Scone Golf Report – March 9-14

By Lyn Banks

On Saturday, March 14 the Scone golfers played an 18 Hole Stableford in very cool and windy conditions. A good field of 42 players was in contention for the prizes sponsored by Scott Reid. It was also Round 1 of The Captain’s Trophy.

Tony Pringle and Les Cottam had the best rounds both finishing on 37 points but Tony took the C Grade prize on a countback. Luke Stevens and David Druce both had 36 points and this allowed them to win A and B Grade respectively.

With the pins in some challenging spots winning a NTP was more difficult this week. On the 4^th Jock O’Connor won with 3.89 metres, the 8^th was won by Brad Baker at 2.92 metres, whilst Dave O’Donnell cleaned up on the 13^th and 17^th with 2.53 and 3.28 metres.

Balls were won by Tony Pringle, Les Cottam 37, Red Palmer, Luke Stevens, David Druce 36, Brenan Reeves, Duncan Yuille, David Bradshaw 34, Ross Banks, Daniel Malone 33, John Haydon, Adam Brayshaw 32, Phillip McGuirk, Tony O’Neill, Charlie Manning 31 and Charlie Wintle 30 points on a countback from the unlucky trio Stuart Dawson, John Roe and Jeff Harrington.

On Saturday, March 21 an 18 Hole Individual Stableford and 2 Ball Multiplier will be played. This will be kindly sponsored by Scott Shann and Duncan Yuille. It will also be Round 2 of the R. J. Lowrie Cup.

The men’s A Grade Pennant team travelled to The Vintage on Sunday, March 15 to play Maitland. Will O’Donnell and Matt O’Donnell both squared their matches but Joel Harrison, Brenan Reeves and Matt Hobbs were all defeated. With two rounds to go in the series, the next game is at Kurri against Singleton on March 22.

The Scone ladies played an 18 Hole Stableford on Thursday, March 12 for a Scone RSL Group prize. The winner was Narelle Rutter who won on a countback from Louise Mathews when they both had 32 points. Louise won a ball along with Pam Manning on 29 and Catherine Russell who is returning to the game, on 27 points.

On Thursday, March 19 the deferred Melanie’s Jewellers Monthly Medal will be contested and it will also be the first round of the Golf NSW Medal. This will be played in conjunction with an 18 Hole Stableford and 2 Ball BAM event (6 holes best ball, 6 holes aggregate and 6 holes multiplier) for daily prizes sponsored by Lyn Banks.

Round 2 of the Hunter River District ladies pennant will be played at The Vintage on Monday March 16 against Hunter Valley. The team will be Lyn Banks and Julie Leckie who will play the scratch matches, whilst Dordie Bragg, Jodie Hinde, Cheryl Clydsdale and Kerry McLennan will play the handicap matches.

The Upper Hunter Vets Week of Golf was played at Muswellbrook last week over four days starting with a three day singles event on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, concluding with a 4BBB on Friday. The local ladies were best performed with Muswellbrook players Kim Robinson and Lindis Durham placing first and second in Division 1. Scone members Julie Leckie and Annie Woods both competed and came home with prizes. Julie finished third in the three day event in Division 1 and Annie saved her best until last with a great 39 points to win the NSW VGA Shield on Thursday, and also winning Division 2 in the three day event.

In other touring golf Kerry McLennan, Lyn Banks and previous Scone member Sharon Constable, joined a four day Gold Coast event with 124 players, 28 of which were ladies. Playing in extremely difficult and wet conditions, where play was lucky to go ahead on a couple of days, Sharon was second on day 2 of the singles event at The Glades beating Lyn on a countback. Both received high quality prizes of a putter and ironically an umberella! Lyn’s consistent golf in rounds at Lakelands, The Glades and Royal Pines had her win the ladies division by two points in the Stableford scoring, and also added a putter, rangefinder and other items as prizes in what was a week of great company, new friends and challenging golf.

In the Yellow Tee Challenge played on Wednesday, March 11 the winner was Michael Radford on 27 points. He was well ahead of Charlie Wintle on 22 points who won the runner up prize, something he is becoming a regular at.