them in the detritus of his study (likely) after spending the week reformatting his computer and reinstalling every bit of software he could find. Software manuals and bits of paper all over the place. We'll run them in next week's column.

Tuesday 8 March 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Harry Banks is a 27 handicapper who generally plays a little above it, so he must have had a blinder on Tuesday when he won the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford with a huge 34 points - equivalent to playing off 19. The win must have surprised Des Hebb, who warmed up for his excellent Riverside performance with a 32 which would normally have won Vets in a canter. Alf Sanford would also have expected better from his 30 points than third place, with Alan Davies (29) and Alan Banks (27) taking out the rest of the prizes with very good scores. Eight players from SW Vets in Busselton joined local members for the game.

Eleven players took the field for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and the pre Riverside form of Hudson Hopewell gave a good indication of what would happen at the weekend when he posted a superb sub par round of 71 for 40 points. Danny Clayton has also been practicing hard for Riverside, his 38 points putting him a point ahead of David Laird's third placed 37.

Novelties (Veterans):  Alan Davies (4, nearest the pin), John Wray (6, nearest third), Alf Sanford (9, longest putt), and Alan Banks (18, longest putt).

Monday 7 March 2005 - Roger & Nancy Lynn Trophy 18 Hole mixed Yankee

Nine dedicated pairs took to the course in extremely hot and humid weather on the Monday holiday to contest the Roger & Nancy Lynn 18 hole mixed Yankee competition, and the deviously consistent huge handicap combination of septuagenarian Gwen Tanian and club caretaker Mark Boladeras totally blitzed the field with a remarkable 60, winning by four shots from club captain Steve Farquhar and wife Kaye. Jim Moyses eschewed the company of wife Bev, recovering from knee surgery, to take third spot on 66 with Lesley Motion, while Joe & Judy Dowling were just a fraction behind with 66.5. Mr & Mrs Hacker were not last. Just.

Novelties:  Gwen Tanian (4, nearest the pin), Judy Dowling (7, nearest the pin), Tony Barker-May (14, nearest the pin), and draw of cards for 12 and 18.

Coming Up

Saturday 19 March - Golf Downunder trophy day - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford.

Sunday 20 March - Mining Industry Golf Challenge - four person Ambrose - COURSE CLOSED.

Saturday 5 March 2005 - Club Trophy - 18 hole Stableford

Only one member has played more competition rounds at Collie Golf Club than the 280 played by Frank Battista, and that intimate course knowledge helped the consistent Battista beat 64 players for a one point win in the Club Trophy 18 hole Stableford played on Saturday.

Despite wiping the first and fifth holes, the 15 handicapper still compiled a strong 20 points on the opening nine, assisted by a birdie three on the tough 8th hole, and another birdie on the par five 10th set up another 20 points on the back nine for a game winning 40 points - and a stroke off his handicap to 14.

A stroke behind Battista, top gun Hudson Hopewell's recent dedication to practice, practice and more practice paid dividends with 39 points to take second on countback from chalkie Chris Dunning. Hopewell's wipe on the first was offset by birdies on four and six, and nine straight pars on the back nine gave arguably Collie's best player an even par round, while Dunning, playing in the early morning with Hopewell, looked set for great things with 23 points on the front nine before fading with 16 on the back. Also worthy of a mention is visitor A Dabrowski from The Sanctuary, who was not eligible for a prize, but whose 39 points was a top effort on an unfamiliar course.

Behind the leaders a host of players matched or bettered their handicaps, with Les Udy, Greg Bell and John Michalak picking up 38 points, Danny Clayton 37, and Greg Moyle, Steve Farquhar, Des Hebb, Steve Ireland, Ian Annandale, Roger Lynn, Dave Czerniawsky, David Laird, Jim Hine and Ken Tate all among the prizes with 36.

Seven Associates played for the Club Trophy, with Kaye Farquhar showing good form to win with 37 points (and bragging rights in the Farquhar household, one ahead of husband Steve), beating Dot Henderson's 34 points - second place two weeks running - and Maureen Earl's 33.

Novelties:  Kalev Kutt (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Wayne Waywood (4, Pine Hauliers nearest the pin), Roger Lynn (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest the pin), and Frank Battista (18, longest putt).

Thursday 3 March 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

Club caretaker Mark Boladeras played his own private Pro-Am on Thursday to win the Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford, playing the first six holes like a pro, and the last three like an am. Starting on 10, Boladeras reeled off an expletive free six straight pars before playing partners The Hacker and Hudson Hopewell, both sick of being shown up by the Spanish dynamo, decided it was time to tell Boladeras on the 16th tee how beautifully he was playing, how he hadn't put a foot wrong, and how he was on target for his best ever score. That was enough to do the job, as he immediately pulled his drive into the trees on the left, played a backwards air shot trying to get out of trouble, barely got the third to the edge of the fairway, pushed his fourth to the right of the green, and took three more to get down for a triple bogey seven. Tree trouble on 17 and 18 led to two more bogies - if intemperate language could demolish trees we'd be playing in a desert - but despite the faltering finish and a tough Scroungers handicap of 13, Boladeras still compiled a magnificent 20 points for a countback win from the in form Ross Davidson and Colin Naysmith.

Troy Sheppard was alone on 19 points for fourth place, with Alan Kent, Rob Ferris, Dave Brunswick, Dean Rakich and Wayne Waywood all taking a ball for 17 points in a good field of 48 members.

Four Associates took up the Scroungers challenge, with Annette Atherton's 18 points taking out the prize. Novelties went to Ernie Sullivan (4, nearest the pin), and Bill Hunter (9, longest putt).

Tuesday 1 March 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Ed 'Wily' Riley knows his way around the course as well as any other member, and he's clever with it, as he proved on Tuesday when he won by two points in the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford with 29, playing one better than his handicap. In a field of 20 older and distinguished members, Riley took the win from the consistent Les Udy on 27, with Harry Banks on 25, and Barry 'Bandit' Baker and Des Hebb, both of whom finished with 24 points. Phil Warburton had a day out with the novelties, with two wins out of the four available.

Ten players teed up for Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and Frank Battista had a good warm up for his Saturday win by taking out the competition with 38 points - including a 22 point opening nine of two over par 38. Battista was two ahead of second placed David Laird's 36, with Clayton Flynn and Jim Moyses one further adrift on 35.

