By Ron Hottes
A catch-up:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, last week’s edition did not include the Saturday 30 March) results. Here is a snapshot of them, in case Rhonda never forgives Your Loyal Scribe.
Steuart Hawke won A-Grade with a superb 42 points, his best result for some time, (pleased now, Rhonda?). Tim McKail continued his ‘hot-streak’ to grab the runner-up voucher with 40 excellent points. Balls reached 35 in this Grade. In B-Grade, balls reached all the way down to 32 because Stuart Patrick won with 38 points and Tex Van Der Kooi was second with 37. NTP winners were Skipper Gilmore (3rd), Ken White, (5th), Tom Marr (9th), David ‘Pup’ Lever (12th) and Luke Patrick (15th).
Monday 1 April:
There was no V.V.V. event due to the Easter break but there was a mixed Club comp on. Proving himself no April Fool was Tex Van Der Kooi (again), posting a 34-point result. This won the day for Tex on a tight countback from runner-up John-Haynes, also with a 34. Balls only reached 32. Three NTPs were won by Ian ‘Junior’ Garside (3rd), Danny Fox (5th) and Gary Vollmer (9th).
Wednesday 3 April, Stroke and M. McGrann bag-day qualifier:
The game before the start of the Club Championships is usually a chance for all participating members to hone their game. But this year that game happens to be the McGrann bag day, so another stroke round puts the acid on everyone three days in advance. Some results were disappointing, others were promising, but a member who is clearly honed for Saturday’s first Round is Tom Barr who posted an encouraging Nett 67 to take home the A-Grade voucher. Tom only snuck in with this win because Steuart Hawke forced a countback, also posting a Nett 67, to continue his hot streak of form and to break his age again. The B-Grade Champion title is waiting for you, Hawkey. In B-Grade, the best score on the day was recorded by Mario De Vincentis, with a superb Nett 65. Great shooting, Mario but he is not playing in the Championships. Laurie Doyle could consider himself unlucky, as he grabbed the runner-up prize with a fine Nett 66. The balls reached 69 in A-Grade, but down to 68 in B-Grade. NTP winners went to Daryl Ward (3rd), Tom Barr, (9th), Merilyn McDonald (12th) and Clinton Toohey (15th).
Twilight Shootout:
Although a full analysis of the Shootout will be in next week’s edition, here are the important results from this iconic Club event. As we avoid listing the early casualties, the final three survivors, coming down the difficult Par 5 8th hole were Peter Fox, Sam Dennis and young tyro Jack Sheehan. Unfortunately for Jack, he took ‘the scenic route’ (with water involved) to bow out after a putting playoff. This left Sam and Foxey to play out the 9th for the title. After dropping a long putt for a birdie, Peter claimed another Shootout win, to become a rare multiple winner of this unique event. Well done, Peter and also to Sam and a big thank you to all those who helped make it a trouble-free event. They will all be named in next week’s edition.
Saturday 6 April, Stroke and first Round of the 2024 Club Championships:
Here is a brief summary of the leading standings in each Grade. In A-Grade, 10-time winner, Paul Mason, made a very late decision to play with Your Loyal Scribe, as a matter of fact. I was privileged enough to be right there as a 68 off-the-stick was created, a memory that will live with me for many years. P.M. leads Clint-Toohey by 3 shots. Also great work, Clinton. In B-Grade, Dale Horrobin’s 83 was solid enough to keep him ahead of young tyro Seth Spenceley but only by one shot. And, in C-Grade, Rob Ferguson posted an impressive 87, to have a three-shot buffer over another young up-and-comer PaceyLuttgens.
No Nett results were available, but the NTP winners were: Lee Creedy (3rd), Flynn Coussens (5th), Ossie McClay (9th), Luke Patrick (12th) and Paul Osbourne (15th).
