Michael “Tickers” Tickner. This photo was not taken on Saturday.
The weather was the clear winner on Saturday with 5 players braving the wild conditions and all returning scores in the Mars Bar range. Eddie “The Flying Dutchman” started with the wind in his spinnaker scoring 18 points in the first 9 holes, but that was where it ended. He managed only 8 points on the back 9 for 26 leaving himself vulnerable in a count back. Michael “Tickers” Tickner had the best score of the the day (you could hardly call it a winning score) with 27 points. Kobi Wenzel & grandpa Russell “Gus The Good Guy” Wenzel joined Eddie on 26 with Kobi taking 2nd place on a count back. The Mars Bar went to colourful local identity Philip “Thomo” Thomson with 25.
The finals of the Club Championships were played in less than ideal conditions yesterday. Freezing conditions with gale force winds and rain greeted our finalists, but all soldiered on with the exception of Eddie “The Flying Dutchman’ Van Keulen (more on that later).
L to R: Marj Wride, Judy Reilly, Sharyn Roberts, Reva Cullen.
In the ladies, Sharyn “Chookie” Roberts took out the Division 1 title for the 11th consecutive year. Sharyn defeated Reva Cullen 8 & 7.
L to R: Dick Cleland, Eddie Van keulen, David Robertson, Matthew Opperman, David Webster, absent Neil Webster.
In the Men’s Matthew Opperman won his 2nd title defeating former multiple title holder David “Robbie” Robinson 4 & 2. The match was tight early with scores level through 14 holes before Matt opened a 2 hole break by the 18th. After lunch Matt won the first 3 holes to go 5 up & was 6 up after the 6th. Robbie got the margin back to 2 after 14 before Matt won holes 15 & 16 to take the match.
In B grade Dick Cleland defeated defending champion David “Jack” Webster in a closely fought contest. Jack lead by 1 after 9 and Dick reversed this after 18. In the afternoon Dick opened up the lead to 4 after 27 holes but Jack responded by winning holes 11, 12 & 13 to cut the margin to 1. Dick closed the match winning holes 14 & 16.
In C grade defending champion defeated Eddie “The Flying Dutchman” Van Keulen. Eddie was 11 down after 16 holes & conceded defeat. Eddie was the only finalist to play on Saturday and he may have to rethink his strategy next year.
Golfers remained indoors this morning as cold wet & foggy conditions engulfed the Burra Golf Course. One member who spoke on the condition that his identity not be revealed said ” Mulligans are meant to be fun and it sure doesn’t look like fun out there this morning.” Maximum temperature forecast for Burra today is 8 degrees so the players have made the right choice.
Gordon “The Chook Man Kakoschke eating a sandwich.
Gordon “The Chook Man” Kakoschke was too good for Tuesday’s field scoring a comfortable win with 37 stableford points. Runner up was Graham Webster on a count back from David “Robbie” Robinson both with 35 points. Russell “Gus The Good Guy” Wenzel scored 34 but then there was then a significant gap to colourful local identity Philip “Thomo” Thomson & David “Jack” Webster both on 31. Eddie “The Flying Dutchman” Van Keulen was unable to reproduce his winning form of Saturday, slumping to a dismal 26. The Dutchman was saved from the ignominy of the Mars Bar by the presence of the mercurial Bob Taylor who managed just 24.
Eddie “The Flying Dutchman” Van Keulen demonstrates his unusual technique.
Eddie “The Flying Dutchman” Van Keulen won Saturday’s par event in wild conditions, all scores being affected by the adverse weather. The Dutchman was even par but well clear of runner up colourful local identity Philip “Thomo” Thomson on -3. Thomo’s handicap has now gone out to 13 & dreams of a single figure handicap are now just that. There was another big gap to visitor Ignatius Dulvenvoorden from Yarram Golf Club on -5. Michael “Tickers” Tickner & Russell “Gus The Good Guy” Wenzel were next on -6 while former member Neville “Ned” Kelly, now a member at Logan City Golf Club, was reminded of what a tough test of golf the Burra Golf Course provides, managing just -7. The Mars Bar went to Kobi Wenzel on -9.