Novelties (Veterans):  Alf Sanford (4, nearest the pin), Phil Warburton (6, nearest third, and 9, longest putt), and Harry Banks (18, longest putt).

Coming Up

Thursday 10 March - Scroungers summer season ends, sponsored by Des Hebb, Ed Riley and Pizza Wizard. Many prizes and novelties, full handicaps will apply.

Friday 11 March - Sunday 13 March - Riverside Open weekend - Friday 18 Hole 4BBB Par, Saturday and Sunday 18 Hole Stroke.

Saturday 26 February 2005 - Primary Schools Principals' Trophy - 18 hole Stableford

After warming up with a Scroungers win in January, 20 handicapper Ross Davidson took out the big one on Saturday with a three point win in the Primary Schools Principals' Trophy 18 hole Stableford competition.

Starting on the 10th hole, Davidson registered a solid first nine of 20 points, with pars on 13 and 14 offset by a single pointer on 18, before coming home on the front nine with a fine 23 points, highlighted by a birdie on the par three 4th hole and a run of three straight pars on 6, 7 and 8. Davidson's 43 points left him three clear of the field, with low handicapper Greg Bell's 40 points, made up of 37 off the stick on the front nine and 38 on the back, shading Matt Harker for second place on countback. Two further behind, Jim Hine and Gary Dawson on 38 were a stroke ahead of Bree Dudek and Ray Cooper on 37, with Jim Moyses, Hugh Annandale, Brian Banks and Rodney Simmonds playing to their handicaps with 36 points. Three visitors - Andrew Dabrowski, Phil Seaton and Geoff Graham - joined members for the competition.

In the gross competition, the good form of Hudson Hopewell continued with a 32 point win, Leigh Bernardi's 29 and John Wray's 25 taking second and third. With many of the ladies volunteering to prepare the clubhouse for the Seafood Night, only four Associates played, with the consistent Eileen Riley's 34 points enough to see off Dot Henderson's 33 and Jill Burgess' 31 for the win.

Novelties: The chalkies provided a huge range of novelties, along with an equally huge range of dubious qualification criteria which made many members admit to any number of schoolday indiscretions in order to win the prizes. Novelties were won by Joe Italiano (1), Jill Burgess (2), Phil Warburton and Graeme Williams (3), Dave Czerniawski (4), John Wray and Hudson Hopewell (5), Ross Davidson and Greg Bell (6), Des Hebb (7), Hugh Annandale and Kalev Kutt (8), Ray Cooper (9), Hudson Hopewell and Dean Rakich (10), Greg Martin and Geoff Graham (11), Jill Burgess (12), Kalev Kutt (13), Gary Dawson (14), Colin Giblett and Gary Dawson (15), Ray Cooper and visitor Phil Seaton (16), Des Hebb and Matt Bernardi (17), and Leigh Bernardi and Ken Tate (18).

CCR: 71

Thursday 24 February 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

With the Scroungers season coming to a close, opportunities are presented to golfers who haven't seen their handicaps crucified by previous wins, and Mark Malatesta took advantage on Thursday when a mere 19 points was enough to take the Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford win, three golf balls, and a very short lived handicap cut of three strokes. Malatesta won on countback from Phil Warburton and Fred Bronikis, with Wayne Waywood and Troy Sheppard one adrift on 18, and Dean Rakich, Ian Annandale and John Michalak a further point behind on 17. Phil Warburton's good round also produced a gross win, with 39.

Lee Hunter's 17 points won the Associates' Scroungers competition, her second win in as many weeks, two points in front of Nancy Lynn on 15.

Tuesday 22 February 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Dave Brunswick often appears an even better player than his 18 handicap would indicate, and he showed his true capability with a huge win in the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford on Tuesday. Brunswick's 35 points, equivalent to playing off a handicap of nine, was far too good for John Wray, who could be forgiven for expecting a win with his 31 points, while Les McGill's third placed 29 points would also have been good enough to win on lesser weeks.

What with work and political commitments, Shire President Bruce Roberts doesn't find the time for as much golf as he would like, but when he takes a few golfing hours from his busy schedule he generally makes it worthwhile - as was the case on Thursday, when his 39 points took out the Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford. Steve Ireland and Dave Czerniawsky, both playing well in recent weeks, took second and third with 37 and 35 points respectively.

Novelties (Veterans):  Les McGill (4, nearest the pin), Hugh Annandale (6, nearest third), Alan Davies (9, longest putt), and John Wray (18, longest putt).

Seafood Night

Collie Golf Club catered for 137 members and non members for Saturday's Seafood Night, and to say it was a success would be to understate the total excellence of every aspect of what was a very good night indeed. While it is wrong to single out individuals, Linda Hebb's work in organising the kitchen was a triumph of both organisational and culinary skills. The entire four course meal was fresh and perfectly cooked, the salads were as crisp as if they had just been pulled from the earth, the service from the young volunteers was friendly and quite exemplary, and in all the team of skilled and less than skilled volunteers would have put the My Restaurant Rules show ponies to shame. A great night, great value, can't wait to do it again, and thanks from the club to all who put in the time and effort to make it such a success. Absolutely first class.

Coming Up

Saturday 5 March - Collie Golf Club Trophy - 18 hole Stableford, mixed individual.

Sunday 6 March - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Monday 7 March - 18 hole mixed competition for the Roger & Nancy Lynn Trophy

Thursday 10 March - Scroungers summer season ends, many prizes and novelties, full handicaps will apply.

Friday 11 March - Sunday 13 March - Riverside Open weekend. Places are being booked quickly, so we encourage members to register as soon as possible.

Saturday 19 February 2005 - Corporate Express Trophies - 18 hole Par

Mrs Hopewell thinks Hudson takes an awfully long time to do the shopping, but the reality is that since his daughter started school and Hudson Hopewell has had to make the daily school run to Collie from his gentleman's estate out Noggerup way, this very fine golfer has been taking the opportunity to sharpen his top class game with increasingly regular practice at Collie Golf Club.  On Saturday it paid off, with the four handicapper giving the course record a very close nudge in compiling a superb plus 7, or 69 off the stick, in winning the Corporate Express Trophy 18 Hole Par competition. Starting on the 10th, and wiping the 18th after getting to three up, Hopewell came home on the front nine on fire, with birdies on 4, 6 and 9 for an error free 33. With five birdies in his round of 69, Hopewell emulated Danny Cheng's feat last year to be just a shot off the course record 68 held by top WA amateur Michael Dennis. The well deserved win cost Hopewell a stroke, and now playing off three he has the record in his sights.

