2023
14–18 November

It's no longer a secret to harbour. Seven starters all struggled in the warm up event on a sunny morning with a cool breeze that was quite brisk by game end. A relaxing pre-game coffee made for a great start and Squancey's bananas staved off the hunger pangs. If the idea was to get most bad shots out of the way before official proceedings, we were all kept busy! Three tied for the day's honours, all with 31 pts – Pinky (with birdie on the 16th), Jacko and Scobes – a precursor of things to come for two of them.

Uh Oh . . . worm burner	Uh Oh . . . heading for the beach?	Uh Oh . . . looks a long way to go

The secret seven were greeted by Ronzo, Phil and Les on arrival at the Southern clubhouse and a stimulating, animated conversation ensued – yet another precursor of things to come. It was then off to the shed to be greeted by two displays of GBW paraphernalia . . .

RD's graphic efforts over the years	. . . and gifts from each of the 8 Mornington Masters

As well as the Secret Harbour win and the birdie, Pinky won the first Pick-A-Sport. A hard act to follow but Ronzo did it brilliantly starting with an official welcome for the 19th running of the Binningup Open. What followed was sheer entertainment including:

• going back to "grass roots" trophies;
• a perfumed presentation for Larissa for providing the best pizza bases EVER at the previous Binningup event;
• Les Gray's Perfect Game;
• a hilarious tirade surrounding the Little Master's efforts in getting the event organised for which he received a packet of THOSE nippley Arnotts Royals biscuits and which spawned a new event organiser title for the PIT . . .

What's behind the red sheet?	"Grass roots" measuring spoon trophies	Elizabeth Arden perfume

Les's Perfect Game of Golf		The proud PIT

It was Italian Night for some starving golfers and Jacko's first evening offering was outstanding – Spaghetti Bolognese, Lasagne and a refreshing salad. That vibrant conversation continued into the night with two consequences: No cards (!); Ronzo still awake (so he told us) after 10.30 pm!

Wednesday 15 November – Collie
MYO breakfast with a touch of delicious mango and it was off for the picturesque drive to Collie. But not before Maestro Jackson had done it again – chicken wraps for lunch. Les joined the crew for a game on a clear but quite cool and windy start.

This popular country course challenged all EXCEPT for the Silent Assassin who turned in a ominous score to be chased of 42 points, set up by a 23 pt back 9 that included a par, 6 bogeys and a wipe! It was all so casual really. The man to watch had a slow start but Jacko steadily ground his way back to par/bogey territory while the man who thrives on little golf notched up a creditable 32 points, the Little Master only wiping one hole. Les the Whirling Dervish and Ronzo completed the half of the field that managed 30 pts or more with Dalbs and Squancey ruing their poor second 9s after an encouraging opening salvo. Macca just couldn't get into a groove but did get into too many trees. But he wasn't done yet!
It just wasn't Macca's day		Dwarfed!

And Squancey had the last word . . .

Back home, and local Fish and Chips was the evening order - the lone shark who's not into seafood getting a burger with the lot - all washed down with fine white wines followed by a tasty range of sweets. And the Indians were building a big score in the background.

Presentations in the shed included:

• a foldable ball marker and pug repairer for the popular day's winner;
• a pocket darts set for our popular NAGA winner;
• in recognition of Tom's sizzling 200m long drive, a charred golf ball;
• and proposed fines for Phil (you're supposed to wear a DARK shirt) and Les (Get some proper socks!). And the cards were finally dealt . . .

Day 1 winners were . . . 1st Scobes 42 points 2nd Jacko 36 points 3rd Tom 32 points

Thursday 16 November – Sanctuary
The mango/MYO combo with time for friendly banter set the scene for round 2 at Sanctuary. Never seen the course in better condition on a warm day under sunny skies with a midafternoon sea breeze. Armed with Jacko's ham and salad wraps, we took off to tackle the usual abundance of sand, water and tricky greens.

Sanctuary was in mint condition, the best we've seen it for many years. Two buggies weren't though, Ronzo's conking out on the 18th and Pinky's in the car park (thankfully) post game. No slow Jacko start today with 19 points outward and 20 coming home, including a birdie on the water-ridden par 5 16th. It was an ominous sign, the lad's fine 39 pts closing the 6 point deficit with Scobes to just 3 points after each dropped their lowest scoring round. Scobes started and finished each nine with steady golf and solid putts but threw in some clangers mid rounds to still finish with a creditable 33 pts earning him a second placing.

Of rough . . .	. . . sand . . .	. . . and water

And more sand . . .	. . . and true and testing greens

Apart from Chris, only Macca (a 14 pt increase!), Squancey and Dalbs bettered their Collie scores. Ronzo found the going tough with 7 wipes (and his buggered buggy) while Phil's love affair with the sand and rough and piloting 2 balls into the water made for a frustrating round. Pinky was proving to be the Mr Consistent (27:27) but would've preferred more consistently good golf. The Little Master had a bad 2nd nine, putting his days efforts into the "drop-a-course" category.

Back at the clubhouse, scorer-in-training Macca was kept busy until all adjourned to the lounge for the Oz v South Africa cricket world cup semi with fragrant aromas of the evening meal starting to drift in.

