DUNTRYLEAGUE members will contest the first 36 holes of the West Orange Toyota club 72 hole championships tomorrow in conjunction with the first qualifying round of the Reliance Petroleum World match play championships on Sunday.

Tomorrow’s individual stroke event is sponsored by Murray Gilchrist Business Brokers and players will be competing for the Duntry bistro nearest the pin and intent on improving their scores in the popular John Cook eclectic competition.

The course is in pristine condition, the beer delightfully cold, the Randwick races relayed live on the wireless and the weather forecast promising, so the players have no excuses for not performing.

The newly announced handicapping system has dominated conversation around the club rooms in recent weeks.

Grant “Router” D’ombrain, an average performer in any the eyes of any golfing critic, has been elevated overnight into the ranks of A grade after struggling in C grade for several seasons.

Living legend Wayne G Carpenter’s name has been left alone on the time sheet struggling for opponents after quietly sliding back onto a handicap of three.

Even Dr Whisper lost shots and I have to endure his inconsistencies on the course every Saturday!

Like most dairy farmers I am a strong believer that “cream will always rise”… to be honest I’m uncertain what it actually means but the proof is in the low fat pudding when you see the adjusted handicaps of Rob Payne and Mikey Campbell.

After scouring the form guides, observing the practice fairway and looking at the Centrebet odds I offer the following fearless tips for championship glory:

A grade: Naturally the “Prince of Vila” Rob Payne stands alone on his large, heavily reinforced podium but Peter Ferguson, after a startling under par round last weekend, and the brothers Dunlop will provide strong opposition. Dean Turner has powder coated his putter and the big fella has the X factor needed in May. The man widely touted to be the first Korean/Australian to win the US Masters, Min Cheng, is a fearless junior and could provide an upset in the weeks ahead.

A reserve grade: The long hitting Rob “Ba Ba” Lam is on fire and will have to overcome former world title holders in the male model from Molong, Warwick Bradley, and Duck Thorncraft to seek glory. A former finalist, Jon Guyver will be a real contender. Known to his mates as “Kembla” for his iron will and steely determination, this guy (ver) will be in contention well into the month of May.

B grade: Is always a grey area as players attempt to emulate the patron saint of handicap protection, “Tiger” Tom Commins, in the rounds leading up to qualifying. An avid disciple of the Tiger is Martin D Boyd and he has considerable experience in the heady match play rounds. Marvellous Merv Bilske is returning to form after a 10 month slump (the wallets of Messrs Bailey, Snowden and Whitmill are ample testimony to this) and is a perennial qualifier, albeit exiting quicker than an underage drinker in an Underbelly series three nightclub! The sneaky long Peter Campbell practises his golf and that alone means he cannot be underestimated.

C grade: Picking a winner is a bit like the pre-Berlin Wall East German Olympic Games athletic squads. Who are the guys and which ones are the chicks? One thing is certain here, it will be an old guy who has a slice like Bob Massie’s inswinger and is prone to four putts and the odd shank. The usual suspects roll off the tongue of all readers, JF Tilston, Paul Fitzgerald, PJ Ryan, EF Kelly and “The Trog” but I believe Jack Benton, another player from old Tiger’s stable, could be a surprise packet.

Earlier in the week a well attended annual general meeting commended outgoing president Tony Leahey, vice-president Garry West, captain Ray Wilson and treasurer Denis Russell for their commitment and service after their time on the board.

John Cook as president and Dr Bruce Whitmill as captain were elected unopposed while Jock Ferguson, Paul Blundell, Graeme Bellamy and David Thomas joined the incoming board.

There were rumours that Dr Whisper will be out to drum up some Medicare business during upcoming meetings as he is the youngest member of what is an exceptionally experienced and erudite group representing the club.