The final of the Laurel Wreath was played in perfect conditions between Jo Brand and Mary Cram. Mary was one down on the 18th, won that hole and they squared the 19th.

Jo went on to win the 20th hole and the game.

Congratulations were extended to Jo for winning this prestigious event and to Mary for providing such tough competition.

Twelve women played a stableford round.

A Grade winner was Claire Mossop 34 from Lee Anne Medhurst 33

B Grade winner was Karen Hunter 34 from Sandy Kidman

Shots to the green were won by Libby Heyward and Janice Coote.

Accuracy winners were Libby Heyward and Janice Coote.

Five women travelled to Bordertown’s open day and competed with some success.

In the handicap section Jo Brand won the B Grade and Claire Mossop was runner up In A Grade. Karen Hunter won a nearest the pin and accuracy drive.

Ian Agnew and Peter Walker combined beautifully to score a sensational 81 points between them to dominate the Koonara Wines Mixed and Men’s Classic. With more years of experience behind them collectively than Penola Golf Club has been around, they played the course as it should – straight down the middle. Agnew was unstoppable hitting 95% of fairways; therefore making the green in regulation became an easy task.

Playing the front nine first, he had two birdies and six pars to finish with 35 off the stick and 22 points. He was relentless on the back nine as he powered home with another 8 pars and a birdie to match the 35 from the front nine, finishing with 70 off the stick. His playing partners observed it was like the robotic Jock of old, as he showed the old fellow still has a bit of life in him yet, despite having three false hips, no shoulder ligaments , a bung knee and very little sun protection on top.

His team mate, Peter Walker, was steady as always as he racked up nine pars in a solid round. He was particularly good on the back nine, where he fired 20 points.

The runner’s up, who were four points behind, amassed a handy score themselves of 77 points. Jeremy Briggs led the pair with 40 points after having 10 pars and two birdies himself. His team mate, Shane Anderson was also steady, with 37 points. Anderson was particularly good on his second nine- the front nine- where he had 19 points in eight holes before wiping the last hole.

The third pair in were John Wilkinson and Ant Mathys, who had an even par 72 points.

In the mixed competition, John and Claire Mossop lead the way with  a team score of 62 points. John had a rare highlight with a birdie on the 2nd to push his individual tally up to 33 points. They were comfortable winners over the team of Don and Marg Ferguson showed signs of jet lag from a recent overseas jaunt.

With the pairs winners out of the way, the best of the rest individual score winner was Greg Hutchesson with 38 points. Ant Mathys was runner up with 37 points, collecting a prize for his efforts.

With nearly 30 in the field, the winning players were very appreciative of the fantastic prizes that Koonara put on offer.

The nearest the pin on the 7th went to Dean Moore, who has really got his driver going on that hole. John Wilkinson had the best shot into the 9thto claim a prize. Shane Anderson hit a great shot into the 11th to win best second on that hole.

With much wet weather around the course has still been restricted to a composite layout. Hopefully warm weather will see the course in pristine condition come the first qualifying round of the championships on September 7th, which also doubles as the Wynn’s Monthly Medal. 

Full results here.

Robert "Blue" Kuhl was cool as a cucumber as he racked up 39 points in arctic conditions at the Penola Golf Club last Saturday.
With widespread rain and strong winds forecast, the planned Koonara Mixed and Men's Aggregate Stableford was postponed until the following weekend.
However, 13 brave souls took on the conditions, that fortunately, were not quite as bad as expected.
"Blue" led the charge home with 19 points on the front nine, before storming home with 20 points on the homeward run.
He had five pars and could have had a few more if his nerved hadn't got the better of him on a couple of short putts.
His playing partner, Dean Moore, finished runner-up with 38 points, in what would have been a hard team total to chase down.
Moore was experimental as ever, using a driver on the par three seventh to nudge one along the ground into the wind.
Moore scored on every hole in an unusually consistent performance and is just starting to get form right as the championships approach.
Paul Harmer finished third with a steady score of 37 points.
Although striking the ball well, Harmer failed to capitalise on the greens, and was left ruing a great opportunity to score well.
He still had seven pars for the day, and was unlucky not to convert a few of these into birdies.
Allen Meyer finished fourth with 36 points.
Meyer was on fire early as he had 21 points on the front nine.
A poor patch on the back nine cost him vital points and a chance to win the day.
However, he still finished with a commendable score.
Nearest the pins went to Andrew Hutchesson on the seventh and Shane Anderson had the best shot into the ninth and the best second into the 11th which he birdied.
John Wilkinson took home the chocolates, although in a bunched up field, he wasn't far off the mark. 

11 women played a par round on 21 August.
A Grade Winner was Mary Cram -1 from Jo Brand -1
B Grade Winner was Karen Hunter square from Sandy Kindman -4
Long Drives were won by Mary Cram and Barbara Provis.
 
Mary Cram and Jo Brand will play the final of the Laurel Wreath on 28 August and by the look of their scores this week the game should be very close.
A stableford round will be played by the other golfers.

