This year was the first time we offered prizes to juniors and we thank Rob Martin for sponsoring the Junior Open. We have two regular junior players and both are now travelling to events outside the town. Two may not sound like the sort of number we can get excited about but two is infinitely better then zero.

The next PGF Junior challenge will be held on 31 August. These days are priceless as parents and their children, some very young, “play a few holes.” The cost is $15 and includes prizes, professional coaching, lunch and a lot of fun.

A week is a long time in politics and golf. Many of those hardy or perhaps foolhardy players on August 9 soon realised that the wind chill factor was not conducive to good golf. One thing was clear; the ladies appear to have a more aesthetic approach to winter garb than the men.

Mick Nurmi decided that the best tactic to counter the likely inclement weather was an outfit of thermal vest and shorts. He won a ball as did Patrick Martin and Terry Hughes.

The winning combination was Michael Tillman Ryan and Eric Bachinger with 48 points. Runners up on a countback were Rob Martin and Owen Gill. Rob was also the NTP. The hyphenated burglar managed 41 points after walking off the week before with a dodgy back.

Last Saturday’s men’s matchplay was played in perfect conditions with at least half the field taking advantage… The biggest winner on the day was Ross Lawless who again demonstrated how to play a knockout match. Don’t stray from the fairway and other things will fall into place. The hapless victim of this assault was the platypus who should have known better.

Dapto is now in the final for the second consecutive year. His opponent will be either the gypsy treasurer or the Bungendore burglar. Rob Dillon won his against Damien CD in a much closer encounter.

Pat Martin, Geoff Hassall, Rod Coady, Les Hart, Will Richards, Keith Ferguson and Terry Hughes won their matches and Terry was the NTP. The jackpot was not won and is now approaching $200.

A small but brilliantly attired ladies group ventured out on both August 9 and 16. Last Saturday Judy Bevege won from Penny Hardy who wondered why short puts have a tendency to lip rather than sink.

The previous week’s winners were the quintet who played despite the sensible mutterings that a person ought to be at home with a good book or someone who has read one.

This Saturday the ladies will probably play a stableford while the men have a par event. The proposed new stableford index is on the notice board at the club. Comments welcome.

Monkittee Platypus.