The Mount Gambier Golf Club on Sunday hosted the conclusion of The Pro Shop handicap match competition.
After the qualifying and knockout match play rounds, the final came down to Stacey Parsons, the number two seed and Jason Millhouse the number five seed.
It was played in ideal conditions and the evenly matched players were all square through the first nine before Stacey edged ahead two-up after the 12th and made it three-up with three to play after another win on the 14th and a confident putt to halve the 15th.
Jason, not to be outdone, played a brilliant shot to the 16th then won the 17th to send the match to the last.
Stacey held firm and played the last perfectly with a good drive and approach to close it out.
It was a tight battle with Stacey the worthy winner, joining an illustrious list of past champions on the trophy and well played by Jason taking it to the 18th.
On Thursday 92 players teed off on a perfect spring day with the course having a bit more run.
Surprisingly given the conditions, the ball run down concluded at 34 points.
Shane Brook (7) defied all comers scoring 42 points with an outstanding 24 on the back nine, 35 off the stick.
It’s no secret that Shane has struggled with the putter in recent times, but a change to the reverse grip has been a confidence booster, which is an essential ingredient in golf.
Scott Kenny (19) was runner up with 40 points comprising 21/19 featuring a par on the hardest hole on the course, the 17th for 4 points.
Other good scores with 39 points came from Richard Gosling shooting even par and Max Tollner, a Collingwood tragic who will have sleepless nights this week and on 38 points Jeff Olafsen.
Nearest the pins were taken out by Mike Attwell on the 8th and Gary Wilson on the 16th both converting for birdies.
Saturday’s competition again had another big field of 112 experiencing the best of weather and course conditions complemented by greens running true.
How good is golf at the moment.
It was certainly enjoyable for Darren Earl (18) who scored an unfathomable 46 points.
Who has splits of 23/23! Last Monday saw a despondent Darren on the range trying to work out what was going wrong with his game.
Boy he certainly worked it out.
The runner up in C Grade was the unlucky Scott Whicker (19) with 40 points which would normally be in contention.
Scott finished strongly with three pointers on the 16th, 17th and 18th something to be pleased with.
A previous member returning to golf, Travis Holland (19) with 38 points which included three wipes was another to play well and Travis has the game to make inroads into his handicap.
B Grade had the effervescent Mike Attwell (17) first past the post with 40 points comprising eight three-pointers.
Fair chance Mike was telling his playing partners all about it.
A previous president Gordon Bignell (16) was back in form and the left hander finished runner up with 38 points comprised of a steady 19/19 split.
Gary Button and David McPherson scored well for 37 points as did Dave Boyce on 36.
Gary Wilson (6) did not have the best of days Thursday but bounced back on Saturday to win A Grade with 38 points and birdies on the difficult holes 3rd, 7th and 14th confirmed Gary’s ball striking skills.
Richard Gosling (4) is enjoying a purple patch and continued his Thursday form with 37 points and his 21 points on the front nine resulted from birdies on the 4th, 7th and 8th for 34 off the stick.
Jake Laubsch (+3) had 36 points and the defending champion for the upcoming SE Open tuned up with a back nine of 31 comprising five birdies.
Nick Black who owns the practice range also had 36 points.
The ball run down went to 32 points with Brad Von Duve rounding out the players.
Nearest the pin went to David Anderson on the 8th and Pat Dempsey who made his birdie putt on the 16th.
