These are indeed challenging and concerning times for us all. The Penola Golf Club takes the COVID19 virus seriously and has reacted as such to not only meet the expectations of the governing bodies, Golf Australia and Golf SE but to also serve the members as best possible.
We are indeed fortunate that we are allowed to continue to use the course as ‘exercise’ in an open environment. However, in order to be able to continue this, we MUST abide by the rules and laws currently in place. The committee has put into place as of now the following rules/ restrictions:
Course:

• is only open to members
• PVC rings have been put in so no one needs to touch a flagstick to remove a ball
• Bunker rakes removed
• Bunkers have been marked at GUR with posts around them
• Flags on putting greens removed
• Have your own sand bucket

Competitions:

• Monthly medals suspended
• All competitions are to be stableford and flay $5 entry. One grade.
• No money to change hands. Paul will keep a list of competition entries and moneys owed. Monthly totals and pro-shop tab emailed out.
• Comp prizes to represent about 30% of the comp fees. 15%-10% -5%
• No cart sharing.
• No groups greater than 4. 2s and 3s encouraged.
• Start times remain as is, but flexible tee times are encouraged. Players will need to communicate with each other, either on the day or prior. It is no longer the captain’s position to organize your group. Single cards may be accepted if no partner is available. Again, the emphasis is on trust.
• Card is marked as per usual but only marker signs after verbal agreement. Both players clearly stated on the card.
• Scores to be texted to handicappers (Paul 0418 844 936) (Name, playing h/cap, score)
• Results to be posted on the club facebook page and hopefully via email
• No side betting
• John will be interim captain whilst Andrew stands down.

Clubhouse:

• Not to be in use. CLOSED. The clubhouse furniture is no to be moved to sit inside.
• No food, tea and coffee etc
• No takeaway drinks to be consumed in the clubhouse

Pro-shop (old bar):

• To operate for ball, equipment and takeaway drinks only.
• Sales to be recorded by buyers own pen/ pencil
• Please be honest – the club still need to pay bills during this time
• Sheet to be recorded and ‘monthly accounts’ sent out to members. Please pay via direct deposit once account sent out.

Failure to follow the rules may result in suspension from the club. Statewide abuse of the regulations will see golf banned.
Please respect the rules and we will get through these difficult times.

Nathan ‘Schnitzel’ Williams has done what no Penola golfer has been able to do previously, defeat Ian ‘Jock’ Agnew in the final of the Club Championship at Penola Golf Club on Sunday. Played in warm and slightly breezy conditions it was almost perfect conditions for golf.

The course had been prepared immaculately with the greens slick after being freshly mowed that morning.    

Chasing his ninth Open Championship, Agnew got out of the blocks well whilst Williams started nervously,   taking a while to hit his straps. Agnew shot out to a four-hole lead before Williams started to peg him back. He reduced the deficit to two by the lunch break.

The second 18 saw Williams draw level then hit the front not long after the break. It was a mixture of Williams taking the game to the next level and Agnew not at his best which is crucial at this level. As expected, Williams’ putting under pressure was exceptional and gave him the edge. Playing the 14th the second time round, a crucial putt by Williams and miss by Agnew proved critical and Williams iced the match on the 16th with a birdie winning 4&2. By this stage a large gallery had gathered to watch the conclusion and historic moment.

It was Williams’ first Open Championship after finishing runner up the previous year. The left hander was a well-deserved winner and has a complete game - one thinks this won’t be his last title. For Agnew, making it to his ninth championship final is a feat in itself and he was brave in defeat.

Evans wins his second title

In the B-Grade, Curt Evans won his second B-Grade Championship defeating Paul Harmer comfortably 6&5. For the first half it was a tight game with player trading holes with regular pars. Evans chipped in on the 5th for a birdie and also birdied the 17th to add to it.

Despite a nervous start, Harmer hung in and regular saved his game with deft chipping. Not to be outdone, Evans short game was just as good – particularly with the putter.

After 22 holes the game was square, but a string of missed putts by Harmer saw Evans quickly get out to a four-hole lead by the 27th. Evans couldn’t miss and continued to pile on the pressure birdieing 10, and parring 11 and 13 to close out the game on the 13th.

It was a solid win for Evans, who has really improved over the past 12 months and won’t be far away from Open Qualification in 2020. For Harmer it more heartache, losing his 5th successive final.

McPherson prevails in close match

Shane McPherson has won a tight battle with club stalwart Peter Walker in the C-Grade final. In a game that was close all day, the lead changed more often than bread prices at the IGA. Walker had his nose in front after the first 18, largely thanks to several lengthy putts from off the green. The turning point came on the 24th however when McPherson finally managed to sink a curving 20-foot putt while Walker pulled his short putt wide.

