By RON HOTTES PRESIDENT WARBURTON GOLF CLUB
MARK Twain once famously said “Golf is a pleasant walk ruined”.
Certainly, plenty of golfers at Warburton would agree with that statement, particularly in the month of November when Warburton Golf Club holds its championships.
Many of our regular golfers who played in the various grade events, spoilt their walk by trying to play good golf. But, there were some who played consistent golf, and enjoyed the walk; none more so than our Open Champion Paul Mason. Paul accumulated four very fine rounds, highlighted by an impressive 68 in Round 2.
His overall total of 287 was more than enough for him to come out on top. Paul has now won six Open titles at Warburton, equalling the record of runner-up, Andrew Williams.
Between them, Paul and Andrew have won 12 of the last 16 years championships.
Jon Cross was third, with Jason Kennedy holding down fourth place.
B-Grade was the closest finish of the day; and what a finish it was.
Ken White led this event for nearly three and a half rounds, but was pipped at the post by the evergreen Geoff Lord. Geoff’s total of 354 was enough to keep veteran golfer, Tex Van Der Kooi, at bay, by the slimmest of margins.
Ken was one shot further astern. Eric Slater was the late closer on 360, and could have won another of these titles, had he started better in Round 1.
In C-grade, Mick Eldridge stamped his authority early with a great sub-90 opening round.
He continued that form through all four rounds, winning by a margin exceeding 20.
Worth noting is that his four-round total would have seen him finish fifth in B-Grade).
Wayne Kempton was runner-up and would have been pleased that each of his rounds was an improvement on the last.
New member Craig Staggard accumulated 385 over the journey, while current Peninsula District Golf Association president, Mike-Dobson, was one behind in fourth place.
The Ladies’ Championships were also a one-horse affair with Lynda Dickson romping away with the title with a very impressive 275 over three rounds.
Her consistency won it for her.
Lynda works hard on her game, and clearly has “bragging-rights“ at the moment in the Dickson household.
Trish Eldridge was runner-up, and her last round of Nett 65 was the lowest recorded nett of the championships.
History was created this year when husband and wife team Eldridge each won their respective Nett events. Mick won the Men’s East-Hills trophy with a Nett 207, just pipping Paul-Mason in a tight countback. Trish won the Elva-Eddy Nett trophy with a score of 204.
Overall, the championships this year were very successful with over 60 players vying for the trophies and good weather every day.
