UNSEASONABLY warm, perfect conditions greeted the field on Saturday for the first round of the two-round aggregate competition for the 4BBB Russell Family Trophy. 

Pairs who were keen to make it on the honour board in the clubhouse, competed in the four ball better ball (4BBB) format based on the par scoring system. 

For 4BBB the best score from each pair, for each hole was recorded. 

Par scoring is basically like playing matchplay against the course, with every hole producing a result of either a plus, half or minus.

A ‘+’ for a net score under par, a zero for net score of par, and ‘-’ for a net score over par. 

The first round the competition was won by Alan and Kelly Hitchcock with a score of +4. 

The next three places were decided on a countback with three teams returning a score of +3.

Second place went to George Donaldson and Ron Oakley, from Barry Oldaker and Graeme Torney in third.

Stewart Turner and Vincent O’Brien claimed fourth.

With all teams posting positive scores, the trophy is certainly up for grabs during the final round next week.    

The nearest the pin prizes were shared between Oakley on the fifth and Alec Walter on the 13th.

The longest putt prizes went to Torney on the first, Oakley on the 16th, O’Brien on the 17th and Walter on the 18th. 

Bill Evans claimed the highly prized longest, straightest drive on the ninth and O’Brien won the birdies and ferrets prize.

There was no competition held on Wednesday or Friday.

Tuesday

A COMMITTED group of hardy golfers competed in the 18-hole stableford with Kelly Hitchcock claiming a commanding win with 34 points from runner-up, Mary McCallum, on 29 points. 

Margaret Donahue was on fire with her putter and claimed the longest putt prizes on the first and the 18th, and also the longest straightest drive on the ninth. 

Hitchcock also won the birdies and ferrets prize and McCallum won the longest putt on the 17th. 

The nearest the pin prizes were shared between Heather Haye (eighth), Gaye Goggin (15th), and Alan Hitchcock (fifth and 13th). 

This week

ON Saturday the second round of the 4BBB Russell Family Trophy will commence at midday.