Four stick challenge 2013

Sunny blue skies greeted Shirls, Bellringer and me on the practice putting green at (the Royal) St Lucia Golf Links last weekend for the inaugural four stick challenge. There was a chance of early 'rules' controversy as I observed Ben honing his putting with a 4-iron. Strewth, I thought, perhaps putters aren't permitted?

Shirls arrived, and we set off to the 1st tee where some punter with an air of self importance was driving off. Then again. And again. Clearly a practice round, but a bit bold isnt it? Never mind, we were in no hurry.

I know, dear reader, you are all gagging to find out what clubs we opted for. I was confident with Driver, 5 iron, wedge and putter. Ben went with 3 metal, 4 iron, 8 iron and sandy. Shirls opted for 3 metal, 4 iron, 9 iron and putter (I think).

In the 20+ years since the course went public the old links at St Lucia have been adjusted and shortened to cater for the social golfer, but I think the bones are still reasonably strong. It would be interesting to see how the layout would have evolved if it had stayed in 'private' hands. I guess it would have become narrower, more heavily bunkered with tricked up greens for protection against the evolution of golf technology. As it is now the 1st has become a longish slight dog leg par 4, while the 2nd, previously quite a tough driving hole with the road catching any hookers, is now a 152 metre par 3. That didn't stop Shirls hitting on the road though!

The 3rd is a 251 metre par 4, apparently, but I distinctly remember it being a par 3 measuring 232 metres, wasn't it? I bombed one onto the green anyway, my shot of the day, I reckon. It was fun revisiting experiences of our youth as we wandered around the course. The hours spent in the muddy creek, the search for golf balls in long grass, down the river bank and in the bulrushes in front of the 4th tee. And also playing and losing balls in all of those aforementioned places.

We safely navigated the uphill 4th and the little dogleg 5th, which is now denuded of the tricky bunker that previously caught players trying to sneak around the corner, as well as the green-side traps. I had a flashback on the par 5, 6th - just get it to the top of that hill, I thought. Executing such a task seemed to be mission impossible in 1980's with a persimmon driver, but seemed a bit of a snack now. Ben made it home with two cracking 3 metals, the second seemed to fly and fly and fly - magnificent!

Onwards to the 7th, another very pleasant short dog leg. The green is bigger than I remember, and I think has been moved forward a bit, whereas it probably could have been moved back, or tucked further left to make it more difficult, but perhaps that would muck up the passage of the creek? The par 3 8th has lost some of its greenside bunkers, and charm, but none of us parred it. The final hole is a neat driving hole, before hitting up the the hill to a raised and somewhat shabby green. I had another memory flashback about the smell of meat pies from the long-gone halfway house between the 9th and 10th. And of playing with Glenn Thomas, the junior Tom Kite of Indooroopilly Golf Club, as he nervously putted out in near darkness on the 9th one Saturday afternoon to shoot a few under par. Funny what one remembers.

We pondered life and other issues over a couple of cool drinks in the bar and concluded the tourney was a cracking success. I pipped Ben by a couple of points in the split sixes to take the crown and I look forward to passing it on at second edition this year or next.

PDC International 2012

“How many degrees did you say?” I asked in some astonishment as Doc, John and I sat at Melbourne airport waiting for the remainder of the Brisbane chaps to arrive on their delayed Jetstar flight.

“Two”, said Doc. “Up from one a little while ago”.

Two degrees was the Apparent Temperature at Frankston. Just as well I packed a jumper, I thought, especially since it was the last thing I threw in the suitcase. The day before it had been 34 degrees - welcome to Melbourne and the 6^th annual PDC International.

A few hours later we were all on the 1^st tee of the North Course at Peninsula Golf Club, in howling wind, wearing as many layers of clothes as possible, including team hats – red or blue, another aspect of Tom’s superb organisation of this year’s tourney.

Craw led the field away, a cracking drive over the right hand fairway bunker. Superb! Pity he never saw the ball again, a victim of unknown or unseen fairway contours. Such is life on a course you have never laid eyes on. And what a great course it was – beautifully maintained fairways, true greens and lots of interesting, undulating and attractive holes, especially on the front nine. Favourites for me were the slight dog leg left, up the hill par 4 6^th; the daunting and long par 4 12^th, played into a wicked left-right wind; and the beaut little par 4 13^th, only 284 metres but played straight into the breeze and a very tight green as a target.

