James Bigglesworth (Biggles to his pals) was a real Boys Own hero of the highest order. A fighter pilot in World War One and Two, Biggles flew Sopwith Camels, Hurricanes and Spitfires.
Biggles shared his adventures with a regular team of pals: Algernon (Algy) Lacey, Ginger Hebblethwaite and Tug Carrington. Of course he had a lady interest too, the beautiful, talented and mysterious Stella Carstairs.
Biggles, it goes without saying, was a flying ace, capable of incredible feats of skill. But he had his share of misfortune too. He was shot down eight times while doing silly things with his joystick.
In many ways the Biggles stories (written in the 1930s by Capt W.E. Johns) are a mirror image of our own heroes and heroines in the high altitude of Friday Club's division one competition. A lot of excitement, skill, atrocious judgement and colourful language.
This week Dave Ronald got to play the part of Biggles. Like James Biggleworth, Dave is a bit of a gambler (takes his chances), gallant (helps old ladies across the road) and exuberant (little happy dance when he makes a long putt). He's also brave and stoic ("don't worry Algy, it's only a flesh wound, I'll be okay. You fly on and help the others").
This week Dave was again troubled by a recurring back injury, but he shrugged it off and played through the pain barrier, much to the chagrin of Ross Guignon. Ross had wanted this edition to reprise his role as one the Three Musketeers (we storified on that classic title a year or so ago).
Unfortunately, Dave's starring role relegated Ross to part of Ginger Hebblethwaite, the red-headed sidekick.
For the record, Dave won division one with 34 priceless points, one more than Ross.
Meanwhile, Paul Garrod used a little diplomacy in winning division two. Sensing he had the FC secretary and handicapper, Steve Holdstock, on his tail, Paul secured his win by the narrowest of margins, the dreaded countback. Both players returned an excellent score of 37.
In division three, new girl Stella Carstairs (playing under the pseudonym Sam Sparke), put everybody in their place with the top score of the day.
Sam's 40 points was four more than evergreen John Mackie who, normally, would have been rather pleased with his 36.
Sam, rather than using Biggle's brash "Tally Ho Boys!" approach, adopted the presidential diplomacy of Teddy Roosevelt. It was Roosevelt, when speaking about winning at foreign policy, who said: "Speak softly and carry a big stick" and that's exactly what Sam did.
Playing her first completed round in Friday Club (her first effort ended with a rapid scamper to the Clubhouse to evade a downpour), Sam spoke softly with her new pals and used a big stick (her driver) to power her card to the top of the day's pile. A most auspicious start.
Wing Commander Lord Bertie Lissie would have been rather impressed.
Fairy Tales come alive
Anyone playing golf at Long Reef recently, particularly those who hit water-seeking balls, could not have missed Long Reef's latest family group.
The black swans, including a bunch of chattering hatchlings, are now local celebrities and have given us all a reason to smile, regardless of our golf. And, of course, having remarked on the beauty of our resident swans (cygnus atratus for you trivia buffs) it's a bit hard to go past the cute and cuddly little cygnets. Which brings us to Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen.
It was HC Andersen who introduced the world to The Ugly Duckling a couple of centuries ago, well before crooner Danny Kaye put it to song. It was a nice story, a bit edgy, but with a happy ending. However, in some literary circles it's theorised that this folk story was a reflection of the writer's dark troubled life. However, The Friday Club Newsletter can now reveal the truth behind The Ugly Duckling (yes, a scoop!) It's actually a well disguised allegory about Andersen's golf swing which, sadly, was very ugly. However, he has some lessons, learned to master it, won a few frozen chickens at his local golf club and lived happily ever after.
In some ways, Friday Club's winners last week had a bit in common with Hans Christian Anderson, or at least some of his characters. In division one, where players can melt under the pressure (like The Tin Soldier), Laurie McCourt returned the top score of the day, 38, to leave the field in his wake. Ever-competitive Dave Collett was second with 35 (Dave tried channeling Prince Siegfried from Swan Lake but we're not doing Tchaikovsky this week!) In division two, Chris Sparkes, a relative newcomer to the fantasyland of Friday Club enjoyed a fairytale win with 37 points, two better than Graham Carlton. Meanwhile in division three, Bruce Fairhall and John Mackie put on their Red Dancing Shoes and did the can-can to top the rankings. Bruce returned 35 points and John a steady 33.
Our ladies failed to feature last week. Perhaps the threatening conditions made them feel a bit like The Little Mermaid (a fish out of water).
Sargood visit
Last week we presented the Sargood Foundation with our donation of $1000 and were able to see the incredible work they do at the Collaroy resort providing world class respite for people affected by spinal cord injury. Our delegation of Wayne Grundy, Nicki Wiebe, Steven Hill and me, was treated to a wonderful tour of the facilities by Sargood Foundation executive director Susan Johnston. We were astonished by the degree of care and planning that has gone into the Sargood programme. The comfort and practicality of the inside spaces, the tangible joy you feel on the balconies, the care and professionalism of the physiotherapists in the gymnasium and the scope of outside excursions, are incredibly uplifting. These, combined with the dedicated commitment of the staff and the always-to-be treasured coastal view of the Northern Beaches took our breath away. It truly provides its guests with therapy for the body and nourishment for the soul.
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