Hill victor in Heyward’s 75th Monthly Medal

First season member, Sam Hill, has had round of the day as well as winning the C-Grade Division of the Heyward’s Hotel Monthly Medal. In its 75th year, the esteemed Heyward’s Hotel Monthly Medal has always been a sought after trophy, and this year’s trophies were no exception.

Hill, had been improving week by week and a good score was on the cards. He started the front nine well with straight drives and solid irons to score two pars on the way out. After a shaky start on the back nine, he birdied the 12th with a 30 foot putt and followed with a par on the par 3. He held his nerve on the final few holes to finish with nett 66 and the round of the day. He also won nearest the pin on the 13th for his great shot there.

In the A-Grade, Grant Stephenson won a bottle of his namesake with nett 72. He was steady all day with eight pars and only two doubles to keep to his handicap. Making par from off the green on the 13th was a valuable save. His prize should last him long enough for another caravan trip around Australia.

Jock Agnew finished runner up with net 73 after a much better second nine. He recovered from a shaky start to shoot 36 on the back nine, that being less shots than the lead his beloved Kangaroos surrendered the week prior. He made nine pars in a row on the first nine as he stormed home to be runner up. Agnew cleaned up the nearest the pin on the ninth with a tidy approach.

In third place was Greg Hutchesson who also came home in a flurry, finishing with three pars and a birdie on the last four holes.  18 putts on the front nine ensured he needed to pull something out f the bag on the back nine.

Peter Walker rounded out the placings with nett 76, a better result than previous weeks as he struggles with the distance in the heavier conditions.

In the B-Grade, John Wilkinson saw the scotch on offer and suddenly played his best golf for weeks. He had six pars and only 28 putts as he obliterated the course for nett 69. Despite sledging from his playing partners, J-Wilk fired up and delivered to be three shots clear of his nearest rival.

Runner up was Mal Redman, who had an honourable nett 72. This was mainly due to much improved back nine, where he had four pars.

David Boyd recovered from the chocolates on the Thursday to finish in third place. Better putting may have improved his score as one putts were as rare as sunny periods on a June day. He won his usual longest drive on the 15th.

Blue Kuhl finished fourth with net 76.

Sam Hill was a clear six shot winner in the C-Grade and consequently his handicap has come tumbling back quicker than Essendon’s Premiership aspirations. 

Playing his first legitimate round, new member Curt Evans finished runner up with a solid nett 72. He had three pars to suggest that over the next few weeks he will win few prizes before his handicap decreases. He won the C-Grade longest drive along the way with a long hit down the 15th.

Ant Mathys had nett 73 to finish in third place. A solid front nine with three pars and eight one-putts in a row kept his score low and won a golf ball at the end. Matt Stephenson finished fourth with net 75. Matt was instrumental in the sponsorship deal from Patrick T of Coonawarra, which saw 17 spiffing brand new, if not slightly too high, flag poles be put in at the course. It is well worth the green fees for visitors just to see.

Andrew Hutchesson won the nearest the pin on the 7th for prize. Jeremy Briggs hit the longest ball on the 15th to get the prize before he took off after nine.

Bill Cheers won the putting competition, which is a good result from the man whose putting is somewhat aligned to Travis Cloke’s kicking for goal.

The next big event on the calendar is the 27 hole men’s foursome’s event on the 15th June. 

Full results to be found here.

Hayward's Monthly Medal winners left to right - J-Wilk, Jock Agnew, Mal Redman, Grant Stephenson, Sam Hill & Curt Evans.