Some footage here of Doc and Barnsey on the par 3, 16^th, and here of me.

Round 1 was followed by a traditional debrief with beers as the sun dipped and disappeared and groups progressively finished their rounds. I love this part of the PDC – slouching in a chair after the first day, cold beer, discussing holes and shots, and life, with old mates. It’s basic, but it’s precious stuff.

Another dimension of Peninsula then kicked in as the ‘hospitality’ phase started. Wow! A tremendous array of food, wine and service was provided. I don’t remember what time we staggered the 20 steps from the dining table to the billiard table, nor do I remember what exact wines Jeff cracked for the snooker games, nor what cheese was supplied as an accompaniment, but do I remember relaxing to an almost slumber-like state with contentment. Or perhaps I was just tired. Which wouldn’t be surprising since it took about a fucking hour to finish a single snooker game! Which I think Timmy and I lost to some miracle shot from someone else. Jaysus! The lack of skill was special.

On Friday it was off to Moonah Links about an hour south of our base at Peninsula, first to the Open Course, followed by Legends Course in the afternoon. The day started cold, overcast and a bit blowy but cleared to a lovely afternoon. Highlights of the morning round was a ding-dong match between Schnapper and me versus Craw and Shirls. I don’t recall any brilliant golf, although I think they were a few birdies in the last few holes. Schnapper’s bunker play was a memorable highlight – dead as dead can be!

Some footage of the afternoon groups tonking off the 1^st including Doc, Matt, Schnapper and Tommy HERE; Jeff, Bellringer, Barnsey and Craw HERE; and Wardie, Shaun, John and I bringing up the field HERE. Where’s Shirls? He retired after the first 18 with a ‘bad back’, to a massage table and happy ending.

I think I enjoyed the Legends course a bit more, although my form was pretty rubbish. The Open seemed long, long, long and I lost count of how many times I had 4-wood in my hand for my second, third (and sometime fourth!) shot. On the Legends I liked the short par 4 11^th (perhaps it was because I had about 40 minutes to appreciate it as Wardie took a phone call from a client while searching for his ball, which, mind you, he hit about 120 metres right, fuck that was wide. Actually, I think that was the first one, the second was only about 100 metres right. And then I think Shaun hit is even further right, down near the 9^th tee. Mysterious…); and also the dogleg par 4 15^th.

Another fab dinner and wine that evening – I didn’t even make it to the snooker table.

The last round was on the even more superb South course. As usual in the PDC my form gets worse by the shot and this year was no exception. Fortunately, I got some beaut tips from Jeff as we spent hours chipping around greens waiting for the groups in front to clear off. (hey Jeff, many thanks for the ‘keeping the left side firmer’ tip, I’m still using that!) 

Schnapper got some nature footage also.  

I took a swag of photos but they seem to have disappeared from my phone, bugger it, so you’ll just have to view pics from the club site if you are inclined. Pity, because the images really don’t do the course justice – I thought it was excellent.

Many thanks to Tom for his amazing organisation of the event. And to Jeff for delivering a typically super array of wines. To first timer Matt for the wine and selections on night two, and Wardie for the car hire. And to everyone for just being good mates and nice to spend time with.

Until next time

Fergus

PS, Sydney gets my vote for 2013, if that’s worth anything…

A visit to Arkers

It was an unusually cool 15 degrees, overcast with a touch of rain, as we hit off from RQ on the Queen’s Birthday (God bless the Queen, I say, for providing two public holidays in one year – what a woman!?). It was my first tonk at Arkers in 15 – 20 years and I was really impressed with the ‘new’ layout, an 8+ out of 10 rating from me, for what it’s worth. Jeff, Craw and I led off, followed by Bellringer, TC and new dad Shirls.

I especially liked that the look and feel of the course was consistent throughout, something that Indooroopilly lacks, regrettably. Tee blocks are flat and broad; fairways are wide and well grassed with few tricks; bunkers are universally excellent, good grainy sand, and well placed, including on the fairways; and the greens are terrific, really well grassed, and with lots of humps and bumps which make shot selection important. ‘Don’t be long’, Jeff informed me, several times, but it still didn’t sink in. It’s definitely a mantra worth remembering it next time!

