PARKLANDS hosted visitors from around the district on Sunday for its annual four-person ambrose day. 

Golfers from Balmoral, Casterton, Dartmoor, Hamilton, Macarthur, Mooralla and Portland braved the cold, rainy conditions that the field set out in. 

Many golfers consider ambrose to be the most social and enjoyable formats of the game. 

In ambrose, everyone on the team tees off, the team then picks the best shot and all play from that spot.

This continues for each shot and the team records just one score per hole. 

Each player must have a minimum of three of their drives used across the 18 holes, a requirement which can make some nervous as the end of the round approaches. 

The format allows players of varying ability to play together, and on a good day it helps to promote teamwork.

Fortunately, the rain cleared up quickly and the field only had to deal with the howling northerly wind. 

All were welcomed back into the warmth of the clubhouse with an inviting spread of afternoon tea. 

The scratch winners for the day were the team from Portland consisting of S. Dalton, P. Jones, J. Hogan and M. Lippscome, with a score of 65. 

The handicap winners with a Nett 58.5 were the Parklands team of Gaye Goggin, Steve Nattrass, Heather Wilkinson and Simon Goggin. 

The Nearest the pin prizes went to B. Taylor (second), P. Ress (fifth mens), L. O’Brien (fifth womens), S. Goggin (eighth), G. Carter (11th), I. Box (13th), S. Goggin (15th mens) and H. Wilkinson (15th womens). 

The longest putt prizes went to A. Kerr (first), C. Hatfield (17th) and I. Box (18th).

Saturday

SUNNY weather greeted the field, which gathered on Saturday afternoon to compete in the challenging par format. 

Some found handling the wind difficult which may explain the scoring, as the course was presented in great condition. 

Vincent O’Brien won with a score of -2 on a countback with his playing partner for the day, Ron Oakley. 

George Donaldson came third with a score of -3. 

The novelty prizes were shared throughout the field with the nearest the pins going to Bruce Taylor on the second, Barry Elvery on the fifth, Graeme Torney on the 13th, and Donaldson on the 15th. 

The longest putt prizes went to Dale Grambeau on the first and 18th, Elvery on the 16th and O’Brien on the 17th. 

The coveted longest, straightest drive on the ninth was claimed by O’Brien.

Friday

FRIDAY afternoon presented enjoyable conditions for the field, which competed in the nine-hole stroke competition.

It was won convincingly by Stewart Turner with a nett score of 31.

Taylor claimed second in a countback with a nett score of 33.5. 

The nearest the pin prizes went to Barry Oldaker on the second and Turner on the 13th.

John Wilkinson took home the prize for longest putt on the first.

Wednesday

JOHN Wilkinson had a commanding win in Wednesday’s 12-hole stableford competition with 26 points. 

Oldaker claimed second place with 22 points in a countback from Taylor. 

Taylor claimed the nearest the pin prize for the second hole, while Peter Irvin had the longest putt on the first and Oldaker won the birdies and ferrets prize.

This week

THE August monthly medal stroke competition will be held on Saturday.