By Casey O'Connor
Golfers were treated to two great days of Golf last weekend as the Stanthorpe Golf Club hosted the Stanthorpe Open weekend.
Always a popular date on the golfing calendar both days drew big fields. In total 165 players from 14 clubs took part in the two events.
Local knowledge proved a pivotal difference in the major event on Sunday, the single stroke for men,
Brendan Barker returned the best score of 76 Gross and another local member Barry Hughes carded the best nett round of 68. The pair used their local knowledge of the course to great effect.
In the grade stakes it was another local, David Reeves Grade who won the ‘A’ grade. Well known former resident Jim Grassick (City GC) took out the ‘B’ grade title while Ivan Juriss was successful in ‘C’ grade.
The Nett winners were Casey Leotta ‘A’ grade, Lyle Bryant ‘B’ grade and Gordon Fletcher (Tenterfield GC) ‘C’ grade.
In the ladies Stableford event the overall winner was Inglewood GC visitor Carmel Owen with a good score of 39 points.
Three local ladies were flying the flag for the local club. Lyn Ludlow taking the prize in Division One with 38 points. Division Two went to Margie Locke with 37 points. Shannen McLellan was delighted with her score of 33 points which was good enough to win Division three.
Stanthorpe’s Rachael Hendry finished runner up in Division one; Debra Armstrong (Millmerran GC) Division two and Yvonne Hall (Caboolture GC) runner up Division three.
Saturday’s 4BBB Medley Stableford set the tempo for a great weekend of golf.
Visitors Stan Stewart and Les Ison streeted the field when they returned a great score of 47 points. At the end of play there was a four point buffer between them and the remainder of the field. Three teams finished the round on 43 points and after a lengthy count back the team of James Haining (Kooralbyn Valley) and William Lathrope were declared runners up.
Kay Webb and Bill Pyne combined in the mixed team event to return a winning score of 47 points well ahead of runners up Ian Harvey and Madeline Jarman (42 points).
The club would like to acknowledge the sponsors of the carnival. Maddies Gift Gallery continues its long association with the club, particularly in the Open event. Travis Burton played in the event and then spoke after event before presenting the major prizes to the winners.
City Golf Club sponsor the Open Day in many of the smaller clubs in the Darling Downs region, including Stanthorpe, and thanks to Danny Carroll and others from City GC for making the trip to play on the day. Jim Grassick did the honours on behalf Danny Carroll. The Tenterfield Golf Club must also be mentioned for their part in sponsoring the Open.
Of course events like the Open weekend would not be successful without the assistance of a band of volunteers who ensure the weekend runs smoothly; the BBQ is cranking and the bar is stocked. Then there are those who assisted in the preparation of the course, prepared and collated the cards. It was no mean feat to get the field away on both days and organise the prize winners.
The efforts of greenkeeper, Bill Pyne, must not be underestimated. Somehow Bill presented an excellent course despite the extreme conditions and shortage of water. Congratulations to all – it was an exceptional weekend.