Best holes for me are the par 5, 7^th and the short par 4, 12^th (see pic). The par 3, 17^th is a little beauty too – some footage HERE and HERE. I’d love to have another game on a warm, sunny and breezy day.

Thanks to Wardy, Tim and Jeff for making all of the arrangements. I look forward to another RQ instalment at some point, and of course to reuniting at the PDC International in a month.

A tonk at the bend in the river - March 2012

It has been a while between games of golf for me, the last full round being way back in November 2011 as part of the PDC International. So there much excitement leading up to a tonk on Saturday at the ‘Pilly with the some of the chaps. I thought the course was in really good condition and it was great to see so many big trees around the place, much taller and denser that I recall. The result is that many holes feel like a separate space, sort of isolated from nearby holes, both visually and physically. I like this feeling, it is one of the distinguishing features of Kooyonga, scene of the PDC International 2010, and also many of the holes at Lost Farm.

Doc and I had a ding-dong battle with Schnapper and Craw with birdies galore on the Gold 9, six in total I think. We eventually lost the match on the 17^th. I strolled in with 35 pts (although I think I was actually 34 when I calculated again on the bike this arvo, oops, double bogey on the 4th), Schnapper 33 or so. The second nine holes was a bit tedious with steady rain – so much for the forecast ‘shower or two’, but the company was excellent. I hope it will not be so long again before the next hit. 

The shit weather limited photo opportunities but there is some footage from Gold 5.

Other sporting highlights from the weekend include a victory to Simon Gerrans in the Milano - San Remo race, the longest race of the season - a mere 298 km (!), and one of the oldest, 100+ years – with a very nasty climb in the last 10km. Gerrans showed amazing endurance and stamina and great tactics to pull off a sprint win. There is some 'backstage' footage from Green Edge, soon to be renamed 'Team Potty Mouth..' And then there was Jack smashing me around the cricket nets at UQ on Sunday morning. The kid has so much more talent than me it’s ridiculous. He’s a pretty handy bowler too. Plus today the Bulls won the Sheffield Shield versus Tasmania at the ‘Gabba in a cracking match.

PDC International 2011

The 2011 PDC International returned to the Apple Isle - to the wonderful Barnbougle Dunes and was extended to include the new Lost Farm layout. Opinions were split very evenly about which was the better or preferred course, although I suspect the Lost Farm may have just won an official vote.

As usual, what would seem to be the simple task of selecting players and match order and rules on night 1 turned into a 2 1/2 slog fest over several bottles of wine. But we got there in the end...

Team captains for the event were the old boys, Chief and John. Chief's team were designated blue shirts on day one and included Bellringer, Lord, Shirls, Coolsa, Doc. John's team were white shirts day one and included Craw, Jeff, Wardy, Schnapper and Tommy.

Day 1 at Lost Farm presented a terrific challenge, especially after the wind (40km/h?) hit the field from about the 13th hole onwards in round 1. In the morning on the par 3 6th I hit 6 iron, in the afternoon I hit 1 iron! Great fun.

Jeff donned the chef's outfit for Thursday night dinner and knocked up a terrific pasta feast, which was accompanied by local ales and superb wines.

Day 2 we returned to the familiar environs of Barnbougle Dunes. Conditions were brilliant - blue sky, sunshine and 18 degrees. And we had plenty of time to enjoy it - our afternoon round took 5 hrs 45 mins and the last group finished in the dark after 8.00 pm. All that sitting around waiting is probably the reason for the over representation of photos from the back 9!

The overall individual event winner was Shirls (by a lot), followed by Bellringer (I think), while Chief led the team victory.

Despite the carnage which both courses reaped on the field on Thursday and Friday, the hardy ones tackled Lost Farm again on Saturday morning, others had a long slow breakfast while Shirls, Bellringer and I took the local mailrun with Pete the pilot to Flinders Island and back. Brilliant stuff.

Well done to everyone involved in the organisation. Great company, great food and wine and superb golf courses. Stay tuned for updates about the 2012 venue!

Photos and various footage from the weekend are available HERE.

