SATURDAY’S stroke event saw 41 men and five women take to the course with the August Monthly Medal up for grabs.

It was 15-year-old Zac Elliott who had a fabulous round of golf, ending up with a very impressive 63 nett to win the medal by nine shots and winning B grade in the process.

Elliott only got his official golf handicap last year, and due to his other sporting commitments on the football field and basketball court, he hasn’t played a lot of competition golf.

After his score on Saturday, he has taken five shots off his handicap in one week, and I am sure we will continue to see his handicap reduce.

The A grade winner was the very consistent, Jim King, who won on a countback from Troy Elliott after both finished with 72 nett.

B grade runner-up was Kynan Caruana with 75 nett.

Balls down the line went to Terry Dunn 72, Mark O’Brien and Heath Cay 73, Steven Porch, Marten Chin and Graham Rentsch 74, and John Warden and Neil Clutterbuck 75.

Nearest the pins went to Brent Bell on the third, Heath Clay on the sixth, Porch on the 13th, and Chin on the 16th.

The closest second shot on the ninth went to John Christie, while Clutterbuck saluted on the 15th.

In the women’s competition, Jo Forsyth took the points with a nett 82, with Robyn Holcombe claiming runner-up on a countback from Enid Smith with 86.

Kerryn Price was on point with her nearest the pins, taking home four balls – claiming the third, sixth, 16th and the closest second shot on the 15th.

Tuesday

THE beginners and emerging golfers had 11 players participate.

In the beginner group, the winner was Aaron Martin with 20 points ahead of runner-up, Alan McLaughlin, on 13 points.

Belinda Peddie won the emerging group with 21 points, while runner-up was the consistent Chantal Butcher with 20 points, followed by Sarah Laidlaw on 16 points.

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY’S round saw 42 women participate in a fun Par 3 day challenge, where all the holes were shortened to Par 3s, with the tee offs in some interesting positions; on some holes players were hitting over bunkers to make the green. 

Debbie Milne who is well known for her very good short game won the day with a nett 55, winning on a countback from Val Linke, with Helen Beattie finishing third on 56 and Rose Tonissen finishing the placings with 57.

Nearest the pins went to Dawn Cay on the third and Glen Dixon on the 16th Glen Dixon.

The closest second shot on 15th went to Jo Forsyth, while Gerri Griffin holed out the longest putt on the 13th.

Out and about

CLUB members celebrated the 125th anniversary (+1) dinner and were entertained by special guest speakers, Mike Clayton and Neil Clutterbuck.

Mike Clayton, a former professional golfer, and well known for his golf course architecture and as a commentator on golf.

Clayton won the 1984 Timex Open on the European Tour and won six times on the PGA Tour of Australasia between 1982 and 1994.

Neil Clutterbuck played his junior golf in Hamilton, before undertaking a professional golf traineeship at Yarra Yarra and completing it at Victoria Golf Club.

After completing his traineeship, Clutterbuck was the club professional at Mansfield Golf Club for four years and spent a further two years at Bacchus Marsh.

He also managed a driving range at Melton before taking on the enviable role as golf operations manager at The National Golf Club.

Max Archer, who would be one of our oldest and most knowledgeable members on the history of Hamilton Golf Club, also gave a very informative talk about the early history of the club.

Hit them long and straight and enjoy the 19th hole.