THE purpose of a golf handicap system has always been to attempt to level the playing field for golfers of differing abilities, so that those golfers can compete equally. 

Recently a number of golfers at Parklands Golf Club have found that one of the outcomes of an unusually great score can be a significant reduction in their handicap. 

While some have struggled under the weight of their new handicap, Alan Hitchcock has continued his good recent form and claimed victory in Saturday’s stableford event with a score of 37 points.

Steve Nattrass combined high scoring holes with wipe-outs on his way to claiming second place with 36 points.

The minor placings went to Bernie Cook with 35 points, Alex Walter 34 and George Donaldson 33. 

Hitchcock recorded the longest putt on the 17th and the nearest the pin on the 13th. 

Mark Miller claimed the nearest the pins on the second and third, and Cook claimed the nearest the pin on the fifth. 

The other longest putts went to Heather Wilkinson on the first, Nattrass on the 16th and Turner on the 18th. 

Marie Cook won the birdies and ferrets and John Wilkinson took out the prize for a contentious longest, straightest drive on the ninth.

There was no competition held on Friday.

Wednesday 13-hole stableford

DAVE Rendell enjoyed the fine conditions on offer during Wednesday’s stableford competition, scoring 28 points to collect the top prize.

Phil Kosch placed second with 27 points, ahead of Stewart Turner who collected 26 points. 

Barry Oldaker was nearest the pin on the 13th and also won the birdies and ferrets prize. 

Donaldson’s good form with the putter continued and he claimed the longest putt on the first.

Monday 18-hole stableford

MANY players carried good form from the previous weekend’s Macaurthur Challenge into Monday’s stableford competition and as a result scoring was strong. 

Irene Box had a dominant win with 44 points, finishing ahead of Gaye Goggin who clinched second place with 37 points in a countback over Marie Cook. 

Box’s successful day out also included prizes for nearest the pin on the fifth, the longest putt on the 18th and the longest, straightest drive on the ninth. 

Goggin claimed the remaining novelty prizes including nearest the pins on the 13th and 15th, the longest putt on the 17th and the birdies and ferrets prize.

This week

BEST of luck to the Parklands ladies Division 4 pennant team who are competing against Lake Bolac-Willaura at Hamilton on Monday.

There is no competition at Parklands on Saturday, as the club is travelling to Mooralla to compete to retain the Nichol-Read Memorial Shield from 11.30am.