THE main event of the calendar month in mis-titled Monthly Medal, a concession to the days when the victor did indeed receive a medal. 

Nowadays, the winner of the 18-hole stroke event, played on the first Saturday of the month, is fortunate to be awarded a more valuable and edible prize.

A hopeful contingent set out on a course freshened by overnight rain. 

This greening of the fairways and dampening of the surface of the sandgreens is welcomed by the Parklands’ golfer. 

Sadly, the match committee determined that the summer rating would remain with the result that despite ideal conditions, no player was able to return a nett par or below round.

Vincent O’Brien held off Barry Oldaker, and held up the meat tray prize, after both players had finished on nett 71.

O’Brien prevailed in the necessary countback.

Oldaker’s disappointment was somewhat consoled by being awarded the voucher for best of the rest score.

Graeme Torney was a stroke further back on 72. 

Terry Rhook, George Donaldson and Mitch Miller all returned nett 74.

Nearest the pins were Peter Irvin on the second, Oldaker on the third and 13th, Bruce Taylor on the fifth, O’Brien on the seventh and Allan Flavell on the 11th.

Longest putters were Irvin on the first, Allan Hitchcock on the 16th, Steve Nattrass on the 17th and Torney on the 18th. 

Torney also had the fewest putts for the round.

The birdies and ferrets’ draw was won by Nattrass, while Donaldson landed the longest straight drive on the 9th.

Friday

BEAUTIFUL late afternoon conditions greeted the field for round four of Parklands’ Fun Fridays.

Two newcomers were to the fore, with Doug Gardiner scoring a nett 28 for the nine holes to squeak home from David Jones by half a shot.

The novelties were awarded to Heather Wilkinson for a long putt on the first, Oldaker with nearest the pin on the second, and Jones on the 13th. 

The final Fun Friday for the year will be held next Friday at 4.45pm.

All payers old and new are welcome.

Wednesday

PERFECT conditions for golf brought out the regular hopeful crew determined to impose their will on a still green Parklands, albeit under the dreaded summer rating and curtailed handicaps for some on the extra holes.

Oldaker’s 25 stableford points eclipsed Alex Walter on 24, with Stewart Turner a further point back on 23.

Nearest the pins went to Turner on the second, Oldaker on the fifth and Flavell on the 13th. 

Flavell also had the longest putt, and it was Turner to the fore again to take out the birdies and ferrets’ draw.

Upcoming events

THE coming week features a 12-holes stableford event today, round five of Fun Fridays on Friday 13th and a 4BBB on Saturday. 

Following the Saturday event, members and friends will gather at the clubhouse from 6pm for the Annual Presentations.

To assist with catering, members are asked to indicate their and their partners/friends’ attendance via a list in the clubhouse or by telephoning the secretary.