By Ron Hottes
Last week the Warburton and Healesville RACV competed in the time-honoured Donna-Buang Challenge played at Warbie this time. Some 30 odd Warburton players fronted the starter and nearly as many from Healesville. The event is played as a Stableford average with all players’ scores included. On this occasion, Warbie won the trophy with an average 31.3 Stableford points, whilst the Healesville average returned 28.5. The best individual score on the day came from the WGC superintendent, Paul Mason, with 40 points. This meant Paul shot a “sizzling” 67 off-the-stick, being too good for any other result. In fact, the daily runner-up was Warbie’s Kevin Bargar, posting an impressive 37 points. The Club Captain and his Match Committee would like to thank all of the Healesville boys for their participation. Warburton will travel over to Healesville in November, looking forward to the return bout.
Wednesday 22 March, Stableford:
A healthy field contested this day’s event under cloudy skies and with cool conditions, just right to provide plenty of impressive scores. Deb Hamment was the most impressive, recording a round that amassed 40 points; a fine effort. The day’s runner-up was Ken-Barratt, also on 40 points, meaning a countback was required, but fine golf from both players all the same. P.K. had a none-too-shabby 39 points too. Balls extended to 37 only. The NTPs on the day were taken home by Laurie Doyle (3rd), Andrew McMath (9th andso close to an ace), Neil Leckenby (12th) and K.B. (15th).
Twilight:
And now, the end is near and so I face the final shootout. After the final Home and Away round, the Top Ten comprises of (in order of finishing): Danny Fox, Paul Osbourne, Clinton Toohey, James Stewart, Darryl Ward, Rob Hendy, Jeffrey Gill, Simon Spenceley, Ash Hall and Seth Spenceley. We wish all of them well, and a fuller report will be in next week’s edition of The Star Mail. The winner in that final round was Steve Patrick, with a score posted of 22 points, a fine effort. Rob Hendy lost on a countback, also with 22, but this won’t bother him because that runner-up placing was enough to see him make the famous Top Ten. Well done to Rob. With results like that, it would surprise no one that balls only got down to 17. NTP winners were Steuart Hawke (11th—and an eagle), Jeff Gill (12th) and David Hatt (15th).
Saturday 25 March, Stableford:
On a pleasant day, weatherwise, for a game of golf, some very solid scores were posted by the healthy field of 40+. Peter Fox produced a card showing 41 points, which was good enough to earn him the A-Grade voucher, good job Pete. Ex-Captain Cross was the A-Grade runner-up with a tidy 40 points ( Performing better than your football team, Noel). In B-Grade, similar scores won the vouchers. New Club Secretary, Kevin Bargar won, with 41 points but only on a tight countback. Tim Jones also had 41 points but not as good a back nine as Kevin. If you amassed 35 points or better, you can claim a ball. NTP prizes went home with Danny Fox (3rd), Geoff Sharp (5th), Rob Ferguson (9th) and James Campion (12th.)
