The Saturday Competition was the Annual Ham day, sponsored by Kenny’s Butchery, and played as an Individual Stableford. The 60 golfers were keen to play well and take home a ‘baa-rgain’ that would move the family to let the bacon oink its way onto the table.

There was a very tight tussle at the top of the scoring, matched by a count back at the bottom of the scoring. And there was a copious amount of water and drinks consumed in the heavy conditions.

The A-Division was led by the short and tall. Barry Parker took advantage of the cooler early conditions to finish with 43 points. He was ecstatic to start with a ‘2’, and then finish only 9 shots over par, well inside his handicap. Shane Sallaway also had a ‘2’, but this time on the 9th. He finished on even par, having a split of 38-34 for his round, which gave him 41 points. He secured runner-up the hard way, on countback from Ian Brown (the WCC).

The B-Division was quite cut-throat, with six players within one shot of the win. Victory went to Greg Webb, scoring 40 points. He was a bit stumblingly on the front-9, but stormed home with 23 points. Runner-up was Ken Sanderson who did the same as Greg, but his bogey on the 18th as against Greg’s par was the difference. Also on 40, but who missed out, was Ron Morris. He played a more even game across both 9’s.

The ball sweep went to 37 pts on count back, being shared by: 43 – B Parker; 41 – S Sallaway, I Bown; 40 – G Webb, K Sanderson, R Morris, K Herbert; 39 – A Tucker, B Slack-Smith, R Borger; 38 – C Barrett, R Besgrove; 37 - S Uphill, P Nixon, J Earl, S Grallelis.

The NTPs went to: 9th – P Nixon; 18th – S Sallaway. Neither got their 2’s from those shots, but it was not for want of trying. There were only seven scored overall, with the sharp-shooter being Frank Donohoe who notched two – on the 1st and 9th.

Lee Grierson was on the course again, although he much rather had been on the beaches of ‘The Gong’. He can still get it out there, but his three birdies could not balance a few more errant shots. In his own words – “block one shot, hook the next!”

The course was playing sufficiently well to allow some personal milestones to be scored. Stephen Uphill had his first ever birdie on the 17th hole. A handy drive, followed by a ‘driver off the deck’ that finished 2 foot from the pin, and an easy putt finished it off. Even the WCC (Ian Bown) was impressed.

Another success was the carrying of the 4th ‘lake’ by Frank Haans. While it was not an especially attractive shot, it was memorable because it was one of the few parachute shots that had enough spin on it to cause it to skip off the water on the far side. Now, you’ve never seen that before.

Andrew Dukes seems to have switched his bogey hole from the 7th, which he seems to have tamed, to the 14th. This week he was again looking at a horror score there, but fortune or good skill helped reduce the damage. His tee shot on the 14th found the big gum on the right beside the hazard, his second found the branches on the corner, his third was controlled arc around the trees to beside the green, his chip was handy and a putt for ‘5’. Just maybe he has it covered now.

Phil Maher walked the course like a man with a new lease on life. Such is the happiness he felt as he used his new clubs in serious competition.

His handicap score could have been better but for the 17th, but he was still smiling as he walked off the course. Thank you Simon!

Kim Herbert is very happy with his clubs. He started the front-9 well, looking like an easy 50 points, but had a dreadful 8th hole, which would take too long to describe.

But his back-9 included eight pars and one birdie – on the 17th. Playing alongside him was Ecky Dawson. The best thing about Ecky’s game was that he got plenty of exercise.

To finish the evening off we had the Card Draw, the winner for which must be in the clubhouse. After four draws Albert Callaghan was lucky enough to claim the Meat Tray voucher, which this week was a box of golf balls.

One unlucky player was Andrew Dukes who was determined to stay until the draw, even it meant cold shoulder for dinner. But alas he missed out. Next time Andy!

Sunday was the Stableford Medley, also contested in hot sunshine heavy conditions.

Consequently the numbers were down, but the players enjoyed themselves. And once again the competition was keenly fought.

Ash Tucker got the winners honours with 37 points, and on count back from Andrew Dukes (missed again!). There was no ball sweep.

The NTP’s wen to - 9th: Ray Taylor, and 18th: nobody.

Newsy Bits

Things will be a little quieter over the Xmas New Year break, although we shall still have Mens comp on Saturday December 23 and December 30.

We had hoped to sort some technical hitches with the ‘AAA Cup’, but unfortunately we shall have to cancel this for 2017. However, we will have everything sorted for the start of 2018, which will see it run for at least another two years, if not more.

Do not forget to use this quiet time to keep your Super Sixes team in touch. Perhaps a game or two just for a laugh and then ensure you are ready for the commencement of the comp in January.

It is crystal ball time:

Saturday December 23 is an 18-Hole Stableford, sponsored by Shirley Redfern, a golfer as keen as anybody. Sunday December 24 is a Stableford Medley. Then Tuesday December 26 (Boxing Day) is a Stableford Medley.

On Saturday December 30 we have a Canadian Foursomes sponsored by the Post Office Hotel, and on Sunday December 31 a Stableford Medley.

Then we start January with the Monthly Medal on Saturday 6th, sponsored by Linden Byrne.

Good cheer to you all, and here is hoping that Santa is kind to you and your New Year’s Eve is memorable. Stay healthy, stay out of trouble, and we shall see you next year.

- contributed by Short Putt

FEATURE RACE TO HONOUR SAMARA JOHNSON

The feature race at Trangie on Friday December 29 has been given a name change, to honour Samara Johnson, the much admired jockey who lost her life in a motor vehicle accident last week in the Junee area.

Sponsored by Three Rivers Machinery, the 1400 metres main event will now be known in 2017 as the Samara Johnson Memorial Macquarie Picnic Cup.

At the 2016 Macquarie Picnics held at Trangie, the Canberra based Samara Johnson was the star performer riding 4 winners including the Cup winner Dalhero for Cowra trainer Neil Smart.

Oxford Art and As Easy As both ridden by Samara Johnson became the career first winners for trainers Sarah McIlrick (Parkes) and Micaela Wheeler (Dubbo), respectively, while the other winner for the talented rider was Pimpala Norseman trained at Gilgandra by Collen Thurston.

At the 2016 Tullibigeal Picnics she also rode 4 winners, Sergeant Bilko (in the Cup), Bunwina, As Easy As and Gagamura.

Samara Johnson (25), apart from being an attractive young lady with a delightful personality was also an outstanding horsewoman with success on both the racetrack and in the Show arena.

Her first race ride was on Kenjockety at the Cowra Picnics in July 2012 and Kejockety trained by Garry Kirkup became her career first winner, in a 950 metres Open Handicap at Lockhart.

Feature race winners for Samara Johnson were, Lockhart Picnic Cup (Rite Of Honour), Harden Picnic Cup (Pointing To Gold), Tullibigeal Picnic Cup (Sergeant Bilko), Macquarie Picnic Cup (Dalhero), Ardlethan Picnic Cup (As Easy As), Grenfell Picnic Cup (As Easy As), Boorowa Picnic Cup (Black Fusion), Young Picnic Cup (Liability Adjuster).

Next meeting for Samara Johnson was to be the Macquarie Picnics at Trangie.

Garry Kirkup, the successful Canberra based trainer and partner of Samara Johnson, was critically injured in the accident and remains in hospital.