The Handicap Division Team made the South West District Golf Association Pennant Final again, qualifying on Sunday with a chance to make it three flags from four years after a drought of more than 38 years.
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But there is a story behind the team’s qualification.
Due to Captain Craig off with mate Ronnie Page at the Regional 4BBB to Par event at Gundagai, the team travelled to Cootamundra with a clear set of goals.
Being Round 3 leaders and two clear of the opposition, three wins would qualify them without question, two wins would be close but most likely all right, anything less had disaster written all over it.
The team brought home a 4-1 defeat with only Tim Beveridge remaining undefeated for the season on three matches played.
Captain Tam dutifully SMSed Craig at Gundagai, who fell off his chair sweating out the Gundagai vs Young game still on course.
The team needed Gundagai, who had not yet notched a win for the season, to beat Young. Gundagai defeated Young three matches to two and let Harden scrape into the final by one point.
The final will be played this Sunday at 10am at either Young or Gundagai and will be decided by the South West District captain soon.
The team is Tam Kennedy (c), Matt Peisley, Chris Hocking, Rick Preston and Tim Beveridge.
Should anything come up, call Craig as soon as possible so next in the squad can be swung into gear.
Captain Craig thanks John Brownhill, Jamie Cantrill (super sub), Brian Wales and Ron Page for their contributions and willingness to support the Pennant endeavour this year.
Bring another flag home gents and we will plan out a trophy wall in the new club for Pennant Flags.
Filmer and Page second in Bonville race
The SWDGA regional qualifying for the NSW Keno 4BBB to Par state event was also held on Sunday, again in Gundagai.
The other qualifying pair could not make it due to comrade brother Bernie Parker being currently down with an illness (get well soon Bernard), not allowing he and Kevin to appear.
Ron and Craig started like a house on fire in bitter 5-degree conditions and escalating winds around the lush Gundagai course surrounded by water hazards everywhere.
Through nine holes the boys had six plus holes, one minus and were sitting ok at +5 on the turn. The back nine was longer and tougher with almost every plus meeting with a minus.
A strong finish by the boys with two plusses on 17 and 18 to leave a back nine total of four plusses and two minuses for a +2 sub total.
Craig and Ron’s score of +7 was two shots short of the local pair from Gundagai who qualified with +9. Ron and Craig were two shots ahead of third in their third runner-up finish at regional qualifying.
This Weekend
Saturday the gents hack their way around in a stableford event for Peter Steinke’s Trophy.
Filmer Claims Medal and Mug
Saturday the July Monthly Medal was contested in what may best be described as Antarctic blast conditions.
It was bitterly cold, windy and rain cum drizzle most of the afternoon. The club is very thankful for the day’s trophy from Peter Joseph’s Harden Fuel Supplies who continues to show his ongoing support for Harden Golf.
Mud-running winter scrub turkey Craig Filmer posted a score that could not be got around by the field, shooting an 83 for a 68 nett and 39 stableford points to claim the B Medal, B Scratch and the Day’s Trophy.
The A medal and A Grade Scratch was claimed by Darrell Cassidy who brought home 80 off the stick for a 70 nett and 37 points. Balls on the day went back to 1 over par on handicap and were paid to Darrell Cassidy (70), Robert Bates (72) and Matt Peisley(72).
The nearest the pin on the 10th hole, the Bendigo Bank Hole in One hole, went to the day’s winner Craig Filmer who was a mere six metres from the pin, yet he was on the green.
Into the teeth of the breeze on Saturday this was a mission in itself.
The lucky medal carton draw was Kevin Hoppe (drawn out by innocent Jackie behind the bar) who is fast approaching professional status with Ian Bruce the sole member of that club at present.
Bruce Blitzes Midweek Field
Speaking of the devil, guess who won midweek?? It must have been fine midweek and Brucey came out to play, yet he played the ‘fair weather golfer’ card on Saturday.
Ian has played six shots better than his midweek handicap to record 30 points around the par 24-stableford point, 12-hole track during the week. Ian has foregone all six shots by way of winning and resumes duties this week on a mere 6.5.
The runner up keeps on keeping on and it was good to see Alan Hill shoot better than his handicap for 26 points.
Grahame Taylor, Jim Wright and Peter Steinke all played to their handicap on 24 points for their outings.
Ladies Golf
Saturday’s harshness proved too much for the Ladies to run their event.
Toni Filmer’s trophy is sitting on the shelf and Ladies’ President Jeanette advises it will be played for this Saturday in conjunction with the Ladies’ July 2018 Medal.