FROM a distance the Parklands Golf Course appears dressed in a verdant blanket, but this belies a still hard surface underfoot.

Like much of the south-west, Parklands needs a good drink. 

Graziers with an experienced weather eye wear a worried look and the term “green drought” is heard in conversation. 

One hopes the term “chance of showers” frequently appearing in district forecasts is replaced by the more promising “periods of rain” soon. 

We’d all like to see that, even golfers.

Saturday

The Russell Family Trophy is a 36-holes 4BBB Par event held over consecutive Saturdays in June of each year.

  It commemorates the significant contribution of the late Col Russell to Parklands’ strong volunteer history.  The competition for this trophy is keen with the successful pair having their names inscribed in gold letters on a board set aside for the purpose.

Round one saw the completion of the first 18 holes of the event with the pairs of Bruce Taylor/Alex Walter and Graeme Torney/Terry Rhook leading the pack with identical scores of +7.

Not far behind on +5 were Sue/Peter Irvin. 

Returning +4 were the teams of Kelly/Allan Hitchcock and Heather/John Wilkinson.

Nearest the pins were Walter on the 2nd, Grambau on the 3rd and 7th, Heather on the 5th, Dion McFarlane on the 11th, Taylor on the 13th and Wayne Rowland on the 15th.

Longest putters were Kelly on the 1st, John on the 16th Torney on the 17th and Sue on the 18th. 

The birdies and ferrets’ draw was won by Kelly.

John also landed the longest straight drive on the 9th.

Wednesday

A stableford round of 13 holes was played over the outward nine plus holes 10,13,14 and 18. 

John Wilkinson’s 26 points held off Taylor and Bernie Cook who both finished on 25 with Taylor relegating Cook to third on countback.

Nearest the pins were Walter on the 2nd, Heather on the 5th, Taylor on the 7th and John on the 13th.

John also sank the longest putt and won the birdies and ferrets’ draw to cap off a most successful outing.

Tuesday

Decidedly wintry but fine conditions greeted participants for an 18-holes par event. 

The sun broke through the grey slate skies later during the round to provide some relief from the otherwise sombre weather. 

Irene Box won the day with a score of +2 holding out Heather Wilkinson who finished square with the card.

Nearest the pins were Box on the 5th and Wilkinson on the 15th. 

Box holed the longest putts on and 1st and 17th with Heather Hay taking the honour on the 18th. 

Gina Kelly landed the longest straight drive on the 9th.

Next Week

A 12-holes stableford event will be held today. 

Friday is a 9-holes stroke event over the course’s old nine and Saturday will decide the winners of the Russell Family Trophy. 

Tuesday will be an 18-holes Ambrose.