The players experienced hail storms and strong winds but 11 women were very keen to contest Redman Wines Monthly Medal with knowledge of the beautiful Coonawarra wines donated for the winners. 

The lucky winners were :

A Grade: Mary Cram nett 74 from Judith Georgeson 76.

B Grade: Lee-Anne Medhurst 71 from Jo Brand 72.

C Grade: Marg Murray was the winner with Sandy Kidman runner up.

Putting winners Judith Georgeson 29 and Jo Brand 30

Nearest the Pins: Claire Mossop, Claire Larkin and Sandy Kidman

On the 13th Jo Brand’s drive soared over the fence and back onto the fairway followed by a long chip straight into the hole to score a birdie rewarded with a heap of balls.

Greg Hutchesson was in hot form as he hit a personal best of 75 off the stick to win the Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn and Steen (PPH&S) monthly medal at the Penola Golf Club on Saturday.
His nett score of 64 was clearly round of the day as he headed the 30 strong field.
After the event was called off the week before due to a torrential downpour, the weather gods were much kinder as a glorious sunny day greeted the players.
Hutchesson took full advantage of the conditions and altered winter layour, as he hit seven pars on the front nine to ensure the half time hotdog with the lot tasted pretty good.
It must have done the job as he continued to score well, having six pars and a birdie on the 12th.
It was a great display of golf as Hutchesson hardly put a foot wrong all day to claim the A grade prize.
He also collected the nearest the pin on the ninth to add to his prize haul.
John Mossop enjoyed a great return to the course following his intensive Queensland training camp.
He fired 76 off the stick for nett 67 including 37 on the back nine.
He accumulated 12 pars and a birdie during his round, and could think himself a little unlucky not to take home the prize.
He did win the A grade longest drive to ensure he didn't go home empty handed.
Chris Holden finished third with a steady nett 72.
He did his best work on the front nine where he had six pars.
Leo Price finished fourth with nett 74.
In the B Grade, Grant Stephenson had the round of the day with a solid nett 69.
Having spent a lot of time working on his putting during the week, he was pleased with his performance as he only had 28 putts.
Stephenson had 10 pars as he consistently scored well throughout the day.
There was a three-way tie for runner up on nett 72, with a countback needed to separate the players.
Paul Harmer had the better back nine to clinch second spot.
After starting slowly, he finished well to have five pars and a birdie, all of these coming in the final 10 holes.
Peter Lunnay finished third after a steady effort that included eight pars, including a run of six in a row from the fifth hole.
Bill Cheers rounded out the placings with his nett 72.
He had two birdies on the front nine, keeping his score down.
In the C Grade, new member Curt Evans continues to flourish and take advantage of his high handicap.
The handicapper will be keeping a watchful eye as his score of nett 67 demonstrated his potential.
A good run of consistent golf on the back nine, including the longest drive on the 15th - which sailed 50 meters past the A Grade winner - finished off a good day.
He also walked away with the nearest the pin on the seventh.
Dean Moore survived a three-way countback for runner-up with his score of nett 73.
He had six pars in amongst a few blow outs in another "Mooresque" performance.
The nearest the pin on the 16th headlined his highlight reel.
Trent Nankivell finished third after a slow start.
He performed best on the par threes where he parred half of them.
Matt Stephenson had an interesting day with two contrasting nines.
He had 24 points on the front nine with four pars and a bogey.
However, he only had half the amount of points on the back nine as his putter lost its range.
Other winners on the day were Peter Walker with the best second to the 11th and Nathan Williams demonstrated why he is one of the club's best putters with 25 putts to take out that prize.
PPH&S representative Michael Palm was the the presentations to present the great prizes on offer.
John Foggo won the chocolates, clearly not playing much golf while visiting the Vatican.

Full results here.

Despite the forecast of showers, 23 players teed off in the PPH&S Monthly Medal. Unfortunately heavy rain caused the competition to be deferred to next week as most groups headed for the shelter of the clubrooms. Some groups continued on, and 10 players completed their rounds in glorious sunshine and calm conditions.

The torrential downpour certainly made conditions difficult early, but those who stuck it out, enjoyed a much more pleasant final 14 holes. John Wilkinson was the best of this group with a great score of 38 points, including an incredible birdie three for five points on the fourth hole. Given the small field and great score, it was no wonder he finished three clear of his nearest rival.

David Murray finished runner up with 35 points as he relished the wet conditions. The Scotsman made a couple of good pars at crucial stages to build up his tally.

In third place, George Kidman finished third after beating Dean Moore on countback.

Surprisingly, most of the nearest the pins were actually won. Matt Stephenson won the 7th, Paul Harmer won the 9th and George Kidman hit the best 2nd into the 11th, albeit from the 17th fairway.

Next week will be the rescheduled PPH&S Monthly Medal along with the 2nd round of the Captain’s Stableford trophy.

Full results here.