2019 Year in Review

[Courty]

Copy & paste below with your answers
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How did you go?
.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
.

Did you play some great courses?
.
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Handicap
Started on: .

No. of rounds: .

Highest Handicap: .

Lowest Handicap: .

Finished on: .
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What are your goals for 2020?
.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
.

[Courty]

How did you go?
I played a lot of golf in 2019, but a lot of it was mediocre golf. I went through a purple patch earlier in the year where everything just seemed soooo easy, but it was only temporary. It did, however, last long enough to reach an all-time record low handicap in March.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
My goals were more consistency, and making the Club Champs top 16. The first one was achieved in the first half of the year but dropped away in the second half, which led to me falling short of the second goal.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
It went forwards, then backwards, but overall it was a slight win.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
See here.

Did you play some great courses?
Kingston Heath
Royal Hobart
Barnbougle Dunes
Barnbougle Lost Farm
Royal Queensland

---------------

Handicap
Started on: 6.2

No. of rounds: 91 in Golflink, plus non-handicapped Champs rounds, 4BBB, Foursomes, Ambrose & social rounds.

Highest Handicap: 7.0

Lowest Handicap: 3.4

Finished on: 5.4

---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
Same as before… consolidate the form a bit, and make the Champs Top 16

Got any golfing holidays planned?
VIC Champs in Feb, and a few rounds in the Caribbean & US later in the year.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
The VIC Champs rota, Cozumel Country Club (Mexico) plus hopefully Streamsong and maybe something in Las Vegas.

[AndyP]

Was there a 2019 goals thread?

[Courty]

Was there a 2019 goals thread?

linky

[benno_r]

How did you go?
Not working meant more practice and playing time. Overall went well - some major changes to the swing that work much better, but still don't own them as much as I would like.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Yes, after hitting anchor last year, wanted to be a solid singles player, which I achieved.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Forwards.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Got to play in my first A grade pennant. Played 7 against a 2 marker (off 7.7) and went down 2&1. Could have taken it down the last except for a nervy chip.

Did you play some great courses?
Yep - Cape Whickham, Barnies x2, and Elanora where real highlights.
---------------

Handicap
Started on: 13.5

No. of rounds: 108 in comp

Highest Handicap: 13.9

Lowest Handicap: 7.3

Finished on: 8.6
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
Get in the 6s and stay there.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
Vic champs in Feb, and Mission Hills Hainan Island Pro Am in April.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
RQ, Port Fairy, Mission Hills. Everything else is just a bonus.

[BUSHY]

How did you go?

Overall it was a great year for me, increased the amount of golf I played which I thought would be hard given the amount of work travel I did this year. Played some awesome rounds and some dog vomit but my love for the game has increased overall. I've really embraced the <14 ethos and everything that goes with that.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?

Yes/No, I reached my lowest ever cap this year, played the best golf I've ever played, had my best finish in both the Club Champs as well as the City of Cairns. Didn't finish in the top 16 in the Club Champs which is an ongoing goal- to reach the matchplay comp.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?


Definitely forwards. Had a period where I felt I was really really bad but my handicap reveals I was still playing great golf.


Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?


Vic Champs in Tassie was by far the standout for me. This next iteration promises to be even better with a great selection of courses and a setting that will only enhance the experience.

Did you play some great courses?


Kingston Heath, both Barnbougle tracks and managed a handful of rounds at RQ which is always a highlight for me.
---------------

Handicap
Started on: 7.9- was as high as 9.2 in November 2018

No. of rounds: 63 Golflinked- 30+ social

Highest Handicap: 8.3 (19th January)

Lowest Handicap: 4.4 (29th June and 18th August)

Finished on: 6.0
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?

- drop to a new low handicap (4.4)
- shoot underpar in a comp round (67 if I'm feeling good )
- finish top 16 in A Grade in the Club Champs
- Clean up in the Vic Champs Calcutta(again)

Got any golfing holidays planned?

Vic Champs extravaganza- 11-12 rounds in 9 days

Have a particular course lined up to play?

Really Looking forward to Port Fairy on the last day of the Vic Champs followed closely by St Andrews Beach.

[Matt 3 Jab]

Copy & paste below with your answers

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How did you go?
Terribly. Have lost a lot of the love for golf recently and playing more and more like an idiot each day.
.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
No
.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Backwards
.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Persimmon day with bitter and Ron Burgundy at Magenta, won a trip to Bonville which I haven't bothered to even use (it may have expired). Also a trip around NSW golf club with persimmons. A windy day with minor threat at Newcastle was my best ball striking all year.
.

