Ariah Park Golf On a wonderful warm spring Saturday, we had nine players turn up to play for the hotley contested, Best Front nine holes sponsored by our lovely Maree Pinney. So, thanks, Ree Ree for the day. Now the day didn’t start too well for our favourite club man Mr Robert Robb-Robertson, aka “Scotty”, who each week prides himself in dressing up with a new “Temu” shirt and declares himself Best Dressed? But not this week. As yours truly decided to out-do him this week with his own “Temu” shirt and was voted “Best Dressed” by his fellow golfing advocates – well you should have heard the uproar – dummy spitting performance he put on, storming out declaring never to return; much to the laughter from us all, and after a few minutes he did return and accepted defeat. We still love ya Scotty. Also, we don’t know what the lovely Merrill Rollins had for breakfast but whatever it was, it made her absent minded. The cards were handed out, carts warmed up and off we go to our designated tee offs. All good you say? No – Merrill jumps in with Camo and off they go to the fourth tee. Camo hit off then they go to the ladies. Merrill goes to grab her driver – no clubs – still in the boot of the car LOL. Not a good start but irrational as it must seem, it runs in the family as Rocky did it also a few weeks ago – it must be in the water out there at Rannock. Now to Golf I had the privilege of playing against our most senior golfer in Barry and also Rocky who is no spring chicken either. So, the three oldies proceeded to play some golf in-between taking notes on what needs to be done around the place. It was a good day as the three played some wonderful golf between us and managed to come up with a few ideas also. But the highlight was on the eighth, we all managed to conquer over the trees, not once but twice, a feat that has us all baffled but pleased, and playing with these older fellas sure brought the best out of me as well as them. Nodsa was another who was tearing up the course with outstanding ground strokes and on-line putting. His front nine holes were very good, the back nine not so. Mr Pike pulled his finger out and produced a fine round also – not before time, as he like Scotty threatens to pull the plug on their playing careers. Well boo hoo – suck it up. And he did so, well done John, on a good round. It only takes one good round to bring you back next week. Maree played some good shots but was put off by Robbo who was still going on about his “Best Dressed” defeat, so her game fell away a bit. But she battled on and managed a good scorecard. As for Scotty, he hit the ball that’s all I’m saying, as he informed me and anyone who would listen (not many) only the lizards might have taken notice that he is plotting revenge on us all. (Can’t wait for this one) Camo had to console poor Merrill who was feeling guilty and embarrassed about her golf clubs (or lack of) and it affected her game a bit. But she took it in the stride and did manage to come up with the shot of the year. On the first, her drive headed straight for Pikey’s tree – hit the tyre, bounced up and landed in the tyre itself. A great feat indeed Merrill – how it stayed there only the golfing gods know. You have now joined John Pike as the only two golfers to do this amazing feat – with Pikey doing the same only a different tyre. He did it on Kev’s tree. So well done, you two. Our wonderful Helen celebrated her birthday during the week, so we were all eager to get back to the club house for a “Sanga and Cake” made by Maree – thanks darl. Cards counted – protest by Scotty dismissed. Winner winner, lizard stew dinner – Nodsa – 23 points first nine. R.U. Pike – 22 points first nine. 3rd Nappa – 21 points first nine. Forget the rest. Well done Noosa – no N.T.P. this week (only time I got close) boo hoo. Best nine holes overall – Camo Worst nine holes overall – Maree Forgot my clubs award – Merrill Best Dressed – “NAPPA” So it was a fun day had by all. Thanks everyone. NEXT WEEK – THE BIG DANCE – PRESENTATION DAY So, everyone turn up for a great wind up. Men a salad – Ladies a sweet – Thursday ladies are encouraged and invited to attend also. Meat supplied. Free entertainment by The Flying Scotsman – One Man Band. Also, the young fellas who played this year – thanks heaps. See ya all next week. Cheers, Preferred Lies Temora Vets: Intersales Cup Warren Bremer (33) will have to front up to the national anti-doping and integrity organisation before he hits another golf ball with the vets. Warren scooped the pool in the Tuesday nine-hole comp with a back-nine net of 31.5. Last Thursday he strolled home with a net 69 and they said he played left-handed, just for fun. Whatever he’s on, I’ll buy a bunch. Well played mate. But don’t forget to bring a urine and saliva sample before next Tuesday, please of course runner-up to Warren, and a little bit unlucky, was Judy Gorton (23) with a net 70. A double on the last hurt, but what a little champion she is. She takes on the men from the back markers, she doesn’t complain, she just gets on with the job at hand and does it better than most. Ball winners were: Ray Jennings (7) net 71 c/b, Anthony Madden (10) (And soon to be on single figures) net 71, Bill Robertson (13) net 71. Anthony Abra (16) net 72, Darryl Jordan (7) net 72, Mal Krause (11) net 73, Phil Freddy Lee (13) net 73. Intersales points: Warren Bremer six, (pending test results), Judy Gorton five, Ray Jennings four Bill