BETTY Alexander has claimed the major prize at this week’s Mercedes-Benz Duntryleague Classic.
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The Manly golfer tore the Orange layout apart, recording an aggregate score of 114 points across Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to claim $1600 in prizes.
Alexander’s victory headlined a fantastic effort by the ladies, whose top five finished with better scores than any of their male counterparts.
Concord’s Margaret Shwabsky (113), Mona Vale’s Jennifer Godden-Chang (108), Jill Graham (107) and Balgowlah’s Sue Savage (104) filling the minor placings in the women’s division.
Duntryleague’s Rick Spicer was the best of the blokes, finishing his three days’ toil with a credible 102 points to win on a countback from Manly’s Darren Alexander.
Richard Chang from Mona Vale (101), Graham Lane from Manly (100) and Robert Brazier from Duntryleague (99) rounded out the men’s division.
The classic, now in its third year, continues to grow, accommodating a record 98 players on Tuesday.
Tournament secretary Helen Corby was thrilled with the event.
“We started the classic three years ago to try to fill a void in the golfing calendar,” said Corby, explaining that January is a notoriously quiet month for competitive golf.
“In the first year we only had something like 20 visitors, but now out-of-towners provide most of our players and the locals just fill in around them.
“The visitors just love to come here and play our wonderful course and sample our wonderful city.”
Organisers this year recruited wineries to sponsor the nearest the pin prizes on the course four par threes.
Belgravia (fourth hole), Printhie (7th hole), Angullong (11th hole) and Mayfields (17th hole) came to the party, with Corby explaining their involvement was a nice fit.
“Most of our visitors are here to try the food and wine of the area,” Corby said.
“They are fine diners who know that Orange makes great wine, so it helps the town too.”
The wineries contributed to a total of $7000 in prizes up for grabs.
The tournament’s festivities kicked off with a cocktail party on Saturday night and wound up with a gala dinner on Tuesday evening.