The Play

Heavy overnight rain slackened off some in the morning but the odds against play looked reasonably long as some decided not to travel, with just 25 optimists turning up at the clubhouse with the intent of taking on the mighty Riverside.

With a fairway or two still flooded and water everywhere, the starter was eventually let us go around 30 minutes late and in a light drizzle, while one group sensibly decided it wasn’t worth the candle and retired from the scene

The lunacy of the remaining 21 players was to be rewarded, however, as with a relatively quick round of a little more than 4 hours, and the rain remaining at no more than a drizzle with occasional rain-free patches, the course recovered to play amazingly well, not least the greens which were impeccable.

Tee Set’s new clubhouse?

All who survived the day were to agree that their patience and endurance had been well rewarded – and their rain jackets well exercised, on what was a very fine course – and blessed with really very good caddies.

There is a strong possibility that we will shortly agree with Riverside club management to move our Monthly Medal to the Riverside course for 2014 – and at a really rather attractive rate for what is a top class venue – watch this space.

Just one Newcomer made it to the 1st tee box, Gultom Pungkas, so a warm Tee Set welcome to him in his baptism by rain. Welcome Backs were far more numerous at eleven and therefore too numerous to list but included Rod Ritson and Mark Johnson after 28 and 20 weeks away respectively, Robert Bellavance and Barry Poulter after 16 weeks apiece and a Mike Garwood returning for Xmas after 10 weeks of “looking after” his woolly friends in New Zealand.

Confusion as  always with the bills at Riverside’s pleasant restaurant though happily, and in stark contrast to last time we were there, just one unpaid bill at the end of the evening, a really modest one for a beer and a coffee in the name of “Mr Ray Ham” – anyone owning up to it should refund the President of Some Things.

The Play

The highlight of the day for some was the sight of Barry Poulter’s ball going just short of the green on a par 3 and being stalked and carried off by a largish dog when, such was the mirth of Barry’s playing companions, that play was unable to continue for several minutes. No photo unfortunately.

Low Net Shared by Sofree Abdul and Peter Reichlmeier, though Sofree was OB and Peter had already shared  Low Putts, so no prize award!

Turning to the “real” prizes, with Sam Westen having a rare “bit of an off day”. Low Gross was up for grabs and Mark Blake’s 79 from the blues at Riverside was good golf by anyone’s standard and a deserved winner.

25 putts (the green were is great shape despite  the rain) will get you Low Putts most Sundays, and this week saw two Tee Setters on that number, a George Bevege who is becoming a regular fixture on the winners podium – and Peter Reichlmeier.

Finally, another rich, 7 skirt haul, to put a smile on the absent Treasurer’s face. Only 5 pictured but we collected all!!

Fuller, player by results can be found here and more photos here.

Next Up

In the middle of the holiday season, we are not expecting a huge turnout next Sunday, however, as we have already bought the December Monthly Medal the show goes on, and someone from the diminished field will surely grab the chance of their 15 minutes worth of fame at Matoa – when half a mill of Slaney’s meat will also be back on the menu as a prize for the winner!

Let us know if you are playing by registering in the usual place.

Merry Xmas to all – and see yah at Matoa ….. Tee Set