SQUANCEY REIGNS

Excellent weather, great courses, superb company and exquisite meals made for a brilliant 2024 Binningup Open. Squancey set the early pace with a terrific 40 point opener at Sanctuary. Going into the final round, he held a 4 point buffer. Despite an indifferent round by his standards, the challengers also struggled to mount a score sufficient to overcome his early lead and he was home for a third Binningup Open title.

Notables included:

• Weather was kind to us;
• Chris and Squancey's meals were varied (from Thai/Beef curries to Pizza, Roast Lamb and Fillet steaks) and all were par excellence . . . or better!;
• Such brilliant catering came at the Ripley's cost of only $90/head!!
• Pinky's strawberries in Cointreau (soaked a minimum 4 hours) with vanilla icecream was to die for leaving Ronzo a little unsteady on his feet!
• The lady at Sanctuary who, noting Macca had muffin for brunch, instigated the nickname Muffin Man which morphed into MacMuffin . . . to finally RagaMuffin!
• Collie hospitality including use of their kitchen facilities for preparing the charcuterie;
• Walks's Grammy Award achievements – leaving the charcuterie board at Collie; copping a speeding fine on the way home; losing his sand wedge at Bunbury;
• Sanctuary and Bunbury courses in great condition as were the greens at Collie;
• In response to the very sad news of Sue Jack's passing, Scobes' suggested condolence cards for Graeme and Alistair signed by all.
• The excellent event organisation by the Little Master

Winner		Runner Up

Report is in it's gestation period

STEADY AS SHE GOES

Yet another superb southern jaunt with nine contesting for the title and Les Gray fortunately able to join us for the Collie experience. After Scobes turned in a top - and popular - round of 42 points at Collie, he was going to take some hauling in. And Jacko proved the master playing mostly to handicap in a very consistent display to complement the outstanding quality of his catering.

The Little Master seems to thrive on lack of golf, once again prominent in this event while Scobes held on to stagger onto the podium in a terrific return to Binningup.

The event witnessed:

• the birth of The Manipulator;
• "Grass roots" trophies;
• one of the greatest comebacks in Open history;
• the least number of card nights in Open history (just 1!)
• the most number of late night talkfests;
• Sanctuary in the best nick we've witnessed in a very long time;
• Bunbury greens in the worst condition we've seen;
• later starts with more pre-game leisure time which seemed to go down well but didn't necessarily translate into better golf!

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KING COBRA HANGS ON

He was a bolter early with 43 points and it was hard to imagine how such a dominant first day lead could be overcome. But it turned into a nail biting finish with Squancey and Scobes each having their day out while Tom couldn't maintain the opening day rage. But he made it! It was a well earned win and his input into the running of what proved to be a fantastic event was quite exceptional. CONGRATULATIONS TOM.

This Open had everything – an inaugural Tournament Director; a new club house coffee/hot chocolate machine; a snazzy keepsake brochure; new trophies and GBWGC logo golf balls; superb haute cuisine; novel and quirky novelty prizes; more logo'd golf balls for the R A Golf Course Tours boss; the "Dream"; and the pièce-de-résistance - a stunning 75th birthday celebration for Milestone Macca.

There were only three occasions in 21 attempts where a player played to, or bettered, par. The golf proved to be a challenge for most but the hijinx at home made up for that. The hail storm at Bunbury was certainly one of the highlights of our golfing experiences.

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CHRIS IN CLIFFHANGER

WE'RE BACK after a year's hiatus. Ronzo was all organisation and that included a Jacko-like weather turnout over the three days - a run of "perfect day weatherwise".

It was to be a "down to the wire" finish after the last group all teed off on 38 points with The little Master just 1 point behind. Something (and someone) had to give. It took until the 18th hole and Chris needed a 2 point hole to clinch the title from a gallant Ronzo and the man of steel did just that. CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS on your second Open title.

There were a few "firsts" during the Open:

• Two Match Plays were contested;
• Another Award event, The Melbourne Cup, was played;
• It was Brian's first Open;
• Ronzo failed spectacularly to qualify for the Daytona Classic!

The EBI's turned up zilch. It was unanimously agreed that the 2021 Binningup Open was the BEST ever.

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PHIL DEDICATES WIN TO THE TWO HANDICAPPERS FIGHTING OVER HIM

As Ron reports . . .
It had to happen . . . an "outsider" takes out a GBWGC tournament in this State (Nae won the Mornington Masters). Congratulations to Phil who played consistently over the tournament, a far cry from 2016 when he won the NAGA with 41 points which is still a club record!

Talking of NAGAs, Macca matched Toms record of last year, winning 3 of the 4 NAGAs.

And talking of firsts . . . one night Chris actually beat Ron to bed!! All were waiting to exchange money through L.C.R. then cards, but Chris was nowhere to be found. Walks thought to check his bed . . . and there he was.

All EBI's from 2018 were implemented with the burgers from the shop a great success on the last day. And no EBI's were forthcoming from this very successful event.

Bring on the Mandurah Masters!

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RON DEDICATES WIN TO HANDICAPPER

With handicaps increasing with our age, Ron took advantage of his generous 36, particularly on the last day at Binningup where he played arguably one of the best games of his career, reeling off 4 pars (in a row), 3 bogies and 2 double bogies, scoring a record 29 points. Les also had a day out with 19 points and Phil made the podium with 15 on the Monday.

The President made a cameo appearance, staying overnight Friday. He presented the latest plaque for the clubhouse to Jacko, recognising the first hole-in -one for the club.

Other highlights included:

• The introduction of a dice game, called LCR, at 3.30 Saturday arvo (after siesta). The game was a huge success, particularly as Tom kept us supplied with vodka, lime juice and limes (very expensive ones);
• The usual card games deprived players of much needed sleep;
• The conditions were excellent, with perfect weather;
• Catering received the usual nod of approval.

