Entering round three, Ben was nine shots back from club house leader Kevin Hoppe.

After round three, Ben and Kevin were tied for the lead. Ben then sealed the deal, firing an electric two-over par round.This is Ben’s sixth title on the trot.

With the final wash-up being only four shots covering the top four in the best overall nett trophy for the championships, the very old and prestigious title of the McLean Gold Cup went to Damian Kemp.

Damian also picked up the C Grade champions title beating his nearest rival Ron Kerr by four shots off the stick.

Damian finished with the McLean Gold Cup after 289 nett. In second place was Todd Elliott on 291 nett, Kevin Hoppe on 292 nett, Ron Fuller Jnr on 293 nett and both Tam Kennedy and Ben Glover on 295 nett.

Mr “I’m Baaaaack” Robert Bates stamped out a very close win for the B Grade title. With Tam Kennedy and Ian Bruce believing they were playing off in one of the seeded draw groups, one hell of a tussle ensued there with Tam getting five shots past Ian, only to get to the club house to find he had been pipped by one shot for the title by Robert. Robert has come away with 358 total shots off the stick, Tam on 359 and Ian on 364. 

In the Veterans category, Kevin Hoppe’s tussle for the Club Championship ensured that his score outshone nearest rivals Peter Steinke and Darrell Cassidy.

On Saturday, the men played for Chris Hocking’s Trophies and the daily winner was Ian Bruce, who shot a 70 to claim the trophy on a countback from Tam Kennedy.

The scratch prize for the day laid on by Chris went to Ben Glover. Tam Kennedy (70) led off the ball comp and other balls went to Craig Filmer (71), John Brownhill (72), Damian Kemp (72), Herby Manwaring (73) and Michael McPake (73).

Nearest the pin on the Bendigo Bank NTP Whopper Account Hole in One 10th went to Robert Bates (4.2m).

On Sunday, the men played for the trophy supplied by Ian and Kate Kinlyside. Balls went to Brian Wales (70), Kevin Hoppe (71), Peter Elliott (72), Todd Eelliott (72), Ron Fuller Jnr (73) and Ron Page (73). Nearest the pin on the 10th went to Brett Johnson (4.85m).

Peter Orr was the best of 28 golfers in the midweek comp, with 27 points on the par 24 layout on the 12-hole run. Peter loses three shots for the privilege of winning and now has a still inflated handicap of 25. 

Equal second this week was between Tam Kennedy and Herby Manwaring and also Bill Kildea on 26 points.

This weekend is the NSW Grass and Sand Green Title in Parkes and Forbes and if still keen details are available at the NSW Men’s Golf web site. Also this Sunday, Cootamundra is hosting the Father/Son Challenge 4BBB with a great prize to the Sunshine Coast on offer.

Make sure you pencil in the Club Men’s Foursomes Championships. to be held at Harden Country Club on August 27 and 28.

The gents will be playing an Individual Stableford for Nathan Schofield’s trophy whilst the Ladies on Sunday will be playing their final WGNSW Medal, which has qualifying significance for the SWDGA.

Titles to be held in October and in particular the South West Presidents Trophy, which is in the cabinet of Toni Filmer so there should be a strong field out vying for this medal.

On Tuesday, August 23, the Vets Tournament at Harden will be held so all eligible should not miss this one with the course in such fine fettle.