The Sir Dallas Brooks Trophy

The Sir Dallas Brooks Trophy.

The Sir Dallas Brooks is a mixed foursomes event which has been played for since 1955. It is played in conjunction with the Victorian Mixed Foursomes and the Men’s and Women’s Foursomes. It has been played at the Metropolitan golf club in all but 2 years of its 60 year history when Metropolitan was having some course renovations completed. The event is open to couples with a combined GA handicap of 30.4. The event consists of 18 holes of stroke play for qualifying, followed by the top 32 nett scores, playing handicap matchplay. It is played over consecutive days from Tues to Saturday early in December, with the semi finals on Friday and the final on Saturday. This year Woodlands has had an excellent representation with the following members participating: Michael Sund – teaching pro at Yarra Bend Courtney Haddon from our Sunday Ladies Pennant team. Terry and Nadine Martin Gary Powerlett and Kay Mahlook Mike and Kathy Smith Michael Harvey and Monica Itschert

As always expectations were high, but alas only one of our groups progressed through qualifying, Michael Harvey and Monica Itschert (M and M) who finished with a nett 76 off a handicap of 13. There is no substance to the rumour that the slow play of the first 5 holes, which took over one and a half hours, was due to Michael’s putting process….it was in fact a number of lost balls and rules decisions with his playing partners but after a few sharp words form the Golf Victoria referee on the 6th tee things progressed rapidly. So to the match play rounds:

Round 1…..M and M came up against a couple with local knowledge who were members at Metro but were giving the Woodlands M and M’s 2 shots. The match report received by text from Michael went as follows:

1 up after 2, 5 down after 9, 5 down after 12…………………won on the 19th! A fantastic fight back after some early bunker troubles on the front nine and a very steady back nine as the opposition crumbled under the pressure.

Round 2. The opponents for this match were from Box Hill Golf Club and again the Woodlands M and M’s were receiving 2 shots. It is starting to look like Mike and Monica enjoy early pressure as they progressed to 3 down after 8, but a great shot by Monica with her trusty rescue, to 4 inches ensured a win on 9 followed by wins on 10, 11 and 12. Things were on the improve but a slip up and loss at 13 had things in the balance. 14 was halved and then they hit their straps with wins on 15, 16 and 17 to close out the match.

Quarter Finals. Mike and Monica were now facing a pair from Bacchus Marsh Golf Club for the quarter final who they played with in the qualifying round. No shots were given or received as both pairs shared the same 13 handicap mark. Play commenced at 8.16 on Friday morning with the weather continuing to play its part and providing warm sunny conditions. The Woodlands pair struggled early with a couple of missed putts and found themselves 2 down after 3. Some bunker troubles added to the problems and after 6 they found themselves 5 down. Monica then played a magnificent wood to the long par 3, 7th and a short putt for the birdie ensured the win. A good drive by Mike on 8 and a good wood by Monica saw them take an advantage on the eighth green. Monica drained a 25 footer for a birdie and another win…the fightback was on….. back to 3 down. The tenth was won after the opposition missed a short putt….2 down and eight to play. A great chip by mike saved the day on 11 and the hole was halved. The bunkers came into play again on 12 and although Monica played a great recovery shot from behind the green, the hole was lost. Back to 3 down. The short 13th saw the opposition find a greenside bunker but a stray tee shot put Mike in some undergrowth and he could only recover into the bunker. As the opposition got out and 2 putted for a four, our valiant pair couldn’t match them and had a five….four down and five to play. The par five 14th saw the opposition hit a ball into the right trees which they were lucky to find while 2 great shots by Monica and Mike had them in the fairway with a slight advantage. Mike’s approach found another of the greenside bunkers while the opposition managed to find the green in 4. An extra shot in the bunker, left a long putt which didn’t find the hole and unfortunately the dance was over !! Mike and Monica lost 5/4. A great effort to get to the quarter finals and congratulations to Mike and Monica on on managing 4 days of competitive play.

For any members interested the entry forms for this event come out in late September with a closing date towards the end of November. The cost this year was $110 per pair….an event well worth considering on a great course and a very nice lunch !!