A full field of 32 Members contested this challenging links-style course for our first official round of the year. With only 5 members playing to or above handicap the course was the winner on the day, not surprising with the thick rough swallowing any errant shots. The course was in reasonably good shape (we were sorry to see that the 2nd Par 5 is being converted to a Par 4 hole) and the food & service in the restaurant afterwards was excellent.
1st = Frank Topolnjak 42 points;
2nd = Jai Brown on 40 points;
3rd = Helen Janetzki on 38 points.
The next 6 place-getters also received a ball each.
NTPs:
5th 0-19HC: John Elliot 7.5m, 20+HC: Ron Anderson 2.4m
9th 0-19HC: James Lunnay 4m, 20+ HC: Mark Mancini 13m
12th 0-19HC: Tony Carter 1m, 20+HC: Helen Janetzki 9.3m
14th 0-19HC: Wolf Engel 9m, 20+ HC: Frank Sampson 0.6 m (great shot!)
Our next round is Sunday March 20th at Tanunda Pines.
Once again the Blackwood Golf Club presented quite a challenge for all of us as the winning score was only 35 points, posted by Martin Henderson, followed closely by Peter Green on 34 points and then Frank Topolnjak on 31 points. Andrew Reid also managed to accumulate 30 points but the rest of us languished in the 20’s and 3 players even failed to reach that milestone !
Clearly the weather had something to do with the day’s challenge, as it rained on-and-off throughout the day and many of the greens were a bit waterlogged, but hats off to the 17 players who braved the elements (of the 24 who registered originally). And let’s face it, if the Scots hadn’t wanted to play golf in the rain then this game would never have been invented !
There were also 3 match play games taking place, with Oska Wyness taking on both Stu Thomson and Martin Henderson at the same time, but losing 5/4 to both of them; Jim Day also beat Tony Harrison 4/3 in their match.
Anyway, it was another fun day out and was worth the drive up into the hills.
NTPs:
3rd Martin Henderson 4.0m (the only person to stick their tee shot on that green !)
8th Peter Green 5.0m (of 2 players onto that green)
11th Kevin Turnbull 7.0m (of 3 players onto that green)
14th Jim Day 5.0m (of 3 players onto that green)
Next Round 20th February at Mt Compass (along with the AGM)
A total of 76 adults and 4 children, including up to 59 golfers, attended the 2021 Clare weekend. The weather was near perfect for most of the weekend. A wild storm swept through on Saturday afternoon – we were lucky to be back at the hotel by then so missed that. It was good to see some new sponsors and new members attend. This was our third outing to Clare for our end of year tournament – it will be our 40th year next year.
Both the Clare Golf Club and the Clare Country Club were great hosts with plenty of food and drink available for everyone. The relatively hilly course is picturesque and quite challenging, however a fun time was had by all. The greens were generally in very good condition and improved over the weekend.
Our SAOGA sponsors provided teams in the Friday Ambrose competition with a total of 15 teams entered – probably our best-ever turn-out. It was a great day with good feedback from our generous sponsors. Well done to Tony Carter, Frank Sampson, Kevin Turnbull and Sandy Turnbull for winning the Presidents Cup and to Travis Reardon and the Prochem team for winning the Sponsor’s Cup (second year in a row).
There were many Covid-related challenges this year with some uncertainty regarding our budget and sponsorship. Great work by the Committee in bringing it together. Also for the catering efforts by the Clare Country Club on Friday and Saturday evenings as well as to Steve for providing the excellent Pizza lunch after golf on Saturday.
Thanks to Bruce Clark and Andrew Hudson for hosting an excellent BBQ on Sunday night.
Here is a summary of the results:
Thursday / Friday Winners:
JFK Cup (Thursday Stoke): 1st = Benn Cox, 2nd = Frank Sampson, 3rd = Jai Brown.
Presidents Cup (Friday Ambrose, 1st) = Tony Carter, Frank Sampson, Kevin Turnbull, Sandy Turnbull.
Sponsors Cup (Friday Ambrose, 1st) = Prochem Team (Travis Reardon, Stewart Campbell, Anthony Huddy, Tony Steward).
Saturday / Sunday Winners:
Bardrill Cup (Ladies Stableford): 1st = Helen Janetzki, 2nd = Vera Mortimer.
Stealth Tools Cup (Best Stableford – Sat & Sun): 1st = Benn Cox, 2nd = Kris Rodrigues, 3rd = Stu Thomson
Cavpower Cup (Most Consistent Golfer): Helen Janetzki
Ensign / OD&E Trophy (Best Stableford – Sat): 1st = Samuel Garrick, 2nd = Jai Brown
SAOGA Cup (Best Stableford – Sun): 1st = Mark Duerden, 2nd = Graeme Wheare
OICS Cup (Best Scratch): 1st = Jamie Trezise, 2nd = James Lunnay
Santos Cup (Eclectic): 1st = Lyndon Prior, 2nd = Steve Moss
RD Koch Trophy (Most Improved): 1st = Dave Crimmins, 2nd = Kevin Turnbull
• B Grade: 1st = Mark Duerden, 2nd = Tony Harrison
• C Grade: 1st = Liza Wedge, 2nd = Vera Mortimer
In addition to all of the above trophy winners, 64 prize vouchers were won by 52 different players for various Nearest the Pin, Long Drive and Novelty Hole prowess displayed during the Friday, Saturday and Sunday games. The Novelty Hole competitions during the Ambrose game on Friday, comprising a “Straight Drive”, a “Target Drive” and a “Long Drive with a Practice Ball”, were again added for a bit of extra fun on this light-hearted day.