Robertson three, Anthony Abra two. With a good roll-up of twenty-nine players, we decided to have two divisions of our famous skins. One of our skins is worth $1.00 and we don’t break any amateur status rules by accepting cash. According to the official USGA and the R and A guidelines on gambling, our weekly skins game is perfectly fine as long as it qualifies as "informal gambling” which it is. Division 1 winners: Ray Jennings played some excellent golf, and with a little bit of luck, Ray could have taken home the club voucher for first place, but he did win $7.00 as a consolation. Mark Wells with a superb birdie on the par-4, second won two skins, Bill Robertson, Anthony Madden, and Darryl Jordan won one skin each for $1.00 each. Kitty banked $6.00 towards the barbeque fund. Division 2 winners: There are always multiple winners in this division, and this week was no different. Here we go: Phil Bleyer six skins for $6.00, Bill Ingram three skins, Warren Bremer (Pending results) and Ray Rodway two skins each, Mark Browning, Jill Lutton (Shoalhaven Heads), Judy Gorton, and Anthony Abra won one skin each. Kitty banked $1.00, making $7.00 in total for our barbeque fund. Shot of the day: The shot of the day unfortunately goes to Ray Jennings. Unfortunate only because nobody else stood a chance. It would have taken a miracle to knock him off his perch today. We were playing the par-5, seventeenth and Ray hit (by his standards) a substandard tee-shot. I out drove him by 10 meters, and that says it all there. But the second and third shots are the bread winners. Ray found himself among the trees on the left, right behind the second green. With only a small gap between the trees, and with a restricted backswing, a successful recovery shot looked bleak. But knowing Ray’s game, if he is on the fairway, he has doubts, if he is in the rough or in tree trouble, he is an escape artist. True to form, Ray used a restricted backswing to punch a three-quarter three-wood straight through the narrow gap. The ball rocketed toward the green, landing just shy of the stump that is just on the other side of the bridge. Ray’s ball bounced over the stump and pulled up 30 centimetres short left of the green. With about a couple of meters to the hole, all that was needed was a little nudge with his wedge and Ray’s ball found the bottom of the hole for an eagle three. A great three, but a great second shot. All you can do is accept his skill and just congratulate him on his ability to turn a possible disaster into a challenge to overcome. Which he often does successfully. We had two visitors from Shoalhaven Heads, Jill and Adrian Lutton. They were welcomed to our club, and they did say that they really enjoyed their day with the Temora Vets. Jill and Adrian are apparently, doing a golf course crawl. They are trying to play as many courses in the surrounding shires as possible, with some sight-seeing thrown in. Good luck, safe travels, and we hope to see you both again one day. We also had Bob Hudson, whom I think is an ex TAGMaC golfer, and an former Temora boy from way, way back. Bob is a cool guy, and we did enjoy his company immensely. Bob had a good day, and I hope he keeps turning up on Thursdays. Events happening soon: Cootamundra GC will host their NSWVGA single Stableford on 22 September, and Junee GC will host their NSWVGA single Stableford on 29 September. Let’s get a mob together and be a part of their day. It would be great to support our neighbours and enjoy some competitive golf in good company. We are lucky to have three players who travel from Coolamon to Temora, just to play with our vets every Thursday. We are so grateful for the effort they make to share the day with us. Trevor Jose, Mark Browning, and Ray Jennings make the trip every week. Gentlemen, we enjoy your company, and the friendship we have formed with you three is special. From the Vets: THANK YOU very much for being a part of our golfing family. A bit of fun to finish off: A guy on vacation finishes his round and goes into the clubhouse. The head pro says, “Did you have a good time out there?” The man replied, “Fabulous, thank you.” “You’re welcome,” said the pro. “How did you find the greens?” “Easy. I just walked to the end of the fairways and there they were. Ladies Golf Wednesday’s golf was a Stableford event, sponsored by the Temora Golf Club. Winner on the day was Pip Bleyer with 35 points, runner up was Margaret Townsend closely behind with 34 points. Ball winners: Nora Saffioti 34 points Jacinta Watson 32 points Sue Alexander 32 points Nearest the pins: Third (Drive and Chip): Marg Townsend 1.13 metres Twelfth (NTP): Pip Bleyer 3.98 metres On Saturday, ladies competed in the president verses secretary event, sponsored by Pip and Deb. Deb won the event with a 68 nett however decided to donate her prize back. Winner on the day was Di Starling with a 69 nett, followed by Nora Saffioti with a 73 nett. Ball winners: Deb Block 68 nett Jacinta Watson 73 nett Deb Noack 73 nett Nearest the pins: Third (Drive and Chip): Di Starling 35 centimetres Seventh (NTP): Di Starling 4.3 metres Twelfth (NTP): Nora Saffioti 2.46 metres Sixteenth (Drive and Chip): Jacinta Watson 80 centimetres Coolamon Golf By THOMAS GOSS Nineteen golfers, most of them still on a euphoric high from the previous day fronted sporting mild hangovers and a pair of bleary eyes for Sunday’s Stableford event. And what a day. What an exquisite performance. What a