Nearest the Pins 2007

Round 1

3rd - Gus
8th -
12th -
16th - Harty

Round 2

4th - Craig

8th -

13th - Craig

Round 3

3rd -

8th - Pop

12th - Nigel

16th - Craig

Championship Round

4th - Phantom

8th - Glenn

13th - Laney

Score Changes!

Well, it seems that some of our tour bretheren have difficulties in the mathemagical arts. After taking the scorecards and having them added up by someone who doesn't have to take his pants off to count to 21 (ie, not one of our bovine brothers), there have been some changes in the final scores. It should be noted that out of the 4 cards on the last day, 3 of them were wrong! Not bad for a bunch of ex and current statisticians, a guy from Treasury, a teacher, a bloke who runs his own business, a market researcher and a financial advisor.

So, the fallout is as follows:

Gus is still the champion with 136

Pop Palmer comes in at outright 2nd on 140

Craig, Nigel and Mick De Nittis (Phantom) end up at equal 3rd on 146

Garry Martin and Greg Lennox equal 6th on 149

Gary Lennox outright 8th on 151

Rob Hart, 9th on 153

Tony Lane, Glenn Simpson, Vaughn Moore and Greg Attrill equal 10th on 157

The Metronome 14th on 170

Col Simpson and Tony Pearce were both DNF

Pictures from the tour 2007

For some more pictures of the tour, try here

If any of the tourers (or friends) would like the full hi-res versions, just let one of the usual suspects know and we'll organise something. Be warned though, they aren't small (about 500Mb).

A New Champion!

After trying for many years and being the perennial runner up, Robert "Gus" Starke has taken the next step in his golfing career to become the 2007 Great Northern Tour champion. After a particularly poignant (and unexpectedly sober) speech by the 2006 champion, Greg Attrill, the Bee Moore Trophy was handed over to Gus and met with tumultuous applause (and a very short version of "For he's a jolly good fellow" loudly led by Robert Hart, another previous champion).

It is unlikely that there has ever been a more deserving nor a more popular winner and the blog would like to extend its personal congratulations.

For the record, Gus won with a score of 136 (2 rounds of 68), and was followed by Messers Palmer and Roulston on 140.

More scores and photographs to follow over the coming days.

New Look

The Northern Tour blog is now sporting a fancy new look! "Why?" you may ask. "I'm not sure" I may answer.

Basically, I was just bored with the old one. If you don't like the new one, please leave a comment that I'll go right ahead and ignore.

Only Two More Sleeps

Well my beloved blog readers, it's only two more sleeps until the convoy begin the trek to the river for this year's event. A fair bit has happened over the last week or so. The cup has been run and won, Mr Pearce has come out the winner on the punt - there is something quite disturbing about typing Pearce and winner in the same sentence.... there has been some murmuring from another old tourer threatening to make a comeback (Mr Vaughn Moore) and the election campaign has hit its peak with the only people showing any interest seeming to be the candidates themselves.

So, as per usual, we will try to keep you updated with scores and ladders and things, but the availability of electricity and tin cans with wet string may mean that these postings will be few and far between. You never know though, in the last 12 months Echuca may well have caught up with the rest of the world (although I doubt it).

So, for the tourers, Good Luck and we'll see you Sunday, for the rest of you (and I doubt there are many), we'll try to keep you posted.

Hypothetical Market

Hypothetically, if this was a professional sporting event, and if there was a professional gaming authority that was framing a market for that event, then there is conjecture that it would probably look something like this.

Divs	Name	06	05	04	03	02	01	00
$14.00	Bill McNaugtan	5/16	1/12	F	9/9	2/10	7/12	10/12
$10.00	Bob Starke	4/16	2/12	-	-	3/10	2/12	7/12
$13.00	Col Simpson	8/16	F	F	-	F	6/12	-
$10.00	Craig Tingate	7/16	7/12	1/14	5/9	1/10	5/12	6/12
$10.00	Garry Martin	-	-	-	-	-	8/12	5/12
$9.50	Gary Lennox	6/16	5/12	-	-	-	-	-
$10.50	Glenn Simpson	12/16	F	F	4/9	6/10	-	-
$12.00	Greg Attrill	1/16	3/12	2/14	8/9	4/10	3/12	2/12
$10.00	Greg Lennox	F	6/12	4/14	1/9	8/10	-	-
$9.00	John Palmer	F	F	F	-	-	-	-
$11.00	Michael De Nittis	11/16	-	-	-	-	-	-
$9.00	Nigel Roulston	2/16	4/12	F	-	-	-	9/12
$11.00	Peter King	10/16	8/12	8/14	-	-	-	-
$20.00	Rob Hart	3/16	-	7/14	1/9	7/10	-	1/12
$17.00	Tony Lane	F	-	-	-	-	4/12	-
$25.00	Tony Pearce	F	9/12	F	7/9	9/10	1/12	-
	Starters	16	12	14	9	10	12	12

