John Hawkins and Brian Wales battled the mid 30 degree heat on Saturday 12th March & were assisted by their golf cart. Hawkins continues to impress, claiming the February Medal.
Maybe in a fit of Nostradamus type vision, I have predicted the winner without knowing it in last week’s column. Last month’s Guzzlers Mug winner was of course Ron Fuller Jnr. Ron pinned the ears back and went hard with the Champions Mug all month, with Johnny Hawk Eye Hawkins being the February Medallist.
Well, in a blitzing round on Saturday, Hawk Eye struck again whilst nobody was looking nor expecting this much form from the former Club Match Play weapon. Call it the qualifying round for the Dempster Cup and ………… “Here’s Johnnnny!!” Out comes the lad with a 6 under par, mid 70’s off the stick, 65 nett. Fantastic round for the win, the A Medal and the Guzzler’s Mug. Well deserved number 1 seed for the following rounds of the Club Matchplay which the top 16 from Saturday will ow compete for.
The B Medallist for April 2016 is Craig Henman who also had a return to form for a very nice 67 net and playing 4 better than his handicap. Craig not only claimed the Medal, he also had the best B Grade Scratch with 83 blows which is a great round for those on 15 or more handicap. The best A Grade Scratch again went too Kevin Hoppe with 1 over par on the day and finishing just out of the money behind John Hawkins for all of the goodies, 1 back on 66 nett.
We thank Tim Beveridge for his sponsorship of the day’s proceedings. Balls went to Kevin Hoppe (66), Craig Henman (67), Herby Manwaring (68), Tim Beveridge (69) and Robert Bates, Bernie Parker and Ian Bruce all on 70 nett. Nearest the Pin on the Bendigo Bank Whopper Account 10th Hole went to Tam Kennedy who jabbed one off the tee to a mere 8.2 metres. Are we kidding if that’s the closest we can muster? Also, in a popular decision, Kevin Hoppe walked away with 24 brown pain pills from the random card draw.
Fitzy Strikes For Her First in 2016
The Ladies ran their second WGNSW Medal for the Mabel McKenzie Brooch, stroke score and putting, last Sunday. Welcome back Fitzy! Maryanne Fitzgerald registered a round 3 better than her handicap to post an 83 for 71 nett to claim the goodies from the Marj Manwaring sponsorship on the day.
Maryanne’s round was good enough for a 1 shot win over rival Jeanette Elliott who had an 81 for a 72 nett. Nearest the pin on the Bendigo Bank 10th, no doubt we’ll inside the Men’s best, went to the day’s winner in Maryanne Fitzgerald. Best for the putting comp averaging less than 1.5 putts per hole was Jeanette Elliott with 26 total.
Greg Heycox Hits Again in Midweek
It’s déja vu all over again in this comp. It seems like a weekly winner will hit again inside of 2 months lately proving run of form is critical to success in this comp. Greg Heycox has nailed it this week but not in a small way. Greg has rallied a round 9 points better than his handicap around the par 24 point stableford 12 hole layout. That’s right, Greg recorded a 33 point round and that over 18 holes would have nearly scored a ball in Saturday’s Medal.
Greg has saluted the handicapper once more and has moved from his lofty and generous handicap back to the new one of 23. Hmmmm methinks there is still some wriggle room there ……. 2nd and oh so close. But primed for next week as she only missed on a mere countback and escaping the handicapper was Marg Campbell. It’s all coming together for Marg, watch out for her to strike very soon. 3rd in the field of 28 was Ron Fuller Snr, 4 shots back from Marg on 28 points.
Dempster Cup Draw
The draw and the dates to play each rounds matches by is now posted on the Golf Notice Board but Round 1 needing to be played by 14 May is as follows;
John Hawkins vs Darrell Cassidy
Jason Pollard vs Ian Bruce
Maurice Manwaring vs Peter Steinke
Ron Kerr vs Tim Beveridge
Kevin Hoppe vs Craig Filmer
Brian Wales vs Bernie Parker
Craig Henman vs Ron Page
Graham Martin-Dye vs Robert Bates
There are some very interesting matches there. Remember to play on or before the nominated date, and on no more handicap than that shown on the board at starting round. You must play on less if that’s where your handicap ends up, but not more than that at starting.
This Week
The gents this week will play an individual stableford for a trophy from Damian Shea’s Gutter vac Company. The Ladies will play an individual stableford on Saturday also for a Club Trophy.
What a great week for either your Dempster match or to improve your eclectic for both Ladies and Men.
I hope to see you on course as the weather is just perfect for golf at present.
Alby
