The Day

The club certainly went the extra mile with this accommodation for Ric and Craig to collect dues upon our arrival on Sunday

Thanks again to Richard Mau and the J.S.Luwansa for making this special offer available to Tee Setters.  As expected, registration was more complex than usual and  the club had to provide special accommodation (above) to your Committee so we could be there early enough officiate. A special welcome back to the Web Guy who now has to face the disasters created by other Committee members while he was in the old country.

Of the 70+ registrations, some as late as Saturday night, 66 arrived, and due to vouchers and per-arranged pairings were processed through a number of steps absent of Brenda.  Thanks to the conscripted help of Jags staff, Richard’s staff and Liz and Yunita,  and to Brenda for joining us later to process scores.  Thanks also to the flexibility of players in adjusting to the large numbers, pairings, chaotic start and disastrous half way point, where up to 12 flights were banked up on the 1st hole of the Old Course.

Sensible heads prevailed, however, and a number of groups took the initiative and scuttled off to different nines, some to the New Course and some back to repeat the Z-course.  All but one flight finished their rounds, which was a good effort after the first nine took over 3 hours, for the unlukiest but some lessons learnt about the capacity of clubs to manage large groups from Tee Set.  As a result of playing different course combinations, we decided to ignore technical arguments and award prizes regardless…

Humid weather greeted us all as we snaked through the jungle on the testing Z-nine.  Many decided to set aside their complimentary Tee Set sleeve of balls and lose their own old ones, most notably Bushy who lost 14 on the day….typically like the rest of us, Bushy found reason to celebrate at the end of the day…before facing the dreaded Jagorawi toll and a two hour trip home.

Great day despite  the challenges!

The Play

Fernando “El Guapo” Gaggino showing off his swing and striking red strides to a banked up gallery and some envious caddies on the Z-nine.

Some players really struggled with the tightness and curves of the course, but there were still some fine rounds, most notably from Jason Venderlinde (and doesn’t he look happy!) with a nett 70 to take out Low B-Grade and 74 nett rounds from Richard, Joseph and Santi in A Grade – with Richard winning on countback – and Tetty winning C Grade (congratulated by last week’s star Jan).

Joseph was rewarded for his 75 with Low Gross and Santi with first birdie, after Chris Smith had to leave early to catch a flight.  A rather laid back Graham claimed first sandy on the first hole and Debbie made up for a challenging round by winning first par for an over 30 handicapper – keep smiling Debbie!

John Johnson picked up Low Putts with an excellent 25 but took off before prizes, as did Daniel who was Most Improved with a hefty 20 stroke difference (Z-course was first!).

A special mention goes out to Tom Grace, back  after 12 weeks gallivanting around the world with Cucu, and called initially for Most Strokes on a hole – shared with Teddy – at 14.  Tom jumped up and down in celebration thinking it was a prize for his Eagle on the 11th….well done Tom, that prize was to come a little later.

And now for the other “winners’ among us.  A surprisingly low skirt count of just 7 raised some questions among scrutineers, but made for another great photo, with the highlight being Adam Dundas’ skirt on his first ever stroke with Tee Set.  Welcome Adam and it’s great you reached this important milestone so quickly.  We have all been there mate!

Monster putter with 42 putts Hadi also left before prizes so missed out on his chance of Tee Set infamy.

For more photos of a great day out at Jagorawi, https://www.flickr.com/photos/106229755@N06/sets/72157656311725028

Matchplay

Just one pair crazy enough to resolve their match up today with The Singing President being especially bold in putting his continued participation and matchplay record on the line against one time Interleague partner, Joe d’Cruz, on Joe’s home course. To balance the ledger, Joe was battling a nasty flu and a 6 shot handicap difference…calls of Captain Sandbagger could be heard from the peanut gallery!

They played the Z-nine twice. Craig found his tempo early and jumped to 5 up before Joe’s customary matchplay grit saw him clamber back to 1 down. Craig then steadied to win 3 and 2.  They scampered through the second nine so fast as a two ball they realised their match had been decided on the 7th hole after they had already finished the 8th – no comment.  After a mere one hour and fifteen minutes, Joe and Craig could see the flight behind them still on the 4th.

Next Up

Rainbow Hills, 728,000, 11:30. Sign up here as usual.