Payne secures another crown

Played in gusty conditions at the Orange Ex-Servcies course over Saturday and Sunday, Payne proved to be his consistent best with 66 and 66 to win this year’s scratch crown from fellow Duntryleague gun, and 2015 defending champion, Rob Parfett.

Parfett fired 70 on the opening day to trail Payne and overnight contenders Andy Campbell (67) and Wentworth’s Dan McLeish (69), but a 69 on the final day rocketed last year’s winner into second position.

McLeish ended the tournament in third place, having coupled his earlier round of 69 with a three-over par 71 on Sunday for a two-round total of 140.

Campbell’s final round blew out, with 75 off the stick around the water affected Country Club lay-out on Sunday ballooning his total out to 142.

Dubbo’s Ross Horricks ended the two days in fifth, with round of 71 and 73 totaling 144 off the stick.

Tournament director Guy Chapman believes in tough conditions – wind and wet weather was a factor - Payne’s score was incredibly good – the 2016 Country Club Open coming just a week after he claimed his home title, the 2016 Hahn Duntryleague Open.

“It was quite windy out there over the weekend. (Payne’s) was a great score,” Chapman said post presentation.

“We had 48 (millimetres) of rain here on Friday night, Saturday morning. Our bunkers were out of play and we had preferred lies on a few of the greens.

“The course dried up well though, yesterday (Saturday), and played well again (on Sunday).”

Parfett didn’t leave the Open empty handed, though.

Scoring 73 points, Parfett won the A grade 36 hole individual stableford on a countback from Ian Mulligan, who also shot 73 points.

In B grade, Country Club golfer John Connolly fired 69 points to claim the individual stableford crown from Duntryleague’s Kevin Fraser, who scored 68 points and claimed second place on a countback.

While in C grade, Peter Tindall, from the Richmond Golf Club, fired an impressive 75 points to claim the individual stableford title ahead of Duntryleague’s Tyrone Rudman, who scored 74.

The open season continues next weekend with the Blayney Open, while the Wentworth tournament will be run on December 3 and 4, rounding out the season.