Day 1 saw us convene at Portarlington Golf course on Monday in time for a midday hit off. The weather was fine – the sun was out and so was the Easterly breeze.

The course was in superb condition. The fairways, although recently scarified, provided very good lies, and the greens were smooth and fast. There is some water on the course but in reality you had to hit a very very poor shot to find the penalty area.

Geoff cleaned up three nearest the pins, and Phil got the Longest Drive on number 7. Geoff let us know that he has twice beaten his age in the past couple of weeks. Well done!

Refreshments and nibbles were enjoyed post-game at the Queenscliff caravan park before heading to dinner at the Esplanade pub. Many thanks to Geoff for providing the taxi to and from the pub. Very much appreciated.

Day 2 kicked off with breakfast at a local cafe followed by a short drive for our round at Queenscliff golf club. The wind had swung round to the west and strengthened overnight and remained for the duration of the round. The course had quite a different feel to it compared to Portarlington – it was easy to find trouble with wayward shots. The fairways and greens were in good condition.

NTPs were won by Bren and Peter x 2, and Phil was lucky to get a second longest drive after Bren’s massive drive failed to stay on the short stuff.

Final Blackman Trophy and Downlow scores for 2025.

Pete comfortably won the Blackman trophy with a very respectable score of 48. Phil was runner up with 37

Rad had a very fine 37 points on Tuesday to win the Downlow with 65 points – Pete was runner up with 64.

And so, concludes the Away Trip and the Nagahs year for 2025. Thanks for the fellowship, laughs and good times – let’s saddle up for another year of the same in 2026. Happy Christmas to all Nagahs and GOOD GOLFING going forward.

Brendan

End of Season Highlights, Group 2, Day 2.

I am so happy that the breeze wasn’t up today.

Before we started there was a concern that our prospective champion would even be allowed access to Swan Island.  At the guardhouse before the causeway, Peter was arguing with security when they would not accept that his licence had a changed address on it.  After finger pointing it was agreed that he was not a representative of the CCP and that he could enter.  Knew I should have slung the guard more cash!

Group 2 players were Brendan, Rad and Geoff.

Hole 1 saw us off to a great start.  All players on fairway, then green, then 4 pars.

On the shortened 2^nd hole, Geoff missed his eagle putt by millimetres, but made 4/4.

Rad and Brendan both hit the long par3 3^rd, with Rad scoring 3 points.

The 5^th hole saw Brendan with a great drive and approach, but Geoff did very well with a 40m up and down for 4/2.

The 6^th hole was diabolical.  Rated #1, a tee shot up the hill, where are we going?, straight into a howling breeze.  Rad the only one to score with 6/2, which was pretty darned good.

Hole 7 was nearest the pin in 2.  No-one in our group hit the green, but Rad and Bren both got 4’s.

Rad and Bren both hit good drives on hole 8, Rad’s 2^nd set up a nice 4/3.

On the par 3 8^th, Rad hit his bunker shot to 8 feet.  Shame it was on the wrong green!

The front 9 highlight was Rad’s 20 points.

To the second nine.  Hole 10 saw Brendan make a fantastic up and down from 70m for a great 4/3.

Hole 11 and Bren was starting to warm up.  His delightful approach hit the flag stick and left a tiny tap in for 5/3.

The 12^th was the long drive hole.  Bren played safe.  So safe he ended in the water hazard left.  Geoff’s drive was under a bush.  Actually managed an airy.  Rad cruising along with 5/3.

One of Geoff’s better shots on 13 when his approach stopped 1m short.  Made a lot of noise.  Forgot that Rad was in the middle of his backswing.  Probably cost Rad point number 40.  Sorry mate.

Hole 14 is a tough par 3.  None of our group could hit the green.  Would you believe that Mr Bushranger himself got 2 shots on this hole.  Made 4/3 and commented that he’d never got 2 shots on a par 3 before.  (Not that he could remember!)

Hole 16 was our lowlight hole.  Nobody scored a point.

Brendan played the par 4 16^th to perfection.  Hit the green in regulation which set up a nice 4.

There were no further highlights until.

At around midnight we were packing up.  Chris took his pillow and left.  Some 5 minutes later he returned, saying there was a strange man in his unit.  Rad undertook to take Chris to the right unit.  Still can’t work out why Chris brought his pillow in the first place.

I also have a few highlights from Group 1 at Portarlington.

On holes 1 & 2 Chris off like a flash with 3 pointers on each.

On hole 3 we were on the tee when Rad’s buggy was coming straight as us.  So straight that it knocked Geoff’s ball of its tee while heading directly at a water hazard.  Luckily for Rad, Peter saw what was happening and managed to disconnect the power or it was well and truly wet.  Rad tried to use his remote to control the buggy but for some reason it would not work!

Peter scored a nice birdie on hole 8.  Was fortunate that he read the advice on the sign beside the tee which indicated that the green was further away than it appeared.  His ball finished on the front edge and he rolled the ball right in the middle.

Geoff B