A Trip Down Memory Lane
This is a grainy old photograph of the Southland B rugby team in 1986. The big bloke standing front and centre of the first row standing is our old foe from Invercargill "Pup" Shepherd. So why the photo ?
Well there are TWO Waggler names associated with this photo.
The first might be obvious and if your eyesight is good enough see if you can spot where he is standing.
The second less so. This Waggler had played for Southland B but couldn't make it for the photograph and in the days before photoshopping was listed as being absent. Who is this man ?
This was a gun team featuring many who went on to play first grade for Southland and others who achieved higher representative honours.
What A Day For Golf ...
On a gorgeous Dunedin day the crowds came out to play. We had a full field of 36 golfers, our highest turn-out for the year. Competition was expected to be fierce with 180 bucks up for grabs for each set of six.
The day didn't start without drama ..... Someone asked me if I'd heard about a fight. "No" I asked in amazement. He replied, "yes there's a fight between Jamie and Bolty about who is buying whisky today for their birthday shout". More of that later .....
Our group had teed off last meaning we were amongst the last groups in. Bruce Grant let it be known they were first back in the clubhouse and had been waiting 30 minutes for the next group to arrive. There's a first time for everything. He must have used one of those go fast golf carts.
So to the sixes where something extraordinary happened.
In the first set of 6 we had a result of the proportions of a Greek tragedy. Team Derek, Hamish, Richard Ellis and the returning Deano scored 33 points thereby claiming the prize. Out of a field of 36 players, Deano was dead set last on 24 points. Which raises the very valid question which is should we allow that if someone who scores so low be allowed to keep their winnings ? We all sat there in awe as the group trousered their earnings.
When the dust had settled the next set went to Alastair, Andrew of council fame, Nick and Murray Cooper. 43 points did the trick there. Not being ageist here but let's recognise that a team of two 80 year olds put the rest of the field to the sword.
Finally a returning John Cutler, John Marsh, Geoff Laney and Grant Woodham cleaned up with 47 points.
Congratulations to all those who took home some money and commiserations to those that didn't.
The Birthday Drama
We need a ruling here from the wise elders...... Here is what happened.
Bolty was due his birthday shout last week, but with a southerly gale blowing through Dunedin, golf was rained off.
Jamie was due his shout this week.
Then at Tuesday coffee we found out that 36 players were in the field meaning it was going to be an expensive day out for somebody. The conversation at coffee went like this.
"it's your shout tomorrow because you missed last week so it's your turn tomorrow"
"No it's your shout because that was the original schedule so we should stick to that"
"No, don't be silly, we'll all just shuffle down a week."
"No, why change everything, let's keep it simple."
And so it went on with every sentence starting with no. We needed Kofi Anann from the United Nations to sort this one out.
But then Bolty pulled a fast one.
Unbeknownst to anyone else, before golf yesterday Bolty went up to see Bec and told her the whisky shout this week was on Jamie's account. By the time Jamie reached the bar yesterday after golf, the whisky was already on the table and Nick was clearing his throat ready to start singing. Job done. They're nothing if they're not slippery these ex cops.
In the end Jamie conceded defeat but this long running feud between Bolty and Jamie shows no sign of letting up. Jamie reflected it wasn't that long ago Bolty needed an interview and an interrogation in order to be admitted to the Wagglers and here is now running the show. Indeed.
But we don't get mad we get even. Some time in the near future Bolty will be shouting for his birthday. The sun will be shining and it will be a full field. More than that invite your friends and their friends. Let's get the nine hole ladies in to attend. The more the merrier I say. Let's make it a carnival.
But thanks to Jamie for his kind and generous offering and collectively we wish him well for his 67th.
He Can't Stop Winning
Fresh from his recent victory in the Haggitt Cup, this man was at it again. After nine holes he had 23 points in the bag and was hoping for higher honours. In the end he scored 41 points and in doing so claimed his second Blue Jacket for 2026. I was talking to him at the bar.
"I had 23 points after nine holes and wanted more. I SO want to win Eric's Trophy". I absolutely believe that to be true. He's got to be the most competitive golfer I know. Congratulations sir, well done.
In the race to Balclutha this man had 3 birdies.
With Bruce Grant winning the raffle that's just about everything reported for the day.
Skins tomorrow then Saturday looks to be set fair. The course is in great condition so no excuses for poor golf. Bring your 10 bucks for skins, the last hole is now worth 2 bucks !!