The Tully Park Junior Pennant team has, for the first time in many years finished on top of the ACTDGA Junior Encourage Pennants table. This team is not stacked with jaw dropping junior talent, equipped with ABS equipped wedges and turbo boosted drivers (and egos). This team is composed of a great group of young, enthusiastic, home grown golfers who have benefited from the excellent organisation and leadership of supercoach Russell Schmitt, along with the support of Di Schmitt and dedicated parents. Rheannna Webb, Lachlan Bill, Jono Gegg, Tom Hazelton, Trev Cooper, Johno Gegg, Dean Gray and Jai Field make up the flock of chicks that are the Tully Park Early Birds Junior Pennants team. They take on Yowani in the semi finals this Sunday at Gungahlin Lakes.

Fly, little birds. Fly!

At the same time, Tully Parks Senior Pennant team has also qualified for the ACTDGA Handicap Pennants semi finals, having defeated Yowani 4/2 last Sunday. The team has now progressed undefeated through the home and away rounds. Led by captain Scott Nolan, the team is yet to lose a toss and have completed a clean sweep of their pool. Team members Shane Cooper, John Smith, Garth Stacey, Adam Boxsell, Charlie McDonald, Ray Turner and Russell Leischke and Scott Nolan are primed for the upcoming semi next Sunday, although their (unfortunate) opponents are not yet known as this goes to press. The team is now under a 6pm curfew and have engaged superswing coach (and legendary pennants player for Tully Park) Kerry Bensley to refine their diet, technique and mental approach.

The saying goes that the early bird catches the worm. Not so good for the early worm.

Apparently March Monthly Medal Madness took hold this week at Tully Park with a clutch of very average scores making the ball rundown. Adam Boxsell was the only golfer to play to his handicap as he cruised (like P&Os Fairstar – The Fun Ship) to a 2 shot win with nett 67 to win the $50 dinner for two voucher to the Gordon Hotel. Charlie McDonald was next with 69 (no dinner for two), followed by Col Eggins (70), Gary Spence (72) , Tom Heath (72) and Don Grimston (73). The Box also won the nearest to the pin on the 5th hole while Chris Elliott was nearest on the 12th.

In the grades, Charlie McDonald won A Grade, Adam Boxsell won B Grade and Ron Nunn won C Grade with nett 78. Scott Nolan won the raffle, proving his “complete athlete” credentials. Phil Elliott was unlucky (considering the rest of the scores) to win the special ball with nett 83.

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

Keno Mixed 4BBB Qualifier

Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club played host to a round of the Keno Mixed 4BBB Qualifier last Saturday.
The pairing of Di Schmitt and Anaru Tahana with 48 points proved to strong for the rest of the field finishing Ten points clear of Beryl and Mick Gray on (38) Debbie Collins and Scott Nolan’s 37 points rounded out the place getters. Congratulations ladies and gentlemen you have made it through to the next round to be held at the Yass Golf Club, good luck to you all.

Gordon Hotel Sunday Competition

Last Sunday’s Par event at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club saw a strong field of golfers out of their  beds early to try and claim the much sought after Gordon Hotel Bistro voucher. However Chris Elliot was having none of it once again claiming victory, this was Eggys 4th win in the race for the Gordon Shield, if he keeps this form up he will not have many competitors to face in the final towards the years end. Chris Elliott (+8) Stephen Apps (+3) Gary Spence (+3) Ken Wray (+3) Tom “the Tiger Snake” Heath finished square. Trent Cooper (-1) and Eddie Hawkins (-1) on a count back rounded out the ball run down. The drive and pitch on the Lee & Thomas sponsored 13th hole was won by Gary Spence. Nearest to the pin on the Tully Park Tavern sponsored 7th hole was claimed by Tony Clewett. Next Sunday’s event will be the Monthly Medal along with a  round of the Kevin Allen Memorial Consistency Championship.

Tully v’s Yowani

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

Gordon Hotel Sunday Competition

The two person ambrose event held last Sunday once again proved to be a popular event wih a strong field taking to the course at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club. Members paired up with the hopes of claiming victory and the first prize of the much sort after Gordon Hotel Bistro meal voucher. Adam Boxsell and Anaru “Tracker” Tahana were the men to claim victory carding a nett score of 58 and a half. Eddie Hawkins and Gary Spence 59 and a quarter was good enough to finish runners up. Mick Gray and Marty Wiese on nett 60, and the pairing of the inform Ken Wray and Donald Grimston with a nett score of 62 and a quarter won on a count back to round out the ball run down. Nearest the pin on the Goulburn Workers Club sponsored 8th hole went to Mick Gray. Whilst the nearest the pin on the Goulburn Produce sponsored 5th hole was won by Eddie Hawkins. A special thankyou to all those members who have given up there time to help maintain the golf course over the past few weeks I’am sure you will all agree the course is looking great. Next Sundays event will be a Par event. Trophy by the Gordon Hotel.

Tully v’s Goolabri

Play the ball as it lies. Play the course as you find it. If you can’t do either, you need the rules of golf.