Hopewell finished well clear of a class field of 62 men and 11 women, with Trizzie Lawrence just shading Bill Hunter on countback for second place on plus 4 - Lawrence, starting on the 10th, looking set for a better score after finishing his first nine plus 4 before fading with an all square second half. Hunter's round was the reverse, dropping a shot on his opening nine before storming home with plus 5. Behind the three leaders, Greg Martin continued his good form to end on plus 3 with Peter Slater and Don Fraser, Clayton Flynn was on his own with plus 2, Tony Barker-May, Barry Sheppard, Peter Walsh and Danny Clayton ended up plus 1, and Gary Dawson picked up a golf ball on all square.

Among the Associates, Kaye Farquhar's all square round saw her pick up the win by two shots from Dion Tadena's minus 2, with Eileen Riley, Jill Burgess and Lee Hunter a stroke behind on minus 3.

Novelties:  Peter Walsh (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Chris Dunning (4, Pine Hauliers nearest the pin), Jill Burgess (7, nearest the pin), Peter Slater (9, longest putt), Chris Shea (13, longest putt), Ross Davidson (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest the pin), and Brian Banks (18, longest putt).

CCR: 70

Thursday 17 February 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

There's not usually a trophy for the Scroungers 9 hole Stableford competition on Thursday, but there must be an election in the air, as Thursday's game last week was played for the Mick Murray MLA Trophy. Club caretaker Mark Boladeras played with his usual consistency, his 20 points enough to shade veteran Jim Moyses on countback. Troy Sheppard and Steve Ireland were a shot adrift on 19, with Ian Misich, Ken Tate, Brian Banks, Ken Woods and Matt Harker picking up a ball each for 18 points. Danny Cheng won the gross with 15.

Novelties:  Dave Czerniawsky (4, nearest the pin), Danny Cheng (9, longest putt).

The Associates' competition was won by Lee Hunter with an excellent 21 points, well ahead of second placed Judy Dowling's 17.

Tuesday 15 February 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

It was Jeff Crowe followed by daylight in the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford on Tuesday, with Crowe's 30 points far too good for the field. Alf Sanford picked up second with 26 points, and Barry Baker continued on his winning way with 25 points for third place.

The shifts in the mines can play havoc with the Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and after 15 played the previous week, only two turned up for Leisure Day on Tuesday. Given the two options of playing with themselves, or joining the old codgers for the vets' 14 hole competition, the pair made up a third option of their own, and headed straight for the pub.

Novelties (Veterans):  Barry Baker (4, nearest the pin), Jeff Crowe (6, nearest third), Alf Sanford (9, longest putt for the second week running), and Des Hebb (18, longest putt).

A Cautionary Tale

Lady Hacker, notorious in the Hacker household for her carelessness, was pulling her buggy to the left of the 14th green on Saturday, and taking no notice of what was going on, when her playing partner got a little too much club on the ball in the right hand bunker and sent it flying at just under the speed of sound across the green into Lady Hacker's scone. Copious quantities of ice applied to the golf ball sized swelling quickly brought her pretty head back into something approaching its usual shape, but The Hacker shudders to think what would have happened if the ball had been an inch or two lower at eye level, or had careened into the temple. Lady Hacker's playing partner shall remain both nameless and blameless, as the fault was entirely that of the struck party - this is the woman who got her hand stuck to the freezer while defrosting it - but the incident brings into focus the fact that a golf ball at high velocity is a very dangerous piece of ballistics, and the reality is that even the best golfers don't know exactly where the ball will go once it leaves the clubface - as for us lesser mortals, The Hacker himself has managed to hit a couple of balls backwards in the past year, and any other direction is fair game. Please, members, always be aware of what is happening around you, and don't ever turn your back, or lose concentration, when one of your party is playing the ball. The shot intended to travel on a high, graceful arc straight down the fairway can easily veer off low to either side - one or two of the kangaroos on the course don't hop, they limp, and the ducks are aptly named - and it would be a shame if the back of someone's skull should be bang in the middle of the unintended trajectory. At least if you are looking you can take evading action. Thus endeth the sermon.

Coming Up

Saturday 26 February - Primary Schools Principals' Trophy Day - 18 hole Stableford, mixed individual.

Saturday 26 February - Seafood Night, just $25 a head - band, four course meal including half a crayfish each - organise a table quickly, as tickets are going fast - 110 sold, only 30 left!

Sunday 27 February - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Thursday 10 March - Scroungers summer season ends, many prizes and novelties, full handicaps will apply.

Friday 11 March - Sunday 13 March - Riverside Open weekend. Places are being booked quickly, except by members - so we encourage members to register as soon as possible.

Saturday 12 February 2005 - Rob Ferris Irrigation Cup - 18 hole Stableford

If you're not playing golf, the next best thing is to sit outside the clubhouse with a drink watching the competition, and that's what The Hacker was doing on Saturday as he showed off the beauty of the Collie Golf Club to a bunch of visiting Perth and Sydney relatives. One Sydneysider had just sat down, staggered after buying a $25 round which he said would have cost $60 in Sydney, when Peter Castelli came by after completing his first nine. 'How's it going, Peter?', said The Hacker, to which Castelli replied with 'not too bad' and a quiet smile. That didn't give much away, as Castelli is one of these delightful chaps who always have a smile on their face. But he would have been justified in showing more than a quiet smile - after starting on the 10th, and wiping the 11th, the 21 handicapper finished his first half with the purplest of purple patches, coming home with a dream run of six straight pars to give him 24 points for the nine. After playing to his handicap with an 18 point second nine Castelli's 42 points saw him take out the Rob Ferris Irrigation Cup 18 hole Stableford from local school principal Charlie Serravite - the latter looking every inch a winner after also starting with 24 points, but registering only 17 points on his second nine, wiping the 16th, to be beaten by a single point.

