If Covid-19 had a silver lining for Todd Lewis, it was that he discovered how much he liked golf and how good at it he was.
Fully intending to pull the footy boots on for West Gambier before the lock-down in March last year, Lewis turned his attention to golf. And by winning Saturday’s stableford competition at the Mount Gambier Golf Club with 40 points, he saw his handicap further reduced to 19 from the 31 he played off less than 12 months ago.
It was also his second victory at the Attamurra layout after winning a Thursday competition in October with a staggering 47 points.
“I have just bought a new set of clubs so I’ll keep playing when I can and then get back into it after the footy season,” Lewis said.
His round on Saturday started well with 20 points through the first eight holes, but looked in danger of derailing after adding just two more on the next three holes.
But despite a lost ball on the par-five 15th, he recovered to stand on the 18th tee with 37 points.
In an incredible coincidence, he was playing alongside brother Nathan who had compiled the exact same number of points.
Both hit their drives through the fairway to the left of the bottom bunker and while Nathan had no shot and finished on the same score, Todd recovered with an excellent second onto the green from about 110 metres to finish with a par, three points and victory.
Nathan had some consolation by taking second place behind his brother in C Grade, while Jayden Eldridge took out A Grade with 39 points, one ahead of Thomas Madigan.
Leigh McManus claimed top spot in B Grade with 38 points, Peter Berkefeld continuing his form revival in second place with 36.
Meanwhile a player who has lived next to the course for a few years, but only began playing about two years ago, has been soaking up a win he had almost conceded would never happen.
Playing off a 30 handicap, veteran Bob Tonkin compiled 43 points to take out last Thursday’s stableford competition from Sarina visitor Ben Maxwell and John Sandery who both finished on 41.
“I was staying with a mate at Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast – we were playing a round there and I thought to myself, ‘I’m living on a golf course, why do not I play?’” he said.
After buying a set of clubs and having some lessons after he got back home, he was on his way, although he soon realised how difficult and frustrating golf can be. But with some helpful advice from fellow player Kym Sutherland, the drought finally broke last week when he set the foundation for that elusive win with a 24-point haul on the front nine.
That included four-point pars on the 2nd and 7th, the latter coming courtesy of a chip in. His back nine was not quite as productive, but a further 19 points was good enough for 43 in total and a round of 95 off the stick.
“That was my best round by a mile – at least I know I can do it now,” he said. While Tonkin took out the major prize, the round of the day was turned in by Shane Brook who had a 74 off the stick for 38 points.
A double bogey on the par-three 6th cost him the chance of shooting a par round.