PS Favourite holes for me at Lost Farm were the short par 3 4th at the most westerly point of the course, the wonderful short 4 par 14th which play straight into the wind, and the tough par 4 16th. All magnificent. At Barnbougle the par 4 12th and 15th continue to offer a variety of options (although on the latter perhaps the designers didnt envisage players hitting 4 iron in from the 14th fairway!?) and are completely brilliant.

PDC International 2010

It was my great pleasure to host the 2010 tourney in Adelaide. Ten other gentlemen of distinction participated in this years' tourney. Regrettably, Wardy got stuck in Gladstone and was a late withdrawal. We lamented his absence with a minute of silence as we knocked the top of several beers on Wednesday evening. As usual, the PDC-eve banter focused on Team selection and match set up. This process has been honed from the inaugural 5-hour argument at the 2007 PDC International to a 2-hour discussion by the end of which Tom and Doc were selected as captains by virtue of a birthday and recent fatherhood, respectively.

Round 1 kicked off on Thursday morning at the superb Kooyonga golf club. Chief and I had the great pleasure of tackling this wonderful course in the company of Bellringer and Damien. We had a ding-dong match based on a multiplier stableford format. Chief and I never really looked like winning but had a couple of massive holes to keep some parity. The tough par 4 17th was pivotal with Chief uncharacteristically letting a tough 5-footer slide by the hole. Bellringer typically shone on the last nailing a 15 footer, the last shot of the foursome, to win the match by a point. Jeez, he is seriously good in a tight spot!

It was hard to fault this course - superb fairways, great bunkering, most holes contained and separated from others. A great example of how length ain't everything. A bit of local knowledge wouldn't go astray with blind drives etc - I think all 4 of us hit it in the crap on the right of the 9th, thinking it was OB only to find it was a water hazard, but it didn't really matter because it was completely impenetrable to hit out from. Highlights of the round for me were the short par 4, 4th (normally the 5th), par 3 19th (a spare hole played as the 11th), par 5 16th with a massive dip in front of the green and pin tucked on the precipice, and the par 4 17th with the shaved fringe leading to the water. Diabolical. The bloke who cuts my hair played the day after the Kooyonga clubbies and said the greens were insanely slick and he had millions. He also told me about the tv expose on Tiger, including his carpark shenanigans with some scrubber from Dunkin' Donuts, all caught on camera. Ouch! Anyone see that?

In the afternoon we trotted off to Royal Adelaide for Round 2 and were presented with an entirely different type of course - very links in style, slick greens and multiple blind driving holes. I was chatting with Colin from across the road, a 40+ year Kooyonga member, who commented that Kooyonga members go to Royal Adelaide when they want a 'easy round'. He also mentioned that they pulled out heaps of trees in the last 5 years or so to emphasise the links-feel.

Barnsey and I played Shirls and Bellringer. Cant say that anyones' form was much good but it was an extremely enjoyable game and match, which I think we won. Although going by Shirls' form getting out of the big bunker on the 6th, this probably wasn't a surprise... He insisted that a buried lie was most effectively played by closing the face so the toe pointed to the ground. Yeah, right!

Royal Adelaide hole highlights for me were the short par 4 3rd, a blind drive, but a beaut little hole with all sorts of danger lurking; the par 4 8th, down the hill to a green sitting at an angle so that approach needs to be perfect; and the super 11th over the rise to a green tucked into a half cauldron. I quite liked the par 3 16th too, it was the scene of the most memorable shot of the day: Bellringer with a tricky 35 footer, downhill, darkness and rain approaching, he inexplicably overshoots and ball disappears 15 feet off the green. His return rockets 30 feet or so past the hole. Oh dear. Then he bins it! Absurd. The 17th and 18th are probably quite good holes but it was dark and raining and I was tired and consequently lost a bit of interest...

Some footage from the 1st tee includes Tim, Doc, Tom and Craw, Shirls, Bellringer and Barnsey

The post-match de-brief began in earnest at the Exeter Hotel in Rundle St. Damien threw a hand grenade into the discussion declaring Royal Adelaide wasn't as good as St Lucia! Ouch! Birthday boy, Tom, succumb to traditional adolescent male behaviour and sculled an ale with musical accompaniment of 'Here's to Tommy, he's true blue...'. Beers were followed by woodfired pizza and a plentiful supply of fine red wine at an intimate restaurant around the corner. As the rain tumbled down the iPhone weather app was deployed and confirmed a shit Friday weather forecast - rain, possible hail, maximum temperature of 14 degrees. Votes were called and it was agreed to give the 7.30 a.m. hit off at the Grange a miss. I think we had a nightcap back at the Exeter. Shirls, Damien and Barnsey kicked on...