The pair headed a quality field of 61 players, 16 of whom took home a prize for 36 points or more. Behind Serravite, Danny Clayton took third on countback ahead of Bryan Simpson, both registering 21-19 for 40 points, closely followed by three form players, Ron Annandale, Hudson Hopewell and John Brown on 39, Greg Bell, Frank Battista and Barry Sheppard on 38, club captain Stephen Farquhar, Danny Cheng and Wayne Waywood with 37, and Gary Dawson, Barry Baker and anchorman Mark 'Seve' Boladeras on 36.

Six Associates played on Saturday, Bev Moyses' 37 points showing a clean pair of heels to the field, with Kaye Farquhar, Dot Henderson and Eileen Riley separated by a countback on 34 points for the minor prizes.

Novelties:  Jeff Crowe (3, Pizza Wizard longest putt), Matt Bernardi (4, Pine Hauliers nearest the pin), Les Udy (14, Sanctuary Resort nearest the pin), and Dave Brunswick (18, longest putt).

Thursday 10 February 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

An excellent field of 60 men and 6 ladies played the Scroungers 9 hole Stableford competition on Thursday, and it took a good score of 23 points and 16 gross from Stephen Farquhar to win by a point from a name which seems to feature every week in this column, John Michalak. Two points adrift of Michalak, Ray Cooper, Barry Baker and Colin Giblett all registered 20 points, with Greg Martin, Chris Stewart and Frank Battista a further point behind.

Novelties went to Ken Tate, Ray Cooper and Harry Banks, and the gross prize to Chris Stewart, but regrettably The Hacker wasn't appraised of where the novelties were, or what the gross was - we can only assume it was better than Stephen Farquhar's 16.

Similarly, we know Leslie Motion won the ladies' competition from Nancy Lynn, but we don't know the scores.

Tuesday 8 February 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

In a tight tussle at the top, a single point separated the top three players in the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford on Tuesday, with Ron Annandale's 29 points just holding off John Mumme, who took second on countback from Ed Riley after both players played to their handicaps with 28 points.

A very good field of 15 players took to the course for the Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and it took a very good score to win. Gerard Pullan is in fine form at the moment, and just over a week after winning the Saturday competition he backed up on Tuesday with an unbeatable 45 points, three ahead of Barry Baker - who must have thought he had it won with 42. All credit to Baker, though - his second place on Tuesday was the start of a remarkable week in which he took out a prize every time he played, with 42 points on Tuesday, 20 for nine holes on Thursday, and 36 on Saturday. It was clear air behind the leaders, with Barry Sheppard taking third on 36, and Steve Wallace and Greg Martin one further back on 35.

Novelties (Veterans):  Dave Brunswick (4, nearest second), Des Hebb (6, nearest third), Alf Sanford (9, longest putt), and Bryan Simpson (18, longest putt).

News

Club president Tom Chappell has resigned for health reasons. The club would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom for his hard work over the past year, particularly for the rigorous approach he has taken to the club's finances, and we look forward to seeing him rapidly improving his handicap now that the onerous duties of president have been lifted from his broad shoulders. Ian Stewart will be acting president in the interim.

Jim Moyses has again taken on the duty of running the Eclectic Competition, commencing 24 April - a lot of fun, and something to interest members for many months for only $5. The Five Point competition will also be run again this year, free of charge.

In other news, after having had a first class reputation for the quality of our junior players for many years, coached by Ray Colgan and the late John Riley - one former Collie junior is now WA State Champion - there have been too few coming through the ranks of the club recently. Hopefully that is about to change, with three local school principals active members of the club, and The Hacker was delighted to see the driving range packed with 35 youngsters last Friday afternoon. The year 5, 6 and 7 kids were taking part in a 10 week coaching program run by Chris Dunning, principal of St Brigid's School, and at $20 for the 10 weeks, everything supplied, this is a great opportunity for our young people to learn the rudiments of the game. Apart from being a fine sport, golf is a terrific character builder, and we hope to see many of these young people taking up a game which will stand them in good stead for life. The first lesson was a great success, but 35 are a handful, and Chris would appreciate the help of any members prepared to put in an hour between 4 and 5 on Friday.

Coming Up

Saturday 19 February - Corporate Express Trophy  - 18 hole Par.

Sunday 20 February - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 26 February - Seafood Night, just $25 a head - band, four course meal including half a crayfish each - organise a table quickly, as tickets are going fast - 100 sold, only 40 left!

Friday 11 March - Sunday 13 March - Riverside Open weekend. Places are being booked quickly, so we encourage members to register as soon as possible.

Saturday 5 February 2005 - Showcase Jewellers Trophy - 18 hole Par

Former club captain David Laird sat with a beer outside the clubhouse after the Showcase Jewellers Trophy 18 hole par competition modestly stating that plus six or seven would normally win the game - but when the prizes were awarded, his plus five turned out to be enough.  Laird survived a countback to beat club stalwart  Ron Annandale - the first time Laird had paraded in the winner's circle since relinquishing the onerous duties of captain some years ago. But it was tight at the top, with four players on plus four snapping at the heels of the top two - Roger Lynn, spurred on by the drubbing he received from wife Nancy in the mixed individual event last week, the fast improving Chris Bliss, current captain Steve Farquhar, and, almost taking a quinella with his father, Ian Annandale.

One further back, four handicapper Hudson Hopewell made his playing partner, The Hacker, question whether he should bother playing the game after watching Hopewell compile a magnificent 73 gross for plus three, despite wiping his first hole, the 10th. His high, long irons off the tee were awesome, and on the occasions Hopewell took driver The Hacker was lucky to catch up after two or three shots - his drive on the 16th, finishing a few feet short of the pond, being just one example. Behind Hopewell, Graeme Jackson, the very consistent Peter Castelli, Des Hebb, Peter Walsh - another real improver in recent weeks - and the extremely competent Matt Bernardi won a golf ball each for plus two.

Members were delighted to welcome Marek Golinski, a great supporter of the club, as a visitor for the day, and to wish a happy 70th birthday to the dapper Alf Sanford.

