Clare Golf Trip, 7 - 10 May 2023
Clare Trip 2023 Snippets and Report
The Clare Trip was again a tremendously enjoyable event with 40 attendees including 24 players. Clare Caravan park remains an excellent venue because of its accessibility from Adelaide via much improved roads, the variety of its accommodation offerings, and the amenities, especially the big shed and roaring fire for our Happy Hours, BBQ and presentations. As elsewhere, it is noticeable that accommodation prices are going up.
The meals provided at the Bentley Hotel on Monday night were of excellent quality and universally praised by the clearly happy Clareteers in attendance.
Needless to say, the several Happy Hours, formal and informal, were also cheerful gatherings with Northies, Southies and partners all relishing the chance to mingle and swap stories.
The major such gathering was the BBQ on Tuesday night preceding the presentations. In a change from previous years, the BBQ crews set themselves up at the BBQ's on either end of the Big Shed where the rest of us partied on, and even made use of the two pizza ovens to keep their products warm. Genius!
As well as being able to share in the tremendous atmosphere in the Shed, the BBQ teams set up at either end, hurled jibes at each other alleging their opposite's incompetence. In truth, both teams earned great praise for the quality of their cooking. AndyB's personal favourite was the hamburger patties which had tremendous texture and flavour and were cooked to perfection by Kerry Eichner's team. Chef Gavin Whitfield certainly knows his onions too!
Meanwhile, asbestos-hands Felice acted as go-between for the teams and took on the pizza oven duties handling the task of lifting hot trays in and out of the little furnaces. Neither team could've managed without the freely given advice of bystanders like Jim Betts, Graham Wharton, Donna Whitfield and AndyB but they probably had more appreciation for the Keith Spencers and Colin Kitsons who made sure that their thirsts were adequately quenched.
An abundance of fine side dishes were provided by members to accompany the BBQ'ed meats and to supplement the breads, sauces, wines, beer etc to produce a meal to be remembered. Great work all around.
The socialising was interrupted for some of us by a couple of rounds of golf so, not that anyone really cared, there was a presentation after the BBQ to recognise the efforts of the golfers. Dee Bennett's partner, Steve Draper, was the 36 Hole winner with 71 Stableford points ahead of Marianne Harding on 67 by countback from Pam Gardner also 67 points. Bottles of wine to each.
For all the Nearest the Pin Winners, the 18 Hole winners. the 9 Hole winners and all the runners-up, refer to the Clare Prize winners Results file available though the button below.
Rest assured, AndyB structured the prize giving for each Stableford competition to spread the awards around. You will find the Team Average Stableford score winners and placegetters there too.
Non-playing Keith Spencer relished the job of spying on the players to determine our NAGA winner. He was assisted by Ray Perrott on Monday and Baz Gardner on Tuesday, each of whom also acted as drivers to spare Keith's healing hip (and to spare him from Helen's wrath if he dared to over-exert himself).
Keith duly made an excellent report during presentations where he outlined some notable boo-boos and misdemeanours including the one where Dawn Delaney played a lovely shot on the 13th Hole from the grassy down-slope just in front of the creek-bed.
Sadly, Dawn didn't see it because her follow-through consisted of Dawn slipping off her feet to land legs-up, bum down on the wet grass. Nothing injured but her pride. Playing partners nearly hurt themselves though as they fell about laughing. Pam Gardner's warning, 'You'll get wet pants' was met by a rueful, but smiling, 'I know!'
Keith singled out Felice Zaina for special mention though. The 11th Hole runs beside a lake to the immediate right and the Clare Country Club Resort Motel further to the right. Both of which are out-of-bounds alongside what is a narrow fairway that is also fringed on the left by some substantial trees. The Mens Tee is tucked away in a nasty little corner with water and trees pressing in to close down the angles. Felice's first drive struck one of the overhead trees and several second later, was heard plopping into the middle of the lake. Felice's 2nd drive was a bright moment when he actually made it to the tight fairway. Unfortunately, the next shot was again into the water on the right. Undeterred, another ball was placed and badly sliced towards the Country Club where it narrowly missed some tourists, striking the waiting tourist bus!! Felice only lost three balls on this hole (off course was one of 6 scrubs for the day) Apparently, Felice decided not to retrieve that ball even though the bus owners seemed keen to speak to him. Instead, he elected to march promptly away to the next Tee block. In recognition of his sh*t golf Felice was awarded the NAGA and given a Toilet Golf Set that he can use in the loo for much needed practice.
Graham Wharton picked up an ugly green corduroy cap for his equally ugly shot that hit a tree 20 metres in front of him then rebounded to 60 metres behind him. Thanks Keith for the diligently gathered information. The players secretly enjoyed the extra fun of the visits from you and Ray and Baz and the opportunity to dob in their playing partners.
Dawn Delaney deserves another mention. This time it's for the things she got right. Well done Dawn for the detailed organisation and preparation that made the social side of our trip so successful. Quite rightly, Dawn would point out that she had plenty of willing helpers, including husband Tim, who has now actually become a social member. Well done Tim. Instead of being a much appreciated volunteer worker, you've just paid for the privilege of volunteering!
Seriously though, it has become a hallmark of our away trips that people pitch in wherever there's a need. It's a hallmark of our Club.
Well done everyone. There's no doubt about it, it is the combined events like this or Ashbourne, or the Monday away games, or the Dinners and even the footy tipping that draw us together that make us more than just a golf club. We become friends sharing experiences and enjoying life. And that's what we saw at Clare 2023.