I awoke at 7.31 a.m. and was grateful for the rain, although a tad disappointed not to play the Grange. It really was shit weather tho... Instead of golf it was convoy through the less than delightful southern suburbs of Adelaide and onto the McLaren Vale. First stop was at Primo Estate followed by the marvellous d'Arenberg cellar door then lunch at some place with poles out the front, before heading further south to Links Lady Bay. A late 9 holes ensued, much to the chagrin of the bloke in the pro shop who was probably keen to get home for an early Friday arvo bong. The weather turned to custard by the 2nd hole, but soon turned relatively pleasant, but cold.

Following the lazy nine holes, beers were opened and a putting comp commenced on the massive 3-tiered putting green. Fuck it was cold. Inexplicably, Shirls won the comp, resplendent in his fireside footwear - yep, there's a man who has slipped seamlessly (perhaps even gracefully?) from wild party world to domestic nirvana. The putting comp was followed by a curry feast (thank you Lisa).

Saturday morning dawned and those on early afternoon flights hit the course. I teamed up with Craw to take on Shirls and Doctor. Jeez, wasn't there a bit of niggle going on there!? Craw came from 3 or 4 down at the turn to blitz the good Doctor while I edged out Shirls 2 up on the last, an effort made even more impressive, in my humble opinion, following a blistering barrage of sledging and attempt at psychological destruction from my opponent on the walk from the 17th green and onwards. Deep down I knew it was working as I stood over the ball thinking and praying 'You have barely missed a drive for 3 days, for fuck's sake, please dont tug this left...' I needn't have worried, as soon as Shirls missed the green I knew his short game jitters would kick in and the match would end in favour. Sorry, Shirls, cruel, but fair.

Links Lady Bay is a cracking course, I reckon. I think I prefer the front 9, with the 6th, 7th and 8th my favourites. I probably would have enjoyed the back 9 better had I not lost all confidence with my irons - might as well have been trying to hit the ball with an axe handle for all the good they were, except off the tee. The par 4, 14th - 3 wood off the tee, long-mid iron over the piss, and beautiful par 3 17th back into the breeze were real highlights. One unfortunate moment was on the short par 4 13th, where Craw and I had an accidental clash of 3 metals while standing around - the ensuing 'PING' took place at a critical point in Doc's downswing and he carved it 130 metres right into the shot. Sorry. Then he cold-topped the next. Bugger. No hard feelings, mate!

In the end Tommy T was declared the victorious captain and let loose with a tsunami of congratulatory SMS. Well done! Ben took out the prestigous individual PDC International following in the footsteps of previous winners - Craw and John (2007), Jeff (2008) and Coolsa (2009). [BTW, Jack took the PDC trophy to 'show and tell' at school and was king of the kids for the day!] Craw, Shirls, Doc and I went back to my place, necked a few more beers and took Jack for a kick of the footy - which he LOVED!

Thanks boys - I had a brilliant time. See you in 2011!

PS, forgot to find a place in the story for this lovely drive and Craw's trouser trumpet.

PDC International 2009

Dear comrades

Where to start the tale of this epic golfing weekend? So many highlights to report. A week has passed and I am still tired!

Friday night feast of fish, pasta and multiple beers and wine and general chit chat was a terrific start.

Video footage commences from round 1, Steve and myself on the delightful par 3, 7th, at 13th Beach, still covered in thick fog (please add your ratings and comments on the YouTube vids for prosperity...). Slide to round 2 and enjoy watching the Chief and Schnapper on the same hole and also Chief remove himself from an outrageous hanging lie in the bunker on the par 5, 14th. Craw found Saturday all too much and collapsed after dinner - at the kitchen table.