A good Saturday field of nine Associates took up the par challenge, and Nancy Lynn wasn't about to be upstaged by Roger's plus four, registering the same score to win a beautiful Showcase Jewellers clock on countback from Dot Henderson and Jill Burgess. The win, her second in a couple of weeks, cost Nancy a stroke to a 23 handicap - the ninth stroke she has lost in 18 months.

Novelties:  John Brown (3, longest putt for the second time this week), Joe Italiano (4, nearest the pin), Bill Hunter (14, nearest the pin), and Troy Sheppard (18, longest putt).

Thursday 3 February 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

It was all a bit of a lottery on Thursday for Scroungers, players reverting to full handicaps and drawing for hidden partners after the game. The Hacker would like to take this opportunity to apologise to whoever drew him, and to express the hope that whoever it was didn't have a good round spoiled by the addition of The Hacker's 13 points.

When the names came out of the hat, Ron Annandale was fortunate enough to draw brother Eric, with Ron's 18 points and Eric's fine 22 combining for a 40 that was just enough to shade John Brown (21) and Peter Walsh (19) on countback. The Hacker played in the excellent company of Brown in the relative coolth of the early morning, and can confirm that his 20m putt on the 3rd never looked like missing. Two shots behind the leaders, low handicapper Danny Cheng put together a very good nine holes for 20 points, and his draw with Dean Rakich (18) saw the pair take outright third with 38. Two behind, Barry Baker and Jim Tyler both scored regulation 18s for 36, while Jim Moyses would not have expected his 15 points to be in the running until he was drawn with Jeff Crowe, Crowe's 21 helping the pair to a ball each.

Novelties:  John Brown (3, longest putt), Danny Cheng (4, nearest the pin), Brian Banks (14, nearest the pin), and Jeff Crowe (18, longest putt).

Tuesday 1 February 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Due to an oversight, no results were received for the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford. We are assured that normal services will be resumed next week.

However, ten players took to the course for the Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, with four of them tying on 37 points at the top of the field. The countback left Clayton Flynn in the lead, followed by the very much in form Hudson Hopewell and John Michalak, with Ken Tate rounding out the four.

Coming Up

Friday 11 February - check with the club to see if Summer Friday Night BBQ and Golf is on, as lack of interest - and very hot weather last Friday - has caused this to be a bit of a non event.  Members $10, non Members $20. Nine holes of golf plus a BBQ & Salad meal plus bar snacks, with hit off at 4.30pm - 5.00pm.

Saturday 12 February - Rob Ferris Irrigation Cup  - 18 hole mixed individual Stableford.

Sunday 13 February - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 26 February - Seafood Night, just $25 a head - band, four course meal - organise a table quickly, as tickets will go fast!

Pennants - the Pennants sheet is on the board in the clubhouse, please get your name down quickly if you wish to take part in blitzing other South West clubs.

Winter Fixtures - Steve Farquhar is currently compiling the list of Winter fixtures, so anyone prepared to put on a trophy, give Steve a call on 9734 2361. The club is also looking for a sponsor for a novelty on the 7th hole for the next 12 months - any assistance from local businesses would be greatly appreciated by our 250 members.

Saturday 29 January 2005 - Golf Box Trophy - 18 hole Stableford

It can seem like the end of the world when you wipe a hole, especially the first, but 15 handicapper Gerard Pullan proved that even two wipes can be overcome when he narrowly won the Golf Box Trophy 18 hole Stableford in a field of 57 players at Collie Golf Club on Saturday with 42 points. Despite throwing away the first and fifth, Pullan fought back strongly on the front nine, birdying the eighth and registering four pars to pick up 19 points. Another four pars and a birdie in a blemish free 23 point back nine was enough to give Pullan 42 points, and a one point win from 5 handicapper Chris Stewart. Stewart played his best golf on the opening nine, starting with two birdies and picking up another on six as he forged to a brilliant three under par 33, and 23 points, before dropping the tricky 13th on the back nine to end with 18 points and a total of 41, winning best gross in the process with 36. In third place, young Tom Dorozenko, playing off 11, also played the first nine far better than the second, compiling a fine 23 points for an even par 36 on the opening stanza before fading with 17 on the back nine for a total of 40.

Behind the three leaders a gaggle of players managed 36 or better, with Trizzy Lawrence on 39 taking fourth on countback from Barry Sheppard, Wayne Waywood and Hudson Hopewell tying with 38, Ed Riley, David Laird and Danny Clayton one behind on 37, and Joe Italiano, Graham Williams, Troy Sheppard, Jim Hine and Chris Connell all picking up a golf ball for 36.

Only three Associates played their own Stableford on Saturday, with Jill Burgess taking the win with 38 points, five clear of Eileen Riley.

Novelties:  Troy Sheppard (3, longest putt), Roger Lynn (4, nearest pin), Kym Metcalfe (14, nearest pin), and Dale Miffling (18, longest putt).

Thursday 27 January 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

What a delight to see Dick Earl on a roll. Fresh from his Veterans' win last week, Dick headed a field of 36 to take out Scroungers with 19 points on countback from Rodney Simmons - and Dick's playing partners say it could have been a much bigger win if he had sunk one or two of a number of very gettable putts. Dick can't remember when he last won Scroungers, and this win is all the more creditable given that some of the pin positions are so far back they may as well have been the other side of the river.

Yet again, what seems to be daily practice paid off for Peter Walsh - who The Hacker suspects is living in a tent somewhere on the course - his 18 points putting him in a tie for third place with Ashley Hollins and Matt Harker.

Danny Cheng - surprise, surprise - won the gross prize with an even par 18.

Only two Associates played in the hot weather - The Hacker can't criticise, he and The Hackerette were home in the ducted airconditioning too - and if Gwen Tanian was described as increasingly consistent last week for a score of 16, her winning 20 points this week moves her from increasingly consistent to red hot. If there was any justice Gwen would have won three balls - but it's hard for the club to shell out for three balls when only two ladies turn up for the game.

Novelties:  Phil Warburton 4, Peter Ellery 9.

