A cool morning greeted a healthy field of 19 players on our second visit to a popular course by the sea. Though marginally shorter that most other courses we play, it packs a fairly solid slope rating of 130 (Collier Park – low 120’s; Kennedy Bay – 131; Secret Harbour – 133). Anyone playing to handicap would feel as though they’d done enough to win, particularly in today’s conditions with a brisk easterly to contend with. Great to see three of our newest recruits – Jamie Fitzpatrick, Marc Ellis and Rob Mathius – getting into the swing.

Lawrie Gibson has taken pride in the fact that a good number of winners this season have come from his playing group. As it happens, his group today produced another two winners. President Craig was the first of them, his game of a high standard give-or-take a couple of indiscretions. His ability to recover is often a treat, his shot 80m out from under a bush (see pic) to scoot between two bunkers and finish 5 foot from the pin yet another example. With a few early putts falling short, he was threatened with a Lawrie-imposed $10.00 fine for every subsequent offence and that proved the cure! His clean, hard ball striking was a feature, never missing a par 3 green. The only blemish was a drive left on the par 4 14th which mysteriously disappeared. Never upset the Prez! He subsequently fired off 3 pars and a birdie for 12 points to close with 20 points coming home for a great winning score of 38 points.

“Zoom zoom” Bindon (the fastest cart in the West) finally made his first podium, but the carburetor was a bit clogged on the outward, struggling with 3 wipes and his fair share of doubles. Luckily Techo Thomas was on hand and a revitalized Trev took off with a flurry of cigarette smoke, pars and bogies to amass 23 points, a second placing and be only the second player to play to handicap. Heiney bounced back from the nether NAGA regions last week to claim third spot in an up-and-down round that included two wipes and two birdies.

Two interesting observations:

• The thought of slicing a ball onto Marine Parade dotted with people and cars is a scary one. Jamie Fitzpatrick launched such a drive on the 16th the ball disappearing over trees on it’s way to potential doom. All breathed a huge sigh of relief when it was found (somehow) just inside the fence;

• Lawrie’s been around Rob Mizen too long. He’s now using the putter to get out of bunkers.

And the second winner in Lawrie’s group? Hapless Dalbs who has now chalked up four NAGA scores in as many appearances.

Winners:

1st: CRAIG MARKHAM (38)

2nd: TREVOR BINDON (36)

3rd: PAUL HEINE (33)

NAGA: ROBIN DALBY

Nearest to Pins:

4th: GARY HAMMOND

8th: RYAN DORAN

13th: NIGEL SMITH

17th: TREVOR BINDON

Nearest in 2: JAMIE FITZPATRICK

Nearest in 3: CRAIG MARKHAM

Longest Drives:

A Grade: NO TAKERS

B Grade: GARY HAMMOND

Longest Putt: CRAIG MARKHAM