Saturday December 28th – December Medal, stroke & putts

Once again the heat of the previous few days had seen the fairways dry out and harden up however, the greens and surrounds remained in top condition so, if a slightly longer than usual drive was followed up by an accurate approach shot the ball almost always stuck.  The NW wind pushed into the mid to high 20sKph but really did not bother most players. Scoring was generally excellent and the larger than usual field got around the course and back to the rooms in excellent time.  On a top day to be out on the course the results were;

1st & December Medalist; James Simpson – 101/36/65

2nd;  Rob Rea – 86/18/68

3rd; Mick Nicholls Snr – 95/26/68, C/B  Scott Williams (18)

NTPs; 1st – Scott Williams, 15th – Sherif Abdel-Sayed, 16th – Keith Hocking. Least Putts; Scott Williams – 26

Best 2nd shot 3rd – Mick Squire, Longest Drive 4th – Dylan Harris.

2024 December Medalist James Simpson.

 

Thursday December 26th – Boxing Day Stableford

With the expected temperature to get to or above 35C the early start at 8.30am was perfect.  The round began with a northerly wind pushing up to 50Kph and a temperature in the low 20sC.  Within a few hours it had risen to the high 20sC and the wind had began to gust between 40Kph and 50Kph making high approach shots, especially on the par three holes, more than a little perilous.   Despite the challenging conditions one player was able to score well under his handicap.  On a hot and windy morning the results were;

1st; Andrew Laing (20) – 41pts

2nd; Kevin Dunn (25) 36pts

3rd; Toby Clement (15) – 34pts C/B Andrew Clement (13)

NTPs; 1st & 15th – Andrew Clement, Best 2nd shot on the 3rd – Luke Lyons

Saturday December 21st – Ambrose

The round began with a SW wind moving into the high 30Kph, this and with the extreme heat of the last few days drying much of the course saw players get excellent value for shots on some holes while on others the balls blew up and dropped short.  The greens were again very true and had consistent speed.  The Ambrose format saw all teams card scores well under Par; the final placings were very close.  On a sunny, windy afternoon the results were;

1st; Dylan Harris/Simon Donovan/Craig Sandy – 61.5

2nd; Luke Lyons/Davey Kenney/Neil Moroney – 62.17

3rd; Mitch Atlas/Mal Mottram/Steve Wilkins – 62.5

NTPs – 1st – Dylan Harris, 15th – Keith Hocking, 3rd – Luke Lyons, Longest Drive 4th – Zac Scales

Wednesday December 18th – December Medal, stroke & putts

Daily Competition results 

1st; Jenny Hartley – 95/25/70  C/B

2nd; David Jones – 90/20/70

3rd; Darlene Baker – 90/18/72

 December Medal; Jenny Hartley.

NTPs; 3rd – David Jones,  15th-  Chris Manktelow. Least putts; Jenny Hartley – 31

Saturday December 14th – Stroke

Play began on a still,  fine day,  the recent climbing temperatures and lack of rain saw the whole course firmer so some good scoring was expected.  However, the run on some fairways had  many player driving through the fairway and into the rough.  In some areas of the course this meant a more than challenging shot back towards the green.  The lack of wind and the warmer air saw some  excellent shots on the par 3s with a couple just missing on being a “Hole in One”.  On a top day to be out on the park the results were;

1st; Chris vanDerVliet – 99/32/67

2nd; Bob McLennan – 87/16/71

3rd; Simon Donovan – 82/10/72

NTPs; 1st – Mick Squire, 15th – Rob Rea, 16th – Sevi Wilkins, Best 2nd shot on the 3rd – Mick Squire.

Saturday December 7th – November Medal, stroke & putts

With the November Medal washed out last week it was decided to change the syllabus to include it on the first weekend of December.  The rain during the week  had seen excellent growth on the greens however the additional moisture saw them slower than usual over the early part of the round and it was only after the sun came out and the temperature rose that players were better able to judge their putts.  In the end the difference in the medal came down to one player hitting the wrong ball and taking a penalty.  The delayed final of the John Laing Shield was also played.  It was a tough contest with two excellent golfers going head to head over 16 holes.  On a warm and humid day the results were;

1st & November Medalist; Mal Mottram – 81/9/72 C/B

2nd; Shaun Scales; 98/26/72

3rd; Luke Lyons; 79/6/73

NTPs; 1st – Scott Williams, 15th – Simon Donovan Best 2nd Shot 3rd – Ben Owen, Longest Drive 4th – Luke Lyons

Least Putts; Mal Mottram – 26.

John Laing Shield Final

Bob McLennan (12) D Mick Squire – 3/2

November Medalist Mal Mottram

2024 John Laing Shield Winner Bob McLennan with John Laing

The day also saw Bob presented with his RGC Hall of Fame medallion

Saturday 30th November – Stableford

The rain came down all of Friday afternoon and night, play looked dubious.  At 10.30 the November Medal was possibly on but more rain saw the round called off until one of the younger members posted

“I’ve played in worse than this!”  The challenge had been levelled!

So a relaxed round of Stableford “for the brave” was organised.  Plenty of casual water on fairways and some greens made for one additional challenge.

1st; Zac Scales – 39

2nd; Dean Kohler – 36

3rd; James Simpson – 35