I'm not sure who did the framing of this, but it looks a bit wobbly to me, I mean, John Palmer and Nigel Roulston sitting as the two favourites. Pop hasn't actually posted an official placing in the tour EVER, and Nigel, whilst fluking a second place last year is hardly what I would call true golfing material. All in all I think it's a bit dodgy.

The Honour Roll

This is the honour roll for the Northern and Mildura tours. Our illustrious and all knowing chief handicapper found it somewhere in the archives.

	Northern Tour
1977	B. MACFARLANE
1978	W. RICHARDSON
1979	B. MACFARLANE
1980	J. DRUMMOND
1981	W. RICHARDSON
1982	G. ATTRILL
1983	G. GOOK
1984	J. ROBERTS
1985	D. JONES
1986	G. ATTRILL
1987	B. MACFARLANE
1988	W. RICHARDSON
1989	J. DRUMMOND
1990	T. KENNEDY + D. MAGNUSSON
1991	J. DRUMMOND
1992	T. KENNEDY
1993	G. ATTRILL
1994	T. LANE
1995	S. GILD
1996	K. HARLING
1997	GUMBY
1998	C. TINGATE
1999	C. TINGATE
2000	R. HART
2001	A.J. PEARCE
2002	C. TINGATE
2003	GREG LENNOX + R. HART
2004	C. TINGATE
2005	W. MCNAUGHTAN
2006	G. ATTRILL
2007	R. STARKE
2008	P. KING
2009	GREG LENNOX
	Mildura Tour
1978	D. JONES + G. GOOK
1980	G. ATTRILL
1981	G. ATTRILL
1982	J. ROBERTS
1983	G. GOOK
1984	W. RICHARDSON
1985	B. MACFARLANE + M. HOLDSTOCK
1986	J. DRUMMOND
1987	G. ATTRILL
1988	J. DRUMMOND

How hard is it to be a defending champion?

Well, when you look at the numbers you'd have to say "Pretty bloody hard."
Since 2000, there have been only two multiple winners; Chief Organiser and Handicapping Guru Mr Craig Tingate in 2002 and 2004, and the rotund one, Mr Robert "Harty" Hart who won in 2000 and 2003.

Greg "Jack" Attrill, Our current champion came 3rd in 2005 before following up with the top spot last year, but he's had (provisionally) 5 shots - and hopefully about 5 clubs - stripped off him this year and I think he'll find it a much tougher ask. The pack behind have taken heed of previous experience and have done absolutely no training whatsoever in the hopes of keeping themselves tapered for the big event. Whilst this may be seen by some as unconventional, I recently saw an interview with John Daly and he was saying that it is in fact the perfect way to prepare for a grand-slam level tournament.

Of course, only time will tell, but Jack, if you listen really carefully you might be able to hear the ticking of the metronome, the breathing of the oxen and perhaps even the distant echo of the Geelong theme song. "Be afraid, be very afraid."

The Players 2007 - a form guide

Greg Attrill - aka Jack
Dubious defending champion, he may not know how many clubs he has, but he can swing them when he wants to. Has absolutely stellar form when under pressure on the last day and simply cannot be ignored. Good chance again this year although the handicapper has at least made it a fair bit tougher.
Very good each way bet.

Craig Tingate - aka Craig
Easily the best off the stick on the tour. Multiple previous winner. Handicap has gone out by one this year, but probably still under what it should be. Hasn’t played much over the 12 months, but his footy teams did get up this year, so he will be confident.
Put in for win, win/place and any multiple you can think of.