Did you play some great courses?
NSW golf club always a highlight
.

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Handicap

Started on: 3.1

No. of rounds: 47

Highest Handicap: 4.3

Lowest Handicap: 2.1

Finished on: 3.4

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What are your goals for 2020?
Enjoy golf again
.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
Bonville if not expired
.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
Bonville
.

[LeftyHoges]

How did you go?

Meh. I'm finally able to play golf pain free in my ankle and knee, so I guess that's a win of sorts.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?

I don't really set goals like this, but a best finish in CoC and qualifying top 8 in Cairns Club Champs was a good start.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?

Handicap definitely says backwards, but I'm less yippy than last year / start of this year, back to hitting driver well, and once I get a clue of how to play anything short-game wise in FNQ I'll be back to neutral.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?

VIC Champs is always the highlight. Would probably be even better if I didn't have to play golf when I go.

Did you play some great courses?

Lost Farm, Royal Hobart, Port Fairy and Ratho Farm with hickories is great.

---------------

Handicap

Started on: 1.6

No. of rounds: 30 (holy shit!)

Highest Handicap: 3.8

Lowest Handicap: 1.6

Finished on: 3.4

---------------

What are your goals for 2020?

Not come across Matt Spilsbury in the club champs until the final. Be nice to shoot an under par round at CGC, had a number of even par already.

Got any golfing holidays planned?

Nothing spesh.

Have a particular course lined up to play?

Port Fairy is always great, and will be good to play some SA Metro courses prior.

[Halfer5]

How did you go 2019?
On reflection a good year, reached my lowest handicap ever in January while playing some great stuff. Then work went mental and my golf became sporadic and regressed a little. That said I played some great golf and scheduled in a dream 4 days of golf on a work trip which was fantastic.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Yes - achieved a lifetime PB and played 3 of my top 5 best rounds ever in a 4 day stretch. Handicap went slightly backwards but that’s not a reflection of the year.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Backwards by stats but zero practice & playing once a month will do that to you. High hopes for a turnaround in that department in 2020.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Playing Pinehurst #2 in a 5 ball with 4 Jupe boys and the music blaring as the sun was setting will live long in the memory.
Sleeping in my car to play Bethpage Black was a necessary evil but the game that followed with 3 New Yorkers was pure joy.
Best round of my life at Mid Pines where I shot 67 (-5) with 7 birdies including 4 in a row on a course that was just perfect.
The Cradle & Tobacco Road double header was the most fun golf day I’ve ever had.

Did you play some great courses?
Bethpage Black, Pinehurst #2, Mid Pines, Tobacco Road. Australia wise Elanora was a highlight.
---------------

Handicap
Started on: .
3.9
No. of rounds: .
27 rounds: 12 comp, 8 of those home & 4 at first time play
Highest Handicap: .
4.6
Lowest Handicap: .
3.3
Finished on:
4.5
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
Play more and set a PB of 3.2.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
Nope but off to Europe in August so will try to sneak in a game or 2. Will also be on work trips to Singapore and India so will try to get a game in when there.

Have a particular course lined up to play:
Royal Melbourne with my dad in April will be the highlight, off to Europe and will make a side trip home with TOC & North Berwick top the hit list. Will also try to squeeze in a game in Paris while visiting there.

[Grumpy8]

To be still playing golf is a bonus especially after being told to give it away a couple of years ago and having to take two months off this year . Rarely play pain free these days but having said that I achieved my lowest ever cap of 5.4 . Back stuffed up , two months off , came back and won a board event playing off 7 . No trips planned, usually don’t plan anything ahead of next week . No goals except to keep playing and maybe get my driving and putting back to a good standard

[Courty]

Responses added here.

[Hatchman]

How did you go?
Got out and played some Golf poorly.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Joined somewhere again in June so sort of an achievement. Didn't get out for 1 hit a month there like originally planned though.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Backwards

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Trip away for Loxton Open and S.A Champs were highlights.

Did you play some great courses?
Royal Adelaide and Mount Compass
---------------

Handicap
Started on:
7.3
No. of rounds:
7 Comp, 7 Social

Highest Handicap:
7.9

Lowest Handicap:
7.3

Finished on:
7.9
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
Blow out to plying off double figures and get shots on most Par 5’s

Got any golfing holidays planned?
Did but that looks like it has to be cancelled due to some bad luck a home requiring the $$ saved.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
That was covered with but now also stuffed up with above.

