Final round - The Result is....

Saturday 5/2/11 The third and final round of the Southern Ports Tournament has been played and I managed to play a credible round finishing with a gross 84, nett 69 and 31 putts at Beachport. The weather was a little better than I expected and again the trip up to play the course the day before paid off. As ordinary club golfers the fact is checking out a course beside the home track prior to a round is not an option in most cases. The whole preparation I put in for the 2011 Southern Ports was based upon actually doing as many of the pre game actions that professionals do to be consistent and successful. It took a lot of time and even drew some comments from others that I was overdoing it.




The proof is in the final result, went from playing in “C” Grade in 2010 off a 22 hcp, finishing runner up in the Southern Ports tournament. In 2011 played off 16 to begin and dropped a stroke to 15 after the second round. After 54 holes had a gross score of 260 and tied for first place with a “bolter” from another golfer who had a 74 gross (played to a 6 hcp while on 18) nett 56 in the final round. That is a sensational score and in the play off I lost on the second hole Par 3 when my shot went left to just off the green and my opponent put his a metre from the pin. Birdie beats a par every time and for the second year in a row I have came runner up in my grade for the Southern Ports Tournament.



It is with a lot of happiness that I can say all of the effort was well worth the time put into it. Winning would have been nice and considering that I was producing a documentary on the Tournament anything less than a top two placing would have been a bit of a let down. It was interesting to receive some critique after the first round 93 that I had been “heading for a fall” because of talking up having a crack for so long prior to the tournament. That is something that I cannot understand, my confidence and self belief in how I was going to perform was totally focussed. None of it was from an ego driven basis, all of the belief came from having put in the time preparing to play at my best in a given time frame. The only addition to my practising from the previous years was a much better short game routine and a smaller target area for the long irons on the range. There was no performance anxiety affecting my game, (if anything and this is not an excuse) unexpectedly having to start the field and going from hitting off in the first group to the last group is the only thing which outside of playing golf influenced my mind set. On the mental side which was non existent in my game previously, now a 100% believer in the “Picture the balls flight and landing on a target”. Imagination is a vital part of my career, that it actually works in playing golf as well has been pointed out countless times. It was not a conscious effort, this just happened during the round at Kingston, even as I write this at the minute the feeling of satisfaction from the memory of the first few “Pictured” shots is a pleasure.



Tonight is the presentation dinner and I am on bar duty and will be getting the final film footage for the documentary as well. It will also be great fun having the final chats and laughs with the many golfers who are new friends after playing with and among them during the Tournament. That is another of the reasons why this tournament had 440 players in its 36th year. The camaraderie is one that only other golfers can imagine, a competitive sport that is as cruel as it is wonderful nurtures this bond of unity in a common cause. Thankyou for your time and attention. “Hit ‘em Straight all”Geoff

Third round Southern Ports ....

Friday 4/3/11 Starting today refreshed and full of beans after an early night and a fitful sleep. Did have to field one phone call with a bit of diplomacy when asked to be a spotter at the Robe course prior to heading off to Beachport and playing in the final round. Generally helping out at the club is not a problem with me, and if it must be done then that is okay to volunteer. In this case though being in 2nd place and after 3 months of preparation for this tournament I really don’t need to add a distraction to my pre-game focus. There is a part of me that can see this as being a bit ‘precious’ yet with the years of live performances behind me I know how much establishing and sticking with a sensible routine without distractions prior to doing a gig works.




Not like there is a sheep station riding on the result, mostly pride and satisfaction, not to forget I am also producing the documentary on the tournment this week as well. Already a winner this week picking up two pair of Greg Norman golf pants for $25 each at the Pro Shop clearance, so I even look like a half decent golfer on the course now. The prize for winning the Nett at Kingston (67) on Wednesday was a new wallet. Considering that my old one was falling apart and should have been replaced a year ago, I am a very happy fella at the minute.



Hit around 7 holes at Beachport yesterday and worked on a game strategy for today. Again trying out the greens alone made the trip well worth it. Definite change in their pace from a month ago, they will be cut again for today an opportunity for putting disaster has been forewarned. The Beachport greens are quite rough and bouncy not the smooth surface of most courses in the region. So a 2 m putt can be a challenge and going for the hole is usually the best approach. Being faster now and a little smoother in my experience yesterday, softer lagging putts are going to be my tactic on the first 3-4 holes. Playing with caution and setting up a good round at the start.



