Nagahs kicked off the 2026 season with an opening round at Freeway Golf club. The course has undergone significant changes when it was closed for an extended period of time because of roadworks associated with the Northeast Link.

Seven Nagahs assembled for the ball toss, and it was great to welcome back Nick Robinson for his first game with the Nagahs in 12 months. Gee, you realise we’re all getting older when you hear about the health issues of many of us.

The Freeway course was in very good condition with well covered fairways and excellent greens. Bunkers are in very poor condition, and it was good that Tony explained that a free drop/place local rule was in operation! There were many short par 4s, but you needed to keep the ball on the fairway to ensure a crack at the green. Because of the reduced par of the course and low slope rating we were all playing of reduced handicaps of four or five shots.

It was a very hot day out at Bulleen and the heat may well have affected the scores of some players. Certainly, we were all pleased to have finished the round and relocate into the air-conditioned clubhouse.

Group 1 – Rick, Ian Tim

I asked Rick if he had recorded highlights, and received an emphatic No! However, looking at the card there were a number of three pointers scored – Rick and Ian both parred the par 3 ninth for three points and Tim had a three pointer on the difficult 14th. On the way home Tim told me he would have had many more points if he hadn’t three putted. I’ve heard that before!

Group 2 – Brendan, Tony, Nick, Phil

Highlight of the day was Snotty’s birdies on 10, 12 and 13. Eleven points in 3 holes, so the rest of his round was pretty ordinary. Tony had 4 three pointers for the day, and Nick finished his round strongly with a three pointer and 2 two pointers. Phil had trouble finding the fairway but made an excellent par on hole 1, and finished with another good par on 18 for three points.

Next round is scheduled for Bay Views on Monday 30 March.

Brendan

Editor’s notes: Brendan was a bit modest in the description of his play today – my informant provided the following: Brendan’s start to the second nine today at Freeway was very impressive. He holed out for birdie 3/4 on the 10^th hole from off the green then followed that up on the 12^th (no 1 hole) with another long putt birdie after two excellent shots from tee to green. He was on the next hole for two (295 metre par 5) then proceeded to 2 putt for another birdie. It did get a bit ugly after that with 4 one pointer holes, but we won’t talk about that.

Like Brendan, I was very pleased to see Nick enter for this round after a long break – welcome back Nick! I was also pleased to see Ian play the round after cataract surgery earlier in the month. The two T’s also popped their heads up for our first round – good to see you both playing. And yes Tony, I like to think I am ageing gracefully!

Don’t forget to book online for our next game at Bay Views.

Alistair