brilliant way to complete an undefeated season with the most dominant execution of the year. No, I’m not referring to Daniel R Milne’s golf round but the mighty Coolamon Grasshoppers. I have witnessed more than fifty grand finals in the region, and I can unhesitatingly state that the levels of defensive pressure exerted by this team was the very best of the best. Tackles crushed like the grip of a supersized starving anaconda and collisions were so brutal they made the Large Hadron Collider look like child’s play using ping pong balls and sponges in a fully carpeted room. Congratulations to all involved, especially to the coaching group and the players who have bought so much joy to our community. To the Golf. As indicated earlier Danny Milne had a day out, inspired by the previous day he drove the ball with all the ferocity of Bryson DeChambo upon hearing of LIV’s demise (and some of his waywardness) and his short game was as enchanting as the gentle chuckling of a contented child to hit the 40-point mark. Runner up was Declan Johnson, 37 points who has shown remarkable improvement under the watchful eyes of his grizzled old grandfather - Ray Jennings. Sandy Wilson 36 and Leanne hooper 35 used the round as an opportunity to polish their games to a sparkling silver in time for this Wednesday’s Ladies NSW Sand Green championship at Royal Coolamon. The ball rundown ended with Gav Stephenson 34 honing his talents for a dash at this year’s Club Championship starting on Saturday. Novelty prizes were awarded to Sandy, Sandy, Danny, Cricket, Wayne Kew, Matt Lawson, and Gav while Jake Seymour holed the longest putt on the eighteenth. Gail O’Brien left with the raffle prize firmly ensconced in her back pocket but the Jackpot remained unclaimed and will now be worth over $150 for the first round of the club championship. With two such important events upcoming the course is in brilliant fettle. The fairways are an emerald shade of green, and the greens are running true. All is in readiness for the NSW Ladies’s Sand green Championship thanks to the sterling work of the volunteers, especially Pussy Hilton and Stu and Jake Seymour. I’m sure all the ladies who experience our wonderful course and warm Coolamon hospitality will leave with the belief that they have played on one of the finest sand green courses on the state. Finally, ring the bells and sound the trumpets loudly and clearly through every highway and byway, every nook and cranny, from the mighty mountain tops to the rivers and the far distant sea that Coolamon is the champion football town in the Riverina. Temora Bowling Club Bowls Five-A-Side After three Rounds of this unique competition, it’s proving to be a hit with the players. Admittedly, it was a bit confusing to begin with, and in some cases, still is, but team captains are now getting a handle on the rules and how to select their teams. Each round, captains are required to number their players from one through five. When the round four draw is announced, a pre-set formulae will be used to allot players into specific pairs and triples combinations as well as what order the players will play in for the fours format. Pairs and triples matches are played concurrently and are worth two match points each and then all five players take turns playing in each position in the fours format in a specific order. The fours match is valued at three match points. It has forced all players to play outside their comfort zone at some stage, and it is proving to be a huge hit, particularly with those players who rarely play in the third or skipper positions. In section A, Team New hold top spot on the ladder with 11 points after their 11-9 (Pairs), 13-12 (Triples) 7-15 (Fours) win over Team Mouawad. This gave them an overall four points- three points win. The other section A match saw Team McKinnon fall to Team Krause two points-five points after winning the Pairs 17-7 and losing the Triples and the Fours 7-13 and 11-13). Team McKinnon still holds second place on the ladder with eight points ahead of Team Mouawad with six points and Team Moir and Team Krause who are both on five points. Section B has seen Team Cole win their third match on the trot when they defeated Team Stimson five points-two points after losing the pairs 8-13 and winning the triples and the Fours 12-10 and 19-10. They sit on top of the Section B ladder with 15 points. Team Cook had their first win of the series in defeating Team Breust 11-8 in both the pairs, and the triples matches and then drawing the Fours nine-nine. Miraculously, this placed Team Cook on 8.5 points ahead of Team Stimson on seven pionts, Team Jordan six points and Team Breust 5.5 points. This weekend in section A, Team McKinnon play Team Mouawad while Team Moir play Team New. Team Krause receives the bye. In section B, Team Cook play Team Cole while Team Jordan play Team Stimson. Team Breust receives the bye. King of the Turf One week it’s Les Horan, the next it’s Ray Walker. Next week will probably be Mr. Magoo. If you can believe that. Apparently, Walker smashed the field last weekend and nobody else had a chance. Hmmm. I’m starting to wonder of this is Fake News Nirvana. Walker’s form over the past few months of the KOTT has been atrocious to say the least and then suddenly, he turns up smelling like roses and looking very pleased with himself, ready for the photo shoot. Come on Bomber. Turn it up. That’s two weeks in a row. What’s the real story?