Time for some sensible percertage golf is all, no need to open the gates and risk blowing out the numbers. The weather is a cooler day than Kingston, the course is closer tro the sea and the air is going to be heavy. Which as I found out yesterday playing a club up from Kingston to get the same distance is needed. Being only one stroke behind the leader myself and 6 of us on 175-181 gross, today will be a hoot of a challenge.



Fair dinkum this serious golf game preparation gives me a brain ache dear readers. Had great fun with the whole experience of Southern Ports from starting training in November to now. Thankfully I do not have to do this every week to put food on the table, if I did two minute noodles would be my staple diet for certain lol. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”



 Geoff

2nd Round Southern Ports - On Target....

Thursday 3/3/11 Played the second Southern Ports “B” grade round at Kingston SE yesterday, getting my score back on target. A benign day weather wise, the wind dropped from the practise nine a day before. The putting experience on Kingston’s greens was a definite bonus for Wednesday and was the deciding factor in the improvement. Finished with an 83 off the stick and 30 putts for the day, second place in the gross and first place in the nett by one stroke respectively. The result yesterday took a stroke of my handicap, now on a playing handicap of 15. A total of 3 strokes reduction since the preparation began in November 2010. As all the advice given on improving golfing ability refers to, it is practising the skills not knowing about them that makes the difference.




With one round to go on Friday at Beachport the leader board has the top 6 ranging from 175 to 181 gross. The top 12 score range goes out to 183 and even with an eight stroke variance seeming improbable to be made up the variables that can affect the end result can be significant. First is the weather, this is a coastal region and if the wind does come up the influence on the play is significant. Playing on another different course, whose greens are markedly different to the previous two is the second easily identifiable influence. In my case having played on all the courses, still not leaving anything to chance, going to Beachport and playing 9 holes today. Last trip up the greenkeeper was considering cutting the greens lower and having spoken with a couple of Beachport golfers this week that has happened and it is very different to a month ago.



Yesterday I made a particular club choice change using the Sand wedge for in close pitching instead of a Pitching Wedge. This was a successful decision wit the ball pulling up well and not running off the green as happened to several times to my playing partners. That club choice was the result of the practise round the day before. Also considered playing the #3 Wood and no driver if the wind was too strong which did not happen. The other significant benefit of the day before round was in my club choice for second shots on par 4’s especially. The course played a lot shorter for me than previously, using a 7 and 8 instead of a 5 or 6 on the par 4’s (and 5’s) this would not have happened until after several holes had been blown out otherwise.



Being a happy club hacker is my usual nature in golfing experience, even with the competitive nature of my game that exists always. Having put all the effort in again for this year’s Tournament is delivering results and luck has little to do with my current placing. I have relied upon the improvement gained out of practise to get this far and had a hoot. Friday will be the same and apart from doing the best I can as a golfer swinging his sticks and researching the course and conditions, luck is not even being considered as a significant factor. Thankyou for your time and attention “Hit ‘em straight all”Geoff

2011 First Round Southern Ports played at Robe...

Tuesday 1/3/11 Got myself around the course in a reasonable state at the end of the days play. After sending off all of the groups for the day I finally got to start my round at the end of the field. It was not my expected tee off time nor doing the starters duties which did distract me a little. Finishing the day with a gross 93 for a nett 77 with 35 putts was not the planned result going for an 88-90 was the target. Four bad drives added an extra 4 shots to my score. That said the errors were very small and the choice to use the driver and not the #3 off the tee was correct the wind would have ben a distraction and trying to hit too hard would have been the rsult. The opportunities were there to make them up and unfortunately my putting was so close yet a miss is a miss. Golf is not a game of “if only” for me and the score is not a disaster, Robe being the course that can destroy a golfers chances was reasonably benign on the day for me.


Played with last years winner and we tied at the end of the day and the 2010 runner up is 3 shots behind us. The winning score of 85 for a net 66 (19 hcp) was a good effort from a golfer on his home course, second with 90 (20hcp), 3rd on 91 (20hcp) and fourth 90 (19 hcp) shows that the gap can be made up in the next two rounds. Not easy of course but what better way to play than with a challenge to urge me on, while testing my limits.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse today with the wind stronger than Monday, which was for Robe almost enjoyable being out in a round of golf being played. Kingston and Beachport are courses I play with confidence on and as always enjoy walking around. Went to Kingston SE today and played the Front 9 to get accustomed to the greens and refresh my memory for the club and shot selections. With a score on the board now it is possible to set down the targets and see if I can deliver.