[backintheswing]

How did you go?

Started a new role working remotely and doing 7/7 so there is some big gaps between games. Only played about 6 different courses and nothing of any note.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?

Would have liked the handicap to have gone a fair bit lower, but with limited practice and play thats not going to happen.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?

Stayed about the same.


Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?

Birdie on the last at Capricornia to halve with PeteRS was about it. Piped a 3 wood over the back on the 500m par 5, and got down in 2 for a birdie.

Did you play some great courses?

Capricornia was the best and then Mackay.
---------------

Handicap
Started on: 3.7

No. of rounds: 51

Highest Handicap: 4.1

Lowest Handicap: 3.3

Finished on: 3.5
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?

Play better courses and get to 1.9 or lower. Then try to play a few senior amateur events.

Got any golfing holidays planned?

Going to Europe in July, so hoping to play St Andrews after going to the British open at Royal St. Georges.

Have a particular course lined up to play?

St Andrews hopefully.

[PerryGroves]

How did you go?
. Reasonably standard year, surprised at how little golf I played at my home course albeit I was out injured for the last couple of months.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
. Didn't have any specific goals for myself but wanted to see our course get better, so probably just got over the line on that.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
. Probably slightly back

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
. Some great trips away particularly to Scotland, NW England and the US

Did you play some great courses?
. yeah, if I could do a Courty I would attach the other thread
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Handicap
Started on: .7.2

No. of rounds: .35 Comp, probably the same "on tour"

Highest Handicap: .9.4

Lowest Handicap: .7.2

Finished on: .8.1
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
. Usual, stay on about the same handicap

Got any golfing holidays planned?
. Victoria GC in Feb, Ireland in June, Adelaide in July, Bonville in August and a couple of trips to the Gold Coast

Have a particular course lined up to play?
I've played a bit over there but we are going to Ballybunion this time so looking forward to that

[Johnny Canuck]

How did you go?

Another enjoyable year of golf. I don’t really practice, just play for enjoyment and if it goes well, that’s a bonus.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
I had a good time on the course, great success!

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
.

Big revelation at the end of the year. I’ve always been too armsy with my swing. I sprained my hand trail running at dusk and couldn’t hold the club properly as a result. Had to put big rotation into my swing to compensate. Horry sheet! What a difference. Feels like 10% effort and it goes better than before.

Need to tighten up my wedges. My game used to revolve around me recovering from trouble, need to be knocking down pins from inside 100m.

Big steps forward with a little step back.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
.

Winning Club Champs was a huge surprise for me.

Beat a long time nemesis (and a much better golfer) on the 73rd hole after being 4 back with 17 to play.

Did you play some great courses?
.
Not really. Pretty boring year course wise.

Played a few decent tracks in pennant, that’s about it.

Handicap
Started on: . 3

No. of rounds: . 67

Highest Handicap: . 3.6

Lowest Handicap: . 1.1

Finished on: . 1.1
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
.
Captain our pennant side to a successful season. We did well remaining in divy 2 last year; if we can pick up one more gun, we could compete.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
.
Would love to make Vic Champs one year when funding permits.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
.[/QUOTE]
Will be trying to get more rounds in at Kennedy Bay before they tear up the back 9 for housing.

[Dotty]

How did you go?
Filled in 6 hours twice a week, completely oblivious to the idiots at work.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Missed out on my PGA tour card again.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Forwards.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Won a few non-club events, including trophies honouring passed mates.
Best was 41, 41 and 44 points to win by 15 (and also beat half the field's 2BBB aggregates)

Did you play some great courses?
No, but fitted with a Epic Flash driver, so the mundane courses are more enjoyable.
---------------

Handicap
Started on: 10.7.

No. of rounds: ~100.

Highest Handicap: 12.3

Lowest Handicap: 9.6

Finished on: 9.6
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
Turn up, hit ball, have a chat and enjoy life.
Got any golfing holidays planned?
Vic Champs
A 'memorial' weekend, or two, with mates.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
Cabramatta, to see if I can finally get a score starting with '3'.

[jimandr]

How did you go?

I thought I had a good year. Then I actually looked at my record for the last year to compile this post. It doesn't look so good, but results aren't everything. I still like playing golf, so that makes it a good year.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?

