Rounds 1 and 2 of the Men’s Club Championships were conducted under somewhat gloomy skies yet fine conditions last weekend. Golfing your ball was tough and this was reflected squarely in the scoring with the lion’s share of contenders barely playing to their handicaps. In a turn up for the books our long time defending champion Ben Glover has started with rust flying off him from not a lot of play this Calendar year, the form player of the year in Kevin Hoppe losing a cotter pin on Sunday and the other consistent player this year in Peter Steinke eeking out the early lead going into round 3 this Saturday.

In B Grade Tam Kennedy again has featured as early leader in the first weekend as happens most years with the question being can he seal the deal in weekend 2 when things hot up. Rick Preston and Craig Filmer are within 3 shots of Tam and B Grade being a little more unpredictable from round to round, this lead can be as little as a 1 hole brain snap.

In C Grade, Semi Finalist in this year’s Dempster (mistakenly texted to the scribe on autotext correction as the Dumpster Cup ………….. hmmmmm omen ?) Brian Tredinnick is the leader after rounds 1 and 2 with two consistent rounds playing to his handicap. Brian is ready to pounce this weekend over close approaching rivals in Rick Knight-Gregson who is a mere 1 shot back and the flash halfback to the stars Eric Kuhn who is 1 out 1 back at 8 shots behind.

Saturday Round 1 On Saturday the field teed it up for the Monthly Medal, the Fred Sewell Memorial and the Guzzlers Mug all competing for the Thompson’s Rural Supplies Trophy. We thank the boys at Thompson’s for their ongoing support of Harden Golf over the years. In the Day’s event, the victor with an admirable 68 nett in conditions of no run and tough pin cuts was Tam Kennedy, 2 clear of the field. The conditions obviously reflecting his homeland he has felt at home and feels the current weather is merely a mild summer Scottish day.

What hope are us Hardenites against that now the Championship’s are in deep winter August as opposed to the drier and windier October? A Grade scratch went to Kevin Hoppe on 79 whilst B Grade Scratch went to Tam Kennedy with an 83. Balls went to 73 nett (2 over handicap) on a countback and awardees included runner up Peter Steinke who played 1 below his handicap for a 70 nett, Craig Filmer and Brian Tredinnick (71 nett) bang on handicap, Kevin Hoppe and Rick Preston at 72 nett and 1 over their handicaps, and Brett Johnson and John Hawkins each got a ball 2 back from their handicap on a countback.

The nearest the Pin on the Bendigo Bank Whopper Account 10th hole went to Bernie Parker at 2.1 metres and the random Medal card draw for a box of brown sandwiches went to Brian Tredinnick. 2 cartons in 2 months heading back to Young in YSC-008 hmmmmm, enquiry has been called !! So after Round 1 the Grade leaders were A Grade Kevin Hoppe – 79 Peter Steinke – 80 Ben Glover – 84 John Hawkins – 85 B Grade Tam Kennedy – 83 Craig Filmer – 84 Rick Preston – 86 C Grade Brian Tredinnick – 97 Rick Knight-Gregson – 98 Tim Beveridge – 102 Rod McIntyre – 102 Sunday

Round 2 Day 2 of the marathon began less a couple of noticables in the field. Whilst conditions looked bleak, the weather held for the conducting of the Harden Bearing Service Trophy for Round 2. Proving Day 1 was no fluke, Brian Tredinnick came out and shot a photocopy of Round 1, playing to his handicap, heading the field and claiming the day’s trophy. Scoring generally proved harder than Day 1 looking at the broad score spread and gauging by the fact that balls were paid back to a 75 nett on the day in a slightly reduced field. Not quite moving day in a 4 day tournament, some seasoned regulars firmed whilst others slipped in the harder breezier conditions. Balls went to Rick Preston, Peter Steinke, Jason Pollard and John Hawkins on 71 nett, Tam Kennedy and Rick Knight-Gregson on 72 nett and Robert bates, Kyle Murray, Craig Filmer and Eric Kuhn on 75 nett. The nearest the Pin on the Bendigo Bank Whopper Account 10th hole went to Steinke at 2.07 metres. Standings after Day 2 changed a tad but were as follows;

A Grade Peter Steinke – 161 Ben Glover – 164 John Hawkins – 168 Kevin Hoppe – 170 B Grade Tam Kennedy – 169 Rick Preston – 171 Craig Filmer – 172 C Grade Brian Tredinnick – 194 Rick Knight-Gregson – 195 Tim Beveridge – 202 Eric Kuhn – 202 SEEDED DRAW As is customary in Championships, Rounds 3 and 4 are played to a seeded draw which helps to build the pressure in the hope the better player ends up the Champion. The following groups are required to play together with the field sorting themselves out with the starter around them. C Grade 12.00 noon- Brian Tredinnick, Rick Knight-Gregson, Tim Beveridge, Eric Kuhn B Grade 12.10pm- Tam kennedy, Rick Preston, Craig Filmer, Brian Wales A Grade 12.20pm -Peter Steinke, Ben Glover, John Hawkins, Kevin Hoppe Sundays Seeded Draw will be announced at completion of the play for Day 3, along with times. Ladies Saturday Event Unfortunately the field that played for Alexa Preston’s Trophy was somewhat reduced due to the potentially inclement weather and others having work commitments. Winner of the day playing only 1 off her handicap on the heavy track was Marj Manwaring who shot a very handy 75 nett. Runner up on the day claiming a ball was Alexa, whilst local cum visitor Kate Kinleyside picked up a ball for her travels and adventures. Midweek Comp The sun must have been out this week as a page and some of bushrangers all turned up for the Spencer Bulbeck Trophy. Despite having more handicap than Ned Kelly had bullets, even the midweekers made it hard going on the heavier winter track ….. but there is always one who needs to stand out from the pack. Winner of the Spencer Memorial and chief burglar for the week is none other than the head swing waltzer himself Jim Wright. On a par 24 point stableford track, Jim has outshone the others with a majestic 29 points. Jim has been suitably stitched up by Garth, Ron and Billy and suitably docked 5 shots off his handicap. With a new handicap of 19 (holy sufferin suffocats Batman he is still on 19 ???) look for Jim to still figure in the count in upcoming weeks. Close behind Jim were Elaine Heycox on 28 points and Ron Fuller and Kevin Hoppe who posted 27 points to be in a good position come next outing. This Weekend This weekend the Ladies are playing their Foursomes Championships and we look forward to a hard fought battle in this very tough format of the game.

The Gents will be striking out for Rounds 3 and 4 of the Championships. As stated, the tee is locked up for the seeded draw between 12 noon and 12.20 so please get in earlier or later for the starter to get you off for the day’s play. If not in the seeded draw, you should post a score whilst under the radar in order to be noticed. Players hwo need to play early for work or family need to contact the Committee for clearance first and those in the seeded draw shall play as posted. Remember Regardless of what is going on off or on the course ….. “A bad days golf, is always better than a good days work, …….. every bloody day!!!!!” Alby