The 2015 North Coast Holiday Park Australian 2 Man Ambrose Winners – Daryl O’Keefe and Brent Lange of Cootamundra pictured with Ian Kinleyside of the North Coast Holiday Park. The gentlemen won the weekend with a score of 18 under par.
When Spring rolls around in Harden, Australian Titles fever begins to build. Our little Town punches well above its weight when it comes to hosting golf tournaments. From the seed of an idea by Bruce Ware and a few fellow golfers some 26 years ago, the Australian 2 Man Ambrose Championship was born. This last weekend saw it conducted for the 25th year, and what a silver jubilee it was. In their third year of sponsorship, the crew at North Coast Holiday Parks have been gracious hosts and this year put $10,000 worth of value into the quality spread of executive prizes for this years event. Remember, if you are planning a holiday to look up our members within this organisation, namely Kate & Ian Kinleyside and I am sure they will look after you like a king and queen.
The Bruce Ware Australian 2 Man Ambrose Championships proudly brought to you by North Coast Holiday Parks, saw some 194 players on the course each day, for 2 days of combat, laughs, camaraderie and fun that are all hallmarks of this event. The 4 corners of our broad continent were represented amongst the members from 38 different Clubs, ranging from Moruya to the East, Pinjarra WA in the west, Links Hope Island in the north and Howlong to the south. Even inland course players where grass greens are scarce in Brewarrina and Cobar, made a show for the weekend to pack out our fields and continue the event’s success.
2015 Champions from Cootamundra Country Club Our Champions for this years title and no strangers to the top spot at this event, come from Cootamundra. Darryl O’Keefe and Brent Lange are never too far from the money in this event and this year was no different. With a combined aggregate of 124 off the stick or in layman’s terms 18 under par for their 2 rounds was 1 shot clear of the field. In his speech a very gracious Brent heaped praise on the Sponsors, the Board, the Course and its attendants, and the organising committee for bringing together such a wonderful event that is a tribute to the Club and the hard work put in for players enjoyment.
Runners Up were Josh Reid and Matt Buick from Royal Canberra who were only 1 shot back and escaping a play-off. The B Grade Champions this year saw one bloke who has championed this course and this event on local, regional and national media as a Prime 7 Newsreader and Producer, prove successful. Doug Hogan now playing out of Gunghalin Lakes ACT and his mate Andrew Morrison from Wagga Wagga City Club took out the B Grade major title with 140 off the beater.
This pairing scored 2 shots clear of 5 other pairings tied for 2nd, with eventual runner up status awarded to local Kevin Hoppe and his mate Anthony Charman from Shell Cove Links Club. The A Grade Nett Winners went to strong supporters of this event in John McKie of North Ryde Club and his partner Richie Miranda from Links Hope Island Club. Richie used to travel from overseas when posted there, just to play in this event in years past, a fitting result.
The runners up in the A Grade 36 hole nett went to Wayne Evans of Royal Canberra Club and his partner Garry Cooke playing out of Tura Beach. The B Grade Nett Winners went to long time supporters of this event in brothers Stephen and John Hollie playing out of Wagga City Club. The runners up in this grade went to locals Tom Poole and Mark Parker, both of whom need to be sighted more regularly at Saturday Golf !! After all of the events above were filled, the Ian and Kate Kinleyside Perpetual Veterans Champions were then announced, with a very popular result being the pairing of Geoff Walker from Young Golf Club and his mate Peter Elliott from Harden being the winners.
Many giggles came from the crowd as these past Event Champions made their way to the stage on their zimmer frames to collect their trophies in this division now that they have ripened on the vine. Peter and Geoff nudged out locals Robert Bates and Darrell Cassidy for this honour. Daily Events Through the generosity of our sponsors, daily prizes were laid on and the results went as follow. Saturday 18 Hole A Scratch -Scott Fogg (Gold Creek) and Jamie Kemp (Murrumbidgee) 18 Hole A Nett-M Miller and D McGilvray (Royal Canberra)18 Hole B Scratch- Ken Alexander and Anthony Deep (Cootamundra) 18 Hole B Nett-Phil Town and Alex Jameison (North Ryde) Sunday 18 Hole A Scratch-Glenn Johnston and Chris Johnston (Twin Creeks 18 Hole A Nett-Greg Sheaves (Ryde) and Matt McFarlane (Pymble)18 Hole B Scratch-Brad and Greg Brown (Sibelco) 18 Hole B Nett-Kyle Murray and John Hawkins (on fire and from Harden Country Club) Longest Drives and Nearest the Pins were awarded on both days and these events were proudly brought to us by associate sponsors Tooheys and Carlton Brewing. Whilst these 10 results are not listed in this write up, when you think long drives, think again and add some more.
Stories of gents driving the 11th on one day, flying the 4th green when teeing off the first and also having wedges into par 5’s is just scary stuff. Likewise with nearest the pins, not one nearest the pin all weekend was greater than 6 ft in the old language with the average winner being no more than 1 metre from the pin, eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! Again and from my perspective, the hard work over many years by the organising Committee needs to be stated. Peter and Jeanette Elliott along with Ron Page and helpers from the Men’s Committee and Club Staff as required, should be recognised. To make the event look like it’s a duck on a pond, the camera really needs to be underwater and weeks in advance to see the heavy paddling and churning going on. Thanks gang, it is appreciated !! To our sponsors North Coast Holiday Parks, fantastic effort and great support. I only hope your brand sticks in players minds and you get return dollars to justify your investment and labelling of this event. To the Club, Board and Staff including Greenkeeper, Hospitality staff, Board families, Restaurant as well as all other volunteers on course and off, thanks a million. You have done our town and Club proud and everyone appreciated your effort.
Here we go now for next year’s event with planning talks already underway …… Midweek Golf With all of the lead up to our big event only a medium sized field got out to enjoy the course this week. And our head bushranger is at it again in Ron Fuller Snr. Again I have foot in mouth disease because I can recall saying that Ron would be set after a big win and handicap deduction only a few weeks ago. Well he did it again !! On the 12 hole and 24 point layout, Mr Fuller Snr has been purposeful in his work and applied himself solidly for a massive 32 points. I trust and pray this makes the paper because I let Ron down last time and Mrs Fuller did not believe he won the comp because I did not publish it. Hopefully Ron cuts this out, circles it in red and plonks it on the fridge for all to see !! Ron is further deducted 8 shots of handicap and shall now be playing off 18.5. Other scores of note included Rod McIntyre lurking 1 shot back and free from the handicappers gaze and scythe, whilst Margie Campbell was not missed in the mention stakes with her very tidy 27 points. Next Week Well resumption of our normal golf calendar resumes this weekend. This Saturday sees Men and Ladies combined in a Mixed Medley 4 BBB Stableford where you bring your own partners. This is usually code for you will find one over your first beer at midday …. This event is brought to us by Peter Elliott as sponsor. On Sunday our Ladies compete for their end of year Medal of Medals which will be brought to you by Jeanette Elliott and Harden Fuel Supplies. On Saturday for Mens and Ladies, and then again on Sunday the Bendigo Bank Whopper Account Hole in One will be in action on the 10th hole. See you all out there. Alby
