February 23rd 2008
INSANITY & PARITY
As is normally the case when I rashly predict (then don’t predict !) the onset of the Summer season; or make mention of the condition of the course, how we have managed to successfully combat most of the winter weather and how most golfers are beginning to anticipate the onset of 18 hole , singles, golf…..the inevitable happens.
The greens were waterlogged on Saturday morning, and the disgruntled participants of the Winter League were left to rue a weekend without golf.
The “void” most of us feel when we cannot play (no-matter how badly) is difficult to fill.
Getting the papers early won’t fill it. Putting a line on at Mr Campbell’s accounting emporium won’t fill it. Watching the football for a change (if there is a game on) won’t quite fill it (even for those of us who used to attempt to play), and using the “extra” time at the club, and its amenities (no, not the nets) won’t quite fill it ( and may land you in trouble at home).
Gardening won’t fill it, angling ( even for fish) doesn’t do it for most of us, and if the preferred choice for you is shopping on a Saturday as a substitute, then , er……you are obviously taking a very long term view, and are supremely cunning indeed. Brownie points before the Wednesday-Saturday golfing routine which is the summer “norm” for many of us (throw in Match-Plays, Texas Scrambles and the odd bounce game if you’re brave) need to be harvested now.
One thing is for sure though; the club on a Saturday when the course is closed can be very “flat” indeed.
…..Unless you are part of a select band of dedicated golfers (lunatics) who venture down to glorious Scarista every time their home turf is unfit for competition. The certainty of Harris Golf Club being “open for business” is a fail-safe for addicts who must have their “fix” at all costs. Regular travellers Al”Greens” MacLeod, Alan “Biddley” MacLeod and Norrie”Tomsh” MacDonald were joined on their safari by first time visitor to the links, Pat”Zapata”Aird.
Yes, I am alluding to the fact that this 28-handicapper was a bandit on the day, but as I have stressed before, today’s highwaymen are tomorrow’s most improved players.
On this showing, and despite the fact that conditions were far from ideal, Pat demonstrated why he will surely be a man to watch in 2008. He won six (or was it seven) of the twelve holes played, and seldom shot worse than a bogey into the teeth of a very strong wind. His victory was certainly more emphatic than his team’s on Sunday, and I’m sure (and hopeful) we can persuade him to make the trip down on May 5th to gain his first “cap” against the Heartaches in the first leg of the annual fixture.
This week saw the election of a new committee, the publication of the annual accounts, and the Captain’s report on the year past. If you missed these through non attendance at the A.G.M due to Barcelona warming up for the Quarter-Finals of the European Cup, then at least you have a valid excuse. If you missed them through a combination of apathy and indolence, then you missed many of the messages which were directed at you.
A milestone for the club was reached at this year’s meeting.
We now have parity for all adult “ordinary” member golfers. Over the past few years we have worked towards compliance to an S.G.U. directive which asked clubs to ensure that Ladies and Men’s subscriptions converged to ensure equality. Although we will still compete separately, we are now all members, and the distinction between the sexes will be removed from the constitution.
I think I’ll burn my bra…….only kidding, everyone welcomes some aspects of golf finally catching up with the 21st century.
Last week saw the picture of Winter League pairing Ali”Baba” Macleod and John Edward being “cropped” due to lack of space. This week, with less to say, I am hoping that, having printed the “good-looking” one last week, they might print the “better-looking” one this. He told me to say that.
From the seniors…
Senior’s Winter League – w/e 23/02/08
The recent dry spell continued into the early part of the week allowing the senior’s a few golfing opportunities before the heavens opened and denied anyone any play from Thursday onwards. If you were in serious need of a ‘fix’ you would have gone down to Scarista on Saturday.
The pick of the week’s scoring came from Peter O’Brien with 26 points, closely followed by Norrie MacLean and Harris MacKenzie with 25 and 24 points respectively. The league table remains substantially unchanged from last week with the front runners failing to improve their positions.
Senior’s -Top Scores
Peter O’Brien 26
Norrie MacLean 25
Harris MacKenzie 24
Robbie MacRae 23
Norrie MacKenzie 23
Peter O’Brien
John Edward
Pat Aird, Al Macleod & Allan Macleod