Ian ‘Jock’ Agnew is poised to take out his seventh Patrick of Coonawarra Open Club Championship at Penola Golf Club on Sunday after winning his way through to the final. Remarkably, Agnew has faced six different opponents in his previous wins, and on Sunday he faces a seventh, in Leo Price. Price was the number one qualifier and is no slouch when it comes to match play golf, having a terrific record in pennant matches over the past few years. He is certainly capable of beating Agnew on his day, but if Agnew is switched on, Price will need to near par the course to win.

Agnew won his way through to the final after winning in two entertaining quarter and semi-finals matches. He took longer than expected to defeat a stubborn David Murray 4&3 in the morning, before having a good battle with Jeremy Briggs in the afternoon semi-final. Briggs accounted for Lindsay Storer on the 19th in the quarter final, and was always in touch with Agnew throughout most of the semi. However, Agnew’s consistency helped him get over the line 3&2.

Price had a tough match with George Kidman, which went all the way to the 17th before Price prevailed 2&1. In the other quarter-final, John Mossop accounted for Don Ferguson 4&3, surprisingly, it was Mossop’s short game which was superior and helped him account for Ferguson.

The semi-final between Mossop and Price started out very scratchy, with players take a while to find their games and a par. It soon warmed up and pars and birdies started flowing before Price won 3&2.

The final promises to be an intriguing contest, but with it being over 36 holes, it would be hard to see Agnew getting beaten

Evans to take on Harmer in the B-Grade Final

The B-Grade winner’s board will have a new name after Curt Evans and Paul Harmer both won through to the final, with neither having one a B-Grade title before. Evans has improved his accuracy and consistency since joining up at Penola 12 months ago and will be a good chance to win the title given current form. This will be Harmer’s second crack at the B-Grade title after going down to Grant Stephenson two years ago.

Both players didn’t have an easy passage through to the final, playing extra holes in the quarter finals. Evans accounted for Tony Gleeson on the 19th before taking on the odds on favourite, Peter Walker, in the afternoon. Walker wasn’t quite on song but take nothing away from Evans performance, coasting home 4&3 in the afternoon semi-final.

Harmer took 20 holes to defeat Andrew Hutchesson in a game that could have gone either way. Both players had their chances before Hutchesson stumbled on the 20th.

In the semi-final,  Harmer took on Shane Anderson, who had earlier easily accounted for John Wilkinson, despite suffering from a 24 hour virus. Anderson stocked up on medication and was a tough opponent in the afternoon. He looked the likely winner after being one up with one to go. However, Harmer parred the 18th and went on to win on the 19th hole, his 39th hole for the day!

This looms to be an even contest, although Evans would have to start marginally favourite given current form.

The butcher to take on the Bullock

The C-Grade final looks to be an interesting one with former butcher and now your friendly grocer, Shane McPherson, taking on Pete Bullock. Bullock is no stranger to winning titles after doing so many years ago. After a long layoff, he is back this season and showing great form. McPherson is struggling from a bad shoulder, but had enough painkillers to get through two finals. He is another player who on his day can play well above his handicap.

Bullock had the easier run through to the final with a bye in the morning due to player withdrawals, but in the afternoon he had a potentially tough opponent in Steven Skeer. Skeer has been in good form in recent weeks and only took 14 holes to account for David Strother in the quarter final. However, Bullock was solid all day and eventually got his nose in front before winning 3&2.

McPherson had to do it the hard way, accounting for David Boyd in the morning on the 15th before taking on a well-rested Bill Cheers, who also had a bye. It was a close and absorbing battle before McPherson came out on top winning 2&1

Bullock would have to start favourite, however, if McPherson can get his shoulder right, he won’t be far off the mark.  

Mathys and Meyer to battle it out

Ant Mathys will take on Allen Meyer in the D-Grade final, after the latter defeated Trevor Williams in the semi-final. Mathys is yet to win a championship, and after finishing runner up last year, he will be keen to get his name on the board. Meyer will also be keen to add to his trophy cabinet and will attempt to win his second title. Mathys form has been good of late, and if he doesn’t succumb to the pressure, would be a good chance.

Draw for the Patrick of Coonawarra Club Championship finals on Sunday 12th October

8:45am  D-Grade- Ant Mathys  vs Allen Meyer   

9:00am C-Grade- Pete Bullock  vs Shane  McPherson 

9:15am B-Grade – Curt Evans vs Paul Harmer

9:30am Open – Jock Agnew vs Leo Price

Leo Price was right on his game to take out the Bernie Flood Conveyancers Monthly Medal at Penola Golf Club in Saturday. His score of nett 69 was not only good enough to win the A-Grade but to be round of the day as well. Leading into club championships, it was just the form Price would have liked. He had 36 off the stick on the front nine which included 5 pars and two birdies before slowing down on the back nine.

A solid field of 24 golfers enjoyed the warm conditions, although the strong winds and tricky pin placements made some holes more difficult than usual.

The A-Grade field wasn’t large, but they showed why they are in that grade with all but one having satisfactory scores.

Runner up was Jock Agnew, who had 76 off the stick for a nett 71. He also had 36 of the stick on the front nine, having played this nine last. A rare 4-putt on the 12th was the only blemish on his card and may have cost him the win.

In third place was the silver fox himself, Don Ferguson, with a nett 72. He had a solid consistent performance that included five pars and two birdies. 

John Mossop rounded out the placings finishing fourth with nett 74. This was a good result after a picket fence start of five single pointers. His finishing nine included six pars which the big fella would have been happy with.

In the B-Grade, a count-back was needed to separate three players who all finished with nett 70. Steven Skeer got the nod after scoring 22 points on the back nine which included six pars.

Runner up was Peter Walker with 19 points on the back nine. Whilst more consistent, walker would be disappointed with having 32 putts and this probably cost him the win. He still had seven pars and a birdie on the 17th to show no signs of slowing down.

Graham Pope finished third after another solid round. Despite his handicap drifting out, he showed that he still has a bit of form left with five pars in a consistent performance.

Paul Harmer finished fourth with nett 71. The highlight of the round for him would have been the birdie on eighth.    

In the C-Grade, Mark Edwards was the winner with nett 73. After a not so great first nine, he was six shots better on the back nine which helped him get over the line. He was helped considerably by a chip in for birdie on the 12th for a birdie.

Ant Mathys was runner up with nett 74 after another sound round, beating John Foggo on countback.

In the nearest the pin competitions, the winners were John Mossop (7th), Allen Meyer (9th) and Tony Gleeson (best 2nd on the 12th).

The longest drives were won by Ben Doolan, John Wilkinson and Mark Edwards in the A, B and C grace respectively. Apparently Mark Edwards drive was only marginally longer than one of his drives in lawn bowls. Dave Murray won the putting competition on his own countback.

2014 sees the end of the over 25 years of sponsorship from Bernie Flood Conveyancing. The club would like to publicly thank him for his support over the past 25 years. Small clubs like Penola would not be able to survive if it wasn’t for the support of loyal sponsors.

With daylight savings back on, twilight golf will begin again this Friday, October 10th. This competition is open to all players, both members and non-members. Cost is only $10 (members $5) which includes 9 holes and a free BBQ at the conclusion of play. Tee off is between 5:00 and 5:30pm at the Penola Golf Club.