THIS past week has seen the first hint of summer warmth as a cool spring finally loosens its extended grip. 

The many Parklands Golf Club eucalypts are drawing the remaining moisture from the fairways with the result that we are now entering that period of the famed ‘Parklands run’, where golfers enjoy an additional 30 metres on their drives.

There are downsides of course, as stopping the ball on the sand scrapes becomes a major challenge.

As the festive season approaches, golf winds down somewhat as the Parklands ladies shelve their early week events until early February.

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday events continue on for those not journeying to the coast or spending extended stays away from home on that longed for holiday.

Golf, as it should, will take a back seat as we at last re-acquaint ourselves with friends and family members kept at arm’s length through the persistent pandemic.

Saturday 4BBB

ALEX Walter continued some early week form to propel himself and his partner, Barry Oldaker, into the winners’ circle for this event. 

Their 46 points held out Gaye Goggin and Steve Nattrass who finished on 44. 

Peter Irvin and Mitch Miller held on to third via countback.

Nearest the pins went to Bernie Cook on the second and fifth, Miller on the third and 15th, George Donaldson on the 11th and Pat Anderson on the 13th. 

Longest putters were Graeme Torney on the first, Donaldson on the 16th, Nattrass on the 17th and Irvin on the 18th.

Stewart Turner hit a solid drive on the ninth to take out the longest straight drive and Walter won the birdies and ferrets’ draw.

Friday nine-hole stableford

IN a close-run event over the nine holes Goggin held sway with 21 stableford points to hold out Vince O’Brien who finished on 20.

Anderson’s 18 points took third on countback from Oldaker, Irvin and Turner.

Oldaker was nearest the pin on the 15th.

Wednesday 12-hole stableford

THIS event was held over the inward nine plus holes one, two and nine of the outward nine. 

Cook’s 27 points won the day by one shot from Bruce Taylor. 

Bill Evans was third with a score of 24 points.

Nearest the pins went to Turner on the second, Taylor on the 13th and Oldaker on the 15th.

Turner had the longest putt on the first, while Oldaker took out the birdies and ferrets’ draw.

Monday

GIVEN there was no Parklands event on Monday, a number of Parklands players took the opportunity to journey to Portland Golf Club to participate in the final Glenelg Veterans event for 2021.

Glorious weather and a well-presented course were clearly to Walter’s liking, as he returned a blistering 45 stableford points to win the B grade section by five shots.

The A grade winner was Portland’s Pat Kennedy with 37 points.

Consistent golfer trophies were presented to Les Lloyd of Hamilton, Trish Florakx of Portland, and Chris Marchant of Macarthur.

These three had the best six rounds out of a specified 10 veterans events held over the year.

This week

ON Thursday the volunteer workers will journey to the Halls Gap Golf Club where the gloves will come off, as they vie for the coveted Parklands Volunteer Workers’ Perpetual Trophy.

The main event next Saturday is a Parklands pinehurst.