Wednesday 26 January 2005 - Ron & Lorraine Annandale Mixed Individual 18 Hole Stableford

It seems the hot weather (and fireworks, family barbies, tennis, cricket, whatever) again affected the field when only 9 players teed off for the Ron & Lorraine Annandale Trophy Mixed Individual 18 Hole Stableford on Australia Day. Nancy Lynn notched one up for girlpower with a 41 point win over Ron Crabbe's 39, with Peter Castelli third on 37, and Ray Alp fourth on 36. One couldn't help wondering how Roger Lynn went in the face of such a sterling performance by Nancy, so hot on the scent of a good story The Hacker spent Monday morning head down in a wheelie bin to find the cards - and he is sure Roger will do all in his power to make up for the 41-29 walloping very soon.

Tuesday 25 January 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Hard to write much of an account about the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford on Tuesday when the scorekeeper omitted to provide the scores - and the wheelie bin search didn't help. Suffice to say that Des Hebb won from Ross Brody, Alan Davies and Barry Baker.

Nine players took to the course for the Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and a consistent performance from Bill Hunter on 41, out in 20 and back in 21 - including a birdie on 7 and three pars to finish - was enough to win from George Davis' 40 points. Play of the day was down to Davis and playing partner Reg Bluett, who both birdied the ninth hole - helping Bluett scrape into third place with an unusually low 33 points.

Novelties (Veterans):  Ray Colgan 4, Des Hebb 6, Harry Hadfield 9 and 18.

Coming Up

Thursday 3 February - Scroungers will be full handicaps, and a draw for partners made following the competition - i.e., hidden partners. There will be extra novelties on the day.

Friday 4 February - Summer Friday Night BBQ and Golf.  Members $10, non Members $20. Nine holes of golf plus a BBQ & Salad meal plus bar snacks, with hit off at 4.30pm - 5.00pm.

Saturday 5 February - Showcase Jewellers Trophy  - 18 hole Par.

Sunday 6 February - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 26 February - Seafood Night, just $25 a head - band, four course meal - organise a table quickly, as tickets will go fast!

Saturday 22 January 2005 - Bernardi Boys Trophy - 18 hole Stroke

The Hacker rarely runs out of superlatives, but he was left reaching for the thesaurus after Saturday's performance by Colin Giblett in the Bernardi Boys Trophy 18 hole Stroke game. In a competition divided into A grade and B grade groups, Giblett knocked the stuffing out of the field, teeing off as a 19 handicap B grade, and finishing 18 holes later as a 16 handicap A grade. The powerful Giblett's 59 nett, 78 gross, was an extraordinary performance - so extraordinary that the three nearest competitors were left wallowing 12 strokes behind, with only a countback separating Brett Matters, Chris Shea (bouncing back from last week's disaster), and Dave Brunswick in second, third and fourth place on 71. Giblett's card was a triumph of consistent golf, with a birdie on 14, 11 pars, 5 bogeys and a double bogey on 10 adding up to a spectacular and extremely well deserved win.

Giblett's tour de force overshadowed a tight struggle in the A grade contest, where just two strokes separated the top six players. After a countback, Phil Warburton's fine 68, which included four threes, two of them birdies on 15 and the difficult 17th hole, prevailed over Trevor Lawrence, with Ron Crabbe and Gerard Pullan on 69, and Bill Hunter and Matt Harker on 70. Crabbe also took out the gross prize with a 75. At the other end of the scale, spare a thought for the lanky Dave Broadbent, whose length off the tee sometimes combines with waywardness to produce some extremely interesting second shots. Saturday was one of those days, Broadbent shooting a gross 117 to take out the NAGA prize. That alone would have been bad enough - but to make it worse, the player marking Broadbent's card was the runaway winner, Colin Giblett.

A small field of Associates played their own Stableford on Saturday, and as happens with small fields, if you make the effort to play there's often a prize waiting. Just 35 points was enough for Robyn Simpson to win the competition on countback from Jan Munday and an in form Eileen Riley, with Jill Burgess taking fourth with 34.

Novelties:  The Bernardi Boys generously provided a novelty on every hole, and they were won by Hudson Hopewell (1, closest 3rd shot), Chris Shea (2, closest to marker), Troy Sheppard (3, closest 3rd shot), Ken Woods (4, nearest pin), Hudson Hopewell (5, longest drive, A grade), Ron Crabbe (6, closest 2nd), Chris Shea (7, nearest pin), Chris Dunning (8, longest putt), Gerard Pullan (9, closest 2nd), Steve Wallace (10, longest drive), Charlie Serravite (11, longest putt), Ken Woods (12, closest to marker), Steve Wallace (13, longest putt), Colin Giblett (14, nearest pin), Ken Tate (15, longest drive, B grade), Trevor Lawrence (16, closest 2nd), Phil Warburton (17, closest 3rd - which was in the hole), and Gary Dawson (18, longest putt).

Tuesday 18 January 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

It was good to see a real gentleman, Dick Earl, bounce back from a disappointing Stroke competition the previous weekend to win the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford on Tuesday with a solid 27 points, pipping the very consistent Ross Brody on countback. The ever smiling Hugh Annandale was a stroke back in third place on 26 points.

11 players took to the course on Tuesday for the Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, and countless hours of dedicated practice paid off for Peter Walsh with a massive win, his superb 45 points beating second placed Paul McCallum by four points. The field was well spread, with Dean Rakich taking third a further five points behind on 36, and Trevor McCormick fourth on 35.

Novelties (Veterans):  Ross Brody 4, Dave Brunswick 6, Jim Tyler 9, Des Hebb 18.

Thursday 20 January 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

First things first - a very important item missed from last week's Scroungers roundup, and for once The Hacker is not guilty. But you would think someone would have told him that Deb Martin took a five wood from her bag on the fourth and scored a hole in one. For this very rare achievement Deb won a number of golf balls, and a free house appraisal from The Professionals.

No such excitement this week, unless someone forgot to tell The Hacker again. However, we did have a very good field of 59 men and 5 ladies for Scroungers, with the men's competition won by Rob Ferris with 21 points, on countback from the inveterate practicer, Peter Walsh. Two points behind on 19, Troy Sheppard, Jim Hine, Neil Motion and John Michalak took out the minor places, with Wayne Francis the best of the visitors.

The sweet swing of Jan Munday saw her take out the ladies' prize with 20 points, with the increasingly consistent Gwen Tanian second with 16.

Novelties:  Eric Annandale 4, Ernie Sullivan 9.

