MWSS GOLF

Game 156 ~ 15th December  2017~ Takapuna Municipal golf course

What an excellent way to finish a busy golf year, a great turn out for our last game of the year at Takapuna Municipal golf course. For many of us this is where our golf started, many a game that can only be remembered only in part due to an alcoholic haze. For Nat and I a little more as we lived there in the Greenkeepers cottage for 10 years on the back of the 12th green, contracted the maintenance of the course for 20 years, started our business based on it and even married off KT to Broomy on the course. It was good to be back, anyway enough of the nostalgia, there was 34 starters for the day and the course was set up for good scoring.


 

We had the usual pandemonium at the start line, but after some reshuffling we were into it. As I said the course was set up for good scores, probably due to the nature of the other groups on the course, most out for their work Christmas game, most loud, badly dressed and on their way to alcoholic bliss. For some reason we felt right at home.

The course was hard and fast due to some great weather, I was a little disappointed nobody drove the 1st, at only just over 280 Meters I thought I would have had my first longest drive marker on a green but Ferg just pulled up a meter short. It’s the good thing about Taka it leans towards easy but then there are those holes that can bite if you don’t hit straight this showed in the spread of scores that came in but over all the course gave up 12 scores over 40 points.

Back on the deck at the club house Broomy and Ferg took charge and sorted the cards into winners and losers, while the rest of us sorted drinks and re introduced ourselves to people we hadn’t caught at the beginning of the day. We had one Virgin to the the day, who I introduced, Jeff Bull who has been gifted the nick name Ferdinand, there’s some nostalgia, Ferdinand the Bull, Sunday stories 1ZB🤔.
Not a bad story delivered. We also sold off, started as an auction that ended in a grab fest, some bloody good MWSS shirts Bangers had kindly donated. A new rule not far way is that you must have something branded MWSS on unless it’s your first game.

Anyway to the prize table, Most putts  Boba, Lancey picked up the biggest score and lowest stabies, Longest drives went to Ferg and J Lo, Closest to the pin to Cowboy and J Lo. Winning team was Pissy, Maxy Otis and Hatt. The real winners wereMarvel with 27 putts on count back Ferg picked up the Shot with a 75, Coogs thought he had the game with 45 points but had to settle for the plate. The out right winner with $6 points was Hatts who had one hell of a  day out on the course

Formalities out of the way, the night is still young, so the majority that have nothing else planned head to Greenhithe to Nat’s house (I just keep the grounds) for our Christmas Dinner. Joined by partners this part of MWSS is a nice break from our normal. Many of the ladies have gotten to know each other well through the Hawaii tour and the 2 previous Christmas events we have had, but it seems the nature of the group is being inclusive, and that simply makes it work. Some great new friends made and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The finger food was excellent thanks to the ladies, the catered paella, seemed to hit the spot and the Minister of Alcohol, Ferg did an outstanding job of getting the right mix of wine and Beers.

So that’s that for 2017 another great year.

"Yes" I've been tasked with telling the 27 tales of what was another great MWSS Paleo day at my home course where the sun always shines, thanks to the karakia I performed that morning.

The tales begin with an acknowledgement to El President, because these days don't just happen and at a time when Rec Services have been dealt a low blow by Auckland Council "you would never know it'. I've worn the golf hat he wears and when you're required to change fours based on late arrivals and cancellation is not good for the blood pressure and you can kiss your golf game goodby then you have the post prize giving "well done El".

I didn't hear to many stories of good golf on the day, but words of discontent were being echoed along the the banks of the river holes and we were only half way through the 27 holes.

Then we had the four that was on such a mission to complete their round that they ignored the starter and played ahead of their start times leaving two confused and intimidated golfers in their wake. Having to concede to Winston Peters newly landed members of our Club, was too much for them and contagious as well, with one of our four yelling out and gesturing menacingly "where do you think you're going' only to hear back "whut yu sey". It was all good though when I apologised to them and explained that after 160 plus years you get use to it.... my Maori mate couldn't stop laughing.

He's a Hauraki Maori and he emailed me later that evening thanking me for a fab day "great guys, great aroha" and that's the hallmark of these days and that emanates from each and everyone who participates. I replied saying that I had to receive his induction bag tag and tell his first sexual experience story and it went something like this 'It is forbidden to disclose the name of the aunt that lured him into the forest to taste the fruits of kai teke at age 11, Aunt knowing he would be to scared to tell uncle or they would both get the bash" it's customary, early sex education, it's like a hole in one, but messy.  And for the unlucky ones it can lead to a cancerous tumour at the base of your tongue, hence the meaning of "tangata whenua". 

Last but not least my Maori mate wanted to know if our winner of the day with a score of 62 stablefords or more to the point 8 under his handicap was using the same counting system for his handicap as Tainui used back in the day when they had a corporate box at the winning Warriors! It's all a bit Grim! Well done boys!

