MEN'S GOLF
On the weekend the first two rounds of the men's and ladies' club championships were played. Saturday's men's field of 98 and Sunday's field of 81 were welcome sights to the sponsors Lachlan Commodities and Marg Hurst for the champs, and Pool Magic for the daily comp.
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Most scores were on or about par, possibly due to the players being cautious with the greens which were in prime condition. Tony Wallace was the Div-1 winner, scoring 69 nett and getting there on countback from Ken Sanderson. Tony improved markedly on the back-9 while Ken had pretty even scores on both 9s.
The Div-2 returned similar scores with Ben Robinson setting the pace with 69 nett, and closely followed by Steve Grallelis on 70 nett. Ben had an eight on the 7th hole, but countered that with a birdie on the 12th and a smattering of pars. Steve was just a step behind all the way. Both players left shots out there.
The ball sweep went to 74 nett on count back, going to: 70 - B Amor, M Wood, B Everest; 71 - S Uphill, I Bown, H Callaghan, D Mylecharane, C Alley, W Judget Griffiths, J Betland, T Callaghan, R Smith; 72 - R Borger, S Betland, M Spice, P Dawson, G Falvey, P Grayson; 73 - K Herbert, P Wells, P Kay, B Carpenter, S Kirkman, S French; 74 - T Morgan, B Squires. The NTPs went to: 9th - M Spice; 18th - J Coulthurst. Both got their 2s. The ProShop Super Pin went to Scott Kirkman, who missed his '2' from afar. The greens had deceptive pace leading to only seven 2s being scored, and those by the A-graders.
At the end of the day the champs results showed: A-grade Scratch led by John Betland (70) over Steve Betland (71), A-Res Scratch led by Brian Everest (81) over Terry Griffiths and Kim Herbert (83), B-grade Scratch shared by Ken Sanderson and Tony Wallace (83), and C-grade Scratch led by Ben Robinson (89) over Steve Grallelis (93). The Handicap leaders were: A-grade M Wood (70), B-grade Sanderson and Wallace, C-grade B Robinson.
The pressures of Club Champs can yield different results. Tony Wallace had a good score despite two air swings in his round. And then Clint Hurford started badly being 11-over after four holes, but then came home with 4-over for the remainder. There again, John Betland played with an injured toe and still managed a sub-par round. Terry Griffiths seemed to have trouble with his wedges, with his playing mates not sure if it was his clubs or his orthotics. And Anthony Alley took an unusual route on the 12th . From the tee he went near OB on the 6th , crashed into the trees near the halfway area, chipped over the Toilet, and got up and down for a bogey.
But the longest hole goes to Les Little. That is, long in terms of playing time. His tee shot found the bunker, which he managed to escape after seven shots, then three putts for his '11'. His mates fell asleep waiting.
Day Two is usually a day where some players surge forward and others seem to go backwards quickly. But overall the scores were quite hot, reflecting the weather. In the Daily Comp, the Div-1 was won by Steve Uphill with a 64 nett, a neat margin ahead of Jacob Bernardi on 66 nett. Steve had a smooth front-9 but wavered a bit on the back, while Jacob was a bit erratic throughout.
The Div-2 scores were also very low. Brett Thomas won with an inspired nett 63, despite a '7' on one hole, while runner-up Glendon Hooper showed his capability with a nett 66 and was steady throughout.
The ball sweep went to 74 nett on countback, going to: 68 - J Brett, B Robinson; 69 - D Kennedy, C Greenhalgh, M Wood, K Herbert; 70 - M Bayley, P Barnes, S Betland; 71 - A Wallace, B Chandler; 72 - J Cutler, S French, S Kirkman, L O'Connor, P Dawson; 73 - T West, J Zannes, G Newport; 74 - C Hurford, A Grierson, S McAlister.