From there McPherson played smart, forgoing the wayward driver for the reliable 3-wood off the tee, never surrendering the lead and claiming his first club championship win on the 34th hole, winning 3&2 in an absorbing contest for the small gallery following. For Walker, it was a courageous effort and a remarkable achievement for the 82-year-old to make the final of the 36 hole event, and nearly win it.

Mathys wins in an upset

Ant Mathys managed to reverse his recent poor run of form against the red-hot John Gregory in the final of the D-Grade.  Gregory had been burning it up with great scores in his previous 4 rounds and started as red hot favourite.

Mathys loved the match play format and started like a bullet, rushing out to a 3-hole lead after the first 5 holes. Hitting the ball long and straight he extended the lead to 6 holes at one stage before Gregory pegged a few back.

Mathys went into the lunch break 3 up and maintained this lead for the back 18. This was the third game that finished on the 16th hole with Mathys taking out his 3rd championship win 4&2.

Redman claims championship

Deb Redman has turned the tables on her opponent Claire Mossop in an enthralling battle that wasn't decided until the 36th hole at Penola Golf Club on Sunday.

The two have a history of close encounters with both competing in last year's final with that match going down to the 37th hole.

In a slow paced final, Mossop held a slender lead for most of the day. Players were trading holes regularly through the match and with nine to go, the game was in the balance. Redman started to accelerate on the final nine holes and eventually she hit the front with a few holes to go was one up starting the 36th. They squared the hole giving Redman a one-hole victory.

At presentations, Redman commented after yet another epic battle that she wasn’t ready for an encore!

Mossop was gallant in defeat and deserves praise for her efforts.

Kilsby wins B-Grade

The B grade final was played between Newcomer Sam Evans and the experienced Sue Kilsby. Kilsby used her experience to get away to an early lead before Evans started to peg a few holes back. Once past early game nerves, Evans’ golf improved as she worked into the game.

 It was a match that never blew out with Evans keeping in touch. Kilsby was incredibly consistent and this proved to be the difference as she fought her way to a 4&3 victory. Despite the loss, it was a solid debut by the young golfer who is likely to feature in finals for many years to come. Kilsby was excited to win the event and acknowledge the quality of the match.

Coote win number five

Janice Coote is somewhat of an experienced hand at winning championships, having won four C-Grade titles previously. On this occasion was another newish player to the club in Tanya Mourbey. The experienced Coote got out to an early lead and whilst Mourbey kept in touch she couldn’t make up the difference. Coote was steady as always and her consistency proved to be the difference as she took out the match 4 &3. This won't be the last we see of Mourbey with plenty of years of championship golf ahead of her.

It's that time of year when Penola's best golfers fight it out for the championship glory proudly sponsored by Patrick of Coonawarra.

This year's Men's finals:

Open: Nathan Williams v Jock Agnew
B-Grade: Curt Evans v Paul Harmer
C-Grade: Shane McPherson v Peter Walker
D-Grade: John Gregory v Ant Mathys

This year's Women's finals:

Open: Claire Mossop v Deb Redman
B-Grade: Sue Kilsby v Sam Evans
C-Grade: Janice Coote v Tanya Mourbey

An insightful breakdown of each match can be found in the coveted Penola Golf Club Championship Budget.

Saturday saw an enthusiastic gathering of golfers converge at the Penola Golf Club for the DiGiorgio Family Wines Monthly Medal.

Winner of the day was Paul Harmer in A-Grade with a sensational nett 67, a clear 5 shots clear of John Mossop who came 2nd on countback from Greg Hutchesson.

Captain Shane Anderson took the honours in B-Grade on nett 71, 2 shots clear of Graham Pope. Andrew Hutchesson was a shot further back in 3rd with a nett 74.

A tighter contest in C-Grade took place with scoring proving to be difficult. Peter Ey eventually took home the wine on nett 75, 1 shot clear of Ant Mathys. Mal Redman claimed third with on nett 77.

Nearest the pin winners were Greg Hutchesson on the 7th and Jock Agnew on the 9th.

Long drives went to Greg Hutchesson in A-Grade, Anderson in B-Grade while Redman belted one down the middle for C-Grade honours.

The encouragement award went to everyone’s favourite local grocer – Shane McPherson.
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The Penola Golf Club Opening and Sponsors Day will be held on March 23rd. With a great day planned, it is the perfect time to hit the course. If you’re interested in playing and not currently a member, contact the club via Facebook if you have any questions. All warmly welcomed.

