It was a glorious golf day for the 91 players in the Mount Gambier Golf Club’s Thursday’s pro shop stableford event, albeit a bit windy later in the day.

The fastest milkman in the west, driving the noisiest red golf cart, Andrew Noble (pictured) on 18 who has been knocking on the door, finally broke through for a well-deserved win.

Part of the first group off in the morning contingent, Noble was the clubhouse leader all day.

The long hitting milkman was in for a good day when he duffed his first drive but was still on the 1st in regulation for an easy par and he was away with splits of 21/19 highlighted by a birdie on the 8th for 4 points.

The consistent Nic Clayton (5) was runner up on 37 points with birdies on the 5th for 4 points, the 9th and 18th and the “won the chocolates” from the afternoon golfers.

Other good scores on 36 points were the recently retired and match committee member Peter Miller (14) and the Hawthorn tragic Dave Boyce.

The ball rundown stopped at Judson Wheatly with 33 points and NTP were taken out by Peter Emetlis on the 8th and John Miles on the 16th but alas no birdies.

The good weather continued for the Saturday stableford competition and the good field of 106 had the majority of players scoring in the 30s.

Golf is never over until it is over and that was the case for Neil Quirk (18) whose 39 points took out C grade and was the best score on the day.

A front 9 of only 15 points, helped by a 4 point birdie on the 6th, is not confidence inspiring but as golf has it, that was quickly turned around on the back 9 with 6 pars for 24 points.

Very impressive scoring and a well-deserved win.

Runner up was Paul Braithwaite (21) with 38 points which included 6 pars for the day which is well above the odds for a 21 handicapper but offset by some troublesome double bogeys.

Put those to bed and Paul will be in the winner’s circle shortly.

Others to play well included on 37 points Ross Anderson, again, Jack Peacock, “Shinner” Smith, Peter Berkefeld, Chris Gabriel and on 36 points Barley Ashby.

B Grade was won by Paul Reade (11) also with 39 points from Nathan Taylor (14) on 37 points. Paul, a thinking golfer, has been in good form of late, helped by living on the course and practicing and was overdue for a win.

Splits of 18/21 were highlighted by a 4 point birdie on the challenging 12th and the another birdie on the 16th.

The long hitting Taylor with splits of 18/19, has the arsenal to drop his handicap quite a bit, reflected in the 9 pars on his card.

Once consistency comes and double bogeys are eliminated a win beckons.

Others to play to their handicap with 36 points were Barry Brook, still in good form, Gordon Bignell, “Pup” Collie and Mike Morton.

Rob Perryman (10) another course resident who spends a lot of time on the course, won A grade with 38 points made up of 18/20. What is it about the back 9 that everybody seems to score well on with Rob another one to have 6 pars on the back 9.

The ultra consistent Gary Wilson (6) with 36 points, 17/20, was runner up and would be steaming with a wipe on the long 17th which suits this long hitter.

Gary was 1 under the card at that point on the back 9.

Not happy one would assume.

Shane Brook on 36 points was the only other A Grader to play to handicap.

The ball run down was rounded out by Pat O’Donnell on 33 points and nearest the pin went to Craig Wirth on the 8th, who won the 16th last week and Paul Reade on the 16th.

The Pro Shop Handicap Match Play qualifying rounds have completed with the draw for the top 32 qualifiers on the match notice board.

Tee times have been allocated for the first knockout handicap match play round on Sunday 10, followed by September 17 and the final on September 24.

Sunday 10 is two rounds and as the clubhouse will be closed players will need to make their own catering arrangements.