Gary Lennox - aka Brother Ox
His swing hasn’t gotten any uglier. A consistent player and the extra shot this year will come in handy.
Excellent each way chance. The braver souls would back on the nose.

Kingy - aka Kingy
Has the swing, the talent and possibly the desire. More than half a chance if he can keep his body together - has had back issues in the past.
Expect in the top half dozen.

John Palmer - aka Pops
Comes from the crow eating state, but always puts in a good run. The bus trip over probably won’t do him any good. Snores like a trooper and has the highest hand finish in golf.
Certainly a good each way chance, maybe also in a quinnie somewhere.

Greg Lennox - aka Ox
Previous winner, but late nights still do diabolical things to the Ox. Struggled to even get in a full round last year.
Unknown….Keep an eye out.

Garry Martin - aka Sparrow
Fairly big unknown. Hasn’t played on the tour for a while, and hasn’t been seen out on the track. Tends to keep a close eye on the punt and has the unfortunate distinction of being a Saints supporter.
Probably handicapped out of it as coming back from a spell, but keep an eye on him for next year.

Glenn Simpson - aka Col's brother
A more talented golfer than his brother. Has gone out a bit on the handicap and this will hold him in good stead. Managed to post a score last year and will be better for that run.
Dark horse, but worth consideration at longer odds

Tony Lane - aka Laney
Doesn't seem to care about the golf (spends the whole round studying the form), but keeps hitting em up the middle. Is now almost fully retired and from all accounts fit as a fiddle.
Probably not enough form to post a win, but may be worth it if the price is right.

Robert Hart - aka Harty
A previous winner who can never be discounted. Came 3rd in last years running. The handicapper has not been kind, so unless you have some good mail I would leave this one alone.
Outsider, but runs the book, so could be at pretty good odds.

Nigel Roulston - aka Nigel
Fluked second place to the runaway winner last year, but unlikely to be able to repeat the performance.
You’d be better off putting your money on Pearcey.

Mick De Nittis - aka Phantom
Has blown out on the handicap from last year and this should suit him perfectly.
As a second up runner with good weight, well worth a few bob.

Col Simpson - aka Glenn's brother
Steady off the tee, but it all goes a bit pear shaped after that. As a golfer, he is a gifted tennis player.
Probably not up to the class here.

Terry Woodhouse - aka The Rat
Hasn’t been seen on the tour for a long time, and by all accounts hasn’t seen his clubs in just about as long. At this point is a dubious starter.
Prefer others.

Bob Starke - aka Gus
A player like no other. A fourth place finish last year so can't be discounted.
Keep him in your multiples.

Tony Pearce - aka Pearcey
Unlikely to post a score.
Probably outclassed in this field.

Billy - aka The Metronome
Handicap has come in again this year. He was found out over 3 rounds last year tiring at the finish.
Long odds but with the handicap he has, shouldn't be left out of multiples.

The Return of the Sparrow

A little birdy :-) has told me that this year the mighty Sparrow - aka Garry Martin - will be making a return to the tour. Not a lot is known about previous form, but rumours have it that as a golfer he makes quite a good punter.

Anyway, the handicappers seem to be quite wary with a start mark of 25 - it remains to be seen whether he is a burglar or just ordinary like the rest of us (well, most of the rest of us anyway).

PROVISIONAL Handicaps for 2007

Note: These (both the numbers and the starters) are provisional and may change before tee off.

Name	'07	'06
Craig Tingate	4	3
Garry Lennox	14	12
Peter King	15	14
John Palmer	16	16
Greg Lennox	21	20
Greg Attrill	22	27
Garry Martin	25	-
Glenn Simpson	26	24
Tony Lane	28	27
Rob Hart	30	32
Nigel Roulston	32	36
Michael De Nittis	33	30
Col Simpson	33	32
Terry Woodhouse	37	-
Bob Starke	40	40
Tony Pearce	46	45
Bill McNaugtan	52	54

2006 Scores - Finally

Well, you aren't going to believe this one! Our illustrious handicapper has finally found the scores from the 2006 tour - apparently they were hiding in a blow up bed - I thought it best not to ask.

Should you wish to have a look and see just how badly you did please follow this link.

