21 years has been a long time between drinks for Harden’s Scott Fuller Shield players. Sunday afternoon, however, held a sweet taste of victory when Harden took home the Shield with an excellent display of golf in sweltering conditions at Cootamundra. The team brought the shield back to their spiritual home, the Harden Country Club, and celebrated long into the evening. This is only the third time Harden has secured the trophy in 53 years, and it has been 21 years since they last won it in 1993.
The concept for a summer golf competition to be played between South West District Association clubs was the brainchild of A. P. Scott of Cootamundra and C. L. Fuller of Tumut. The intention of the competition was and is to provide interaction and develop friendships between the members of the South West clubs. This has certainly
worked a treat, as since the first event in 1961 the competition has always been contested with friendly rivalry.
For just the third time in the 53 years the Shield has been contested, the Harden golfers have earned bragging rights after a well-deserved victory in the 2013/14 playing of the event. As the Club’s previous two successes came in 1987 and 1993, the 19 pairs who represented at Cootamundra on Sunday were determined to capitalise on our slender lead, after the first two rounds, and add Harden’s name to the Shield for a third time.
All players who have represented the Club in all or some of the three rounds can feel justifiably proud of their efforts, as the end result is attributable to a fantastic club spirit and a desire to provide a much needed shot in the arm for Harden golf.
While it may seem a bit unfair to single out individuals after what was a great team effort, it would be just as unfair to not mention our trophy winners for round three on Sunday. Tim Beveridge and Laurie Monoghan led the Harden contingent with a very good 48 points, which was the second best score of the 57 pairs who competed. Runners-up were Chris Hocking and Tony Osborne, who between them managed a handy 45 points.
