By Ian Callen
The final day’s play of round three began with ‘Team Rael’s’ captain Steve Oates about the tee block, quietly talking to teammates Alan Larkin and Beau Haye. No doubt Oates, was reaffirming the strategy he’d passed on to other team members.
Then as golfers walked from the Pro Shop out into daylight, they became aware of a Protest Flag in retreat from a top of the mast.
This flag had been raised Sunday morning but it was now being withdrawn. Golfers looked confused and began asking questions about what had transpired over the weekend.
And, it wasn’t long before the story broke of Sunday golfers hiking it to various locations of the country club course for the RACV’s annual President’s Cup, a Shot Gun start event.
Then at 8am the shot was fired, as was the cry of PROTEST and the kangaroos were dispersed to all safe places on course.
“It wasn’t fair”, they said. “Today’s play should have been listed as part of the Round 3”, they chimed: And then came the conundrum.
Nicholson’s David Chipperfield, had won the day and was holding the Cup aloft having scored a round of 39 points and not far behind him, was team mate David Pilcher.
Oops, those protesting were now backpedalling for if their challenge were to be upheld ‘Team Nicholson’ would have an unassailable lead in the Tormey Taylor.
Then as quick as the flag came down; it had been re-hoisted by the time Larkin had pushed his tee into the turf at the first for the start of play on day 2 round 3.
A second protest was now pending as whispers spread to the far corners of the course; Riddell’s Bruce Pollard and Roger Jones were scoring well… but would it be enough to overcome Riddell’s deficit if the second protest prevailed.
The thought was, it might well leave Riddell without a cigar as the ‘Nicholson’ camp were holding firm; the original protest was genuine they believed and ‘Riddell’ Captain Malcolm Moore had raised good points… the matter had bipartisan support, but as it turned out… it was only until Sunday results were known.
For the organisers, this was a controversy they didn’t need and now they must find a solution.
As it stands, Nicholson’s lead in the tournament has been reduced to six points and the competition is alive and well… and this is a good thing!
Round 4, Thursday day 1
Nicholson’s in form Chris Handasyde walked behind his ball and eyed his target line at the first. His strike was perfect and he watched, following the line of his drive as it faded right around the tree line to land well beyond the 150 marker. His second set up a birdie for three points and by the time he’d arrived at the 10th he was square with the card. Chris carried this form all the way to the shed for a round of 41 stableford points to put his team in front, once more.
Other notable performances day 1, came from Rael’s Captain Steve Oates, back from injury and just when his team needed someone to lead from the front. Oates did this with a fine round of 38 points as did Riddell’s Doug Smith who was terrific around the greens.
However, ‘Team Golf’ requires a committed playing list and Saturday showed why. Nicholson began day two hoping to build on their three point lead over ‘Team Rael’ with Simon Caldicott, David Pilcher and Andrew Body on the practice green. Rael’s hopes of reducing the deficit were left solely on the shoulders of Mark Jackson; while ‘Team Riddell’ was without last week’s life saver, Shane O’Brien and would be relying heavily on Peter Monk and Alex Ward.
Not surprisingly, it was Simon Caldicott who set the course alight and this time it was on the back nine, where he collected 5 birdies and Nicholson’s lead increased to 7 points with one day’s play remaining.
Nicholson:
C Handasyde 41, A Davidson 36 , S Caldicott 36, H Vaughn 34, T Druitt 33, F Lloyd 33,
Score (214)
Rael:
S. Oates 38, B King 36, T Purdie, 35
I Mcmimm 34, G Newberry 33, D Stevenson 31
Score (207)
Riddell:
D Smith 38, P Harmer 32, M Moore 32
S Cubela 32 T Battina. 31, P Monk 31
Score (196)
A statement has been released by Team Golf:
“The rules were accepted by all Captains prior to the commencement of the tournament; all players and supporters knew the rules before the competition began. Protest dismissed”.
