2022 GBWGC Winter Trophy
and AGM

Sunday 21 August
The Binningup Clubhouse Master had the place spick'n'span. Never seen so many windows open to the breeze apparently to dispel the delicate waft of copious mothballs after an invasion of creepy crawlies. The signs and THE Flag were up and the signs were for yet another superb few days of golf and gaiety. Inclement weather had plagued recent Trophy outings but delaying the timing of the event produced blue skies and cool days (clever!).

The arrival of the "Secret" five heralded a Welcome Chat by the Pres preceded by his handing out of the nattiest 12-page booklet containing all you needed to know about the event and AGM. It has really set the standard. He also set a second first – a Welcome Pack including lollies, hand sanitiser, tissues and hand warmers. Brilliant!

The chat enlightened us about the land we were on which was inhabited by the Pindjarup people, the name Pinjarra (unsurprisingly) coming from the tribe's name. The history of the Trophy also got some coverage including a reminder that Terry Bridle donated the Trophy. Recently contacted, Terry spoke fondly of his time here.

Dominos pizzas and garlic bread were demolished along with copious wines and beers and The Pres presented with his own (biggest) Presidential Flag.

Then the "Secret" practice game results were out, The Little Master notching a decent winning 35 points but not before a scoring controversy, details of which will be kept "Secret" to protect the guilty. Then the cards were shuffled and dealt . . .

Monday 22 August – Sanctuary
It was a BYO breakfast then off to Sanctuary Golf Resort only to discover the back 9 was closed for maintenance. With such magnificent weather, who cared? Sand was plentiful, greens a bit tricky and the scores indicated that most struggled, the Little Master the only player to score to handicap or better over the first 9 (puts it down to the hand warmers) and repeating the performance over the second 9 joined by Walks and Phil. It was slim pickings with Phil recording the one and only birdie from a neat little chip in. The Pres and our low handicapper Jacko were locked in a battle for NAGA on each nine, the Pres exerting his authority and taking out both titles!

	A slow start for the champ	Out of trouble after branching off the fairway (again!)

Plenty of hearty cheer ensued around the outdoor restaurant table after the game, notables being the Elvis music and the cheeseless cheeseburgers.

Back at the clubhouse it was very relaxing . . . for some . . .

. . . but the evening meal was a curry lovers rite of passage. Brilliant servings of Squancey's Chicken Korma and Chris's Beef Rendang accompanied by rice, raita and pappadams washed down with fine reds and the amber fluid was a show stopper, garnering curry's top culinary award – the TJ Tick of Approval. The kitchen hand was also worthy of a mention.

And the days winners were . . .

First 9 1st Tom 18 points 2nd Ronzo 16 points 3rd Dalbs* 15 points *On c/back from Walks

Second 9 1st Tom 21 points 2nd Walks 19 points 3rd Phil 19 points

. . . as well as the NAGA winner . . . get a load of the prizes!! Litts was too good on both nines.

A feisty AGM was held with many issues discussed and many decisions arrived at (go figure). The Minutes

Tuesday 23 August – Capel
Weather perfect and course in great condition with greens fast but true. Tom looking the goods with 39 points from Sanctuary with Walks next best on 34. Little Master looked vulnerable early with 4 points over 4 holes but gushed over the remaining 5 – all 3 pointers for 19 points matched by Squancey who was engaging in long putting heroics and executing 3 "Little bounces" when the bush looked like swallowing up his ball. Walks went bush managing only 8 points but the first 9 belonged to Litts (20 points) with great shot making from tee to green and deadly with the pitching iron early. It was an interesting tussle between the only two candidates for the title over the second nine with Tom scoring consistently early while Squancey was hot and cold. After 7 holes, Tom led by 1 point but could only manage 1 more to Squancey's 4 but the Little Master had just done enough.

Kangaroo audience everywhere		Stumped

Phil and Walks had a day to forget (both 19 points) with Jacko (always seeking to eliminate the bad shots and was kept busy!) and Dalbs (second 9 NAGA and a lost 3-wood) little better each with 20 points. Litts couldn't maintain the rage but still made double digits while Ronzo just couldn't get the pace of the greens with too many short putts missing by "that much".

Heading out	Heading home

Back at the ranch and tired bodies were rested before the traditional Black Tie Dinner of Scotch fillets, sausages, onions, corn on the cob, potato mashed to perfection by Tom and peas. Squancey's apple pie and ice cream cleaned the palate and made the perfect finish to a sumptuous meal. We're becoming galloping gourmets!

And the Capel winners were . . .

First 9 1st Litts 20 points 2nd Tom 19 points 3rd Squancey 19 points

Second 9 1st Squancey 16 points 2nd Tom 14 points 3rd Ronzo* 13 points *Absent - asleep

The 2022 Winter Trophy Podium . . .

1st TOM 54 points 2nd SQUANCEY 52 points 3rd WALKS 45 points CONGRATULATIONS TOM!

There was only one lowlight during the event – Phil's fall coming out of the shower. Though at first he seemed to be relatively OK, subsequent tests revealed broken arm bone in two places and a dislocation (OUCH!).

Tom reflected on the event and was keen to pay complements to:
– Litts for the fantastic 12 page program and Welcome Pack; and the effort put into organising courses;
– the Master Caterers who continue to excel, producing something a bit different but always delicious
– Walks for handling the finances with aplomb
– Ronzo for the many things he does before and after the event; and
– Phil Hipsley (the Fall Guy) for gracing us with his company which we really enjoyed
and to express the fact that Les and Lindsay were missed.
Tom was thanked for not doing anything . . . apart from organising fantastic prizes, medals, checking cards, recording scores, etc, etc

Wednesday 23 August
The traditional buffet breakfast (bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and hash browns) was yet another drawcard. And Ronzo had the last word . . .

Jacko – presented with a spatula for food services rendered;
Litts – his first favourite photo* buggered buggied. [*as adjudicated by the higher authority at Felstead Cres]
All – a ruler which, until recently, tracked the Rulers of England. With Queen Elizabeth II's recent demise, a new ruler was required. And this simple wooden object has become a metaphor for recent change in how the Binningup events are ruled – we now have the DoG!!
All – each talked to the President's significant contribution to the event (you can imagine the embellishments) after which said President (blushing) unfurled a humongous-sized Presidential flag (too big for the pic to fit on this page).

And, as they say, all good things must come to an end . . .

IT WAS A SUPER WINTER WEATHER SPECIAL EVENT