Pauly said:

If you’re going to fix it, fix it right.
If you’re gonna play the game, play it properly. There’s rules for that.
They’re not sticks, they’re clubs. Dogs chase sticks.
That was what we used to hear from Pauly. Over and over.

With Pauly, you had to do it right. If you played a round with him, you had to use the proper terms. And know the 247 laws of golf. And the 7000 or so official interpretations of the rules. And don’t take any of it too seriously.

Pauly started playing golf at Tully in his teens, no doubt influenced by his dad, Teddy Hunter. There are no honourable mentions of Pauly as a junior golfer although  reports have it that he claimed a few Most Improved awards due to his lack of early talent. Later on Pauly represented Tully in Pennants representative teams where he was known as a tough opponent, although not necessarily the best golfer. However rumour has it that on his finest ever sporting day he shot an last round B grade course record of 2 over par in the 1970 Tully Park Minor Championships, having scored two tries and kicking the winning goal for Goulburn in the U21s semi final an hour earlier. Although he would never admit it, his mates tell that he started that game with severe gravel rash and concussion from an earlier motor bike spill, won best and fairest at the footy, played the best round of his life and later that night threw 6 consecutive 180s in darts. Laughing all the way. The Evening Penny Post reported that he was Goulburns complete athlete. Pauly said he had been kissed by a fairy and couldn’t remember a thing.

Later Pauly was busy raising a family and work and took a break from competetive golf at Tully. At the same time, Marty and his family tells us that there was always a set of clubs in the garage, and that a tarp was often set up for practice in the back yard. Today, the Hunter kids all enjoy having a hit with the sticks. That is… swinging a club.

 Pauly was also a sucker for a golf trip away with his mate Barney and any others who could keep up. Through the years, golf was a constant for Pauly and his mates. Not always competetive, always fun and sociable… and by the rules.

After finishing his career with the railway, Pauly committed to volunteering at Tully Park. Pauly was a valued and wise voice in the Tully Park committee for most of the last decade. And in the last few years along with Greg Hosking, Paulys work on the greens and fairways helped to reinstate Tully Park as Goulburns premier golf club. He could not resist a mechanical challenge. Could not stand a blade of grass out of place. Hated a dry grease nipple. Something needs doing? Pauly would own it.  Paulys excellent contributions were honoured last year with a life membership of the Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club. Paulys response was typical. A laugh, then “Yeah, I don’t know what to say. Thanks.”

There was not a dry eye in the room. Teddy would have been proud.

Even more recently, in his sickness, Pauly would not take a break. Having shown us his new zipper, from belly button to chest, and obviously a bit worse for wear, Pauly jumped under a problem piece of equipment to show us which component had failed. He continued to help out wherever he could. Later, he would turn up on a Sunday, just so that he could help with the competition results. Anything, as long as he could contribute and be involved.

You know, people like Pauly don’t turn up very often. A person who is willing to contribute like he did without seeking credit is rare.  Paulys humour, courage and generosity has given us a great example of how to play the game of life.

Play the ball as it lies, Play the course as you find it. If you can’t do either, read the rules and laugh.

Cheers Balls,

We love you and we miss you.

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

Saturdays Black Sheep Irish Pub Competition

Gordon Hotel Sunday Competition

Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club held an 18 hole stableford competition last Sunday, and believe it or not Ken “the three-peat” Wray has done it again securing victory on a countback over Ron Nunn both gentlemen carding 39 stableford points. Tom Heath (36) Graham Cave (35) Mick Harris (34) Brian Mills (34) and Trent Cooper on 33 points rounded out the ball run down. Nearest the pin on the Goulburn Soldiers Club sponsored 14th hole was won by Ken Wray and the drive and pitch on the Kev’s Meats sponsored 12th was taken out by Mick Harris. Next Sunday Tully Park plays host to a two person ambrose so partner up and I will see you there.

Tully Park v’s Gungahlin Lakes

Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club’s 2014 pennants team travelled to the nation’s capital last Sunday to take on the Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club. Gungahlin were determined to square the ledger after previously going down to Tully 4 and 2 in the first round. However this wasn’t to be the case, the Tully team were determined to win this round in the memory of a great mate and beloved life member of Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club Mr Paul Hunter. This ones for you Paulie. Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club 4 Gungahlin Lakes 2.

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

Gordon Hotel Sunday Competition

Sundays 4BBB competition held at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club was played in more favourable conditions although still extremely wet under foot. The inform Ken Wray teamed up with Tony Clewett to take the win with a total of 44 points to edge out the pairing of Eddie Sivell and Tom “the Python” Heath on 42 points. The pairing of Ross Stacey and Col Eggins rounded out the ball run down on 38 points. Nearest the pin on the Goulburn Produce sponsored 5th hole was won by the Python Tom Heath, and the drive and pitch on the Lee & Thomas sponsored 13th hole was claimed by Ken Wray. Congratulations to both Ken and Tony both gentlemen will enjoy what the Gordon Hotel Bistro has to offer. Next Sunday Tully will be hosting a stableford event.

Tully Park v’s Coolabri