The NTPs went to: 9th - D Mylecharane; 18th - T Wallace. Neither got their 2s on these holes but Tony got one on the 9th. The ProShop Super Pin went to Ben Robinson, who got his '2' from close in. The greens were slightly different paced, but true and leading to nine 2s. Interestingly, none were scored by A-graders. Once again Ben Amor (Dubbo) was the only visitor in the field. Among those players to shoot forward was Glendon Hooper, with a real turn-around from Saturday, helped by no blow-out holes. Steve Betland did well to turn on 34, but a mere par back-9 was a little disappointing. Ecky Dawson did well to have four 3s on the front-9, but then slipped with a '7' on the 15th .
Dave Mullie's round unravelled after he had a confrontation with a Penalty Area peg on the 13th but he finished with a par. Stevie G had a day to forget, 3-putting eight holes and finding the water on the 15th. And even worse, he and partner Les lost the KENO ticket to Bruce and Barry.
At the end of day the champs results showed: A-grade Scratch led by Steve Betland (141) over John Betland (143), A-Res Scratch led by Kim Herbert (162) from Jacob Bernardi (167), B-grade Scratch has Stephen Uphill (160) leading Tony Wallace (168), and C-grade Scratch led by Ben Robinson (176) over Glendon Hooper (181).
The Handicap leaders were: A-grade M Wood (139), B-grade S Uphill (134), C-grade B Robinson (137). There weren't enough numbers for a Sunday Medley. Remember to still practice social distancing, both in 'Golfie' and around the Pro Shop area.
The ASI-sponsored 2020-21 Summer Sixes comp commenced this week, with the results for the first week to be posted next on Monday. There were some handicap rounds played, but a few people will have their handicap determined after the first week.
Head Pro Adam has organised the taylormade demo day for today, October 16, and is also organising junior coaching for school fourth term. Contact him at the Pro Shop (6851 1554).
Crystal Ball
- October 17-18 are the final two rounds of the club champs. Players are required to ensure their card is correctly completed before they hand it in.
- October 24 is an 18-hole Par, with October 25 the VW Scramble.
LADIES' GOLF
A lot of golf being played at our beautiful course which many old timers have commented they have never seen the entire fairways covered in grass.
Everyone is making the most of what we have at the moment. Last Wednesday October 7 we played a stableford event sponsored by Kate Steele Park which was a warm up for championships, however, by Saturday the course was set to test the best.
Back to Wednesday where the winner after a long dry spell was Helen Duff with 38 points with the runner-up being Barb Drabsch with 37.
Ball Sweep to 35 on a countback was Barb, Rose Carroll and Judy Hodge. NTP 9th Helen Duff and 18th Julie Hurkett. Thank you Kate for your sponsorship. The first two days of the championships played last weekend comprised of scratch which you have to win to be the champion together with a handicap and stableford competition.
We had 29 players all up split into three grades for the scratch and handicap and two Divisions for the Stableford. Saturday 10th Division One Stableford was won by B Duncan 34 points and runner-up R Lyell 33 on a countback. Division Two winner E Baker 32 points and runner-up Lindy Cowhan 31 on a countback. Monthly Medal Winner Division One B Duncan, Division Two R Lyell and Division Three E Baker.
Best putter was D Tilley with 31 putts. NTP 9th D Dingwall and 18th S Black. On Sunday the Stableford in Division One was again won by B Duncan with 40 points and runner-up H Davidson 35. Division Two Winner was A M Gaffney won on a countback with 38 points from D Tilley who also had NTP on the 9th and 18th. Well done and thank you to Fugen Constructions and Storage Solutions for sponsoring both days.
The champions will be crowned after the final fourth round on Sunday. At the halfway mark A-grade Scratch leader is J Hurkett on 175 closely followed by B Duncan on 178 and H Davidson on 182.
Handicap leader in A-grade is B Duncan on 142, J Hurkett 149 with E Uphill and K Stirling sharing third place on 151.
Leader of the B-grade Scratch is C Venables on 201, C Duncan 204 and B Shields 206. Handicap leader is also C Venables with D Tilley on 155 and B Shields on 156. Leader in C-grade is E Baker on 209, S Black 215 and L Pollock 224. In the Handicap E Baker is leading with 147 and A M Gaffney 148 and S Black 153.