Day 2 started badly for everyone as Shirls paraded semi-naked. I think there was general agreement that the Creek Course was not a pinch on the Beach course, but still enjoyable. From memory, Doc and I played mostly like axe murderers on the front nine (6 down at the turn, I think), although Doc was a bit worse than me (sorry, champ, but that cold-top-shank on the 9th was very shabby, I think the woo-woo bird went further!). Doc's drive on the 7th (?) was an obvious exception, and to his great credit he dug very deep and found some form on the back, culminating in binning a slippery downhiller on the last for a par to halve the 9 and salvage some pride. I think we lost 10 holes to Craw and Damien!

I admit to being a little weary on Sunday afternoon and I didnt think Barwon Heads would match 13th Beach for sheer golfing enjoyment. I was pleased to be wrong. What a super course! Bellringer's birdie on the 1st after snap hooking his drive into a house was any early highlight. Holes 4 thru 10 completely brilliant, with the 9th a show-stopper. Here Shirls tonks off down the hill on the par 5, 5th. The par 4, 15th an absolute cracker too.

Beers, dinner and fine wine in the clubhouse was a top way to end the day - the hardy ones kicking on for snooker.

Monday dawned cool and fine. I really should start the long drive home, I thought, four rounds is plenty. Bloody whoosbag! Again, very glad I played. Shirls and I had a bonza match against Barnsey and Tim Cole - Shirls' handicap shots on 17 and 18 the difference, especially after he smashed a 4-wood to 7 feet on the 15th for an easy par to draw the match level. The par 3, 13th is a lovely hole looking back towards the territory we conquered (?) on the weekend and some footage available of Tim, myself, Barnsey and Shirls.

Well done, Damien on the great victory. Well done the 'Evens' in the team championships, bad luck the 'Odds'.

Look forward to doing it all again next year!

PS All my photos are available from this album. I'm happy to upload and or link from the blog any other pics or video you have.

Hugs
Fergus

PDC 2009

Sourced from post-event emails, to assist future historians...

Round 1 - 8 August 2009

The front nine was very "unPDCish". Micky was on fire (2 under after 5), Bellringer & the Craw -1. Nothing was going to hold Micky back as he turned in 38 (I think). The Craw was +1 and it looked easy! Bellringer hit a few greens, stayed out of trouble and turned -1.

Bellringer moved to -3 after the first 2 holes of the blue monster (red) with a get out of jail free card chip-in from behind the green. The Craw was on the train and feeling unlucky (4 in a row). Micky's day was going down hill and was uncharacteristically doing the "2 S" (swearing & swordfighting). The Craw pulled out of the tailspin with some solid pars and closed out a good round. Bellringer limped home with 3 bogies, but holed a glory putt on the last to stay in the red.

Leave passes confirmed for the boys this Saturday. The PDC will be a fight.

Bellringer is due to face the judiciary after the second round for disciplinary action. He is definitely in trouble because he doesn't have the appropriate uniform (black suit, bad tie or even black sun glasses).

Bellringer 71/70 (leading gross score in the clubhouse, both PDC and for the other competition as well); Craw is one shot behind (77/71). Chief may have to read the little red book this year after 85/79.

Round 2 - 15 August 2009
Well the 2nd round of the PDC had its ups and downs!

Micky started the day for the second week in a row in the red with a regulation birdie to jump out of the blocks on the green nine. The nine was there for the taking with conditions being ideal. The craw had a couple of wobbly holes (doubles) but showed newfound poise to shrug this off and turn in 39. Micky was 38 and Bellringer 37.

At this point the PDC looked very much in the balance between the craw & bellringer.

Bellringer started with a blaze of glory with a 6 iron to 8 feet on 1 and was putting for eagle. Alas no joy, but had his nose in front with craw taking 6.

From then on it was all two way traffic. Bellringer having hundreds and the craw playing impressively steady golf.

In the end it was a one horse race - The craw! (first time winner) with 71 + 75 for a 144 PDC net a deserved winner from Bellringer 70 + 80 (Harrington is useless in comparison at racking them up!) for 150 + The Chief 154.

Another year. Another victor. Well done Neil - Deserved winner! Could be a threat for the international!