Cheers

Chief

After months of procrastination and a steady depletion of brain cells through various unhealthy activities, I’m writing what I should have written many months ago. For those with better memories than mine, you’ll recall a certain Nelson trip in October (or was it September?) last year. Three courses were due to be played – Greenacres, Motueka, and then my own glorious track at Nelson, a day unfortunately washed out by rain. Good mate Boba, a man who’s seen the sense to leave Auckland for the mainland, rushed into action and organised the boys some indoor activities, including bowls, and a few beverages along the way.

However, my job from El Presidente BT was to say a few words about the Motueka experience and wrongly assumed that as a journalist I would be able to cobble together something meaningful. I really cant! But the fear of excommunication from the club has got me off my chuff and on to the keyboard. All I recall of the day is a helluva lot of fun with some really good fellas and I’m pretty sure that Bangers carried off the spoils. All I know for sure is that I didn’t. Looking forward to connecting with you fellas again soon.

EL Prez


Game 149 ~St Andrews GC ~ Tron Tour ~ 21st June 2017

The 149th game of the MWSS was played at St Andrews - unfortunately the Tron version - not the spiritual home of golf. BT indicated that's coming soon I'm told. After the furore of the previous day which saw Scooner from Puna take the honours, today it was all about Crazy's 100th game! Awesome achievement that - well done fella.  

Some other stats of interest. It was the MWSS' 149th game on our 64th course. We had 18 playing who had previously played 968 MWSS games between them. The average handicap was 14, which obviously was not high enough as the average Gross was 92, average stabies 31 and average putts was 34, but some leeway was allowable given the consumption the night before. Me thinks it could have been a lot worse if the Chiefs had of got up but they were average without their big guns.

The Most Putts was 41 by BT, while the Batting award went to Grandad on 114, who also secured Played like a Shella on 23 stables. To be fair he was out celebrating with other Lions supporters, was last to bed, snored like a fuckin' pig in heat, and almost missed the bus! All round good day for the Pom. The only prize worth competing for (apparently) was the Longest Drive on 1 - and went to our eloquent Master of Ceremonies 4 Door. Closest to the pin on 18 was Slim, with Scooner not collapsing totally from mysterious heights the day before taking away Glugs Mug with 27 putts.  

Chief had to leave early but was awarded the Plate in absentia with 35 stables, But the real trophies went to a delighted and vengeful Broomy who was shocked into action by Scooner's previous days performance and who played well for his 79 taking out Bangers shot and with 39 stables - the MWSS Trophy. Well done mate. A question was raised about the number of overseas games played by Broomy that were not used to impact his handicap but a wise man pointed out that BT played these games as well and that obviously has made no difference at all!
 

Ferg led the bus tour home with a well appointed Chilly bin - on ya mate.

 
Macca


Game 148 ~Walton Golf Club ~ Tron Tour ~20 June 2017
Location of some MWSS folk lore and legendary firsts
 

The MWSS Tron 2017 trip started ridiculously early that Tuesday morning with the bus leaving Porana Road at 6.30am heading for a game at Walton followed by a 10 hour beer drinking session that included the Chiefs Lions game...not a bad days work if you can get it!

Walton was a country gem of a course. It had 18 of the best greens you would find anywhere, all sorts of shapes and sizes, well protected by bunkers' elevations and hardly a flat putt to be found anywhere...just ask Bangers.

Of course being a Tuesday it was ladies day at Walton and as you would expect in the country they welcomed 24 of MWSS's best looking golfers with open arms. A shouted welcome from a green near to the club house that there is a cup of tea and some grits to start us off saw a plate of scones the size of a VW beetle covered in Waikato's finest butter accompanied by a couple of home baked date loaves consumed by the ravenous MWSS crew.

The weather was magnificent, the course run by 2 green keepers was immaculate and MWSS was well fed and ready for a big day. Now with such a build-up you would expect something special to come out of the day and we weren't disappointed.

In a year where Sergio finally broke his streak of 74 starts in a major without a victory it was fitting that an MWSS streak was finally ended at a glorious day at Walton. The bus trip down provided plenty of humour as always but it was a five minute roast of Schooner for not being able to get his hands on the trophy that springs to mind. In a glorious one fingered response to the roast he broke his drought and prevailed with 38 points and a smile a mile wide.
In another example of grit, determination' investment in new technology and even lessons El Presidente threaded the needle and pounded it 269 metres up 18 to take out the prestigious longest drive title at Walton. The rest of the field filed through shaking their heads as they looked at the card realising they can't kick sand in his face no more.

4 Door snagged Bangers shot' Glugs mug and the plate falling a stroke behind the mighty Schooner.

An entertaining frenzy of steak pies, toasted sandwiches and beers with the Walton ladies struggling to keep up with the MWSS pace was a prelude to the trip to town followed by a great session at the Speights bar, thanks to owner Aaron Pene' watching the Chiefs get hammered by the Lions' bugger...followed by another memorable session at the Speights Bar.



 

Finally at St Andrews Golf Club prior to the next day's game the elusive trophy was presented to an elated Schooner. Classic, 56 games later and he had his hands on the trophy for 5 minutes before El P was heard to say "that's it mate give me the fucking thing back"...good times, good times.

4 Door