As we started on the upward journey from the shortest day, it proved to be a very pleasant afternoon, with a clear blue sky and a temperature of around 8 degrees. We had a field of 21 players for the afternoon and the standard proved to be pretty good, with a range of scores from 27 to 40 stableford points

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The greens seemed to be a little slower today, except The Glen which unbeknown to us all, with a flag on short left side, was solid ice like a Ranfurly or Middlemarch green. This affected the low handicap golfers more than the hackers, with LIV golfer Mike pumping  a pitching wedge onto the green to see it fire into the bunker, which was also frozen. Like Murray Edgar he struggled to get close and took a bogey to walk up the hill with a frown on the face. 

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I ( Eddie ) had the privilege of playing with President Eric for the day, who had his son Simon as a guest from Melbourne, with a high- powered job in AI, drones and aircraft apparently in Ukraine. While this may have helped his cause playing on the Balmac hills, however it did not help the tab for the green fees, the cart hire and the haggle. Anyway he didn't have any marker coins in his pocket, the usual case with millennials I guess, where Dad has to slip a silver coin to their sons. So we got to the 6th hole and after the third time where Simon had requested a 50-cent piece, Eric said that this was the last of your inheritance.   Not to be outdone and quick as a flash Simon replied that this was the first of his inheritance and likely the last.  Needless to say Murray Edgar and I managed to close out the haggle on the 17th hole.  

 

Also to acknowledge the loyalty from the Wagglers group, who despite midwinter and that 16 of our clan are away in the balmy sunshine coast, we had 21 players in the field today.   The most credit goes to Warren Alcock who turned down the offer to play with 12 All Blacks at Chisholm Links to play with the Wagglers. That almost deserves a kiss on the lips from Bolty.

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Let's get to the results, where the first 6 holes was won in 31 points by Geoff Laney, Bruce C, Mike H and Lloyd Morgan.  The second 6 holes was won in 40 points by the threesome Senaka The Walking ATM, John Marsh and Warren Alcock.  The third 6 holes was taken in 47 points by the above mentioned Geoff, Bruce, Mike and Lloyd. 

 

The Blue Jacket was won by Murray Cooper with 40 stableford points, so congrats Murray for a great performance.

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The swingers trophy went to high school teacher Craig West with 2 birdies, who will learn some new skills down in Balclutha.

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The weekly raffle won by Bolty at the first attempt, so think he should share that with Derek when he gets back from Straya