Magnificent golf on display in round 2 of the Mens Club Championships.
by David Ransom
Players were met with near perfect conditions today with the course in excellent shape, the greens running true and fast, and many keen to show their wares.
The Championships are set to reach a crescendo next weekend after some exciting and exhilarating golf in round 2 today. The long wait was worth it!
Gross
In A grade, Joe Neilson has opened up a 4-shot gap after his superb 70 off the stick today for a 2-round total of 147. Joel McIntosh is next best on 151, with a good chance next weekend. Anthony Smith and John Anthony are also in with a chance on 157. John was left ruing his last hole 7 which has slightly dented his chances, while Anthony’s 76 was also of high calibre. Defending champion, Noel Laman keep his chances alive with a 76 today but will need something special next week. Lee Hayward, 78 today, and Ryan Medland will also need great scores next Saturday.
In B grade, Ken Holt has also opened up a lead and is in front by 3 on 168. The experienced pair of Bob Neilson and Peter Francis, on 171, are close if good enough, as is Greg Quigg on 172 and Ken Bradley on 173. Mal Hoy, Phil Adams, and Ron Chilby are also in with a good chance on 175.
In C grade, Tim Condon leads narrowly by 1 on 179, with Peter Hughes next on 180 and Cam Bartkowiak next on 183. Experience suggests that anybody within 15 in C grade is a good chance so don’t give up the ghost just yet.
Nett
The prize structure of the championships is constructed in such a way that players can’t win both the gross and nett. If you win the Gross and become the club champion and also lead in the nett then you can’t win them both. The next on the list gets the nett.
In A grade, nett leaders are Joe Neilson and John Anthony on 131, Jake Willoughby on 136, Ryan Medland on 138 and Tom Zimmermann and Paul Henderson on 140.
Several others are also close.
In B grade, Nett leaders are Phil Adams and Peter Francis on 131, Ken Holt on 132, Greg Quigg on 134 and several others very close. Many have good chances to claim a prize.
In C grade, Tim Condon leads on 131, Peter Hughes is next on 132, and Bob Wright third on 135. Just about all remaining C graders are in with a shot.
September Monthly Medal
Andrew Coffey fired the lights out today with a net 61 to claim the A grade monthly medal by 1 from Joe Neilson.
Greg Quigg was the B grade Medalist with a 63, two ahead of Bob Neilson.
The C grade monthly Medalist was Peter Willis with a nett 63 one ahead of Matt Rodgers and Cam Bartkowiak.
Best gross of the day was by Joe Neilson with a 70. John Anthony won the best putter award with 25 putts on a countback from Andrew Coffey.
All the Monthly Medalists, Andrew, Greg, and Peter have qualified for the Gold Medal Playoff in November and John for the Golden Putter award also in November.
Stableford Salver
The Stableford Salver is for all members of the club of either gender and was designed for those not with a chance in the Championships or for members who missed a round for any reason.
This year Oaks Automotive added to this event by donating a golf bag as the winning prize for the Salver winner.
It was very close with 2 players finishing on 40 points, Charlie Struck and Sylvia Karschies. The Australian Countback System was required to separate them. Both had the same score on the back nine and so the countback went to the total of their last six holes. In the closest of finishers Sylvia came out on top with 13 points compared to 12 points for Charlie. Lucky for Sylvia as she wiped the last 2 holes and would have lost if the next level of countback was needed.
Sylvia was very appreciative and thankful to Steve Oppert from Oaks Automotive and commiserated with Charlie on the narrowness of her victory.
Final Round – Club Championships
The concluding round of the 2025 Club Championships will be contested next weekend, commencing with a shotgun start at 8:00 am.
The Club extends its best wishes to all competitors for good fortune and strong play as they vie for this year’s titles.
May the true Champions emerge!