Northern burst out of lockdown with a fabulous revival of the traditional Northern Melbourne Cup. The 2021 Cup Day at Northern was the best we’ve held in many years. Perhaps the best ever event since it all began in 1988. Locked-out members came in droves to enjoy normality at the club again. A full field of golfers and an overflowing clubhouse of diners demonstrated how much we’ve all wanted just to get back to the club. The money was there too as the Calcutta and the Bookie enjoyed a busy day of punting on the Cup.

More than 100 golfers played in the morning for the Hutton-Bliss Trophy and men’s and ladies fourball events in perfect golf conditions and good scores were returned.

Winners were:

• 1st Hutton-Bliss Trophy (Mixed) Rob Scott – Yvonne Backerra 46 pts
• On a Count Back / Runner Up – Ian Moore – Phyllis Mason 46
• Open Fourball – Paul Stepien – Andre Oliver (Corowa) 48 pts

The 2021 Calcutta was one for the ages! Might have been the first day that many had brought cash to the club and it was there aplenty and ready to buy a winner. In a fast-paced auction bids came like there was no tomorrow. Incentivise with all of its publicity and promotion as the new-Phar Lap topped the bill with $320 and there were several $200+ bids that made other runners popular too. The favorite wasn’t going to get it all on his own. Indeed $270 was paid for the Verry Elleegance considered the best challenger.

The auctioneer drew $3170 out of the punters at their tables both inside and out. Alan Kerr, Jeff Balmer and Charles Potter were keen bidders and, in the action, throughout, Michael Kleinig outstayed everyone to secure the favorite and Joe Jhoty and others kept the money rolling. Table One passed on Incentivise, maybe too hot to handle and favorites don’t always win, and snapped up Verry Elleegance to claim the $1307 first prize. Laurie, on the job again, and Paula were the wise heads and one purchase for the day was enough. Incentivise bought by Table Thirteen collected $594 and Spanish Mission returned $356 for Table Five.

Meanwhile Darcy in the bookies’ seat had a constant flow of punters and reported a moderate success from the day and Ray and his staff made us all feel elegant with a great meal and excellent and most timely service. They were all thanked for their part in making Cup Day an outstanding success. Credit too to Charles Potter for recognising the opportunity to get us all back to enjoying our club again and our clubhouse that has so much to offer. Most of the punters stayed on well after the event just enjoying the company of friends. Another great Northern day! Join us in 2022 when we do it all again.

Results Cups Sweeps

$10.00 Sweep

• FIRST – $140.00 – Verry Elleegant - Vicki Scarpa Peter Cope Young Table Peter Gorman
• SECOND – $60.00 – Incentivise - Phil Lane Phil Constable Brian Said Michael Kleinig
• THIRD – $30.00 – Spanish Mission - Allison Balmer Lorraine Kerwin Chris Robson Liam Beattie
• Last – $10.00 – Ocean Billy - Pat Crabb Joyce Agius Bev Leyden Mike Presland

$5.00 Sweep

• FIRST – $70.00 – Verry Elleegant - Ray Grech Joe Scarpa Joyce Agius Tony Feehan
  SECOND – $30.00 – Incentivise - Joy Ryan Jenny Brooks Helle Warming Herlina Burgess
  THIRD – $15.00 – Spanish Mission