You know there’s something amiss when you arrive at the golf course and Nagahs are calling out, “Hon Sec, they need to see you in the pro shop!” WTF is going on! So, on talking to the staff, I was informed that the online booking I had made had not been finalised and therefore we had no tee times booked. Crikey there was some unrest amongst the group. However, the staff at Dorset were amazing, they quickly organised us to hit off the tenth tee, and then check that the first tee was clear after we’d finished the back nine. And it was! We got round in under four hours! Good stuff up Hon Sec!

Dorset was in very good condition. It’s not a long course but the layout was varied and the greens had plenty of slope to make putting interesting. It was a very overcast day, and we copped a brief shower at the start of the second nine but there was no wind so overall conditions were good.

Last Nagahs round Phil was keen to have it known he was playing off his lowest Nagahs handicap. Well today’s round saw him playing off a single figure mark – well done, Phil. And a creditable 31 points resulted. Editor’s note: Last round seemed to me to be a one off for Phil to be sniffing around single figures. Now that he has hit single figures, we must now accept he has bent the space-time continuum!

One final report on the day – after the less than smooth start to the day it was good to know that we would be able to get underway. So, a group of four teed off and the second group were just awaiting the arrival of one Rick Gole. A quick phone call to the aforementioned resulted in a pleasant chat before I asked him if he was close to the course. There was a long pause…….. and then he realised he had completely forgotten about the game. He said, “I’m an idiot.” No argument there, Rick.

Next round Waterford Valley. Monday 29 June 29.

Brendan

Group One – Phil, Peter, Nick S, Tim

Despite a very dodgy drive on our first hole, Peter had an almost unblemished card for the next 8 holes. Meanwhile Tim was making the most of the concrete cart paths by landing his drive on them to give him an extra 50 metres distance. He scored a very creditable 18 points on our first 9 holes.  We all scored 3 pointers on our second hole (par 3). Nick was hitting very long drives and he was only just short of the par 5, 13th hole for 2 shots and secured a good par.

The second nine had more interesting (and challenging) holes. Despite the pouring rain Nick sank a long putt for a birdie 4 on our 10th hole. On the 10th tee, I reminded Tim that he usually struggles on the second nine and he kindly proved me right by wiping holes 10 and 11. Then we came to the 3rd hole (our 12th). Tim, Peter and I hit good drives around the corner of this short par 4. Nick waited until the group in front cleared the green before hitting off – a wise move considering the distance he was driving. Unfortunately, he topped his drive which dribbled off the front of the tee and landed in a hole. Not happy!!! After a poor drive on the next hole (rated 2) Phil hit a good second shot to just off the edge of the green and holed the putt for a birdie – When you are playing off single figures you expect this to happen!! Peter also scored a par on this hole. We all hit good shots to the par 3, 5th hole but Nick was the only one to finish with a par.

Nick followed that up with two fine pars on the 6th and 7th holes but came unstuck on the easiest hole on the course with a shank off the tee which ended up right next to the wire fence and deep in the jungle. Meanwhile Tim and Peter both hit the green and ended up with regulation pars. Phil hit his tee shot into a bunker and despite the very dodgy lie managed to just get out of the bunker then sink a very long putt from off the green. We all struggled on the last hole with one pointers.

After 18 very enjoyable holes our scores were very close – Peter and Nick 32, Phil 31 and Tim 30 points.

 Despite his stuff up with the booking (he would claim it was the club’s fault) we decided NOT to sack the Secretary after having such a smooth and quick round on a course in excellent condition.

Phil

Group 2 – Geoff, Ian, Brendan

We played the back nine first today.

Our group decided that players would only be highlighted if they scored 3 or more points.

Brendan made 3/3 on the par 3 11th.

We patiently waited for the next highlight which duly arrived on the 15th when both Ian and Brendan parred the hole for 3 points each. That was it for the back 9.

Hole 1 saw Ian with a Hitler in the greenside bunker. Not a highlight in itself.  But Ian had to play from under the lip of the bunker while standing outside it and did very well to extricate himself. Editor’s note: Some may not be familiar with the Hitler term in golf – see photo below of Tim demonstrating a textbook Hitler at Moonah back in 2015.

Hole 4 was parred by both Brendan (nice up and down) and Geoff who played the sniveller of the day from 140m, to each score 3 pointers.

Brendan at it again on hole 5 when he made a 3/3.

Ian’s turn on hole 6, when he hit the green in regulation to set up 4/3.

Ian and Brendan hit fine tee shots to the par 3 9th, but were unable to convert the birdie putts.

Brendan was the overall winner today.  He played solid golf to score 37 points.

Geoff

 Editor’s note: Thanks to Brendan, Phil and Geoff for providing reports. I liked the Nagah quote of the day, “I’m an idiot”! Nice to see that everyone scored at least one point and a great effort from Brendan with 37 off nearly single figures.