Coming Up

Friday 28 January - the return of the very popular Summer Friday Night BBQ and Golf.  Members $10, non Members $20. Nine holes of golf plus a BBQ & Salad meal plus bar snacks, with hit off at 4.30pm - 5.00pm. Everyone welcome, come and enjoy the hospitality of the Collie Golf Club, and some of the cheapest liquor prices in town.

Saturday 29 January - Golf Box Trophy  - 18 hole Stableford.

Sunday 30 January - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 26 February - Seafood Night, just $25 a head - organise a table quickly, as tickets will go fast!

Weddings, Parties, Anything

The club and its facilities are available for pretty much any social functions, starting from $135 including GST. We have hosted a couple of weddings and their receptions recently - the last starting on a Saturday afternoon and finishing in the early hours the next day, so it looked very successful from where The Hacker was standing. It's a great venue, the scenery and ambience are magnificent, and again, the drinks are among the cheapest in town, so if you are looking for somewhere for your next bash, look no further than Collie Golf Club. Take a look at the 'Functions' page on our website, http://www.colliegolfclub/functions, or call the club on 9734 1655 to make the arrangements.

Saturday 15 January 2005 - Alan Kent New Year's Cup - 18 hole Stroke

The Hacker has been known to commence with the term 'when you're hot, you're hot' on more than one occasion, and here's another - because Chris Bliss is 'blisstering' at the moment. Fresh from winning last week's Ambrose with Danny Cheng, Bliss backed up with a formidable and handicap shattering 65 nett to win the Alan Kent New Year's Cup stroke game by a single stroke from the in form Jim Tyler. Bliss barely put a foot wrong, out in 45 and back in 46 for a gross 91, and his 26 handicap did the rest, the low handicap Tyler unable to catch him despite his fine 79 gross. But it was costly for Bliss, who will be playing off 24 next time, and for Tyler, who has dropped a shot to 12. Three behind Tyler, the consistent Phil Warburton took third on 69 nett, with the 71s of Peter Castelli, Ron Annandale, Ray Alp and Rob Ferris filling the minor placings.

Stroke is generally judged the toughest of golf's competitions, with nowhere to hide, as The Hacker once found when after starting on the tenth, a 14 on the par 5 first destroyed a promising round. And the first took no prisoners on Saturday either - even winner Bliss coming to grief with an 8. But he was far from an orphan, with notable first hole blow-outs coming from Jim Hine (13), and young Chris Shea (11), both of whom went on to post round-ruining scores of 27, 13 over par, for the first three holes. Other game destroyers included Dick Earl's 25 over the first three, Roger Lynn's 11 on the third (a couple in the river, Roger?), and a surprising 11 on the dead straight sixth (maybe a lost ball or two in the Valley of the Lost Balls between five and six?) for the very consistent low handicapper Clayton Flynn, wrecking an otherwise first class opening nine.

There were no dramatically low scores for the ladies, Eileen Riley following last week's good form by winning the day with an even par nett 72, a stroke ahead of Nancy Lynn, who took second on countback from Blanche Faries. Rounds of 74 from Dot Sullivan, Maureen Earl (sorry for calling you Margie last week, Maureen - brain out of gear) and Gwen Tanian took the minor prizes.

But if the ladies were behind on the nett scores, they certainly made up for it on the novelties, taking out three of the four on offer. 

Novelties:  Ross Brody 3 (longest putt), Marg Pike 4 (nearest pin), Vicky Graham 14 (nearest pin), and Gwen Tanian 18 (longest putt).

Tuesday 11 January 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Jim Tyler warmed up for his second place on Saturday with a fine performance with the old boys in the Veterans 14 Hole Stableford on Tuesday, winning a hard fought fight with a very good 32 points, one ahead of Les McGill, who in turn was a stroke clear of Gentleman Ernie Sullivan's 30 points.

Another improved field on Tuesday for the Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, with 14 players competing in a relatively low scoring competition. Just 38 points saw Steve Ireland take first place from Greg Martin's 37, and although it's a rare Stableford when 35 points is enough for the minor placings, it was enough for Dean Crowe, Hudson Hopewell and Gerard Pullan to pick up a golf ball each.

Novelties (Veterans):  Phil Warburton 4, Dave Brunswick 6, Alan Davies 9, Alan Britten 18.

Thursday 13 January 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

The Hacker was delighted to see the club's dedicated greenkeeper, Scott Chambers, take to the fairways at last, and equally delighted to see him start his campaign with a big win in Thursday's Scroungers competition - looks like the boy may be a bit of a bandit, or perhaps a dark horse may be fairer. Chambers' 25, a huge nine hole score, put him two ahead of Peter Walsh on 23, with Michael Stocks' 22 taking third prize. Behind the three leaders, Jim Tyler again showed his red hot current form with 20 points, equal with Trevor 'Trizzie' Lawrence (who also won the gross with an excellent 16) and big Kiwi Brett Smith, another player in fine form at the moment. Picking up a ball each for 19 points were Bree Dudek, David Laird, Ed 'Wily' Riley, Alan Davies, Alan Banks, Peter Gray and Ray Cooper. Good to see plenty of newish members among the Scroungers winners, which is excellent news for the club.

The lovely Jockette Nancy Lynn was best of the lady scroungers with 21 points, two clear of Pat Booth.

Novelties:  Alan Banks 4, Hugh Annandale 9.

Coming Up

Saturday 22 January - Bernardi Boys Trophy Day - men 18 hole Stroke, ladies 18 hole Stableford.

Sunday 23 January - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Wednesday 26 January - Australia Day, Ron & Lorraine Annandale Trophies, 18 hole mixed combined Stableford.

Saturday 8 January 2005 - ASWOP Trophy 18 Hole two man Ambrose

Playing early in the hot weather has proved an effective tactic in recent weeks, and no more so than on Saturday when an early morning start helped Golden Bowl restauranteur Danny Cheng and playing partner Chris Bliss take out the two man Ambrose for the ASWOP Trophy with a brilliant 68 gross and 60 nett.

