March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Tully Park Early Birds Rule the Roost

 
This year is shaping up as one of the most successfull ACT Pennants seasons ever for Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club, with both the senior and junior pennants team qualifying for semi finals.

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.

 

March Monthly Medal Madness

 
Excuse my ignorance, but isn’t the Tully Park Monthly Medal the most keenly contested event of the month? Isn’t it the gateway to qualification for the Gold Medal Playoff, everlasting fame and glory, and a spot on the honour board for posterity? Isn’t the Monthly Medal the forum for unprecedented form reversals, exceptional scores and mythical shots? Apparently not this time.

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.

 

Sunday, March 23, 2014

 

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

Last week’s Goulburn Soldiers Club sponsored midweek competition held at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club saw one of the strongest fields of the year competing for the R.S.L voucher. Di Schmitt returned to the winners circle after carding a very impressive 31 points over the twelve hole competition to completely outclass the remainder of the field. Rose Booth (29) John Peterson (27) Glen Wharton (26) and Marty Hunter on 24 stableford points rounded out the week’s ball run down. Hellen Carne’s 8 points was just enough to earn her the special ball.

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

Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club’s 2014 Pennants team travelled once again to the nations capital to take on arch rivals the Yowani Golf Club in the penultimate round of the season. Tully came away with a hard fought 3 and a half to 2 and a half points victory to secure a place in the semi finals. Congratulations lads.
 

Monday, March 17, 2014

 

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

The Goulburn Soldiers Club sponsored midweek twelve hole stableford competition held at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club last week has been run and won. Margaret Gibson completely outclassed the rest of the field carding a well compiled 27 stableford points to finish eleven points clear of her nearest competitor Joy Leary who carded 16 stableford points. Rose Booth (15) rounded out the ball run down. Beryl Gray’s 10 stableford points was just enough to claim the special ball honours for the week.

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

Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club’s pennants team traveled to the outskirts of our nations capital to take on the Goolabri Golf club in the return leg of the 2014 pennants season. Tully once again proved to strong for their opposition with a solid 4 and half points to 2 and a half points to secure victory.   

 

 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Vale Pauly Hunter

 
The first page of the rules of golf state:

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.

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

 

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

Last weeks twelve hole stableford competition saw a strong field take to the course at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club. John Peterson with 28 stableford points was the winner of the Goulburn Soldiers Club gift voucher finishing three points clear of Margaret Gibson (25). Bryson Plumb (25) and Tony Clewett who also carded 25 stableford points were both recipients in the ball run down. Rose Booth collected the special ball for her efforts carding a grand total of 11 stableford points.

Saturdays Black Sheep Irish Pub Competition

Saturdays two person ambrose event at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club was played in idyllic golfing conditions, however this did not pave the way for low scoring, eventual winners Shane and Trent Cooper with a nett score of 65 and a quarter. They were still however extremely happy to claim the voucher to the Black Sheep Irish Pub.

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.

 

Monday, March 3, 2014

 

Goulburn Soldiers Club Midweek Competition

Last weeks twelve hole stableford competition held at Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club almost witnessed what could only be described as some what of a “Lazarus” type comeback. You see Margaret Gibson picked up the special ball the week before for her efforts, and this must have spurred Margaret into action for the following midweek competition for Margaret almost snatched victory only to go down on a count back to one Mr Wally Thorn who carded 23 stableford points, well done Wally and never give up hope Margaret for there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Margaret Gibson (23) Ted Bayliss (22) and Judy Moran also on 22 stableford points were recipients in the ball run down. The special ball was won by Helen Carne on 13 points.

Black Sheep Irish Pub Saturday Competition

Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club held a two person ambrose event last Saturday in extremely wet conditions however this did not deter the regular golfing souls who like to frequent this popular event. The competition was cut from 18 holes to 12 due to the conditions, but the end result was still the same with the father son combination of Anthony and Joshua Cooper claiming yet another well earnt victory. Enjoy the dinner for two meal voucher to the Black Sheep Irish Pub gentlemen.

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

Tully Park Early Birds Golf Club played host to the second round of the 2014 Pennant season welcoming the gentlemen of the Coolabri Golf Club. Although the lads from Coolabri were made feel very welcome they may not have felt this was the case given the end result. Tully gave Coolabri an absolute shellacking winning five and a half to Coolabri’s half point. Garth Stacey squared his match against Geoff Wright. Scott Nolan won 7 and 6 over Neil Gibb. Russell Lieschke won 2 and 1 over Greg Cummmins. John Smith won 4 and 2 over Chris Scott. Charlie McDonald won 5 and 4 over Adam Merrit and Adam Boxsell defeated Barry Sindel 6 and 4. Next Sunday the lads travel to Gungahlin for the return leg. Good luck gentlemen.