Saturday saw an enthusiastic gathering of 27 golfers converge at the Penola Golf Club for the Penola IGA Fresh Monthly Medal.

The winner of the day was Captain Shane Anderson in B-Grade with nett 69, three shots clear of Brett Williams. Rounding out the placings was Jamie Boneham with a nett 73.

In A-Grade, John Boneham claimed victory, shooting a nett 72, one shot better than Grant Stephenson while Done Ferguson and Paul Harmer needed a countback to separate 3rd from 4th with a nett 74.

A tight contest took place in C-Grade with countbacks required for all placings. Mark Edwards got the better of Bill Cheers and Shane McPherson with a nett 73.   

The putting competition was claimed by Paul Harmer who needed the flat stick 28 times.
The encouragement award was hotly until David Boyd submitted his card, easily claiming the chocolates.

Next Saturday will see a stableford event with tee-off from 11:30am.
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The Penola Golf Club Opening and Sponsors Day will be held next month on March 23rd. With a great day planned, it is the perfect time to hit the course. All warmly welcomed.

Saturday saw an enthusiastic gathering of golfers at Penola Golf Club for the Parker Estate Monthly Medal.

The clear winner of the day was Peter Walker in B-Grade who channelled past form to shoot a sensational nett 67, 5 shots clear of Andrew Hutchesson. Rounding out the placings was Paul Harmer with a net 73.

In C-Grade the monthly medal specialist Allen Meyer recorded another victory with nett 72, 1 shot clear of Brett Williams and Peter Ey.

A-Grade scoring proved to be tough once again with Greg Hutchesson claiming honours over Lindsay Storer.

The putting competition was claimed by Captain Shane Anderson who only used the flat stick 23 times.

The encouragement award was hotly contested by many but it was Craig Bell who managed to walk away with the chocolates.

Next Saturday will feature a Stableford event with tee-off from 11:30am. All welcome.
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The Penola Golf Club would like to acknowledge the passing of much-loved long-time member Brian Larkin. Our thoughts are with Claire and family at this time.

An enthusiastic gathering of golfers took to the Penola Golf Course last Saturday for the Katnook Monthly Medal. Despite slightly cooler than expected conditions, scoring in large was excellent.

Round of the day and B-Grade winner went to Andrew Hutchesson with a sensational nett 64. Starting on the back nine, Hutchesson finished the 9 with a healthy 21 points. After a healthy half-time snack, Hutchesson blitzed the back nine, claiming a birdie on both the par 5 3rd and 8th. A mere 6 shots off the pace was Peter Walker in 2nd spot on countback from Grant Stephenson with a nett 70.

Scoring in C-Grade was just as good with Ant Mathys claiming the honours on countback from David Boyd, both with a nett 65. John Gregory rounded out the placing’s with a respectable nett 71.

Over in A-Grade there was a tight battle all day between Lindsay Storer and Greg Hutchesson. Storer held his nerve however and took top spot with a nett 72, 11 shots clear of Hutchesson. Well done Greg!

Nearest the pins went to Storer on the 7th while Mathys came closest on the 9th.

Long drives went to Storer in A-Grade, Leo Price in B-Grade and Gregory in C-Grade.

Mathys had a great day out with the putter, using it 26 times on the ball and once to threaten a playing partner.

The encouragement award went to…Greg Hutchesson…wait, didn’t he come 2nd in A-Grade? That’s right, he didn’t want that mentioned.
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Next week features the 2nd round of the Summer Cup, a stroke event. All welcome!

John Mossop has defeated Nathan Williams on the 33rd hole to claim his second Open Championship.
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Mossop played accurate and steady golf in the first half of the day to go to 6 up before Williams showed his class to fight back to 3 down. In the end the early lead was the difference, and Mossop was able to keep Williams at arm’s length for the rest of the round.
 
In the B Grade, David Murray dropped a 25 footer to defeat Leo Price 2 up on the 36th and last hole of the day, in what was a high quality match.
 
In the C Grade Johnny Wilkinson defeated Steven Skeer on the 35th hole. Wilkinson and Skeer played solid golf all day, with the lead changing hands often.
 
The D Grade Lee Bateman defeated Peter Ey in another spirited cliff hanger finishing on the 36th hole of the day.
 
Finals Results
Men’s D grade:         Lee Bateman defeated Peter Ey on the 36th hole
Men’s C grade:         Johnny Wilkinson defeated Steven Skeer on the 35th hole
Men’s B grade:         David Murray defeated Leo Price on the 36th hole
Men’s Open:             John Mossop defeated Nathan Williams on the 33rd hole