2022
15–19 November

Seven golfers under the control of the first ever Tournament Director Macca headed to the Southern Clubhouse for the 17th running of the Open and a forecast of warm weather one day, cold and rainy the next.

The shed was the scene for the Away Captains Welcome to Country accompanied by a smoking ceremony (too many green logs in the heater). Steve and Ron were thanked for the unforgettable opportunities to use the Binningup Clubhouse facility. And easing of Ron's organising load was greatly appreciated EXCEPT his doing Denno out of the only job DS has - another hedge job. As gratitude to the Allardices, Ron was presented with a Nespresso coffee machine complete with hot chocolate pods wrapped with the (in)famous brown and gold ribbon! And we thought that was unbeatable.

The initiative from Litts in the Winter Trophy to produce a program for the event was enhanced, Tom driving the production of a keepsake brochure which included BINNINGUP - Past, Present and Futue; some Open Fun Facts; AND the much anticipated Scobes Form Guide.

Walks then exploded out of the ranks to unveil two new trophies for the Open winner and runner up. And the night peaked in sensational style as Tom revealed our ultimate golfers equipment - golf balls with the GBWGC logo!! What a start to the tournament. It was also a magnificent start to the culinary curriculum - 3 varieties of Jacko-created pizzas and two servings of this delicious feast no less - and, of course, the traditional end to the day but with a difference – poker chips to replace coins (thanks King!).

DAY 1 – SANCTUARY
The first of three days of perfect Binningup weather. Sanctuary didn't appear to be in an angry mood but it cut most of the field down to size . . . EXCEPT King Cobra. He was here for the hunting. In a fine display of measured strokes, he knocked out 4 pars and 3 bogies over a first 9 worth 25 points. Included at the 5th was the sinking of a ginormous 21m putt downhill and turning. A few less pars replaced by doubles but he still managed 18 points coming home for an irresistable 43 points to seemingly take a stranglehold on the trophy, his next nearest being Dennis ("Thank foodness for bunkers") Scoble 10 points adrift. Scobes joined the list of notable putts, sinking 7m putts on consecutive holes while Dalbs potted a 6m putt on the 17th to have something to bring him back the next day. Poor Squancey was the antithesis, claiming NTP on the 4th but taking 4 putts to coax his ball into the hole earning him a desktop Mini Golf prize at the presentations, the first of a few such quirky prizes dispensed by the quirky Scobes (thank you!) over the three days. Lunch at Sanctuary another low key affair.

We're off!	We're bogged	We're out!

We're (rarely) in trouble	We're hungry - and thirsty

Back at the ranch and the opportunity to sleep off a hard days toil. . .

We're knackered

. . . before heading to the shed for presentations for today's winners and MORE presentations earning Tom another Scobes special . . . The "Soapbox".

And Day 1 winners were . . . 1st Tom 43 points 2nd Scobes 33 points 3rd Squancey 29 points

Did someone say presentations? Ronzo was presented with two specials by the King for the copious help he provided behind the scenes, including certain posters (to be revealed) and setting up the clubhouse . . . . . . those biscuits; and golf balls with his own RA Golf Course Tours logo. And he's definitely refused to use those balls!! They might get scratched.

The night had just started. First came "The Dream", a Scobes nightmare about his room mate Walks; and then another magnificent feast.

"I watched helplessly as Walks leapt out the window crashing through the glass. But I didn't hear him land! Then I woke up to find him sleeping peacefully."
Chicken Korma (Squancey), Lamb, eggplant and roasted coconut (Chris), Riata, Rice, Papadums and Tom's Paratha followed by Apple Pie and Ice Cream made for an outstanding meal.

Then came the King hit. Dalbs was asked to keep Macca inside the house until called. Huh? When all were finally corralled into the shed, the reason why and the effort by Tom and crew to celebrate Macca's 75th birthday was quite something, as was Ronzo's poster contribution.

The 75 candles generated more warmth than the heater but what a magnificent creative effort to recognise the significant milestone of the club's elder statesman. Macca was also presented with a jarrah plaque with pewter inlays. And the most unbelievable bit is that Tom bought a router and cut the inlays himself!! Reggie was speechless but not the King when it came to making a birthday presentation speech accompanied by a raucous rendition of "Happy Birthday" from the boys. Great effort Macca. May there be many more (birthdays that is, not 75ths).

Vision and sound of the presentation was made. Technical difficulties have delayed their posting but stay tuned.

DAY 2 – COLLIE
It's a picturesque drive through the Darling Scarp to the historic town of Collie and the Collie Golf Club, self described as the best inland course in WA. The fairways were considered a bit dry which gave the ball an extra bit of run, and the greens were hard and fast. Controversy at the 1st tee as the second group teed off first. In stepped Judge Jackson and order was restored.

