By Casey O'Connor
Golfers from 15 clubs joined Stanthorpe players last weekend for the annual Stanthorpe Golf Open. Played over two days the Open was once again sponsored by Maddie’s Gift Gallery and the City Golf Club Toowoomba.
The weather gods were kind to players and organisers and with the recent welcome rain the course was presented in A1 condition for the popular event.
Ian Pickering and Len Leigh used their local knowledge to full advantage on Saturday in the medley four ball Stableford event returning 46 points for the round. Pickering scored on 12 holes and was well backed up by his playing partner to keep the scoring intact. The pair played a steady front nine carding 21 points but powered home on the back nine scoring 25 points.
Finding a runner up was challenging. The count back procedure was in overdrive when nine pairs returned a score of 454 points.
When all said and done it was another local pairing declared runners-up – Stephen Kay and Keith Alien. The remaining teams relegated to the run down.
92 players backed up for Sundays single events. The men played a stroke event and the Ladies a Stableford.
Play progressed smoothly through the morning and afternoon sessions and once again the local players rose to the occasion.
In the Men’s event Scott Constable continued his recent run of good form returning 75 for the round to be named Open Champion. Rob Reeves returned the best nett score of 66.
Lyn Ludlow claimed the Overall win in the ladies’ event. Her score of 37 points three clear of the remainder of the field.
The Men’s gross and nett grade winners were:-
A Grade – Matt Waterworth (76; James Shaw (nett 69)
B grade – Mick O’Brien (81); Bill Webb (nett 69 c/b)
C grade – to Max Hunter (89); Brad Gibson (nett 71).
Results for the ladies were:-
Div. 1 -Nikki Waterworth (34); runner up Jennifer Sparkes (33pts)
Div. 2 Kay Webb (34c/b); runner up Annelle Batterham (34pts)
Div. 3 Madeline Jarman (33) runner up Rosemary Fawdon (31 pts).
The Carnival weekend, although busy was very successful. The busy weekend went off without a hitch thanks to the hard work on both days of a small army of supporters and members. Special thanks to Bill Pyne, the Stanthorpe greenkeeper who did a wonderful job and presented the course in perfect condition. Ron Batterham also deserves special mention. He managed to get the big fields out on the course on time and collected and collated the scores at the end of play. Collating some of those scores must have been a nightmare.
After a big weekend last weekend the Stanthorpe golfing fraternity will play the Poole’s Produce Golf Day on Saturday for November Monthly Medal and putting competition in conjunction with the Medal of Medallists.
The Men qualified for the Medal of Medallists will be playing for the Roy Carnell Trophy and the ladies event is sponsored by Tom and Trish Fittock.
Sunday Sporters return after a lazy weekend last weekend making way for the Stanthorpe Open. Tee off times as normal.
