Despite an overcast morning Wednesday 15th November turned out to be a scorcher for the Plate�s first trip to Chamberlain Park. It would be the first time the Plate has been played for over a full 18 and Buckley, Duncan, Eley and Williams were relishing the opportunity to be involved. With the shield currently being held by Buckley the challengers were a little nervous fearing that the longer course would suit Buckley�s big hitting game. As a result a handicap system was agreed upon and Buckley was to give 8 shots, Duncan 4 and Williams and Eley would do their best.
It was Eley that took advantage of the extra shots and despite only hitting irons managed to stay straight enough to complete the course in a solid 87 (an 11 shot improvement from an unofficial round Williams and Eley had played earlier in the week), 3 shots behind Buckley on the card, who came in second when the handicaps were added. Duncan and Williams tied for last on the scorecard but Duncan takes the wooden spoon when the handicap is accounted for.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable round that was competitive and led to further disappointment for Duncan still one of the only regular competitors yet to get a win. Pre round pies and the reduced price post 4 o�clock tee off time will surely result in the shield returning to Chamberlain in the future.
Scores Card: Clinton 84 Jon 87 Gerard 94 Dave 94
With Handicap: Jon Clinton Dave Gerard
Ellerslie on Friday 17th November paid host to the Shield once again and it was a pleasure to welcome an original tour player Cornes back in the fold and a newcomer, the first SA to play for the Shield, Coetzee an unknown entity to join Duncan and Eley. The weather was again a pleasure as the skies cleared for the early tee off time and the course was rammed with a large queue on the first. It resulted in the Plate Competition moving straight to hole 2 and this seemed to affect the Metronome�s (Duncan�s) timing and performance.
It was Cornes that led the early running striking the ball cleanly with his favourite seven iron and hitting the first 3 greens with consummate ease, unfortunately his putting game was lacking and kept him close enough to the chasing pack. Eley was confident that Cornes� game would begin to crumble and the steady unflappable Eley would take advantage when given the chance. Coetzee started a little erratically but towards the end of the round was striking the ball cleanly and beginning to get to grips with the putter. The potential was highlighted further when he almost holed a birdie on the last but stroked home the par putt to level the doubles game. Eley was unreachable by the last but there was fierce competition for second place with Cornes and Duncan tying going in to the final hole. Duncan who hadn�t looked happy all game hit the green and Cornes had a shocker landing his tee shot closer to the first horse jump than the flag! He managed a good second though and putted out for a respectable 4. Duncan had two chances to claim second place but the Metronome failed to capitalize missing both and then having a two footer to half, his nerve, like his swing left him as well and he lipped it, much to the pleasure of Cornes who was seen clenching his fist and was heard to say Whhheeeyyy! Duncan left the course an unhappy man and vowed that the game was ruining his confidence, will he ever get his name on the plate?
Scores Jon Russel Gerard Francios