The Hacker hears they took their time doing it, no doubt to conserve their energy in the climbing heat, but slowing it down worked perfectly, as the clever combination of the low handicap Cheng and high handicap Bliss, playing off 8 - a quarter of their combined handicaps - set a target which the afternoon players found unbeatable. Indeed, in a very good field of 33 pairs only one pairing, Greg Bell & Ron Annandale, could come close. With The Hacker (delighted to return from a long layoff enforced by buggeredbackitis) marking their card, Bell's superlative approach shots and Annandale's deadly accuracy with the putter saw the pair shoot seven birdies in an error free best gross score of 65, their low combined handicap of 4.75 seeing them just miss top spot with 60.25 nett.

Outside the top two, Chris Stewart & Bree Dudek took third with 70-8-62, followed by Gerard & David Pullan on 71-8.5-62.5, Brett Matters & Chris Shea at 73-10.25-62.75, the Kiwi pairing of Brett Smith & Kalev Kutt's 74-10.75-63.25, Leigh & Matt Bernardi on 67-3.5-63.5, Corey Jackson & Ashley Stewart's 69-5.5-63.5, and Jim Burek & John Wray on 73-8.75-64.25.

Eight ladies played an 18 hole Stableford for their own ASWOP Trophy, with the top three separated only on countback. Vicky Graham won the day with 36 points from Ena Davies and Elaine Riley, also on 36, while Jill Burgess and Margie Earl both shot 35.

Novelties:  a great range of novelties were provided by our much appreciated sponsors, and were won by Kalev Kutt 3 (longest putt), Danny Clayton 4 (nearest pin), Hudson Hopewell 5 (longest drive, a huge 270m or so, but still beaten by a Lake Grace visitor!), Chris Stewart 6 (closest second), Jeff Crowe 7 (nearest pin), Chris Shea 9 (longest putt), Mark Boladeras 10 (longest drive), Eric Annandale 14 (nearest pin), and Elaine Riley 18 (longest putt).

Tuesday 4 January 2005 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

John Mumme proved again that a hip replacement doesn't do your golf any harm by taking out Tuesday's Veterans 18 hole Stableford competition with 28 points, a shot ahead of Bryan Simpson. 'Chirpy' Barry Baker continued his recent good form with 26 points, tying with Ross Brody for third.

A good field of 12 contested Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, with Collie Mail head honcho Joe Italiano leaving the also-rans behind with a big 41 points. Like Kalev Kutt the previous week, Italiano must have wished he had spared his handicap and played a little less well, as second and third placed Greg Martin and Kevin Simpson were four adrift on 37 points.

Novelties (Veterans):  Jeff Crowe 9, Barry Baker 14, John Mumme 18.

Thursday 6 January 2005 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

Scroungers players showed their generosity on Thursday when they kicked in $100 to the Tsunami appeal, despite a relatively small field of 47. For the second week running, a reasonably low score was enough to win, with Ross Davidson a popular winner with 21 points, gaining three balls and losing three Scroungers strokes in the process. Close behind, John Brown's 20 points was enough to take second from Mick Pokrywka and genial George Davis on 19, both just keeping their noses ahead of 12 players on 18 points.

Novelties:  Peter Walsh 4, George Davis 9.

Coming Up

Saturday 15 January - Alan Kent New Year Trophy - 18 Hole Stroke

Sunday 16 January - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.

Saturday 1 January 2005 - Club Trophy 18 Hole Stableford

When you're hot, you're hot -and veteran Jim Hine is scalding hot at the moment.

After taking out the Malatesta Brothers stroke game on 11 December, and finishing equal second in the Club Trophy game on 27 December, Hine capped a stellar lunar month not only with his Veterans win this week, but also in winning the Club Trophy Stableford on Saturday.

In a good New Year's Day field of 39, Hine's 42 points was too good for the consistent Ron Annandale, whose 41 points shaded Gary Dawson on countback. Matt Bernardi's 39 points just beat brother Leigh Bernardi's 38 points for fourth, with the 37s of Kiwi Brett Smith and Wayne 'Weed' Waywood leading the 36s of Trevor 'Trizzy' Lawrence, Greg Bell, Steve Farquhar, Colin Giblett and Ed 'Wily' Riley for the minor placings.

Among the Associates, the lovely Scottish lilt of Nancy Lynn was heard accepting the prize after her 38 points gave her a runaway win over Kaye Farquhar's 33.

Novelties:  Ron Annandale 3 (longest putt) and 4 (nearest pin), Leigh Bernardi 14 (nearest pin), Dean Crowe 18 (longest putt).

Tuesday 28 December 2004 - Veterans 14 Hole Stableford & Leisure Day 18 Hole Stableford

Jim Hine warmed up in Tuesday's Veterans 14 Hole Stableford for Saturday's win with a close fought victory over another in form veteran, Ray Alp, Hine's 31 points overcoming Alp by a single point.  After that it was daylight, with third placed Jeff Crowe four adrift of Alp on 26, and Bryan Simpson two further back on 24.

A good field of 14 contested Tuesday's Leisure Day 18 hole Stableford, with big hitting Kiwi Kalev Kutt continuing his recent good form with a 41 point win. Kutt must have wished he had spared his handicap and played a little less well, as he was a long way ahead of the pack - 36 points being enough for Peter Walsh, back after a few weeks away, to pick up second. Kevin Simpson won third place on countback from Dave Willott after both posted 35 points.

Novelties (Veterans):  Alan Banks 4 and 6, Phil Warburton 9, Bryan Simpson 18.

Thursday 30 December 2004 - Scroungers 9 Hole Stableford

Given the holiday season, Scroungers pulled a good field of 52 men and 2 Associates to play nine holes on Thursday, but a reasonably low score was enough to win. With 21 points, veteran Alan Banks saw off young tyro Chris Shea on countback, Banks losing three shots from his Scroungers handicap, and Shea two. Just a point behind, Matt Harker, Mick Szostak, Ron Annadale and Paul McCallum all won a ball and lost a stroke for their 20 points - Annadale's 38 off the stick also picking up the gross prize with 16 points.

Bev Moyses with 20 points headed the Associates.

Novelties:  Jeff Crowe 4, Dean Rakich 9.

Coming Up

Saturday 8 January - ASWOP Trophy - Men 18 Hole 2 person Ambrose, Associates 18 Hole Stableford.

Sunday 9 January - 18 hole Stableford - Sweepstakes, mixed individual.