We had a first for the ‘Hackers’ when we were smashed by rain and a hail storm at Muree on the first day. That aside, the tour was a great success.

The facilities and ambience at the Windsor Castle Hotel is excellent and the bistro and service from all of the staff left little to be desired. We unanimously agreed that we would return to the Windsor Castle next year – we’ve found a new home.

All in all the 3 courses were in good condition particularly considering the drought conditions of the past few months. Unfortunately, we only managed to make a start on the second nine when the heavens opened at Muree and the course was unplayable in just a few minutes. Most of us took photos of the downpour and you can click here to see my record of the event. Dennis Ashford had his umbrella shredded by the hail. photo1 - photo2 - photo3 - photo4

Despite the overcast conditions and the discouraging weather predictions, the weather held for Sunday and Monday and we didn’t get wet again and, although a bit windy at times and pretty cool on Monday in particular, it wasn’t too bad at all. The courses were generally agreed to be interesting and enough of a challenge to get most of us and we are most likely to return next year. As with all courses we play for the first time, the greens are the biggest hurdle but they were all quite good and, in my opinion, the greens at Morisset rolled out the best.

Competition on day one was restricted to 9 holes after the storm and we really weren’t too disappointed with that after an unexpected coring the day before we arrived had taken the edge off the event a bit anyway. Mick Maloney had a health issue on Saturday morning and missed the first day’s play but managed to make it for Saturday night and Sunday and collected a significant part of the cash on offer. Peter McLoughlin stood in for Mick on day one and contributed 17 valuable points to the GOLD team who prevailed by one point in the end over the Green team with the blues and reds tailing away and well off the pace.

Dennis Ashford and Kevin Herbert shared the Ray Rutledge Memorial Prize awarded to the player on tour who finishes closest to Ray’s average. The prize of 1 dozen golf balls is donated by Peter McLoughlin each year in honour of the ‘Big Fella’ whose average on the Hunter Tour over many years was 28.5

My thanks to the Social Director, Peter McLoughlin who keeps those little things ticking over and covers my occasional defective memory, most often caused by sleep and to Trevor Porter, whose understanding of golf, money and how I do what I do is invaluable when it comes to the presentation and making sure I get it right in the end.

And a very big thank you to all who came along. It is truly my pleasure to be part of the friendship and camaraderie you create.

Another very successful tour and we’ll be back next year and I’m looking forward to it already.

Click here to see the full results.