Go Aussies . . .	. . . Where's Macca?

While SA struggled (as most did today), Squancey passed around the delicious Pork and Prawn Gyozas after which we moved to the dining table for another magnificent feast of Chicken Teriyaki, rice and broccoli. And the wine flowed, the Club Cellar Master yet again with some tasty selections.

The Manipulator was at it again with prizes for the winner (Golf club cleaner) and NAGA (Metal Springy Thingy).

Phil also worked diligently to earn his . . . having only done half a job of putting out the LD/NTP markers, he was presented with half a golf ball! Squancey took off the Pick-a-Sport and cards were sacrificed at the altar of the world cup semi.

Day 2 winners were . . . 1st Jacko 39 points 2nd Scobes 33 points 3rd Squancey 32 points

Friday 17 November – Bunbury
The sleep in, mango/MYO and relax time was proving a winner. Off to Bunbury Golf Club armed with those now familiar Jacko wraps only to be met by very substandard greens, the result of ground staff endeavouring to rid them of a foreign grass but getting the chemical mix, watering and timing all wrong!

It was looking to be a two horse race (Denno's forte), himself savouring his 42 pts with only Jacko (39 pts) and Tom and Squancey (each 32 pts) outside chances. As the round proceeded, the back groups were mystified by the constant roaring of the crowd as one of the most amazing fightbacks in Open history unfolded. "Where's Macca" at Collie gradually morphed into "What the .... Macca" as he whirled and whipped his way around for a 20 pt front 9 followed by a 24 pt (46 off-the-stick) back 9 and failing by just 1 point to make the podium. Meanwhile Jacko had steadily carved out a meaty 19 pts by the turn having wiped one and only 6 shots over for the rest. And just to be sure (to be sure), he scored on every back nine hole to effectively close out the field and ensure his 3rd Open title. Tom wasn't lying down, his solid straight drives and fine approaches to the green flying him onto the podium for a great second placing on the day and overall. He managed all this and some coaching too!

Ronzo pre-coaching . . .	. . . and post-coaching, including the LD	Big Phil – Straight at it!

Ronzo was all over the place hitting triples, doubles and wipes before the coach whispered in his ear "Swing slowly and keep your eye on the ball at all times". He hit some pearlers including Long Drive on the 18th, but had to be reminded of the mantra on at least one occasion. It was enough to earn a shared 4th with Phil who managed to stay wipe free to finish with 32 pts, his best Open score. Scobes couldn't maintain the rage of earlier rounds, running out of puff on the back nine but he'd done enough overall to secure a 3rd in the Open. Dalbs and Pinky (Woody Woodpecker) could at least claim consistently similar scores over the three rounds but with all but one of these in the sub-30s, the mishits, many tree tours and loose putts weren't going to cut it. Squancey just had one of those and was the most gracious of Open NAGA winners.

That stimulating, wide ranging conversation continued around the outside table before we were called for the meeting of the clan to announce the much anticipated 2023 Binningup Open results.

Day 3 winners were . . . 1st Macca 43 points 2nd Tom 39 points 3rd Jacko 35 points

A popular winner and a magnificent fightback after a very slow Open start. He hit the right chord today and earned the foldable ball marker and pug repairer for the win.

The 2023 BINNINGUP OPEN WINNERS . . .

1st JACKO 74 points 2nd TOM 71 points 3rd DENNIS 71 points CONGRATULATIONS JACKO!
Competition – Longest Drive: Tom, Hole 9 Bunbury, 201m. Nearest NTP: Jacko, Hole 14, Collie, 5m				Our surprise NAGA winner

In his inimitable way, Scobes had the last word "No one asked me which score to drop. Could've comfortably got NAGA!!" And Phil had the last Pick-a-Sport win. A mass stampede ensued, all keen to sit for the Black Tie Dinner and the Chris inspired peas, mashed spuds, corn, sausages and the most delicious beef patty.

Couldn't finish up proceedings without the last word from the Great Man who started by revealing the morning's duties list. In a scintillating start, he introduced The Manipulator who witnessed a breach of etiquette by Phil exiting a bunker at the 1st hole at Bunbury without raking it! With leaves needing raking around the clubhouse, Tom produced . . . .

Other issues covered included:

• Thanking the Manipulator for his excellent event organisating efforts (hear! hear!);
• Confirming the date for Mandurah Masters 2024: March 11 to 14:
• EBI's:
  1. A 10 am teeoff each day or at least a 9.30 start (i.e. mid-morning)
  2. Move the Winter Trophy to a warmer time? Issue raised too many hackles to reach an agreement

Robust conversations continued until after midnight and, you guessed it - no cards!

Thanks Scobes!

Saturday 15 November
Chris's farewell breakfast of bacon, chipolatas, eggs, baked beans, tomato and mushroom on Pink toast was the perfect conclusion to five fantastic days of unparalled friendship and some unpardonable golf. While everyone applied themselves magnificently to the clean up tasks, there was one that didn't appear on the duties list but made the biggest impression (for those that can remember) . . .