hill stands out on course

With the Penola Golf Course in top condition a field of 21 golfers competed in the Prince of Wales monthly medal and the first qualifying round of the club championships.

Scoring was difficult with a strong southerly blowing but a few still managed to break their handicaps, with the stand-out performance of the day coming from Sam Hill, who put in a faultless display of golf to win the C Grade.

The A Grade saw a tight result, with a countback needed to determine the winner. Leo price took the honours over John Mossop, both with nett 71’s.

Price was a bit off on the front nine with 43 off the stick, using up almost all his handicap, but after the break he was a different player, firing off three pars before a disappointing three-putt.

However, he finished the back nine even with the card.

In contrast Mossop was more consistent, but a little carelessness on the greens was the determining factor.

Peter Walker placed third, again beating Greg Hutchesson on countback, both on nett 76.

In The B Grade a modest Shane McFlanders came out victorious with a nett 70, which was surprising for him after a practice round early in the week was nothing to trouble the scorers.

A triple bogey on the 17th was his only major hiccup, with both sides of the card mirroring each other.

Just two shots behind him on nett 72 was Graham Pope, who after a very shaky eight on the first may have thought he was in for a long day, but he managed to get back a few shots before the turn.

His back nine was a lot better with a birdie on the 13th one for the highlight reel.

Peter Bullock was next in with a nett 74, slowly coming to terms with his new handicap.

A key to his good card was only 12 putts on the front nine helping to keep his card from blowing out.

Mark Edwards was back in fourth with a lazy nett 79.

Sam Hill’s C Grade victory saw an 86 off the stick, returning a nett 64 thanks to some exceptional chipping and putting.

A chip in birdie on the seventh was a highlight, and with only five double bogeys, his card sees him currently well positioned for the finals come September.

Curt Evans was runner-up with a nett 70, who could have had a better score had he got the putter working a little better.

His back nine set him up to be more than competitive with only 40 shots before his wayward 52 on the front nine.

There was daylight back to the next placegetters, with Ant Mathys beating David Strutherland on a countback with nett 76.

Both players had a little trouble getting to the greens but both were reasonable with the putters.

The long drive was out on the third and with a helping breeze at players backs was always going to see some long balls hit.

Price won the A, Andrew “Senior” Hutchesson won the B and Curt Evans the C.

Price claimed another prize with the best third shot on the 14th, missing the birdie putt from three foot.

Nearest the pin on the seventh was Greg Hutchesson and Sam Hill hit a top shot on the ninth to take the honour.

He also won the putting comp with only 25 putts.

The special NAGA award went to “Senior”.

Full results here.