Saturday September 2 reinforced the oft quoted misconception that spring begins on September 1. A sensational day for Braidwood's Daffodil Fair and for those competing in the ladies and men's golf competitions. Fran McGrath won the ladies event from Penny Hardy in a surprisingly small field.
A much larger group contested the men's monthly medal and the scores reflected the beautiful weather. The alliterative Warren may have thought, as he completed his round, that a net 63 would be good enough to win. Amazingly he was not only beaten but was well beaten by the improving Brian Waddingham who carded a net 59.
Top hand Brian also won the NTP to complete a great day's golf. R. M. Williams, 5 iron Keith and Tex Hassall won the balls in what was one of the year's lowest scoring monthly medals.
Last Saturday the weather again raised the thorny question of when is it too bleak to play golf and while for many, including all the ladies, it was a "no brainer," seven men teed off in a state of profound optimism. While the conditions finally convinced four to abandon the game in favour of a warm and dry club, the remaining three battled on. Rob Dillon won from Frank Williams and Geoff Hassall.
The knockout finalists have been decided. They demonstrate the uniqueness of golf where the handicap system theoretically enables good scorers to prevail over good players. The singles final will between two C graders who long ago lost count of how times they have played the course so experience will not be a factor. Good luck to Scotty and Geoff Hassall. Chung and D'Hoy are up against Inspector Vlad and his son in law Software Booker in the 2 ball. Inspector Vlad is also in the mixed final where his partner is another very experienced player in Barb Stuart. They are up against Vera and Eric Bachinger.
This Sunday the ABC's Radio National is having a program on the sound of birds and when I heard this it reminded me of one of the sometimes overlooked pleasures of the Braidwood course. Last week I watched two kookaburras take up positions on a netball goalpost while currawongs, magpies, wattlebirds, galahs, white chuffs and ibises warbled and carolled their way to roost. I once tried unsuccessfully to elicit some interest by an overseas visitor in the amazing birdlife on the course. Now I just look, listen and smile.
This week the ladies will engage in an American 2 ball while the men grapple with a Canadian 2 ball.
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