walker back on top

After spending the last few months letting his handicap slide ready to pounce in the Spring, Peter Walker has claimed a victory. Walker, who was used to winning regularly, has had a lean trot up until to now. Most thought age had caught up to the man who turns 77 next Thursday, but he defied the critics to post a stellar 4 up to win the A-Grade at Penola Golf Club on Saturdy. On a day where less than 20% of the field finished on the right side of square, Walker showed all his guile and ability to head the 24 strong field.

Golfers were greeted by glorious conditions, with most failing to take advantage of a lack of precipitation and wind. Walker did take a while to warm up after scoring losses on the first two holes. He found his form after this, with a run of six wins in eight holes from the fourth onwards, setting up the win.  He even managed two birdies along the way which would have given him 42 points on a stableford round.

Finishing runner-up in A-Grade was Chris Holden with a good return of 3 up. This was an impressive effort for someone who hasn’t spent much time on the course since fatherhood. He had 10 pars showing he is a still a major contender come club championships.

Peter Lunnay and Leo Price had to be separated by countback as they were the only other players to finish up for the day. Lunnay just got the nod for third with three plusses on the back nine.

Price was good in patches and started brilliantly with 39 on the front nine to be two up, but fatigue set in and he dropped crucial holes on the back nine.

Paul Harmer was the only other player not to finish in the negatives, finishing square and in 5th place.  

In the B-Grade, Pete Bullock finished square, which was enough for the win, as everyone else around him struggled to win holes. At one stage it looked like Bullock was going to blitz the field. A combination of super driving and solid approaches saw him collect five wins in six holes before peaking at 4 up. However, the excitement of thinking the money was heading to the POW saw him collapse and four losses in a row brought him back to square.

Mark Edwards was the best of the rest finishing two down.  A poor patch in the middle of the back nine undid all his good work on the front nine.

John Foggo (3 down) and Curt Evans (4 down) rounded out the placings.

The Patrick of Coonawarra nearest the pins were won by the usual suspects, Jock Agnew (7th), John Wilkinson (9th) and Pete Bullock completed his successful day with the best 2nd on the 12th.

Ant Mathys claimed the prize for the Redman’s  progressive nearest the pin, getting within 1.4 metres. 

The chocolates went to Andrew Hutchesson with his 9 down effort, as he formed part of the super group with Ant Mathys, Don Ferguson and Jock Agnew who combined to finish 25 down for the day.

Next week it is back to a stroke round, with the PPH&S Monthly Medal.  


Full results here.