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Monday 28/2/11 Southern Ports Tournament begins for me today, 440 golfers are registered for the week to play in the various events. Saturday and Sunday my practise was limited to an hour each day. With social commitments getting precedence over golf for a change, the break has been very refreshing. Yes golf is fun and relaxation for me not a be all and end all of a sporting obsession. Added to the fun is that the Handicap winner of 2010 (runner up by one stroke in the gross also) is my old cricket captain and he had some fun sledging me at dinner Saturday.



Make no mistake it was all very serious he is one competitive champion to come up against, instead of being on the same team this time. It is almost a case of teacher and pupil meeting on the sporting field, after playing in 3 consecutive cricket premiership teams under his leadership taught me a lot about playing to win. His first sledge thrown was, “he asked to play in the same group as me but the organisers said I had asked not to be grouped with him.” followed by “last few weeks of practising have ended up with throwing clubs around it was so bad.” Which means to me he has been practising, and the look in his eyes when telling me that “he missed winning the gross championship by one stroke in 2010” has not been forgotten.



Over the period of dedicated practise, the B grade status of my game by handicap is confirmed. That is not a disapointing it is the reality of the standard my game has improved to over 12 months. Enjoying golf for me is playing 3-4 times per week, practising pitching regularly and the rest iregularly. How little time I dedicate to practising usually shows in that the past 3 months has given me blisters and callouses on my fingers. Today is the beginning to see if I can get value from the practise in another competition. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em straight all”

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Wednesday 23/2/11 Golfers come in to play the game with different attitudes depending on personal choices. Some are purely social in their approach, enjoying the walk, camaraderie and the competitive challenge is not a major influence on their game. Others are committed to the competition aspect of the game being part of the pleasure derived from being on the course as well as the social aspect. For me the ability to travel and play in Club Opens as well as club championship, monthly medals is a definite part of my golfing enjoyment.

If it was not for competitive golf, there is no way I would have gone through the dedicated periods of practise to improve my game. The improvements have now made me realise that a decision is soon going to be required on “how much more golfing can I do?” Writing my golf diary yesterday was the first time this thought has came to my attention. This time last year having reached a 22 handicap and played a couple of 17 hcp rounds, the reality was that my golf was very basic ability. Today my 16 handicap and having played to 12 a couple of time and broken 80 in a social round recently the improvement is at a level of a competent average golfer.

This recent improvement has came from 3 months of preparation for next weeks Southern Ports Tournament. I have done this twice in the past two seasons and had major handicap drops as part of the goal to play better golf. By listening to other golfers and other research (okay I am an obsessed golfer) After this tournament I am going to have to look seriously at how much time I can dedicate to practise in the future. It is not about lack of time available, more so to get myself a grounded approach and not start floating off with the clouds. Ambition, desire, dreams, ability and capability are all topics that need to be defined and acted upon. This week I caught up with a guy from primary school days who is now a successful professional golfer, twenty odd years since last catching up and yes we talked golf. I remember the amount of practise it took him and the commitment, and yes I did wish I had the same support to chase the golf dream. Which is partly why now I have the time and ability to play golf again I am so dedicated.

Fortunately I have a career which allows me to incorporate golf into my creative output and performing. Which is far better than when I used to do the same with beer and partying in my performing. Even so there is a limit and that is better off being considered in the near future than letting it slide until a crisis point is reached. The key is for me to use what I have observed among other golfers and picked up from reading to be aware of the realistic standard I can reach as a golfer. My off the cuff comment 3 years ago to my friends was, “be happy to reach 15 and I would like to get 10 hcp”. Having now arrived at an entry point to the first target, making the plan for the future is now due.

Today while putting in the hour with irons and #3 Woods, keeping tuned up and maintaining the standard reached of late, the #1 Driver was given a try for the first time in 3 weeks. Satisfied to play without the Driver next week in light of recent great scores without it in the bag. That is no reason to discount using a club that gives me 30-35m extra off the tee. The results from 15 balls hit was 10 in the target area, will persist during the week and if the standard improves will be looking at the Driver going back in the bag. Working on the “less is best” principle and only using the driver 5-6 times in a round off the tee at the minute. Thankyou for your time and attention, “Hit ‘em Straight all”



 Geoff