THERE was a full program of events at Parklands this past week with competitions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, culminating with the main event on Saturday.
All competitions at Parklands are gender neutral events, meaning that men and women compete together for the same prizes.
Monday events are more generally operate as women only competitions, but occasionally the odd bloke turns up to fly the flag.
Last Monday’s event transpired to be a women-only event and Wednesday turned out to be a male-only outing.
The course volunteers have put some effort into improving the putting surfaces by adding more sand and improving edges.
The rock-hard fairways continue to provide additional run, although this is not always appreciated when a seemingly perfect approach shot continues to roll on past the flag, off the scrape and into the rough.
Some impressive scoring this week seems to indicate that at least some players have made the best of these improvements and the additional length on shots.
Saturday aggregate stableford
PLAYING off the 10th, Sue Irvin (21 points) and Marie Cook (23 points) compiled an inspired inward nine total of 44 points.
While they were unable to keep up this pace on the outward nine, their 18-hole aggregate score of 78 points secured victory by a clear margin.
Second place went to Steve Nattrass and Graeme Torney, whose ability to combine some wayward driving with impressive recovery shots and occasional brilliance, enabled them to compile a total of 73 points.
Third place went to Gaye Goggin and Heather Wilkinson who relegated Peter Irvin and Bruce Taylor to fourth on countback after both teams finished on 72.
Nearest the pins went to Peter on the second and third, George Donaldson on the fifth, Torney on the eighth when his 203-metre drive off the tee finished within a metre of the pin, Walter on the 11th, Goggin on the 13th and Oldaker on the 15th.
Longest putters were Mitch Miller on the first, Allan Hitchcock on the 16th and Oldaker on the 17th.
Donaldson won the birdies and ferrets draw.
Friday nine-hole stableford
THIS event was dominated by the sisterhood with Heather Hay’s 24 points edging out Sue on 23.
Kelly Hitchcock rounded out the podium, finishing third with 21 points.
Nearest the pins went to Taylor on the 13th and Donaldson on the 15th.
Wednesday 12-hole stableford
DONALDSON and Miller both finished on 28 points with Donaldson winning on countback.
Bill Evans finished third with 25 points.
Nearest the pins went to David Rendell on the second, Taylor on the 13th and Donaldson on the 15th.
John Wilkinson sank the longest putt on the first.
Monday two-person ambrose
SUE and Goggin’s 73 ¼ won the event from Marg Donehue and Hay who finished on 81 ½.
Nearest the pins went to Sue on the fifth and 13th and Goggin on the 15th.
Hay took out the birdies and ferrets draw, and Goggin had the longest straight drive on the ninth.
This week
THE main event next Saturday is an 18-hole Canadian.
Players are restricted to four clubs only and there will be a draw for partners.