Finally, Macca’s quote “What’s the matter with these guys? …Don’t they know they are missing the best 4 days of the year!”

The Even Better Ifs (EBIs)

• Pump soap for the showers;
• No change to handicaps during the event;
• 2 bottles of vodka next time;
• If possible, event format of 9 – 18 – 18 – 9;
• Hamburgers for lunch on last day.

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RONZO IN THREE-PEAT (Sort of)

It was to an Open in two parts.

Act 1: Macca and Scobes are the two early Day 1 bolters with Ronzo and Lindsay solid. Lindsay increases the pace on Day 2 with Scobes consistent, but the bolters have faltered. And Jacko's getting a sniff. Day 3 and Lindsay powers on, streaking the field with an unassailable lead as Scobes persists and the two have an iron grip on the contest.

Act 2: Lindsay and Scobes have vanished! Suddenly Macca's the frontrunner with Ronzo, Les, Walks and Jacko in the frame! Scoring on Binningup was tough but tight, resulting in one of the closest fought Opens. And Ronzo claimed his third Open title under classic circumstances. How the tide can turn!

RECORDS SET IN WALKER(WAY) WIN

Report coming any millennia now!

ANOTHER BOILOVER AT BINNINGUP

It was a roller coaster ride on the way to deciding the 2015 winner both on the golf course and in the mountainous sand dunes. Jacko, Squancey, Steve – each with a win over the first three days – all had their chances as did Ronzo who displayed, some might say (bravely), an uncharacteristically consistent effort going into the final round. And then the "fit hit the shan" for three of these hopefuls as Binningup wreaked havoc except for the mercilessly consistent "Mr Consistent" and the two to-date winless stalwarts. Jacko, 4 points behind the leader going into Day 4, leapt over the frontrunners in a stunning 10 point turnaround to win his maiden Binningup Open. Could it be a portent for the inaugural Mandurah Masters?

All agreed it was one of the best. There were highs and lows:

• Steve thrilled the mob with 4WD'ing along the beach, amongst the sand dunes and down narrow bush tracks;
• We almost wiped out our first cart earning Little Master the title of "Cart driver of the year";
• Ronzo unveiled a new Grand Slam honour board;
• Steve had a Binningup outing to forget.

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BOILOVER AT BINNINGUP

What a finish to the tenth running of the Binninup Open! An Iron Clad, Iron Willed, Iron Fisted IronMan was looking to clinch the deal after consistent medal-winning performances over the first three days. Then came the nine-to-end-all-nines as Binningup bared it's teeth and quite a few flies. Being 3 points up going into the final 9 holes wasn't enough save this tyro as he couldn't add a point to his card over the first five holes! A feisty Squancey and persistent Jacko plugged away on the card, "amassing" enough points to overcome Ironman's sslloooowwwww start. But it was the defending champion who grabbed a BIG par and 4 points on the last hole to snatch a hairsbreadth Open win. It was an exciting and fitting end to yet another fantastic weekend. Also:

• Steve's friend Nae proved a big hit with all – and on the golf course but not at the card table;
• The 10th running of the Open was marked with a presentation of individual mementos;
• Dalb's website machinations recognised with the Buddha Award;
• Confirmation that Littsy's knee is on the mend;
• It was another Black Tie Dinner with Macca making a splendid attempt to outdo The Little Master's previous effort (came somewhat close);
• Mornington Masters V golf program unveiled with little fanfare but great anticipation;
• A full accounting of the weekend financials by our skilled Treasurer.

All in the family

SQUANCEY'S RECORD WIN

The signs were ominous after the first of a "split" round at Binningup, as Squancey massed 22 points – 14 of them on the first 5 holes. He finished with 38 points over the 18 Binningup holes to go with his 38 at Capel (or with his 36 at Bunbury and he still would've streaked the field). It was a timely return to some form, his 76 point total a record for the Open. It wasn't all pretty golf but the rest of the "hopefuls" couldn't get too much pretty golf going either. Dalbs somehow came a distant second after cashing a couple of birdies on the final day to save his bacon and just nudging out a more consistent Jacko. Another brilliant weekend enjoyed by all. Also:

• The "practice" round – 9 holes at Binningup Friday afternoon – became an official event, creating a more relaxed Sunday of just 9 holes;
• It's the first year in Open history that Sanctuary was not played;
• Jacko's culinary talents recognised with the Buddha Award;
• It was the Saturday night Black Tie Dinner and not a black tie in sight;
• The fines tin made its reappearance, and it and us took a hammering;
• A full accounting of the weekend financials beautifully crafted.

A more leisurely Sunday watching the Aussie masters

WALKS WHACKED 'EM

Walks turned on a fine display of power hitting, particularly on the first competition day at Busselton, to take his second Open title. Taming Busselton set him up and, although Litts made a spirited challenge on the final day, his 38 points on Day 1 proved too big a total to overcome (it was enough to make Macca sick). The Little Master faded over the second nine at Sanctuary after 21 points on the first which ultimately stalled his tilt at the title, settling for silver after a countback was required. Litts once again proved he only needs two rounds to be in the final mix, third spot a great credit to his natural talent. Also:

• The first "practice" round was played – 9 holes at Binningup Thursday afternoon – with Macca triumphing as the first Mr Practice Perfect;
• Busselton Golf Club made its first appearance on the program;
• Macca wins the Buddha award for "not dying on the fairway at Busselton";
• The Saturday night Black Tie Dinner born at the 2012 Winter Trophy becomes "de rigueur";
• The team started their first building project - the floor to the Allardice rabbit hutch (since completed over the festive break).