JABBA'S BIG DAY

August the 7th 1955,the birthday of our remarkable secretary"Jabba".

With such an historic milestone looming it says much about the man that,unquestioningly he agreed to the fehvs and gowf day oot being on his 50th birthday and thought it merely a coincidence that this was the case ....boy, was he to find out differently!!

Planning had started several months earlier with clandestine meetings at the Marriott hotel between myself and Jabba'a wife Jan,mobile phone calls were made and received when"Grahames oot doing the garden ".Meetings in the Fluke were a flurry of activity whenever Jabba went for a leak,all in the name of surprise.

Back at the players dinner early preparations were taking place and gifts thought about,Mr Magner having originally agreed to his stage banner being gifted and signed "To Jabba,Best Wishes,Lee Wilkie",but changed his mind and was apoplectic when realising the "vandalism" to his prized possession,but undeterred John Hubband decided a pressie would be acquired and hence the most expensive DVD in history was purchased at auction!!! (it all went to a good cause)

As organizing events go ,this one was easier than most,working it round the golf, the catering was left in the capable hands of Franz and Denise at the clubhouse and everyone contacted was eager to attend and do there bit.

The Twa Boabies agreed without hesitation,"Nae problem Alan" said Bobby Wilson, "whit dates that again,Jeez,that's my 40th wedding anniversary but nae worries I'll be there anyway"!!!Bobby Mann was equally up for the day despite being the day after the seasons opener and a 260 mile round trip.

Jan had arranged for Family to make the journey to Inverness,Phil and Karen who had recently emigrated to Cumbernauld agreed to come up despite Phil working in Birmingham!!,and golfing mates were more than pleased to come along and sign lads on to save a hefty green fee,Derek had arranged suitable silverware for the presentation (thanks Fiona)and so as the day loomed nearer everything was in place and Jabba nane the wiser.

Fehv's doon the Bught was the opener to start the day but after lessons learned last year about playing Fehvs once a year and the recovery time required, I decided to spectate whilst aulder souls put me to shame with Cahirman jinking and turning lads half his age,John Hubband surging doon the wings and Jabba showing all that time in the gym to be worth while!!

 

I headed off to organise the gowf end of the day,leaving the "athletes" to get on with it amidst cries of "He's affside" "hacker" and "Gies it on the heid"

Culcabock golf club was the setting for this years challenge on the fairways and the course was in superb condition with possibly the best inland greens in the north,the weather was perfect and everything was set for an excellent afternoon's gowf.18 players set off in groups of 3 with Jabba taking up the rear with big Bobby Mann and daughter Lyndsay's suitor Connel for company

The golf was of a higher standard than previous outings , (Eh reckon folk had been out doing a wee bit practice beforehand this year),also some of our visitors were off imposing handicaps , Bobby Wilson off a very impressive 6 and big Bobby off 8,With this in mind everyone new they would have to raise there gemme and so it proved,The galleries following the players were most impressed with the standard of golf on display and instead of the americanism's "in the hole " and "your the man" we heard "some F**kin shot that eh?" "ooh ya ****,that's gone miles eh?"

And so with precision timing we started arriving back at the clubhouse just as the non golfing visitors were turning up at the 19th hole,all were assembled out of Jabba's view behind screens in the lounge bar and for the first time ever Dundee banners adorned the lounge bar of Inverness golf club!!!

I set off down to meet Grahame ,Bobby and Connell off the 18th as the last group in,"I'll just head off for a shower "announced Jabba!!! thinking he was off else where later on for a meal with wife Jan....No no, no need for that,better get up stairs and do the prize giving in case any of the lads want away sharp eh? I blurted.

"Good thinkin Alan"agreed Jabba heading up the stairs to arrange events,on arriving in the lounge Jabba headed over to the lads sitting down partaking in a well earned beer....."Grahame....There's someone over here to see you" and as Jabba wandered over to the bar, family and friends emerged from behind the screens singing "Happy Birthday"

Jabba's face said it all , he didn't have a clue "you devious Bas***d, he hissed at me,as the penny finally dropped,I'll never trust you again!!""that's why I was out last,the date,nae shower,the phone calls" .......(all in a days work Jabba)

After the initial shock wore off,Jabba went for his shower and we got on with the prize giving Mark Kozlowski taking the all comers prize and treasurer Derek Steel winning the HDB's Qauich(Derek is pictured below getting fitted out for his new company car) Well played guys,great golf all round,I,m working on getting meh handicap up for next year!!!!

After a couple of beers and blethers it was through to the dining room for a sumptious 3 course dinner,wonderfully prepared,presented and served by Denise and Franz Stamfer and their team,followed by speeches from the Toastmeister Hopkins and Cake and Pressies for a by now emotional Jabba

 

After the meal,those fortunate enough to not be working the next day adjourned to the bar,for further refreshments and great craic as ever when the Highland Dark Blue's have a get together. Sonia at the bar apologetically rang the bell for last orders,(sorry club rules and all that)It was suggested the "Corrie" was open till 1 a.m. so the late shift headed off on foot,decideing 5 hours wasn't long enough drinking and more beer was required !!!

Mrs Cahirman did sterling work drehvin round the Crown pickin up us stragglers and depositing us at the Corrie door to force more ale into already over indulged bodies,and so the night went on till we all departed on closure and headed off into the Inverness early mornin.All seemed fine till I realised i was 5 miles from home, nae buses , mobile in my locker at the golf and all Inverness Taxis seemed to have disapeared of the face of the earth.

The roundabout at the Fluke can be a lonely place at 2 a.m. but finally out of the gloom came the CENTRAL TAXI sign i had given up hope of seeing"Ya Dancer" at last...... and so home to sleep off what was yet another great day with the Highland Dark Blues

Thanks to all for attending and making Jabba's birthday a bit special,a small thankyou from the HDB's for his efforts all year round on our behalf

Alanmac