Comments from the humble victor:

At last I can get the PDC monkey off my back and as the perennial last place getter I can finally hand Harvey over to someone else - more specifically Mick. But before any more talk about 'hot form' I have to advise that Ben failed to mention that this years PDC was played off the ladies tees. We can only assume that they were trying to keep the round times down. It did feel a bit mickey mouse after expecting a brutal experience and finding yourself having about a 30 - 40 meters start on some holes. Probably why about half the field on saturday shot in the mid 60s. still a win is a win made even more satisfying by finally beating the cullinans after about 10 years of trying.

Happy birthday Chief!

Dear comrades

Seems like only yesterday we were having a tonk at Hope Island to celebrate the occasion. Have a great day!

Doc, love your work getting your swing on YouTube. Gunna send around for critique? It's sweet, mate!

F

May 2009 update

Dear comrades, just watched one of the more amazing video of cycling ever and feel obliged to share, check it out.

Jack had his first birdie yesterday at the local par 3 course, well, it was actually a par but I let him play them all as par 4's. Is that a bit soft? Anyway, almost bought a tear to the old man's eye, two lovely 7 irons to 8 feet, boom!

I have been fiddling around with a few blogs etc, at work and home, including a focus on the footy season. Feel free to comment. I spent most of the week in Wellington in NZ at a conference about social media and government etc. Nice town, great cafes and pubs, just got to do something about the wind...

Cheers
Fergus

Springtime in Augusta means one thing...

... Muzza, Barnsey and I are now 12 years older since being there. Bugger.

Comrades, the US Masters is almost upon us. Any favourites or special tingling in the loins about a potential winner? Catch all the action here.
Doc, not sure where your exams are up to, good luck ol' sport.
F

PS, I found the little red book (handed to the worse PDC score) in the shed, and even hauled it all the way to Tassie. If someone wants to claim it for the 2008 tourney, let me know.

PDC International 2008 - final footage

Dear comrades

I have loaded the remainder of my PDC International video footage on YouTube for your viewing pleasure, rating and comment.

Footage includes:

Jeff hitting an absolute screamer on 12, followed by me with a solidly struck tug left. Slight lack of concentration - I was still in awe of myself (Shark style circa Open Championship 1993) for hitting the previous par 5 with driver, wedge. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it never lasts...

Schnapper going way long and way left on 16.

Craw, Steve and Chief teeing off on wonderful par 4, 3rd, day 2.

Craw on the superb 7th, followed by Steve and Chief.

Steve and John on 11. Steve's drive is a cracker, made all the more impressive because he had swallowed three flies by the time he got to the 11th tee!

And finally, one for the ages, and John hits one of the larger clubs in the bag on a 98m hole, and misses the green, by lots... But then, so did everyone, except Bellringer.

I have some other video but the wind noise is so loud they are just about unwatchable, and certainly cant hear voices, bummer...

Until next time.

PDC International 2008

The legs are still a bit sore from walking 54 holes, but the memories are strong of a fab weekend away with mates on an outstanding golf course. I have loaded up some video footage on YouTube including:

Jeff, myself, victorious team captain Wardy and Schnapper on the terrific par4, 3rd hole.

Footage of Jeff and Doc tonking off the 1st in the second round

Myself on the par 4, 4th hole in the breeze and Barnsey a bit blown off (the) course.

Sorry the sound quality is complete cr#p, the wind on the tiny camera really causes havoc!

If anyone prefers not to have footage of themselves on a public site please let me know and I will remove.

More to follow soon.

Mediocrity madness

This article from Newsweek is essential reading for anyone interested in the US election, especially the VP nomination of right wing religious mother of five, Sarah Palin. Should the US opt for a continuation of mediocrity (yes, it could actually get worse than George W Bush!) what would be the consequences for the rest of the world? Is it reasonable for our leaders to be so mediocre? And how many (more) bombs dropped in the name of (our) God?

Two years in the south...

Dear comrades, next week marks two years away from Brisneyland and the gradual embedding into all things Adelaide. I swung a golf club in the backyard yesterday as a reminder of golfing days past, watched the shoulder turn in the reflection of the back windows of the house and concluded I have been stretching a bit at the ball, stand taller, man. Could be a metaphor for life...