See above. I still like playing golf. That's all I want at this stage of my golfing life.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?

Stayed exactly where I was. Which is a good thing. I'm a bit worried about getting on the slippery slope and not being able to get off, but I avoided that this year.
.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?

Regrettably, nothing related to my play. No holes in one, no eagles, no purple patches of form. I did hole a putt that I estimate at 110 feet. The longest putt I've ever holed. Best round: 40 points (3 over). Only 4 rounds (of 33) at 37 points or better. Doesn't sound like much, does it?

I did visit Wentworth for the British PGA in September (won by Danny Willet). It is the most visually beautiful course I've ever set foot on.

Did you play some great courses?

I only played one course, Ballina, the entire year. Some describe it as a hidden gem, but nobody calls it great.
.
---------------

Handicap
Started on: 5.5.

No. of rounds: 33.

Highest Handicap: 7.2.

Lowest Handicap: the start point of 5.5. I had a big chance to get under, with a string of 8 no flag rounds in a row, but I couldn't get that one low flag round in to do it.

Finished on: 6.0.
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?

I don't set targets any more. All i want to do is keep playing and enjoying it.
.

Got any golfing holidays planned?

Not playing. I am now a golf spectating tourist rather than a playing one. In 2020 I plan to view the Troon course under tournament conditions at the Ladies British Open in August. Prestwick is right next door, so if they'll let me I'll walk around it and take in the history.
.

Have a particular course lined up to play? No.
.

[AndyP]

I hate these apps and websites that are giving me reviews of my 2019 before it has even finished. It started weeks ago. Anyway, it is done now.

Last year:

What are your goals for 2018?
Like I said last year, I would like to play a little more, but only if my injury allows. I would like to test it out this week.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
I'm sure I'll do everything I can to go to the Qld Champs. If I happen to travel to Vienna in their summer this year, I should probably try to play golf there for the first time.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
No.

How did you go?
Well, I did played a few more comps than the previous years, but not as much as I expected. It wasn't until after mid year until I got back into golf again, and started playing on a regular basis. Unfortunately, my body continues to let me down, plus more travel, saw no golf in Nov/Dec.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Probably not, as I wanted to make golf a more regular part of my life again.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
That's hard to assess considering the lack of play. I thought once I played a few rounds, I would see some improvement in my play, but it didn't happen, and there was no consistency.

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Two come to mind.
The Qld Champs is always great fun, even with lower numbers. Also, the whole experience of a road trip, which I haven't done for a long time, was enjoyable.
The other was caddying for my 12yo son at Royal Pines for an ambrose junior event during the PGA championships. It is good to see him enjoying his golf, and I hope he keeps at it, so we can play rounds together in the future.

Did you play some great courses?
Royal Queensland was fantastic, and I was lucky enough to play it twice. Capricorn was good to play too. During the year I put a focus on playing some courses that I've never been to before, including nine holers. I may not return to some of those tracks, but it was good to experience them. The full list of courses played is at this link.

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Handicap
Started on: 6.1

No. of rounds: 5 comp rounds, which is the most since 2015. A bunch of non-comp rounds either by myself, or with others, like the Qld OZgolf Champs.

Highest Handicap: 7.1

Lowest Handicap: 6.1

Finished on: 7.1. No flags in my 5 comp rounds this year, extending the streak to 9 rounds. At least the handicap is moving now, and I wouldn't expect it to reduce any time soon. I stopped caring about the handicap a fair while ago anyway; it's just a number.
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
I've gotta get the body right before playing more. I don't think I will have goals regarding how I play, just making it something that I do on a regular basis.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
I've got my fingers crossed that I can play at the Vic Champs in February, plus the regular trip for the Qld Champs. Nothing on top of that.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
I'd love to play Port Fairy and Warrnambool as part of the Vic Champs. Besides that, I'll keep trying to visit different courses in SE Qld, although considering how dry things are at the moment, this may not show these courses in the best light.

[okitoki]

How did you go?
Good and bad year for 2019; stayed with my JPX919HM for the whole year, and have found my ball striking has improved this year with them. had a good Pennants season in terms of my game, but just didnt shine because I had some tough opponent, but it was good fun.
Hit a slump during May to November when I could not seem to hit my shots properly, which lead to lack of confidence every time I stood over the ball. From November I decided to play it smarter, took my FW and hybrids out of my bag as they were causing most of the issues, while I continue to use my irons.
Putting has been good as I have worked on my smoother putting strokes, and the shorter 4-5' putts. the number of 3 putts have decreased, which shows improvement on the cards too.