Andy Brauer
The Clare Trip was again a tremendously enjoyable event with 40 attendees including 24 players. Clare Caravan park remains an excellent venue because of its accessibility from Adelaide via much improved roads, the variety of its accommodation offerings, and the amenities, especially the big shed and roaring fire for our Happy Hours, BBQ and presentations. As elsewhere, it is noticeable that accommodation prices are going up.
The meals provided at the Bentley Hotel on Monday night were of excellent quality and universally praised by the clearly happy Clareteers in attendance.
Needless to say, the several Happy Hours, formal and informal, were also cheerful gatherings with Northies, Southies and partners all relishing the chance to mingle and swap stories.
The major such gathering was the BBQ on Tuesday night preceding the presentations. In a change from previous years, the BBQ crews set themselves up at the BBQ's on either end of the Big Shed where the rest of us partied on, and even made use of the two pizza ovens to keep their products warm. Genius!
As well as being able to share in the tremendous atmosphere in the Shed, the BBQ teams set up at either end, hurled jibes at each other alleging their opposite's incompetence. In truth, both teams earned great praise for the quality of their cooking. AndyB's personal favourite was the hamburger patties which had tremendous texture and flavour and were cooked to perfection by Kerry Eichner's team. Chef Gavin Whitfield certainly knows his onions too!
Meanwhile, asbestos-hands Felice acted as go-between for the teams and took on the pizza oven duties handling the task of lifting hot trays in and out of the little furnaces. Neither team could've managed without the freely given advice of bystanders like Jim Betts, Graham Wharton, Donna Whitfield and AndyB but they probably had more appreciation for the Keith Spencers and Colin Kitsons who made sure that their thirsts were adequately quenched.
An abundance of fine side dishes were provided by members to accompany the BBQ'ed meats and to supplement the breads, sauces, wines, beer etc to produce a meal to be remembered. Great work all around.
The socialising was interrupted for some of us by a couple of rounds of golf so, not that anyone really cared, there was a presentation after the BBQ to recognise the efforts of the golfers. Dee Bennett's partner, Steve Draper, was the 36 Hole winner with 71 Stableford points ahead of Marianne Harding on 67 by countback from Pam Gardner also 67 points. Bottles of wine to each.
For all the Nearest the Pin Winners, the 18 Hole winners. the 9 Hole winners and all the runners-up, refer to the Clare Prize winners Results file available though the button below.
Rest assured, AndyB structured the prize giving for each Stableford competition to spread the awards around. You will find the Team Average Stableford score winners and placegetters there too.
Non-playing Keith Spencer relished the job of spying on the players to determine our NAGA winner. He was assisted by Ray Perrott on Monday and Baz Gardner on Tuesday, each of whom also acted as drivers to spare Keith's healing hip (and to spare him from Helen's wrath if he dared to over-exert himself).
Keith duly made an excellent report during presentations where he outlined some notable boo-boos and misdemeanours including the one where Dawn Delaney played a lovely shot on the 13th Hole from the grassy down-slope just in front of the creek-bed.
Sadly, Dawn didn't see it because her follow-through consisted of Dawn slipping off her feet to land legs-up, bum down on the wet grass. Nothing injured but her pride. Playing partners nearly hurt themselves though as they fell about laughing. Pam Gardner's warning, 'You'll get wet pants' was met by a rueful, but smiling, 'I know!'
Keith singled out Felice Zaina for special mention though. The 11th Hole runs beside a lake to the immediate right and the Clare Country Club Resort Motel further to the right. Both of which are out-of-bounds alongside what is a narrow fairway that is also fringed on the left by some substantial trees. The Mens Tee is tucked away in a nasty little corner with water and trees pressing in to close down the angles. Felice's first drive struck one of the overhead trees and several second later, was heard plopping into the middle of the lake. Felice's 2nd drive was a bright moment when he actually made it to the tight fairway. Unfortunately, the next shot was again into the water on the right. Undeterred, another ball was placed and badly sliced towards the Country Club where it narrowly missed some tourists, striking the waiting tourist bus!! Felice only lost three balls on this hole (off course was one of 6 scrubs for the day) Apparently, Felice decided not to retrieve that ball even though the bus owners seemed keen to speak to him. Instead, he elected to march promptly away to the next Tee block. In recognition of his sh*t golf Felice was awarded the NAGA and given a Toilet Golf Set that he can use in the loo for much needed practice.
Graham Wharton picked up an ugly green corduroy cap for his equally ugly shot that hit a tree 20 metres in front of him then rebounded to 60 metres behind him. Thanks Keith for the diligently gathered information. The players secretly enjoyed the extra fun of the visits from you and Ray and Baz and the opportunity to dob in their playing partners.
Dawn Delaney deserves another mention. This time it's for the things she got right. Well done Dawn for the detailed organisation and preparation that made the social side of our trip so successful. Quite rightly, Dawn would point out that she had plenty of willing helpers, including husband Tim, who has now actually become a social member. Well done Tim. Instead of being a much appreciated volunteer worker, you've just paid for the privilege of volunteering!
Seriously though, it has become a hallmark of our away trips that people pitch in wherever there's a need. It's a hallmark of our Club.
Well done everyone. There's no doubt about it, it is the combined events like this or Ashbourne, or the Monday away games, or the Dinners and even the footy tipping that draw us together that make us more than just a golf club. We become friends sharing experiences and enjoying life. And that's what we saw at Clare 2023.
Andy Brauer