Golf
20 June, 2025
Early start beats rising cold
How great is it to see that tinge of green back on our fairways in Rainbow?
Who knows: groundskeeper Nitschke might even have to get the mower out of the shed over the next few weeks.
Let’s hope he's had the battery on charge lately.
Last week Rainbow's fearless golfers had to endure the wet.
This week it was the cold.
And brother, was it cold.
That wind must have done several laps of Antarctica before seeking to freeze the brave men of Rainbow.
With most of the golfers looking like the iconic Michelin Man it was a wonder anyone could actually swing a club at all.
Six souls set out early.
Not sure what their plan was. but it would seem that it was a good call.
Not only did they all play pretty handy golf but the weather got colder as the day progressed.
Both Andy ‘Marto’ Martion and Rainbow's very own trophy hunter, Edo ‘The Mallee Mauler’ Edelsten, set the early clubhouse lead with scores of nett 69 and nett 70 respectively.
It was up to the later groups to hunt these great scores down.
And as it turns out, there was one man who was up for the challenge.
Taking full advantage of his intimate knowledge of the course from his tireless work making it look as great as it does, groundskeeper Nitschke bent the course to his will.
Helped by also being one of those rare Rainbow golfers who has been gifted a higher handicap by Pam ‘The Grim Reaper’ Clugston, Wayne played like the maestro that he is.
Just remember, Wayne, the Grim Reaper giveth and the Grim Reaper taketh away.
Also putting in a very commendable round was ‘FOO’ (Father Of Oscar).
Travis ‘The Brown Bear’ Clarke swung as freely and as hard as any man on this day and absolutely crushed some drives, especially his big bomb on the par-four sixth.
It was also pleasing to see Hamish ‘The Hammer’ Hollamby rediscover some form after a couple of torrid rounds.
Also on Saturday was the much-anticipated semi-final match between Dexter ‘The Smiling Assassin’ Dexter and Mark ‘Muddy’ Cocks.
Muddy had been keeping an ultra-low profile over the last few weeks, possibly hoping that age might weary the mighty Dexter, but it was to no avail.
It was certainly an epic match which eventually finished on the 19th.
And it was the older man who prevailed.
The Smiling Assassin is now through to the singles knockout grand final where he silently awaits his next victim.
So, it is only fitting to add another verse to the ‘Rime of the Ancient Golfer’.
It is he, the Ancient Golfer,
A legend to behold,
Who has cut down mighty men,
With a swing both strong and bold.
On Saturday, he took on one and all,
And met them with a steely gaze.
He struck that ball long and true,
Leaving his opponents in a daze.
In the semi-final he stood both tall and proud,
Ready to take on the fearsome ‘Muddy’.
But by the end of this epic encounter,
It was his opponent that was broken and bloody.
Next week is stableford.
Hope to see you there.
Till next week, happy hitting.
Scores – men: Wayne Nitschke – 79 – 13 - 66 (1st); Andy Martion – 82 – 13 – 69 (2nd); Marc Edelsten – 80 – 10 – 70; Stephen Leach – 78 – 7 – 71; Travis Clarke – 93 – 21 – 72; Hamish Hollamby – 102 – 30 – 72; Peter Gosling – 89 – 16 – 73; Col Gebert – 85 – 12 - 73; Mark Cocks – 91 – 17 - 74; Roger Smith – 96 – 20 - 76; Dexter Schilling – 114 – 36 – 78; Aaron Glen – 92 – 14 - 78; Rodney McLean – 94 – 15 - 79; Oscar Clarke – 123 – 36 – 87
NTPs: 5th Roger Smith; 10th Rodney McLean