The first two rounds of the 2021 co-sponsored Greg Harvison Building & Design and Jacaranda Coaches (David & Leanne Morgan) Club Championships were completed last weekend with some surprising results being recorded.
It was expected that the two early favourites for the title, Greg Harvison (plus 1) and defending Champion Matt McKee (scratch) would be fighting for the lead, however they have upstaged by a couple of young golfers who now are recognised as being strong contenders for the title.
At the halfway mark of the 72 hole series young Willow Harris (4) has established a strong lead with rounds of 73 and 75 (total 148) throwing out a strong message to the more experienced contenders, that he is the player to beat. Just the one shot in arrears is Jackson Wright (scratch) on 149, which has set up a more than interesting change for the title in the remaining two rounds. Past Champion Matt McKee, Matt Worthing (3) and Greg Harvison recorded two round scores of 153, 157 and 166 respectively and have a real challenge before them is they are to overtake the two young stars. However, golf being what it is mothering can be taken for granted and the remaining two rounds will be a real test for all of the contenders.
In A Reserve (handicap 6-9) three players have established a strong position with Brendan Cleaver (6) currently leading with 155 strokes. Three shots in arrears to Brendan is Jeff Hackett (6) on 158 with Simon Loadsman (6) also in the mix with 162. The largest grade representation is made up by B Graders with Stephen Hancock (10) leading with a more than respectable score of 157 and will take some catching if he can maintain that form, which would not be too difficult, as he possess some real golf skills.
With a score of 179 Bill Dudgeon (17) leads the C Grade fraternity from Terrance Ord (16) on 184, followed by Brian Dougherty (19) with 186.
The final two rounds will be held this weekend, apart from Stephen Hancock there are no certainties in the various Club and Grade contenders and the next two rounds of the titles will prove to be of much interest to all golfers.
Monthly mug
In conjunction with the first round of the Championships last Saturday, the August monthly mug was held which attracted 140 starters in the Craig Woods Plumbing sponsored event.
Not only has Willow Harris (4) featured in the Club Championship, but he also featured in the mug event. Willow was awarded the overall win with a nett 69 on a c/b from another championship star, Stephen Hancock, who was awarded the win in A Grade for his 69; r/up was Jim O’Donohue (8) with 70.
Matthew J. Dougherty (14) cleaned up in B Grade with 70 nett from Steve Houlahan (15) on 71.
In C Grade it was Robert Usher (21) who got the cash with a 71. Robert’s form has been very consistent in recent weeks and surely must see some adjustment to his handicap very soon; r/up was Mitch Rose on 72.
To win a pro-ball you required a score of 77 nett which involved the countback process, with the pro pin being awarded to Craig Langford (4) his tee shot on the 1st finishing just 149cm short of the pin.
Ray Hopwood