Finished the year pretty strong with a couple of good games. still lots to work on

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?

my goal for 2019 was:

What are your goals for 2019?
Learn how to chip and get more GIR; Get better with my green reading routine as I have missed too many hole-able putts
Another 10hdcp goal for the year

the GIR rates was pretty bad during my slump period. But have improved during the year which shows the increase in Putts; I guess this is more confidence on my iron distances to attack the greens.
my short games is still a WIP, with recent work on my pitching game improving, but I still need to work on the distance control for each wedges. Chipping has been up and down (haha) but i have improved on sticking the ball, but again it is the distance control. I need to remember the mantra of "A bad putt is still better than a bad chip" too.

Finished the year with a GA of 9.9; so nearly there.... I know I can play to low 80s, but it's just the mental game that is killing my scores.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
10 steps backward 1 step forward.

it has improved at the end, but still long way from what I am happy with.

Putting has improved a lot this year which i am very happy with.


Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Nope.... was a fairly average year with no major ups;

Did you play some great courses?
The usual courses in metro WA; didnt get to play anywhere else or anything with "Royal" in their name.

---------------

Handicap
Started on: GA 13.3

No. of rounds: 57 comp rounds not including Pennants game.

Highest Handicap: GA 14.0 (19/10/2019)

Lowest Handicap: GA 9.9 (26/12/2019)

Finished on: GA 9.9
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
Work on my short games on chipping and putting.
Improve my mental games to play below actual 10hdcp
Work on my swing.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
none at the moment

Have a particular course lined up to play?
nothing special yet

[3Puttpete]

How did you go?
Hit it, found it, hit it again. Sometimes I didn't find it and dropped one then hit that.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Yep, I enjoyed it.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Forwards

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
Vic Champs. That's it, that's the list.

Did you play some great courses?
Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm
---------------

Handicap
Started on: 13.8

No. of rounds: 43 in golflink so 60 ish all up.

Highest Handicap: 13.8

Lowest Handicap: 10

Finished on: 10.9
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
The only goal I ever set. To enjoy it.

Got any golfing holidays planned?
Vic Champs.

Have a particular course lined up to play?
I'm looking forward to Heywood and Cobden book ending the goat tracks in the middle.

[BUSHY]

The only goal I ever set. To enjoy it.

.

The best goal to have.

[markTHEblake]

Lefty, have you emigrated north?

[Webster]

Played about 110 rounds, mostly in the comp. Started on 1, finished on 1. Played first 8 months with modern clubs, last four with persimmon woods and no graphite. Won the club champs again. Was a good year.

[MAZA68]

How did you go?
Enjoyable year of golf, played a few new courses.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Don't really set goals, just enjoy it.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Slight improvement, brought about by a new driver

Did you play some great courses?
Glades

Handicap
Started on: 8.5

No. of rounds: 46

Highest Handicap: 9.5

Lowest Handicap: 6.6.

Finished on: 6.6

What are your goals for 2020?
Play more new courses around the country

Got any golfing holidays planned?
No

Have a particular course lined up to play?
​No

[Peppas]

How did you go?
Went OK considering. Did a trip to King Island in January the weekend before going in for an ACL recon. 6 months of rehab with no golf before getting the all clear to start hitting balls again. Joined a new club (Livo) in August and started chopping it again. It's good to be back with a better appreciation of just being able to physically play.

Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve?
Sure, I got back on the golf course.

Did your golf game go backwards or forwards?
Probably backwards

Are there any outstanding experiences from the year, that you'd like to share?
King Island, definitely. Winning a full ham and breaking my handicap at Livo comes 2nd.

Did you play some great courses?
Ocean Dunes, King Island, The Lakes, Barwon Heads, Curlewis, 13th Beach, Elanora, Mount Compass, Royal Adelaide, Liverpool

---------------

Handicap
Started on:

13.4

No. of rounds:

28 comp rounds, probably a few other social or non comp rounds

Highest Handicap:

15.1

Lowest Handicap:

13.4

Finished on:

13.6
---------------

What are your goals for 2020?
Continue to enjoy being out on the course, win more lunches

Got any golfing holidays planned?
Possibly a hunter valley trip

Have a particular course lined up to play?
Nope