Yarrambat GOLD

The weather forecast for today’s final was not all that pleasant with cloudy skies and a high chance of showers throughout the day predicted. But this wasn’t the case at all with a misty and chilly start turning into a picture perfect day for golf. Gardiners Run Golf Course presented itself beautifully with magnificent green lush fairways, manicured bunkers, greens to die for and perfect tee boxes leaving no room for criticism. And boy did the Yarrambat Gold Team take on the challenge!

At the end of play the top 6 Stableford Scores for each team were totalled and we came up with the impressive figure of 204 points (an average of 34 points across 6 players). Alas this wasn’t enough and we were pipped at the post by the Box Hill Mustangs by only 2 lousy points. Yep, they scored 206 points. So the mighty Yarrambat Golds ended up runners up for the Plate. It was a great effort by the team and all members should be proud of this result even though we didn’t bring home the chocolates.

Once again, what’s more important was the true sportsmanship and camaraderie displayed by all teams during this battle for the Plate. 

Our thanks to the Gardiners Run Golf Course ground staff for the magnificent presentation of the course. It really is a credit to their ground staff that they are able to maintain the course to this excellent level even during this long hot and dry summer. Many thanks also to the bar and kitchen staff for looking after us with a delicious roast lamb and veggie lunch and drinks. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team members for representing and supporting our club so well. It was an absolute pleasure working with all of them and I look forward to leading them into battle again next year should the opportunity arise. 

I also just want to congratulate the Yarrambat Blacks for playing off for the Senior Pennant against their arch rivals, the Heidelberg Blacks. Unfortunately they fell just short of getting their hands on the trophy but I’m sure they will be back next year with a steely resolve to make amends.

Regards,

Mike Di Vincenzo
Yarrambat Gold Captain

 

YARRAMBLAQS

On a dark, drizzling drive through the rolling hills of Warrandyte there it emerged, the mighty Gardiners Run Golf Course. No sooner had I arrived just before dawn that a typical Yarra Valley mist enveloped the entire area, not to worry as it dissipated quickly once the beautiful autumn sun revealed itself!

Finals Day… Yarrambat Black versus Heidelberg Black for the coveted Pennant with Yarrambat Gold and the rest of the field chasing the much sought after Plate!

After a stellar home and away campaign the “BLAQ” stable was unable to continue that momentum, the very late scratching of Greggers Legacy due to a severe bout of colic, saw Smudge O’Connell in as the substitute, he was to caddy for Tuds and luckily kept his riding gear in the car! And the earlier scratching of the “Stick Witham”, dancing naked with the blinds open will always result in sore fetlocks! His replacement was The Huntsman Searly.

The final disappointing result was a pretty comprehensive 5 and a half to 3 and a half loss to Heidelberg Black, bugger it! Mind you they have purloined this trophy 9 out of the 11 years, a bloody awesome effort!

The Blaq runners………

The Motswanian Prince…..(giving up 3), was in a rip roaring affair, jumping okay (after belting down the straight but then taking an unexpected detour into the trees) was behind most of the race and battling a “nasty driver” late, ran home hard with a sensational save from under a very leafy bush and then to pummel home a ripping 24 footer for the half!          All Square.

You’re a Wimp Wilson…..(giving up 3), was slow to start and took a dozen holes to settle, balancing up nicely in the straight before unleashing a withering run late and cruising to the line hard held, again showing his “Zenacity”  for big time finals pressure!          A 3 and 1 Victory.

The Carpenter…..(giving up 3), the Chippy said bugger this and went “BANG”, 5 up after 6 and that was all she wrote, this colt also picking up the 5 game undefeated trophy for the season, a truly fantastic effort and he continues to go from strength to strength! Now on a well deserved spell in Fiji.  A 5 and 4 Victory.

The Huntsman…..(getting 1), Spider was a late inclusion and although he battled arachnically, those eight hairy legs were just not enough, slow out of the gates was down early, a mid race revival was to no avail and his opponent drew clear late for the win!          A 3 and 1 Loss.

Rockabilly Rebel…..(all even), me thinks the Rebel went into the final with a niggling rabbit hole injury, unfortunately he went down like a young buck with myxomatosis, proving the old adage “do not run injured players”, a rather disappointing finale!          A 6 and 4 Thumper.

Brucey T……(getting 1), another colt absolutely up to group level, scorching to the lead, not to be headed and toying with his opposition, seems he couldn’t be bothered playing the entire course wrapping up the race early and heading straight to the BARn!          A 5 and 4 Victory.

Daicos’ Daddy…..(getting 2), a severe case of the bunker wobbles saw the Daddy find most of them and if you struggle with bunker’s Gardiners is not the course for you, he was slow out and watched his opposition maintain a solid lead!          A 3 and 2 Loss.

Smudge O’Connell…..(giving up a whopping 7), a tough gig for Smudge coming in very late and with a crappy deficit tried valiantly and went  all the way to 18, just going down on that hole, with only 2 starts this preparation a great effort from this under raced colt!          A 1 down Loss.

The Birdman…..(all even), a disappointing race from our best credentialed runner, jumping well but tiring mid race couldn’t match his opponent, a solid home and away season may have taken the edge off this wily old stallion, next season we might space his runs!          A 5 and 4 Loss.

Certainly not the result Yarrambat Blaqs were wanting, we went in undefeated and confident but the ever formidable Heidelberg outfit were just too good on the day, so congratulations to them! And Yarrambat Gold just missing out on the plate by a lousy 2 shots was also very disappointing! As always Yarrambat players can hold their heads high and proud, both teams playing a mighty role in the Seniors event and of course we will fire up again next year and go that one step further! Thank you to all the organisers and my team mates, it’s been another terrific year!

Cheers,

Wilso.

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