By Ron Hottes
Monday 26 February, Stableford:
Nine V.V.V’s played on this day as Michelle Jordon posted the best result with a superb 19 points. Good shooting, Jordie. Deb Hamment, in her new cart, celebrated by grabbing the runner-up prize with 17 solid points. There were no NTPs claimed. Sunday morning coaching clinics continue throughout March, ( on 3, 17 and 24 March) from 9.40-10.30 with the lovely Jess. I believe that during this month, the emphasis will be on chipping, putting and swing techniques. The Juniors precede those sessions, with 8.40-9.30 lessons, also with Jess.
Wednesday 28 February, Stableford:
With very hot and windy conditions prevailing, the field was a little smaller than usual. But, not being put off by those testy conditions, Mario DeVincentis shrugged them off by posting an impressive 40-point result to take home the chokkies ( Uncle Chris will be pleased). My regular playing partner, Mick Eldridge, gained the runner-up prize with 38 solid points ( Bragging rights to Mick please Trish). Balls did extend to 36 only. NTP winners were as follows: Josh Hin (3rd), Ross Machar (5th), Junior Garside (9th), Trevor Porter (12th) and finally Jack Sheehan (15th).
Twilight.
Now we arrive at the pointy end of this iconic event. With four rounds to go, every point counts unless you’re well out of contention for the Top Ten Shootout. Doing himself plenty of favours was popular member, Andy Gill, who posted a superb 21 points; to get 7 valuable Shootout points and to zoom into the Top Ten ( And to finally prove who is the talented member of that family). Michael Pinkster took home the runner-up voucher with a solid 20 points. If you posted 18+ points, you can claim a ball. NTP winners were Luke Patrick ( a superb 2nd shot on the first), Geoff Fall (3rd), Clinton Toohey (5th) and James Campion (9th). The latest list for the Top-Ten shootout sees Andy Gill’s latest win take him to the top of the pile with an aggregate 45 points. Paul ‘Ozzie’ Osbourne is chasing hard with 43 points, followed by Pacey Luttgens and Clinton Toohey. The current top ten finishes at 33 points, but there is a large pack of chasers including RJH who could still squeeze into one of those valued spots. It’s getting very tight, and exciting, at the top.
Saturday 2 March, Stroke and Monthly-Medal:
Wow, we have some extreme scores to report for the March Medal day. Firstly, Tim McKail’s Nett 62 would get him the Medal every day of the week most weeks, but not today, he had to just accept the A-Grade runner-up prize. Still, great shooting, Tim. The Medal winner was none other than the promising young golfer called Joel Coombs, who pipped Tim by 1 shot, a Nett 61. Joel takes home the top voucher as well as the prized Medal. In B-Grade, the results were much more believable. Nonetheless, well done indeed to Rob Ferguson to win with an impressive Nett 65. The runner-up in this Grade was Aaron Henderson, who posted a Nett 71 and won that voucher on a countback. Interestingly, balls only got down to 72 in this Grade, but went all the way to Nett 68 in A-Grade.
(As an aside worth noting, club legend Paul Kennedy ‘broke his age’ by shooting a 74 off the stick and P.K. is a little older than 74. Ironically, his Nett 63 only won him a ball.)
NTP prizes went home with Josh Hin (3rd), Craig Staggard (5th), Tim McKail (9th), Tommy Barr (12th), and Joel Coombs (15th).