The Adelaide winter briskness yesterday afternoon reminded me of Saturday's in July at the 'pilly, final group, a titanic struggle underway, big bucks (?) on the line, holes closing in fast, light fading, a hooked drive (not from me, obviously), a mistimed approach, a putt that never broke, the cry of lost luck (actually, more like 'F*ck, I am the unluckiest golfer in the world...'). All the while a quiet word to a partner, 'We've got these pricks, Golly hasn't made par-par finish for a decade...". All this followed by a cool drink - winter was always characterised by a lazy post-match rum n coke. Delightful. Have just consumed one for old times sake.

Hope you are all well. News would be welcome on Chief's and Schnapp's career movements and Shirls' and Doc's wedding arrangements, plus sundry info about children etc.

Open starts next week. The website has a treasure trove of footage from years gone by, I think my fave is John Daly winning at St Andrews in 1995 and Constantino Rocca binning a 100 footer from off the 18th green, after flumming his pitch, to force a playoff. Superb.

Just got to survive some more late nights from the Tour de France... Bloody superb. Go Cadel!

Hugs
Lord

Easter aint just about religion...

...although I think I did hear Jesus' name sometimes on the golf course, generally followed by "...f*cking Christ, that's a bad swing". But why would one get upset by the occasional profanity between mates?!

It was a great pleasure catching up with the clan at Barnsey's on Good Friday followed by a wonderful tonk with Craw, Chief and John McG. I was especially impressed by the ease of consent from my opponents about a handicap of 7 following a 3 month+ sojourn from the game. They lost, by the way.

Thanks to all involved in the arrangements. I took quite a bit of footage using the phone vid but regrettably the quality is very poor and probably not worth posting. But I cant pass by an image of a silky smooth stroke with firm wrists from the Chief and an approach to the 3rd Blue.

I look forward to the next installment of spending many hours with you chatting about the big issues, hopefully before Barnbougle 08. Happy hitting.

Lord

Barnbougle 07 vid

Dear comrades
I have posted a few of Craw's masterful videos on YouTube for your entertainment, comment and general showing to friends and family (who wont for a minute believe the class of your swings!?).

Bellringer and Lord on the 4th, on different days, I think we both got on or near the green, a sensational hole.
Craw (he hauls off and whacks one...) somewhere on the back nine, cant place it though.
Doc approaching the 9th and putting on 13th, a mere 20 feet of break.

Happy new year to you all
Lord

Barnbougle 07 pics

Dear comrades, a selection of Craw's pics from Barnbougle are available on picasa

Movie footage available soon, fingers crossed.

Hope you all had a bonza xmas. Been great listening to the cricket the last couple of days.

Lord

Barnbougle 07

To say the inaugural PDC International at Barnbougle was anything but a stunning success would be a fair dinkum bollocks! For those not present, the weekend included a 3 round Presidents Cup style tourney with Craw's team (Doc, Shilrs and Barnsey), flogging the hapless Lord team (Bellringer, John McG and ring-in Shaun) 10 points to 2. The few days overflowed with many laughs, many beers and many very ordinary shots. Teams, match format and rules were quickly organised on Friday evening (err, well, actually, for some reason it took over 2 hours!?). Tiredness must have set in about 1.00 a.m. as there was an obvious omission - what happens if there is a tie in the key singles tournament? So, Craw and John share that one for 2007 with something like best two rounds stabelford average of 34 (please correct me here if wrong).

Anyhoo, for the record here is pic from the walk between 4th and 5th (my only one of the course!) and a couple from the drive in the NE of Tassie - a superb state. More to be circulated in coming

weeks (months) I hope. Well done Doc on the organisation - outstanding work. Count me in for 2008. F

He might be a rampant loony Christian...

...but he is OUR rampant loony Christian!. I say go Badds! Comrades, is this wrong? Should we just fully support Tiger, or another? Perhaps by the time most of you read this (Monday) the trophy will be lofted high, by someone with God on their side (which kind of assumes he [this God bloke/shiela] was 'against' all of the others, doesn't it? That doesn't seem very charitable, 'my faith is stronger than yours, so I win, you lose'. Very George Bush attitude, but let's not go there again) or without.
Was I dreaming this morning when I saw Badds hit an iron into a 600+yd par 5?? What sort of technology allows this? Actually, the more I think about it, perhaps I think it would be better if he came second. Or third. Or was struck by lightning putting for birdie to win on the last.
Best dash, kids gagging to get to the playground, into the cold I depart dear friends.
F