Charlie’s bite is worse than his squawk at club

A record field of nearly 200 golfers at Geraldton’s country week were yesterday warned ahead of the championship’s start. “Keep your fingers to yourself,” was the blunt message. Most January visitors to the fairways and greens at Geraldton know this, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded just how brutal the bite of Charlie is. The ageless cockie has been known to dive and pierce the heart of a snake. On Saturday, a bobtail lizard was lucky to avoid his beak, so wandering fingers poking into his cage are an easy take. Charlie has lived in a cage near the clubhouse for many years. Regardless of when or where it’s played, and no matter the sport, country week serves up endless stories and laughs. In his many years of being involved with organising Geraldton country week for golfers, Andrew Short has heard many. Such will be the case at Geraldton and Spalding Park this week. Exmouth always sends a large contingent of players. They meet at a local service station and catch a bus. “Make sure you’re on time and you’ve got everything,” is the command of the skipper. Years ago, the man in charge got 20km down the road and realised he had forgotten to do something: fill the bus. So it was back to town to fuel up. He was ready to go before someone pointed out more fuel was needed — for the occupants. A carton or two had disappeared somewhere. “There is always a very big contingent of players from Exmouth, Derby, the Pilbara, Kalgoorlie, Southern Cross and . . . they come from everywhere,” Short said. And they carry, and create, countless amusing yarns. Play started at Geraldton yesterday and will be back there tomorrow and on Friday. Spalding Park will host matches today and on Thursday.