Kuhl wins in a tight contest

Robert  ‘Blue’Kuhl has won a very tight contest to take out the B-grade division of the first round of the Club Stableford Championship at the Penola Golf Club on Saturday.

In the first official competition of the season, Kuhl had a blistering first nine to get him to 38 points and set up the win. Playing the back nine first, he had 39 off the stick for 24 points, ensuring he would come out on top of any count back.Kuhl hit four pars and a birdie over a seven hole purple patch.He wilted on the back nine, having only 14 points, however, he had done just enough to edge out his opposition in a three way countback.

Four players of the 22 who played scored 38 points to share the spoils for the day. Conditions varied throughout the day with patches of warm sunshine punctuated with strong winds and the odd shower.

Close behind in the B-Grade was Shane McPherson, who also had 38 points. He would have thought his 21 points on the back nine was enough, but not on this occasion. His best golf came on that back nine where he had three pars in three holes to set up a great nine.

In third place was Tony Gleeson, who also had 38 points. Gleeson stuck to the conventional methos of getting 19 points in each nine. Gleeson had four pars and a birdie on the fifth to build up his tally.

Mark Edwards rounded out the placings with 37 points, which was a good result after scratching the first. He also had four pars and a birdie amongst a few bogeys as he accumulated a good score.

In the A-Grade competition, Paul Harmer won his third competition in a month, also with 38 points.  Another playing the back nine first, he had five pars to help himself to 21 points and a solid foundation. The back nine was spent scrambling as a lot of up and downs from difficult places helped him hold on.

The evergreen Peter Walker finished second with 36 points which helped him take the cash from the Tarpeena boys once again. Walker was steady as a rock as he scored 11 pars in his round.

In third place was the popular Don Ferguson who also had 36 points. Ferguson had a somewhat sluggish start before warming to the task on the front nine where he had five pars and a birdie for 19 points.

It was great to see four juniors out having a hit, with Brad Walker finishing out on top by two shots. Another junior, Luke Walker, had the best shot into the 13th, winning nearest to the pin.

Visitor Judy Webb won nearest the pin on the 9th with Tony Gleeson having the best shot into the 5th, helpinghim secure the birdie.

Next week is a par round.

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