Round 4 of the 2021 Club Championships drew to a close and despite some nervous moments amongst our lead contenders, the margin of victory in each of our premium grades proved our winners to be rightful Champions. In A Grade our Club Champion was once again Ben Glover who put together some very good rounds when it counted, shooting par or under of the stick, before holding on down the stretch to claim the title by 17 shots from his nearest chaser. Well done Ben, a much-deserved win.
Our B Grade Champion also extended himself well, better than his playing handicap across all 4 rounds to win by 18 shots at the end of the day. Harry Sachs put together 4 near-perfect rounds to claim the B Grade title and also the prestigious McLean Gold Cup for the best aggregate after handicap for the Championships, all 4 rounds. In the latter event Harry has played 4 rounds at an aggregate of 8 shots better than his ever-diminishing handicap to beat a fast-finishing Matt Peisley, 10 shots back and only 2 off his handicap after 4 days.
Our Vets Champion was Kevin Hoppe, who with a failing back managed to claim this title by quite some margin. Special mention to our keen sole junior in Brodie Schofield who completed his first full Championships having recently caught the bug and delivered 4 scores on which we know he will build upon soon. Keep up the good work Brodie.
Whilst on Silverware. At the presentation, Harry Sachs also claimed the Club MatchPlay title known as the Dempster Cup. This year was the 90th anniversary of the conducting of this event, first played for in 1931 and Harry cleaned all and sundry up in dynamic style, barnstorming his way to victory a few weeks ago.
Daily Event Saturday
On Saturday, the field arrived for Round 3 to rolled and cut greens and a different experience from rounds 1 & 2 of the Championships. The course was set long and the greens getting slicker and trickier with some pin cuts proving length and accuracy to be at a premium.
Our daily winners both shot 38 points Stableford and were rewarded with a voucher for their 2 better than handi-cap or 38 point rounds. Ben’s was a great round of 69 off the stick, normally very tough for a scratch marker to claim a Stableford event but well done. Both boys were 5 points clear of their nearest chasers.
Balls went back deep to 31 points and were awarded to Chad Gilmour (33), Simon Glover (33), Bernie Parker (32), Michael Baldry (32), Craig Filmer (31) and Matt Peisley (31).
Daily Event Sunday
Sunday again saw Chad with more tricks up his sleeve as Green’s Superintendent. The greens rolled again and brought down a tad more saw the fastest to adapt to the changing pace of putts, proving the golfer who would chase ahead.
That man on Sunday was Matt Peisley and saw him as the only golfer to break his handicap for the day, having a hard-fought 37 Stableford points. Balls went back to 33 points and were claimed by Ashley Hall (36), Chad Gilmour (35), Harry Sachs (34), John Brownhill (33) and Maurice Manwaring (33).
Championships – Top 3 each grade
The final Championships podium getters were as follows;
A Grade
Champion: Ben Glover 79 | 71 | 69 | 81 | 300
Runners Up: Kevin Hoppe 72 | 81 | 84 | 80 | 317, Matt Peisley 77 | 79 | 84 | 78 | 318
B Grade
Champion: Harry Sachs 89 | 82 | 87 | 90 348
Runner Up: Tam Kennedy 86 | 86 | 98 | 96 366, Chad Gilmour 95 | 94 | 91 | 88 | 368
Vets Champion
Champion: Kevin Hoppe 72 | 81 | 84 | 80 317
Runner Up: David James 86 | 82 | 97 | 98, Tam Kennedy 86 | 86 | 98 | 96 | 366
McLean Gold Cup (Nett)
Champion: Harry Sachs 70 | 63 | 70 | 70 276
Runners Up: Matt Peisley 69 | 71 | 76 | 70 286, Kevin Hoppe 68 | 77 | 79 | 75 | 299
Thanks go to Chris Longbottom as GM of Club who lent the IT support behind the scenes above and beyond his station after long hours each week to make the starting work, the prizes available and assist where he could.
Thank you also to all the golfers for seeing it out for the 4 rounds and a thank you to Chad for his presentation of the Golf Course for this premium Club event.
This Saturday:
A pressure free3 individual Stableford is scheduled for this Saturday after 4 rounds of stroke play. It’s a mixed medley Stableford so all are welcome.
See you there.
Alby
Ben Glover – Club Champion
Ben Glover & Kevin Hoppe Club Champion & R/UP (also Vets Champion)
Harry Sachs – B Champion, McLean Gold Cup Winner & Dempster Cup Winner
Budding Junior Golfer – Brodie Schofield
