Fortunately this was well outside the range of the cameras documenting the day a PGA winner came to town. And what a day it was. A great and diverse crowd who would all reflect fondly on the day, and perhaps remember some of the golf tips or the verbal exchanges, particularly between the professionals and children.

There was plenty of laughter, food and good humour all in a setting manicured by an army of volunteers under clearish and cool skies. It was a day where a rock was thrown into a pond and, with some luck, the repercussions will ripple through the Braidwood community for years.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to make it such a special day: those who developed, and ran with the idea; the businesses and individuals who sponsored holes or donated to the silent auction; and those who prepared the course, the lunch and Gala Dinner.

The other BIG news was the resounding semi-final win by the Iceblues to set up a final against Yass at Gold Creek tomorrow.  A six one win in a semi-final is rare and confirms the team’s belief that they and Yass were in the more difficult division. All the very best to the team and a huge thankyou to Brendan Booker for his captaincy this year.

Helen Goddard is the ladies March medal winner and also wins the caddie award for her role in assisting Greg Hohnen last Saturday. Debbie Ferguson was the runner up as she was the following week to Donna Kuhn in the Odana Editions trophy. Deb was also the NTP with balls, over the two days, going to Helen and Jackie Clark.

The Pencil Pyne won the March medal by five from the Bare-Elbow. Pencil was the NTP with the balls going to the usual suspects, three of whom have a Christian name beginning with M. Scrabbler teamed with the Professor to win the Hughes-Ferguson trophy from Pencil and Tiger Warne. The balls went to the sponsors and Rod Coady, Don Burke and Murray Smith.

The 2BBB sponsored by Kirsten and Andrew Buchan was won by Jackie Clark and Romney Smith from Donna Kuhn and Mark Newman. Professor Ted was the NTP with the balls going to Messrs O’Toole, Burke, Cansell, Hughes and Toirkens.

Nervousness on the first tee is a rational response to the situation so it may be interesting to reflect on the state of mind of the four players in the exhibition. Wayne Grady plays very little golf these days but is expected to perform. Similarly for Greg Hohnen, who, as the professional’s professional or Mike Toirkens , as the local player with most experience, or Romney Smith, a 14 year old with a rapidly falling handicap. 

Romney parred the first hole and demonstrated great temperament throughout the day. He and Greg defeated Wayne Grady and Mike Toirkens one up. Some of the other highlights were Wayne Grady explaining to his caddie the wisdom of the golfers’ adage: A good caddie turns up, keeps up and shuts up and the sheer joy on young Ollie’s face when he was given a glove by “the man in the red t-shirt.” Monkittee Platypus.