Ian Callen
Ian Symons returned from holiday to make himself available last Tuesday; this was his team’s very important final days play of round 7.
Important because Team Rael was yet to win a round.
As it turned out, Symons’ contribution was not the best individual score of the season, but it was probably the most significant for his team.
His 33 points was just enough to carry Rael over the line for their first win of the 2023 tournament.
Rael: D. Stevenson 39, T. Purdie 38, M. Jackson 36, K. Emslie 34, I. Symons 33, Urquhart 31, = 211
Riddell: G. Cooper 36, M. McIntosh 36, P. Monk 36, A Litchfield 34, D. Phillips 34, G. Cosham 33 = 209
Nicholson: F. Lloyd 39, L. Tormey 33, J. O’Brien 32, T. Druitt 32, D. Chipperfield 32, R. Keable 31= 199
This also allowed Nicholson to hold onto a two game lead at the top of the table and when Thursday’s rain came, it really did wash the ‘Wheels’ from opposition golf carts on course, everywhere.
This rain was so soul destroying, that when competition got underway Saturday (day two of round eight) virtually only the Nicholson team had turned up.
Allowing David Pilcher with 39 points, Chris Handasyde (37) and David Chipperfield (34) to guarantee their team a fifth tournament victory, no matter the results today.
Simply, there aren’t enough points to be earned on course by those representing their respective teams to upset the celebrations of Laurie Tormey and his team of men and women.
There is however, the matter of the prestigious ‘Tormey Taylor Medal’ for 2023; for the best and fairest player of the tournament and this will be determined on course today; where contenders; Howard Vaughan, Fred Lloyd, Max McIntosh, Keith Emslie and Doug Smith will be inaction.
All players will be competing against the course, the conditions presented, each other, but playing in different groups, some early, others later, but nevertheless the goal is clear, to win that hand engraved pure ‘Silver Medal’ designed, cut and crafted in Healesville.
The result will be revealed by Callen Column in a fortnight’s time, the last of my column for the year.
At which time, I will be introducing you to the RACV’s Team Golf’s ‘Tormey Taylor’ Medalist at the conclusion of the vote count at the ‘Terminus Hotel’, Wednesday the 5th of April.
For the general public, there are some seats still available.
If you would like to attend the evening to dine with our golfers and enjoy the night, please contact the office of the ‘Star Mail’ and we will have someone contact you with details.
Round 8 progress scores after day 2
Nicholson:
D. Pilcher 39, C. Handasyde 37, D. Chipperfield 34, A. Davidson 33, J. O’Brien 33, A. Body 31 (207)
Rael:
R. Johnston 35, M. Jackson 29 (64)
Riddell:
John Stewart 30,
Tournament Golf Table
(After Round 7)
Team P W D Points
Nicholson 7 4 – 24
Riddell 7 2 – 12
Rael 7 1 – 6
Alba Paloma Stableford
Round 1; Rael (35) Riddell (34) Nicholson (32)
Round 2; Rael (37) Riddell (37) Nicholson (36)
Round 3; Riddell (37) Rael (35 Nicholson (33)
Round 4; Rael (44) Riddell (41) Nicholson (39)
Round 5; Nicholson (37) Rael (36) Riddell (28) Round 6; Nicholson (37) Rael (36 Riddell (35) Round 7; Nicholson (36) Rael (34) Riddell (33)
