On Saturday 28th September 80 players set out on a perfect Spring Day aiming to win the third playing of the Neil Watson Tray – an 18-hole Par event sponsored by Ron Birmingham, who also presented the Perpetual Trophy to the club.

Together with Tony Slee, joining Ron in the Sponsor’s Marquee Group were former Nedlands Club President, John Hopkins (1988 and 1989) and former Club Champion Phil McPhail (1981)

Neil Watson was highly regarded in the club and his service has been recognised with the Perpetual Trophy named in his honour.

Neil passed away in August 2021. He was 84 years old and one of the club’s longest serving members, having joined in 1953 as a junior member. He represented the club in Pennants over many years and won many Honour Board events with his “sweet swing. He was one of nature’s true gentlemen.

The inaugural winner of the Tray, Greg Polla (12 H’Cap), played and finished a creditable All Square and in equal 14th position.

The morning field was led by Julian Blythe (19 H’Cap) who after starting with a wipe reeled off an amazing 7 consecutive pluses and then 2 wipes in the next 3 holes saw him 4 up with 7 holes to play – another string of 4 pluses made him 8 up with 3 holes to play – a half then a loss and finishing off with his 12th plus for the day made him the clubhouse leader – 8 up. His card consisted of 12 pluses, 2 halves and 4 wipes.

Daylight was running second – 3 up. Of those the player with the best chance of catching the leader was probably Harry Alcock (23 H’Cap) who was 4 up after nine holes, but the next 6 holes proved his undoing with 4 losses and 2 halves – back to Square. To his credit he finished with 3 pluses and 3 up.

Joining him on 3 up were Tom Salter (13 H’Cap), Geremy Fatouros (11 H’Cap), who both came home with a rush – 3 up over the back nine. Then Calum Lindsay (11 H’Cap) who was 2up and 1 up.

So, what could the afternoon payers do? Well, putting it quite candidly “bugger all”!!

The best of the afternoon players was Kenji Nakashima (23 H’Cap) who had 5 pluses on his first nine, but this was undone with 3 wipes. He finished 2 up for the day.

And then there was Wayne Ovens (21 H’Cap) who had 5 pluses for the afternoon, but 4 wipes saw him sign for 1 up.

Former Club Champion, Phil McPhail (12 H’Cap) tried hard for 1 up but his score was “deflated” by 2 losses over the concluding 4 holes.

Bet Gross went to Callum White (2 H’Cap) – 1 up.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

Julian Blythe (19 H’Cap)                 8 Up

Tom Salter (13 H’Cap)                    3 Up

Geremy Fatouros (11 H’Cap)          3 Up

Calum Lindsay (11 H’Cap)              3 Up

Harry Alcock (23 H’Cap)                3 Up

Nicholas Winmar (11 H’Cap)          2 Up

Kenji Nakashima (23 H’Cap)          2 Up

Noah Keren [13], Nicholas Foster [16] Wayne Ovens [21] Callum White [2] Phil Mc Phail [12] and Ian Macdonald [11] were all 1 up.

Interestingly with 9 out of the top 11 players the age categories were–;

Juniors                            2 players

Intermediate (18-25)        2 players

Adults (25-35)                  5 players

Youth to the fore – great to see

Thanks once again to Ron Birmingham for providing the Perpetual Trophy and sponsoring the day.

Congratulations to our winner JULIAN BLYTHE

 

From Greg Fitzhardinge