2006 Scores

Not long to go now - I hope you've all been out there getting in some practise.

Do the Bus Stop

It seems that one of the tour's favourite sons, Mr John "Pop of the high hands" Palmer has elected to give up his yearly drive from sleepy Adelaide town and substitute it with a - wait for it - bus trip!

All we can say is

WTF are you thinking?

It's the year 2007. There are new fangled things that look like big silver birds and they will take you rapidly from one place to another. As it turns out, one of those places happens to be directly on the route for the tourers travelling from Melbourne to Echuca. Me thinks at least one of them would have offered to give you a lift. I'm not sure whether you are an idiot or a masochist.

Getting closer

47 days and counting.

As it turns out, 47 is a very interesting number. It's known as the quintessential random number (for some random reason) and has its own society. It is a prime number, a supersingular prime number and a highly cototient number. It's also a Carol number - ie can be expressed using the formula 4ⁿ − 2^{n + 1} − 1.

Final Decision

Well, the decision is final. The tour will be brought forward one day this year. So, the convoy will make its way from the beautific surrounds of the Victorian capital up to the idealistic serenity (how's the serenity?) of Echuca on Sunday the 11th of November, 2007 (that's the 11th of the 11th - how apropos). The first round will commence at 10:30am on the 12th, and the last round will be completed some time on Thursday the 15th. At this time the 2007 champion shall be annointed.

So my fine feathered golfing warriors, that gives us all 67 days to get our swings in order, our clubs cleaned and our shoes polished - it hardly seems enough does it?

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Further to a story broken first on this blog, it seems that the traditional start date for the tour will be changed. The unexpected flexibility of the Rich River tee time Gods has determined that it will be possible to move everything back a day (ie, the first round is Monday rather than Tuesday, and the last round is Thursday rather than Friday).

During the coming week (or weeks), our illustrious tour organisation group will be contacting the tourers for their opinions (or at least to tell them what their opinions should be), but I think we can probably consider it a fait accompli that this will be the outcome.

So, for those of you already packing, you are a day behind, you better get on with it.

Coincidently, November 12 (the new start date) is also the same day that Leon Trotsky was expelled from the communist party in 1927 (which of course gave Joseph Stalin complete control of Russia). There ya go, don't think this blog isn't educational.

Tradition gets screwed up and thrown out the window

Well, in breaking news, Tour tradition looks like it will once again take a pounding, completely mortifying Jack and putting him in a coma.

Breaking news is that due to a mixup with bookings, the tour may have to start a day early (on a SUNDAY), with the first game played on Monday and the last on Thursday. Of course, this will all depend on Rich River's capacity for moving tee times (that were booked 12 months ago). If not, anything could happen. Some of the many options are:

• Play Tuesday to Friday but leave straight after the game (not pleasant)
• Play Tuesday to Friday but stay somewhere else Friday night (PITA)
• Only Play 3 rounds (there goes Jack into the coma again)
• Get up there early Monday morning and play on Monday arvo (again with the tee times)

Anybody got any more? Leave 'em in the comments.

Apparently, unlike at Huntingdale, the tradition does not continue :-)

More rumours on the ins and outs, plus other news

Outs
Well, it seems that our favouite kilt-wearing, haggis eating, very large lager drinking golfer - Big Mike is a certain non-starter, but Mr C. Simpson is not yet confirmed either way. If you were to believe Mr Pearce, then Col will definitely be there "because he'll never get himself organised for Vietnam by then", others have differing opinions.

Ins
The big news of the week is that Mr Terry Woodhouse is threatening a comeback. I hope he understands that the only tradition left is Jack complaining that there is no tradition left, otherwise it might come as a shock to the system.

General Play
Pearcey is threatening once again that he might "have a go for 9 holes" to see how he holds up. Badly would be my guess.

OMG
On the "what the Hell am I supposed to do with myself" front, Billy Mac after the unfortunate loss of his Dad has returned home to be confronted with equine influenza and a week with no punting on the gallops. How much money do you think he's saved at 1 by 2?

75 days to go!

Dropout rumours

Initial rumours are beginning to come in concerning two of our usual quorum. Mr Colwyn Simpson and Big Mike from Scotland are both looking unlikely starters at the moment. More to follow when confirmations are available.