Turner after second title win

THIS weekend’s golf at Duntryleague features one of the majors on the golfing calendar, the 4BBB championships to be decided over 36 holes. On Saturday the opening round of the event is sponsored by Custom Powder Coating (Dean Turner) with the overall NTP courtesy of the Duntryleague Bistro. Sunday’s second round sponsorship is courtesy of long time supporters of this event, Ashcrofts Supa IGA (Orange).

The A grade scratch sections of the 36 hole event has current A grade matchplay club champion Dean Turner pairing with Peter (Fergalicious) Ferguson and this dynamic duo appear to have a mortgage on the event. Turner’s form has remained on an upward spiral following the championship win, a par round of 70 in last Saturday’s medal and a sub-par 69 in last week’s Wednesday comp a testament to this. Peter Ferguson led the A grade stroke play championship until the dying stages and is arguably the most consistent player in our golfing ranks.

The main danger to the favoured duo looms in the pairing of Michael (Schultz) Campbell and the very promising Min Cheng. Campbell’s long hitting will be suited to the heavy track on offer at present and on his day he is capable of a ‘wing of birdies’. Min Cheng has an admirable work ethic on the practice fairway and he is more than capable of a major contribution.

Club stalwart Peter Snowden had made an ambitious grab for ‘gold leaf’ glory by capturing the services of Mal (who let the dogs out) Gregor for the 36 hole journey. Snowden’s solid all-round game will be ably supported by the mercurial brilliance of the ‘big maan’ and they could be an outside chance of toppling the favourites. A handicap chances include Ewen Cameron Jnr and Peter Mitchell and the likely father and son combination of Dale and Ben McIntosh.

B challengers (with combined handicaps of 27 or more) include the Tom Commins and Martin Boyd combination and the Brad Wright and Steven Steptoe pairing who will both be favoured by the inevitable heavy conditions on offer.

Last week’s July Monthly Medal round field was decimated by the blizzard-like conditions with 113 hardy souls venturing out. Hugh Johnston struck a purple patch of form playing out of ‘B’ Grade to capture the medal with a fine round of 82-16-66 net. Runner-up in B was Graeme (Silver) Bellamy with an excellent round of 81-14-67 net and his scratch score proved the best in the grade.

Robert Payne’s form resurgence continued when he claimed the A grade scratch honours with a 68 off the stick. ‘Mean Dean’ Turner carded 70-1-69 net to grab handicap honours after a countback which relegated Jarrod Rose into second spot on 74-5-69 net.

C grade was keenly contested with the ultra-consistent Richard Benson taking scratch honours with 93 whilst the handicap winner was Des Davis 99-27-72 net who edged Chris (Fingers) Dwyer into second position after he finished 94-22-72 net. The overall NTP courtesy of the Royal Hotel fell to a superb shot from Geoff Bocking on the 17th hole where his tee shot came to rest 98cms from the pin. Thanks are due to the event sponsors Yates, Baker, McLean - accountants to the stars.

Next Saturday one of the feature social events on the calendar is scheduled with the popular ‘Christmas in July’ set down for decision. The event format is a four man best ball stableford with the Best Western Orange Motor Lodge (Dale McIntosh) assuming the sponsorship role. There will be two shotgun starts, 7am and noon, to get the anticipated capacity field away. There are still some tee spots available for this time-honoured event.

Associates and members are advised that the Fourball Best Ball Pacific Challenge event (postponed a fortnight ago) is now to be played on Sunday, July 17. Men’s, ladies and mixed teams are eligible to participate with a host of prizes up for grabs. Contact the pro shop for further details. Qualifiers from the above event will compete at a resort course in September for the right to play in the national finals on the Gold Coast (October 24-30).

An innovation at Duntryleague is the weekly 9-18 hole on any day except Wednesday or Saturday. This competition, entry fee of $5, enables golfers to submit handicap cards as well as be eligible for the weekly 9-18 hole prize for best round.

The senior golfers were undeterred by the bleak conditions last Monday with 13 players lining up. Sally Heigh scored one for the ladies by taking the major end of the prizemoney with 38 points while Darryl Conran carded a very respectable 35pts to take second spot.

The midweek comp this week fell to the golfing wiles of Tim Jay with a superb 40pts in advance of George Brooks who carded a solid round for 38pts. There were a few golfers still out when this report went to print. Perennial winner Ted Hubbard took 12 honours with a 24-point haul.