In a tournament where a player played to handicap or better on just 3 occasions, 2 were achieved at Collie – Squancey and Ronzo each scoring 36 points. Squancey was the more consistent, hitting cleanly and scoring every hole while Ronzo "burnt" on the outward journey with 22 points but had top and tail wipes on the back 9. Scobes had his moment in the sun, hitting to within one and a half metres of the pin at the par 3, 7th - 2 putted but notched a nice 4 points. Unfortunately other highlights were few and far between for todays NAGA winner. And Squancey and Tom were playing their Match Play over the first 9. The King was a little off his game, 4 bogies and a triple seeing him 3 down against Squancey's 2 pars and 3 bogeys after 6 holes but still a chance. He sinks a long putt for par and a win and it's 2 down with 2 to play but trouble on the elevated 8th green and he's wiped for Squancey to take the Match 3 and 1.

Down the middle . . .	. . . and down in the boondocks	One for the road

Tom's 10 point lead had been reduced to 7 points on best score to-date from Squancey and Ronzo with Scobes 10 points adrift. And it was compulsory Bunbury to come.

A charcuterie of delicious selections went down well . . .

The feast continues . . .	"Should I take out one of my chasers?"

And Day 2 winners were . . . 1st Squancey 36 points 2nd Ronzo 36 points 3rd Tom 31 points

Three "I feel sorry for him" stories concluded the night. Scobes presented Dalbs, who looked like coming in Open NAGA, with a Little Box of Marbles to help him while away the time; and Ronzo, who clearly needed help with his direction at Collie, some "Pocket Darts". Walks' middling golfing performances were in part due to a stubbed toe, Dr Scoble presenting him with Shakespearean Insult Bandages!

DAY 3 – BUNBURY

A Walks in the park

What a round it turned out to be. Cool and overcast without a hint of what was to come, including our tee off time being put back by some corporate comp that took precedence. The King started with a confidence building 3 point par as did Ronzo but it was short lived. Only 2 bogies followed for both with a wipe or two thrown in and they each turned with 14 points. Squancey wasn't fairing much better with opening and closing wipes and a couple of pars in between but his 15 points got him 1 point closer to the lead. Scobes was the bolter, a par and 5 bogies from steady golf seeing him turn with 21 points and he'd made up 7 points to be just 3 off the lead and Squancey 6. The fact that Scobes wiped the 9th was not surprising, having been forced to take cover from a damaging hailstorm that struck as his second group made their way up the 9th. The first group of Walks, Jacko and Dalbs were lucky – they'd putted out and took shelter in the clubhouse buggy room as hail clattered on the roof and strong winds played havoc with the corporate competition marquee.

Of high wind, hail and an upturned marquee		So, what's all the fuss about?

Suddenly "What bad weather?" The skies had cleared, the grass turned from grey to green and now there were three chasing down the King. And he was making heavy weather of it over the back 9 with just 5 points over the first 5 holes. That first day form had disappeared with the storm and he managed a modest 13 points. If Scobes could muster 17 points, he'd pip the King. Though Scobes' opening salvo (wipe) and wayward finish (two 1 pointers) for 14 points didn't breach the gap, he'd still made up an impressive 8 points today. Squancey needed to be on fire to make up the 6 points needed to at least draw with the King and he burnt over the first 7 holes with 2 pars, 4 bogies and a double for 16 points and he was half way to his target with two holes to play. It was an agonising finish with 2 doubles for just 2 points and some putting woes but it all made for a nailbiting conclusion to the golfing side of a magnificent Open. "Where's Ronzo?" Seems he never recovered from the hail storm managing just 6 points. "Where's Jacko?". Our low handicapper was having a tough time of it – "I can't get the pace of these greens" and two bad lies just some of the trials a not-so-memorable Open were setting him.

	A rare sight in one round from the Jacko . . .
	. . . but more on target at the signature 10th hole

Lunch at the "Tom" table at the golf club was a scrumptious affair and a great way to conclude Binningup Open 2022 golf . . .

And Day 3 winners were . . . 1st Scobes 35 points 2nd Squancey 33 points 3rd Walks 30 points

The 2022 Binningup Open Podium . . .

1st TOM 70 points 2nd SQUANCEY 69 points 3rd DENNIS 68 points CONGRATULATIONS TOM!

Scobes was at it again at the presentations, and after. Jacko and Dalbs tied for NAGA but their superb NAGA efforts didn't go unrewarded. Jacko got a compass to help him better find his way successfully around the course in future attempts and Dalbs walked into a new pair of socks! And as reward for his generosity, he pulled his own winning sport in 'Pick a Sport".

And so it was off to gorge on another Jacko/Squancey feast – the traditional steaks, sausages, peas, speckled corn, mashed spud and fried onions with apple pie and ice cream to top it off. Well almost. What did top off the meal was the press-ganging of the dish washer into service for the very first time!(?)

For one – a classic!	For another – it was all too much

Who better to offer the concluding comments to a sensational Open than our Ronzo. It was an Open like no other with special mention to Tom for taking up the duties of the DOG as well as his numerous outstanding behind-the-scenes efforts which earned him a special presentation!; Scobes – that Form Guide and Novelties; Macca – his attendance and coffee machine exploits; Squancey and Chris – superb meals and nibblies (Squancey, we're looking forward to that sailor outfit and lipstick!); Walks – his finances a lovely set of numbers in such detail!; and Dalbs for bookings, artwork and help with the program.

The Open only gets better, and this one excelled!