By Emanuel Gheradi, WA Mining Club Committee Member and Director Energy & Mining Group
On a humid yet sunny Perth Autumn day, the elite (and not so elite) of the WA mining industry took to the green to raise funds for WA Mining Club’s scholarship program.
The President’s Cup Golf Day directly supports the future of our industry with all profits channelled to the scholarship program which aims to attract the best talent to our industry and assist them to complete their studies.
2019 was another outstanding success with highlights being good oysters, good humour, good sportsmanship and good golf… seemingly in that order.
Although the humidity was reminiscent of the Bellerive PGA championship tournament, the quality of the golf was most certainly not on par! However, the level of fun and the collegiate spirit amongst everyone involved was without doubt at an elite level.
The day couldn’t have started better with golfers greeted at hole one by Andy “Oyster shucker to the stars” Grljusich, a regular and ever popular fixture. Whilst his oysters were exquisite, his choice in music (Elvis Presley) and his choreographed dance routine reminded us all of the importance to stick with what we know best.
It was a day filled with golf day firsts. We saw a hole in one for one skilled punter, but unfortunately for Amish Sheth not at the elusive Newtown Toyota hole.
Whilst the hole in one was a talking point on course, there was another “golfer” who showed freakish inability, somehow driving a ball through the roof of his golf buggy, leaving a perfect ball- sized hole in the canopy reminiscent of something from the Road Runner cartoons.
Around the course in what has become recognised as the Presidents heckling buggy, President Kirsty Danby took delight in executing her role as golf day serial pest and professional heckler. Rumour has it that she suggested to Peter Hudson, Hawthorn great and VFL legend, that he should hit the golf ball not kick it. His next shot was a top ball, seeing Peter having to go bush to retrieve his ball, and fortunately not pulling a hammy mid-retrieval. Although next year Kirsty may require supervision after mistakenly going off course and heckling strangers who looked confused before she realised they were innocent members of the public and not part of the WAMC golf day.
Part of the fun was at the end of the day when as always, we were able to recognise the best performers and fun awards such as the NAGA award (commiserations to Brad Bushby, Luke Pember and our wonderful life member Vic Bullo) and the newly devised Muppet Award which went out to the aforementioned “buggy wrecker”. It was a close call for the Muppet Award, having an array of talent to choose from including one punter whose golf club ended up in the bush, instead of the ball.
A big congratulations to our winners on the day from Team Akso comprising of Stuart Crole, Chris Oates, Paul Stevens and Gus Elliot. Coming in second place was Team Cape, followed closely by Technical Resources crew.
As always, this day would not have been possible with the tremendous support of members, their guests and most importantly our amazing sponsors who provide constant support. This year we would especially like to thank the following sponsors:
Some early recommendations for next year are compulsory crash helmets to protect players from others and themselves in the form of flying golf clubs (no names mentioned) and rogue golf balls. I’d also like to recommend a back massage service to a handful of players who will have carried their teammates for the whole day. Thanks to the Ambrose Format which was in place where only the best shot counts.
We look forward to seeing you all again at next years 2020 Presidents Cup WA Mining Club golf day and wish you all a year of solid golf and sledging.
