Club Champion Ben Glover with B Grade Champion Rick Preston, C Grade Champion Brian Tredinnick, Veteran’s Champion Kevin Hoppe and McLean Gold Cup winner John Hawkins.
This years Club Championships has drawn to a close after two very eventful rounds last weekend that saw changes in the leaderboard, late fightbacks and slips on the top step. Through it all and after a rusty start, the Club’s lowest marker in Been Glover has shown true grit to play through his first two rounds and shoot 2 solid rounds to finish strongly and be 11 clear of his nearest rival. As reigning Club Champion of the last few years, Ben had a few people scratching their heads after his first 2 rounds and only being placed in the pack. Something finally clicked back into place and Ben finished out strongly. In B Grade Rick Preston withstood a late charge from former B Champions Tam Kennedy and Craig Filmer to get home by 4 shots. Teeing off 18 on day 4 the prior 7 shot lead was down to 2. Rick held strong to win by 4. In C Grade, Brian Tredinnick entered day 4 in strong command by over 10 shots. As cotter pins, axles and wheels started falling off in the pressure of the seeded draw, Brian found some final strength to limp over the line 6 shots clear of Eric Kuhn.
In the Veterans Division, Kevin Hoppe finished better this weekend to be 10 clear of Peter Steinke. Mens Day 3 – Chris Hocking Trophy Day 3 in any 4 day tournament is traditionally “moving day” and in this years Championships it was no different. After round 1 and 2 mini disasters, Kevin Hoppe and Ben Glover rocketed back into form to be winner and runner up in the day’s event and place well in the A Grade Championships. Kevin shot a 75 / 68 to win whilst Ben shot a 74 / 71 to head up the ball count. Balls went only to 72 nett in a better scoring day generally. Ball winners were Ben Glover (71), Nathan Schofield (71), John Hawkins (72), Brian Wales (72) and Todd Elliott (72). Nearest the Pin on the Bendigo Bank Hole In One Account hole went to Rod McIntyre at 2.02 metres. This left Ben in control by 7 shots in A Grade over Kevin, Rick Preston in control in B Grade by 5 shots over Tam, and Brian Tredinnick in the lead by a couple over Tim Beveridge in C Grade and quite a few more over Eric with Tim unable to play on day 4 due to family and work commitments.
Mens Day 4 – Ian Kinleyside Trophy Day 4 was a day for white knuckles and holding on tight. In A Grade Ben shot a score that was required to extend his lead by 4 over nearest rival Kevin, Rick in B Grade held on against a fast finishing Craig and Brian tripped over the line. The days event however went to Herby Manwaring who was the only player on the day who played to his handicap in surprisingly mild and reasonable conditions. Runner Up was Mr Consistency for the Championships Mr John Hawkins. John collected the very prestigious McLean Gold Cup for the best nett result over the 4 rounds and is one of the most sought over trophies in the Club’s Silverware Cabinet, well done John and great scoring at 288 nett (4 0ver his handicap after the 4 rounds).
The remainder of the day’s balls went to Craig Filmer (73), Ian Bruce (74), Ben Glover (75) and Rick Preston (75). Nearest to the pin on the 10th went to Peter Steinke at 7 metres.Winners of the Grades will receive their major prizes on President’s Day in November and it is hoped that this is a good day with nibbles, fellowship and presentations all planned. Alby
