By Casey O'Connor
The Warwick Golf Club Men’s championships wrapped up at the weekend and there were exciting finishes and plenty of theatre as the ‘A’ and ‘B’ grade events unfolded.
The “A” grade event was won for the fourth time by Kris McLennan who shot rounds of 67, 76, 66 and 70 for a total of 279. That equates to three over for the 72 holes which is outstanding golf. McLennan’s 76 came in the second round played in drenching rain. He scored two sub-par rounds and in the final round on Saturday under pressure he finished one over. A great result for a worthy club champion.
Runner-up, Jay Roberts also played some fantastic golf during the championships. In the final round on Sunday, he piled the pressure on McLennan. Roberts was three under through 10 holes. Unfortunately, he bogied the next three holes. McLennan responded with a birdie on 17 and finished in style with an eagle on the 18th to give him a six shot win. Rhys Farrell was a further three shots away in third place.
The ‘B’ Grade final was pure golfing theatre with a three way playoff on the 73rd hole deciding the winner.
After two rounds, Sean Haynes looked to have a mortgage on the event holding a nine shot lead over Andrew Collins and 11 shots clear of Daniel Bowles.
Haynes went into Sunday’s final with a six shot lead over Collins and still 11 ahead of Bowles.
Although none of the three really played their best on Sunday, Daniel Bowles did make up enormous ground and as the group teed off at the 18th he had worked his way to a one shot lead.
Haynes and Collins bogied the 18th hole. Under pressure Daniel Bowles had a double bogey to make it a three way tie.
The players then played down the first for the playoff hole. Bowles looked to be out of it after two shots but found the green on his third albeit 10 metres from the hole.
You could not have scripted the finish. Hynes and Collins found themselves much closer to the hole but could only look on as Daniel calmly rolled in his monster putt. The pair then both missed much closer putts. Daniel Bowles swooping to take the championship in what was a freakish finish.
The finish of the “C” grade was far less stressful with David Walker winning by a massive 23 shots from runner up Brett Donovan. Walker’s final score of 348 was only three shots outside the winning “B” grade score for the 72 holes. Walker set up his win with a sizzling 90 net 63 on day one of the championships and never looked back.
Congratulations to our champions, Kris McLellan, Daniel Bowles and David Walker who put on a great show on the final day of the championship.
Congratulations to all those members that played and lasted the entire 72 holes although not in contention in tough conditions.
The championships were once again sponsored by Hutchison Quarries and the Warwick Golf Club appreciates their ongoing support.
