With Mount Gambier experiencing one of its coldest days, Thursday golf was played in freezing conditions but that did not deter 78 golf tragics from playing.
The Mount Gambier Golf Club course continued to hold up well with Peter “Pup” Collie’s 39 points leading the way.
“It was a good day’s work for the 14 handicapper with splits of 18 and 21 made up of five pars and a birdie on the 8th.
Runner up on 38 points was Pat O’Donnell off a two handicap with the round of the day, even par 72.
It was a good round any day but especially in winter.
Pat had splits of 17pts and 21pts shooting one under par 35 on the back 9, with birdies on 11 and 18 and a surprising lone bogey on 15.
Others to score well with 38 points were the left-handed Garry McCormack and Daniel Long who continues to keep his good form on track.
Saturday’s field of 86 players encountered severe windy conditions for most of the day with rain later in the afternoon making it a stern test.
With good scores hard to come by for the majority of players, A grade was taken out by David Pick with a fine 39 points.
David benefitted from some Friday afternoon reconnaissance of the course with even par 36 for 20 points the front 9 and 19 points on the back.
The long hitter had the course under control being even par through 11 holes and a chip in eagle on the 15th completed a fine round.
Runner up with 37 points was former club captain Adrian Ballintyne with a steady round, highlighted with a birdie 4 points on the 3rd and a bonus 3 point birdie on the 16th.
B grade was won by Damian Smith, one of the early morning golfers also with 39 points.
A player who is always around the mark, the boat builder had his sails up with 10 pars for the day.
Runner up with 36 points was Tim MacClean who did his best work on the back 9 with 20 points which was one of the best scores on the back 9.
Five three pointers was offset by four double bogeys and a story of what could have been for Tim.
C grade golfers found the going tough with Ross “Lofty” Anderson on 33 points the winner, from Charlie Finch, who will have bragging rights over his regular Friday night crew at the club, on 32 points and both players had 18 points on the back 9.
“Lofty” Anderson is a regular on Tuesdays for a round so he will be able to enjoy some mileage on his win.
The tough conditions were reflected in the ball rundown going as low as 30 points and nearest the pin went to Rob McIntyre on the 8th and Rob McLellan on the 16th who both put it in close and converted for birdie.
Saturday’s upcoming competition is the July monthly medal and while the course has been in great condition, reflecting all the good work under way, the above average rainfall will make the monthly medal just that more challenging which is the beauty of golf.
