PARKLANDS Golf Club’s workforce has been busily preparing for the annual tournament, which started on Sunday. 

The fairways have started to dry out and provide some run, however the prolific grass growth certainly has presented a challenge to the workforce. 

The tournament has been generously supported by a range of Hamilton businesses, including a very rewarding prize for nearest the pin on the 13th over the course of the week. 

The tournament consists of four team-based competitions throughout the week, which provides a great opportunity to combine with family, friends and club members for a round of golf whilst vying for great prizes. 

A women’s three-person Irish stableford will be played on Friday and the tournament will conclude on Sunday with the ever popular four-person ambrose. 

Sunday

A COLLECTION of visitors and regulars combined for the opening event of tournament week – an 18-hole three-person gentsomes - which was won in fine but windy conditions by the team of Paul Lowry, Barry Oldaker and Vincent O’Brien, with a combined score of 89 points. 

The team of Andrew Coyne, Irene Box and Bruce Taylor claimed second place in a count-back from the team consisting of Terry Rhook, Sue and Peter Irvine both on 87 points.

The nearest the Pin prizes for the ladies were won by Irene Box (13th) and Sue Irvin (15th). 

The men’s nearest the pins went to Rhook (second), Oldaker (fifth), Peter Irvin (13th), and O’Brien (15th). 

The windy conditions made the longest straightest drive on the ninth a real challenge, and no-one was able to claim the generous prizes on offer.

Friday

THE field enjoyed the pleasant conditions on offer for the final social round for the year over the course’s original nine holes.

In a close finish in the stroke event, Vincent O’Brien won with nett 36 from runner-up, Les Pye, on a countback from Bruce Taylor after both scored nett 36.5. 

Taylor narrowly won the nearest the pin on the second, with Stewart Turner closest on the 13th, and Peter Irvin claimed the longest putt on the first.

Wednesday

THE 13-hole stableford competition was won convincingly by Bernie Cook with 23 points.

Alex Walter took out second place with 21 points from Barry Oldaker on 20. 

The nearest the pin prizes went to Walter (fifth and 13th) and Oldaker (seventh). 

Cook also won the longest putt on the first, and John Wilkinson won the birdies and ferrets prize.

Tuesday

MARIE Cook enjoyed the firmer fairways on offer and won Wednesday’s 18-hole stableford competition with 32 points from Kelly Hitchcock (30 points) and Heather Wilkinson (27 points).

The novelty prizes were distributed through the field with nearest the pins going to Hitchcock (second) and Cook (15th).

The longest putt on the first going to Heather Wilkinson, Gina Kelly won the longest straightest drive on the ninth and Toby Salter won the birdies and ferrets prize.

Next week

VISITORS are welcome to join in the tournament, which continues this week with the women’s three-person Irish Stableford on Friday (10am) and concludes with the four-person Ambrose competition on Sunday (11.30am for noon hit-off).