Eric's 80th Birthday Party
It was a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon in Karitane. It's always bright and sunny in Karitane. We know Eric hasn't been in the best of health just recently. But as you can see he was dressed for the occasion and we all did our best to make for a memorable day out.
Golfing friends, friends from Karitane and elsewhere and family from across the world gathered to wish Eric a very happy 80th. Warren made a speech and remembered many of Eric's heroic deeds over the years before Eric's sister spoke on behalf of the family. Finally local friends spoke before we did what was only natural. We poured out a whisky for everyone and then with as much gusto as we could muster we all sang Happy Birthday. Then with birthday cake handed round it was a lovely way to celebrate the birthday of our leader.
As fitting recognition of all the work Eric has done promoting our Wednesday afternoon golfing group, Eric was presented with his Life Membership golfing polo shirt by his long-term friends and Saturday golfing partners Nick, Jamie and Warren.
Congratulations from us all Eric on reaching the milestone of 80 years and thanks for a lovely afternoon in Karitane. We should also recognise the work many put in to make Sunday so special and in particular the efforts of Eric's wife Gaye who is providing such wonderful love and support.
Another Windy Week
Nine turned up for Friday skins and from memory Bruce Grant won 4 skins, Jarod a couple, and Eddie the rest. Bruce took advantage of the 2 club lengths high tree rule at the left hand side of hole 17 and after gaining a very generous free relief took full advantage to get up and down and score a 4 for 3. It put a $36 smile on his face.
Saturday wasn't without incident as we played the Veteran's Cup. Fairway Phil had a bit of an incident on the eighteenth when his trundler took off without warning. It's not the first time that has happened and as a consequence Bolty has drafted some health and safety rules which we should all follow. See Bolty so you know what to do.
With the mercury in the thermometer nudging 30 degrees, and a strong nor'wester gusting all afternoon, golfing wasn't easy. Then again it never is ....... I don't know about anyone else but for me almost in contradiction to the conditions, the hardest part of the game I found was putting. You might think with the ball on the ground it would be straightforward. But standing still was sometimes a problem and with greens quickening up and some dodgy pin placements, putting was tough. That's my excuse anyway....
Before we get to the results we should recognise another birthday which ends with the number zero. Recently TK celebrated his 70th and he rewarded the group with a generous shout of the liquid from Scotland and we sang again. Thank you TK, hope you had a great day.
We enjoyed the company of a couple of visitors this week with Wayne Rathbone visiting from Wanaka and larger than life character Malcom MacKenzie was in town and up for a game.
The Walking ATM Strikes Again
When you get a man on a mission such as a fired up Senaka on a Wednesday afternoon - look out. His team comprising the ATM himself, Sandy, Bruce Grant and visitor Wayne took home a decent chunk of cash scoring the first and second sets with 32 and 41 points respectively. 45 points then saw birthday boy TK, Kallum, Phil Ellis and Jarod stroll away with the final fistful of cash.
Fairway Phil wasn't playing but turned up for MC duties and to hand over the coveted Blue Jacket which he had won last week. So who won ...... ?
39 times our winner has played this year with the Wagglers and has become one of the popular starters each week. But despite coming close, line honours has until now proven elusive. He looked nervous yesterday. With 37 points in the bag in difficult conditions he must have known it was a good score. Then word filtered through he might not be the only one on that score. Indeed Senaka had 37 points but had an outer on the last. Oh no !!
But on the countback rule of last hole played, our man finally broke his duck and in doing so nearly broke the Christmas Jacket.
There's obviously some dodgy - those who know - police handshake going on here but as you can see the handover went smoothly and congratulations Kallum on breaking the duck. 37 points was just enough and a 3 pointer on the last did the trick and nudged him over the line.
For consecutive weeks and after scoring 3 birdies, our man Senaka is spending his ATM winnings in Balclutha and to round out the day Bruce Grant won the raffle.