Again, many thanks to our generous sponsors who make the weekend possible. Also, thank you to all who donated (and re-submitted) prizes for the raffle on Saturday night.
Great spring weather for the 31 members who made the trip down south to challenge this well-maintained seaside course in Goolwa. It has a good mix of challenging holes with water hazards and well-placed bunkers ready to swallow any errant shots !
Back to the Corio Hotel for the presentations after the game, where the food was great and the staff friendly, although we were a little squashed in.
First = Vera Mortimer with 39 points
2nd = Rob Mulder with 37 points
3rd = Liz Wedge with 36 points (on a hole-by-hole count-back, bad luck Tony Harrison !)
The next 6 place-getters also received a ball each.
A stunning blue-sky day greeted (and stayed with) us, with a light wind to add a little challenge every now and then and quite a bit of dew on the greens slowing our putts. But obviously the course was more challenging than it looked, with only 6 players (out of 21 starters) managing to score in the 30’s. Members were very lucky to enjoy a beautiful day on this picturesque course on the edge of the hills.
The bistro and bar in the clubhouse served us well, with tasty food on offer and friendly service.
Results:
First = Liz Wedge with 36 points
2nd = Benn Cox with 35 points
3rd = Wolf Engel with 33 points
The next 6 place-getters also received a ball each.
There were also 3 of the SAOGA Winter Matchplay games taking place, resulting in Stu Thomson beating Martin Henderson 3/2, James Lunnay coming from behind to beat Mark Duerden 3/2, and Darren Griffiths hanging on to win 2 Up against Stuart Carnell.
Considering the weather over the previous week, members were very lucky to enjoy an almost rain-free round on this picturesque layout.
Being a public golf course and the amount of people who play it, it was in pretty good shape. Car parking on the grass near the clubhouse was excellent, providing easy access and no worries of finding a ticket on the window when we returned to our cars!
A very nice spot for lunch with the views from the clubhouse, the menu provided a good choice, the food was great and staff were friendly.
Results:
First = Stuart Carnell with 37 points
2nd = Rob Mulder with 36 points
3rd = John Elliot with 35 points
The next 7 place-getters also received a ball each.
NTPs:
5th 0-19HC: Wolf Engel 5m, 20+HC: Nobody
6th 0-19HC: Nobody, 20+ HC: Brad Cunynghame 1m
12th 0-19HC: Marcus Kernahan 5m, 20+HC: Leon Mulder 6.3m
It was a tough day out for 26 Members with no one playing to handicap and only 6 scores in the 30’s ! Either the course was too challenging or we mostly all played poorly in perfect weather? A couple of the Winter Matchplay games were also conducted, both finishing with close results.
Results:
First = Vera Mortimer with 34 points
2nd = Oska Wyness with 32 points
3rd = Jim Day with 31 points
The next 6 place-getters also received a ball each.
22 Members fronted up for SAOGA’s return to this lovely golf course nestled amongst some of Australia’s best Vineyards. A very enjoyable round of golf, the weather was great and the course is in pretty good shape, the greens were excellent.
Results:
Winner: Vera Mortimer with 42 points
2nd: Darren Griffiths with 36 points
3rd: Helen Janetzki with 35 points
NTPs:
3rd: Nobody
6th: 0-19HC: Andrew Reid 7.5m, 20+HC: Nobody
12th: 0-19HC: Stuart Thomson 9.4m, 20+HC: Nobody
15th: Nobody
17th: 0-19HC:Wolf Engel 3.5m; 20+HC: Carolyn Kernahan, 3.5m.
Excellent conditions on the day , the weather was perfect and the Course was in great shape . The Clubhouse food was also very good and enjoyed by all.
Results:
Winner = Rob Mulder 40 pts,
2nd = Al MacDonald 38 pts (C/B),
3rd = Mark Harkins 38 pts
NTPs:
3rd 0-19HC Stuart Thomson 5.7m 20+HC Mark Duerden 5.6m
7th 0-19HC Darren Griffiths 4.3m 20+HC Liza Wedge (42) 5.0m
10th 0-19HC Nobody 20+HC James Skewes 8.0
14th 0-19HC Marcus Kernahan 2.3m 20+HC Nobody
Also congratulations to Lyndon Prior on completing his obligatory 3 rounds to achieve an official Golf Australia handicap.
Our next game is at the Barossa Valley Golf Club on 16th May 🏌️⛳️
Tough times at Tanunda for most of the 28 starters with only 11 recording a score of 30 or more. This course belies it’s Stroke vs Par Rating and with trees, rough and bunkers it’s a great test of Golf. The weather was excellent and all enjoyed the BBQ.
Results:
1st Al MacDonald 36 pts, 2nd Jai Brown 33 pts, 3rd on C/B Frank Topolnjak 33 pts
NTPs (now 2 categories: NTP for handicappers up to 19 and separate NTP for handicappers 20 and over):
7th: Benn Cox & Bob Troubridge
11th No one made it 😱
13th Bruce Clark & Mark Duerden
16th Darren Griffiths & 😱
Match play Result: Benn Cox and Bruce Clark went down to the wire with Bruce prevailing on the the last hole to win a close one.
Our next event is at Victor Harbor on Sunday 18th April
