October Monthly Medal

The October Telescope Tyres / Hankook Masters Monthly Medal was played on Saturday, and our day sponsor was Peter Woods and Associates. This company have been strong supporters of the PGC for decades and we appreciate the ongoing support from Mark Job and team and look forward to hosting their event well into the future. What a great day for golf it was, there were 91 like-minded folks out and chasing the little white ball around the fairways. The greens are all but recovered from renovations and great scoring was anticipated.

In A grade it took well into the afternoon to find the winner of the scratch event. Aaron Wilkie, as per usual, went out mid-morning and posted a healthy, though gettable, 78 off the stick with a 41 on the front with a double on the 9 th curtailing a better score. He picked up on the back with a 37 including a birdie on the last. There were 3 other players, Mark Kelly, Robert Hey and John Green sitting on 80 but no-one else making ground until Anthony Rath teed it up later in the afternoon. Although Anthony hasn’t played here much of late, with a 1 handicap for this round, his game is always to be respected. Anthony parred the front 9, thanks to birdies on the 8th and 9th . On the back 9 he just grafted away to fire a 2 over for a good 74 for the round and to be well in front at the finish. In the net event it was a refreshed Mark Kelly who took out the event with a sizzling 68. Whilst he plays in the shadow of mate and Captain John Green for the most part he is emerging as a genuine threat in all the A grade matches of late. Nym Dziuba chased hard with his 69 just falling short. Nym took the opportunity to play off the White tees and took full advantage. Phil Bishop and Wayne Powter played to their handicaps to finish on 72.

In the B grade scratch event Peter Bristol slipped down a grade to take the prize from Joe Davies on the same score and Jordan Grosvenor and Justin Middleton 2 strokes back. Bristol is working his way back into some form after a medical break on the aging body. A solid closing 41 helped his cause. Joe Davies is unstoppable currently with the run returning to the course and most holes reachable for him. Jordan managed to secure a birdie either side, but 3 doubles and triple halted his progress. Justin went out in a solid 42 but coming home with a 44 also took the prize from his grasp. In the net event Joe’s 68 was the winning score on the day but just. Tony Hendry, who couldn’t even describe what the podium looked like it has been that long, had a closing 41 off the stick to add to his outward 47 to miss out by a stroke of getting the goodies on the day. Good to see him finding some form. Tom Medcalf, Jordan, Peter, Justin and Brendon Simpson all fired in 71s on the day.

In C grade Richard Hamilton backed up from the September Medal and stole the show once again. This time it was tense as he had to do it via the dreaded countback from Dylan Hood. Dylan got in and posted the score, and it did hold for all others except Richard on the day. Richard had a 44 on the front and back and Dylan had already posted that, but Richard had a birdie on the 17th that saved the crown. Rob Staples also played below his handicap to record a 90 on the day. In the Net event Richard had a superb 65, which will have the handicapper salivating. Michael Lynch looked like his old self producing a 67 round and Frankie Cock, Dylan and Mel Matthews all had very good 68s.

The Griffins Leading Edge putting competition was won by Mark Kelly with 28 putts. The Norman family sponsored Wally Norman Vets Medal was won by Michael Lynch with his 67.

The Nearest The Pins on Saturday were – the Idlerite 1st by Brendon Simpson at 9.0m, the Griffins Leading Edge by David Stevenson at 276cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Wayne Powter at 197cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Rob Staples at 475cm and the 17th by Frankie Cock 145cm.

The Money Hole was won by Rob Staples at 475cm.

Ball winners were Dylan Hood, Mel Matthews 68, Tony Hendry 69, Nym Dziuba 69, Rob Staples, Tim Baker, Mick Bond 70.

Next weekend the club is hosting a 4BBB Medley Stableford with Cheney Constructions as the sponsor. The Handiskins Final is scheduled for next Sunday as well.