Clare 2023 Tournament (SAOGA’s 41st), 16th to 19th November 2023
The 41st SAOGA Golf Tournament was held at the Clare Golf Course & Country Club from 16th to 19th November 2023 and was a very successful event.
The weather was glorious, the golf course looked great and all of the social events went like clockwork. Thanks to Bruce & Huddo for the Sunday BBQ and to the Stu / Glenn musical duo for more entertainment.
There was fantastic support from our Committee for the event organisation – especially Stu, our Secretary. The golf and the carts all worked well – all rounds were prompt and the scoring was greatly optimised by most of our members now using the MiScore app.
The Sponsor’s Day was exciting with a new team on board and them wanting to attend all 4 days next year! All of the generous sponsors ensured we met budget and importantly, did not suffer a loss.
Thanks also go out to the Clare Golf Club for their volunteers upstairs and the Pro (Phil) running the golf course. The Country Club was accommodating and it is good to see that they have now renovated most (if not all ?) of the rooms.
Congratulations to Cathy Goldsworthy as the overall winner on Saturday & Sunday, and the new holder of the Stealth Trophy !
Here is a summary of all the main results:
| Pre-Tournament: |
| Matchplay Trophy: 1st = Robert Pearce, 2nd = Benn Cox, 3rd = Mark Duerden, 4th = James Lunnay. |
| Thursday / Friday Winners: |
| JFK Cup (Thursday Stoke): 1st = Frank Topolnjak, 2nd = Bruce Clark. |
| Presidents Cup (Friday Ambrose, 1st) = Darren Griffiths, Mike Willis, Jeff Rooney, Leigh Townsin. |
| Sponsors Cup (Friday Ambrose, 2nd) = Helen Janetzki, Carolyn Kernahan, Lyndon Prior, Chris McKay. |
| Saturday / Sunday Winners: |
| NAGA Trophy = Glenn Wilkin |
| Halliburton Cup (Calloway): 1st = Darlene Crimmins, 2nd = Bella Hudson |
| Cavpower Cup (Most Consistent Golfer): Vera Mortimer |
| RD Koch Trophy (Most Improved): 1st = Darren Griffiths, 2nd = Jim Stobie |
| SAOGA Club Championship: |
| • C Grade: 1st = Lyndon Prior, 2nd = Kathy Cunynghame |
| • B Grade: 1st = Frank Topolnjak, 2nd = Bruce Clark |
| • A Grade: 1st = Benn Cox, 2nd = Darren Griffiths |
| Major Trophies: |
| Drill Quip Cup (Eclectic): 1st = Bruce Clark, 2nd = James Lunnay |
| Desert City Cup (Best Scratch Saturday + Sunday): 1st = Benn Cox, 2nd = Darren Griffiths |
| Ensign Trophy (Best Stableford on Saturday): 1st = Frank Sampson, 2nd = David Crimmins |
| SAOGA Cup (Best Stableford on Sunday): 1st = Samuel Garrick, 2nd = Frank Topolnjak |
| Bardrill Cup (Best Overall Stableford on Saturday & Sunday): 1st = Helen Janetzki, 2nd = Vera Mortimer |
| Stealth Tools Cup (Best Overall Stableford on Saturday & Sunday): 1st = Cathy Goldsworthy, 2nd = Martin Henderson, 3rd = James Lunnay |
In addition to all of the above trophy winners, 44 prize vouchers were won by 25 different players for various Nearest the Pin, Long Drive and Novelty Hole prowess displayed during the Friday, Saturday and Sunday games.
Again, many thanks to our generous sponsors who make the weekend possible. Also, thank you to all who donated prizes for the raffle on Saturday night.
The committee is already looking forward to the 2024 event, having already booked the Clare Country Club, the Clare Golf Club (both the course and the club-room upstairs) and the Saturday caterers again for the period 14th to 17th November 2024 – so lock these dates into your diary now !
Mark Duerden, SAOGA President