By Brendan Smith
Saturday, May 10 – Hit ‘N’ Hope Golf Day
The weekend kicked off with the annual Hit ‘N’ Hope Golf Day, which was very well supported with a nice sized field of 63 players for the popular three-person Ambrose format.
There were plenty of fantastic meat trays and bar vouchers up for grabs, all courtesy of our wonderful sponsors, David Bartley, Nick Beetson, Brett and Cody Rope. Thanks again boys for your continued support - it is greatly appreciated by all. Special mention to Lyn Rope for the delicious chicken and gravy rolls; they were absolutely sensational.
The weather was awesome, the course was amazing (the greens spot on thanks to Dave and Wayne’s hard work during the week), the company was even better, and the scoring was equally as good as all the adjectives I’ve already used in this sentence.
The winners this year, following on their second placing last year, were the team of Ali Morriss, Mike Oliver, and one of our fine hosts for the day, David Bartley, with a great round of seven under off the stick to record a winning score of 53.50 nett. Four under on the front, followed up with three under on the back, and from all reports they were never really in any trouble. Their only concern would have been running out of grog at some stage.
They finished over a full shot in front of the runners-up Jackson Cox, Shane and David Rose with 54.667 nett, a very nice round also from Rosey and a couple of the many younger brigade of players that have taken a real liking to the game lately.
In third place with 55.333 nett was Blake Stein with the Bennett brothers, George and Ridge, finishing not far off the mark. Chris Dennis, Gaby Elias, and Kurt Whaley (55.833 nett) were fourth with Chicky Parry, Dee Stephens, and Jodi Douglas (56.167 nett) in fifth.
Plenty of pins out there to be won, and you had to be dialled in to claim one of the hotly contested bar vouchers up for grabs. Mike Oliver knocked off the unlucky John Tyson on the second, Chris Dennis was best over the cowal on the fourth, Blake Stein put one within a couple of feet on the ninth, Dee Stephens is making the 12th her favourite hole by grabbing the pin on that hole again with a great shot, Janine Tulenew played a lovely shot to the 14th to win that hole, and Mitch Williams hit a cracker to the 17th.
All nearest the pins resulted in birdies for their respective teams, which probably happens in this format of the game, but funny things do tend to happen.
It really was a great day enjoyed by all. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and everyone knows it), where else can you get a game of golf, a chance to win some amazing prizes, nearest the pins on all par threes, plus get fed for the incredibly low nomination fee the club charges? I’ll wait.
Sunday, May 11 – 18-hole individual stableford
An 18-hole individual stableford was played, with another great sized field taking part. Graham Tomek absolutely shot the lights out with a very impressive round of 44 points.
He cruised around the front in 21 points, then stormed home with 23 on the back nine. His round included well-made birdies on the 13th and 17th. I went around with Tex the day before, and he put the writing on the wall for what was to follow, hitting the ball very, very nicely. Well done Tex! The runner-up, and continuing to break his handicap at what seems like every start, was Ashton Deebank with 41 points, having his best scratch score to date with 75 off the stick. Back in third place was Michael Beetson, knocking off Johnny Wynne in a count-back, both with 37 points. The nearest the pins were a two-horse affair, with Chicky Parry dominating by winning the second, fourth, 14th, and 17th, while today’s winner, Tex, was too good on the 16th. We were also joined by two visitors on the day - Rodney from Nhill and John from Harrington Waters. I’m sure both enjoyed their day, and we hope to see them back soon.
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