Doubles by Peter Dixon and Cody Hando were the highlights of last Saturday’s final Telescope Tyres & Batteries Monthly Medal for the year. In taking out the A Grade double Dixon had to survive a countback over Cameron
Butler on 72, however in the Handicap section for the PJL Group’s trophy it was all plain sailing as Dixon returned a solid 68 nett edging out Wayne Butler on countback.

In the minor grades Colin Barker returned to the winners podium, while Ryan Thornberry edged out Barker on countback to take the Handicap section with 72 nett. In the C Grade it was all Cody Hando as he returned an impressive 86 from his 23 handicap to also take the double with the day’s best nett score of 63. The Veterans medal was won by Richard Hamilton with a 69 nett, while in the Ladies section Lyn Davison with 72 nett, won by two shots.

The day’s final award, the Griffins Leading Edge Putting competition, saw Cameron Butler successful with just 21 putts – the lowest number of putts recorded by a player since the inception of the competition. Ball winners from Saturday’s round saw Dave Harwood top the list with a 65 nett. He was followed by 68 Ron Hetherington and Wayne Butler, 69 Richard Hamilton and Rod Kiley, 70 Gordon Christie, 71 Peter Rowe, Mark Kelly and Phil Bishop, while the remaining three balls went to Tim Lasserre, Cameron Butler and Phil Barnard all on 72 nett.

By Paul Thomas

John Green snared his first Pybar Handicap Challenge played in strong westerly winds on Sunday. One of the favourites Ian Phipps was the first of the field of 19 players to succumb on the 1st hole after a chip off with Brian Hogan. Chip Offs were to be the order on the majority of the first nine holes as Warren Blatch, Victor Gaidzionis, Brian Hogan, Robert Cheney, Wayne Butler, Bernie McCabe, Lachlan Buesnell and Cameron Butler found themselves looking on by the half way mark.

After lunch the remaining ten players ventured out with one aim to survive. An errant second shot by Michael Smith saw him go out, and on the Par 3, 11th hole defending titleholder, Ross Smith found the green side bunker. Mark Kelly was next to go as he floundered on the Par 4, 12th hole and on the Par 5, 13th hole the trees on left ended the Colin Barker run. After several near escapes Chris Goodies’ luck deserted him at the 14th hole in a chip off with Denis
Howard. Howard’s luck ran out on the Par 15th hole as he ran up a double bogey.

With just 3 holes remaining it was down to four players: last minute substitution, John Green, Phil Barnard, Joey Van Opynen and David Stevenson. The sledging started in earnest and it was Stevenson who was first to be eliminated in a three way chip off. At the 17th event favourite Joey Van Opynen inexplicitly missed a short putt that was to end his hopes. This left Barnard and Green to battle it out on the short Par 4, 18th hole and after both players recorded solid pars they faced a daunting chip off that saw Green come out tops. Event sponsor Paul Rouse of Pybar Mining congratulated both players on their success.

Australian cricketer Jeff Thomson will be the special guest at Sunday’s 3 Person Ambrose fundraising event for the Central West Autism Awareness & Special Needs Awareness Group hosted by John Holland Construction Contractors. The day starts at 10am with an entry fee of $40 per team player including lunch. A charity auction will be held at the end of the day. Items include various sports memorabilia.

By Paul Thomas

The 12th annual Pybar Mining Handicap Golf Shootout on Sunday has a majority field who have never contested this type of event. This will give the old heads plenty of leverage. The logical favourite appears to be the tried and tested Joey Van Opynen, a player who has encountered plenty of tough players in his day.

With the Cunninghams IGA Scratch Shoot under his belt from earlier in the year, Joey is aiming to be the first member to win both the scratch and handicap sections. His major opposition appears to be renowned fighter, big game player and one of the club’s most consistent putters Ian Phipps, while the tough and experienced Chris Goodie will be in the firing line too. The defending titleholder Ross Smith will find this a tougher field. Number 1 qualifier
Brian L. Hogan has finally achieved his aim in qualifying.

Players had to qualify from the six designated rounds that ultimately saw the leading 19 players reach the play off final. The final will start at 9am with one player eliminated at each hole – handicaps play a big part. If more than one player records the worst net score on a hole those players then contest a chip off that determines who stays or who goes and it is the player who finishes furthest from the nominated target who departs.

Players will enjoy a delicious sit down meal, courtesy of Pybar Mining, after the initial nine holes.

By Paul Thomas