Well and truly overdue, but really the first chance I've had since getting home....
First and foremost, a massive and hearty congratulations to
JoeS, the 2020 OZGolf Victorian champion!!! You had a massive week with us, bookended quite nicely by opening with 42 points at Heywood, and finishing with 26 points through 14 holes at the Hit and Giggle Cobden on Monday. 40 points on Sunday at PF was nothing to sneeze at too. Well done! (I did also have to laugh when it was mentioned on Monday that Joe was likely to win more trophies in a week than 3 of the other guys combined in their lives, can't remember who they were sadly...)
Well done also to
Ron Burgundy, who came as close as anyone yet to backing up and doing the back-to-back. A commendable effort that save for a loose shot or three on holes 12 - 14 at PF could've seen him walk this in again.
On to my thank you's now, and as every year my first cab off the rank is
Courty. Helps me massively in the lead up with the fine intricacies of a Google Spreadsheet, but also constantly offers to do anything else that is required. Couldn't do it without you bud.
To
SundayHack in the manufacture again of a fine array of trophies, I know mine certainly take pride of place on the buffet and trophy shelf at home and I'm extremely grateful for the work you do with them. For also running the birdie comp, I know it can be a pain chasing guys for cash, but it obviously all goes to a great cause, so thanks for the work you do with this. Great bit of fun, also.
Congratulations to
Dotty and the Union Uncivil War team, that now makes it 4 in a row for a score of 5-3. Thank you to all for participating in the premier OZgolf event, and taking it all in stride the way you do. It's THE day on the calendar I look forward to most, and to see it still being taken as seriously and competitively, but also light-heartedly as it is, well, it gives me the feels guys and gals....
Thankyou again to
AndyP for graciously accepting the move of sides to even the teams out, it made life so much easier for me. Commiserations to
SundayHack who in all likelihood was marching on to what may have been the biggest Uncivil War win yet before God took pity on thine Confederates. Commiserations also to me, who got bent over and arse-raped but in all honesty, probably should've lost his match despite the 39 points. It was particularly ironic that the only thing that kept me in the match was Ron missing short putts.
To
3PuttPete for the pizza order on Friday, thank you so much for taking that off my hands, there's no way I'd have been able to muster that on top of the other stuff so it was greatly appreciated. You know how I feel about you little buddy....
To
Bushy, benno_r and Courty, thank you so much for the pre-champs (and post, too) experience, your love for the game is so close to being infectious, if any group of guys was ever going to get me back over the line from #hater4lyf it'd be you guys and that second 9 barefoot at The Cups with the mini games was the most fun I've had on a golf course in a LONG time. Still a #hater4lyf though, sorry.
It's not a normal thing to do but I need to thank
Peter_rs and Shazza_rs for making the journey in the end. They had a lot of stuff going on pre-champs and it would've been so easy to pull the pin and say it was all just too hard. Thank you guys, it means a lot that you made it, and of course keeps alive your attendee streak. We're still the Fabulous Five.
Pickles, for taking it all in your stride mate, we may have been a little brutal there at stages so I'm glad to see you still come out with a smile on your face, and a promise to come back next year. Guys that can take the crap like that make trips like these. (And we've all been there, so don't worry about that). Hope you can make it back next year and pass on that pink monstrosity to someone more "deserving".
A big thankyou to
EVERYONE who travelled for this event. It's hard enough to get blokes to come to Melbourne, let alone get them there and then drag them 4.5 hours into the countryside where Ivan Milat would feel right at home. Showing off my hometown(s), my memories as a kid growing up, and then also being able to share my parents and friends with you meant a hell of a lot more than I thought it would. I appreciate all your words and patience with me over those 3-5 days.
I feel like I need to thank the
NSW guys too, not for any one particular reason, but just their attendance to me feels like a massive thing. And to the
late entrants / confirmations, I do wish to thank you for your efforts to get here. With only weeks to go there was AndyP, Johnno, Peppas, Slug, RightyHoges and Chappy all looking likely to not be here. A group of 20 is a hell of a lot more fun than 14, so cheers for making your big efforts to get here.
My biggest thanks of all go to
MrsLeftyHoges, who I really cannot do this without. The hours spent helping me sort my shit into some sort of organised chaos, the creation of what I believe to be the
worlds best NAGA vests, help with prize envelopes, NTP labels etc, and just generally being the most supportive person going, thanks to her so much for everything she does.
To anyone I've forgotten, thank you, just because I don't remember it now, doesn't mean I don't appreciate it.
Another post will shortly follow this one, but I want to keep that seperate from this to show you my true appreciation. I do get a massive kick out of seeing you guys having a great time, and that most will say it's THE trip of the year for them tickles me just right.
And as always any feedback regarding any aspect of the trip will be taken on board, so if you do have any hints / tips / suggestions / criticisms / complaints please feel free to air them, or to speak to me privately. You know where to reach me.
Much love,
Lefty