Round 3 (Moving Day!) of the Mens Club Championship took place on Saturday 9 May in perfect Autumn conditions. That didn’t stop Will and his team creating some very tricky pin placements making scoring all the more difficult as witnessed by your author’s 38 putts !!!

In A Grade, Mark Johnston maintained his advantage with an excellent 1 under par round 70. Mark Henning slipped back a little after a 76 and Bill Moss entered the fray with an excellent 1 under par round of 70. After 54 holes Mark Johnston leads the way at 1 under followed by Mark Henning, +7, Bill Moss +17 and Jack Brand +18. In the Nett, it is a much closer race with Mark Henning on 211 followed by Mark Johnston, 215 and Bill Moss 218.

In A Reserve, Neil Hartley continues to lead the way after a third round 78 and he holds a 14 shot advantage over the chasers. As such Neil leads the way on +17 followed by Luke Day +31. Chris Phillips made the most of the conditions and a red hot putter for an excellent 79 to sit at +32 in third place followed by James Eagle at +34. Ian Beard’s very steady play has seen him take the joint lead in the Nett with Neil Hartley on 212 and Chris Phillips remains third on 215.

B Grade saw a very good round of 81 from Todd Kalajzich which moved him up to second place. William Vale continues his good play to maintain the lead at +43 followed by Todd Kalajzich and Liam Dale +47 and Paul Gilbert +54. In the Nett, it is the same top 3 with William Vale leading on 214 followed by Todd Kalajzich, Liam Dale and AJ Robinson all on 218.

Finally in C Grade, Keith Muller has maintained the lead after another 91 today for a three round total of +65. Anthony Ballard has moved up to second at +70 followed by Wayne Dickie +76 and Horst Bleuel on +79. Keith Muller now also holds the Nett lead at 218 from Anthony Ballard, 220, Horst Bleuel 223 and Paul Davies 224.

Good luck to everyone playing the final round next week. Greg will be ringing the four Gross leaders in each grade to arrange for them to play in the reserved tee times commencing at 1130.

Round 2 of the Mens Club Championship took place on Saturday 9 May in perfect Autumn conditions.

In A Grade, Mark Johnston followed his first round level par score with another 71. Mark Henning also had another very good round, shooting a second consecutive 72. Unfortunately some of the ‘Big Guns’ failed to break 80. As such, Mark leads the way after 36 holes on 142 followed by Mark Henning on 144 and Will Ockenden on 155. In the Nett, Mark Henning has the lead on 138 followed by Mark Johnston, 144 and Will Ockenden, 147.

In A Reserve, Neil Hartley followed up his 73 with a 79 maintaining a solid advantage over the chasers. Neil leads the way in the gross on 152 with Luke Day 2nd on 160 and Scott Abbott on 161. Neil also leads the way in the Nett on 140 with Ian Beard 2nd on 142 and Chris Phillips, 146.

B Grade saw quite a bit of movement on the leaderboard with William Vale following up his opening 88 with an excellent 81 for a 36 hole total of 169. Liam Dale and Paul Sainsbury are his closest chasers on 177 followed by Todd Kalajzich, who improved his 1st round score by 15 shots and sits on 179. In the Nett, William Vale leads on 141 followed by AJ Robinson 144 and Greg Stephenson on 148.

Finally in C Grade, Keith Muller has taken the lead after a 91 today for a two round total of of 187. Wayne Dickie is in 2nd on 191 followed by Anthony Ballard and Caiden Green on 192. Caiden Green leads the Nett on 144 followed by Keith Muller and Ken Miller 147 and Paul Davies 148.

Good luck to everyone on ‘Moving Day’ next week.

Round 1 of the Mens Club Championship took place concurrent with the May Monthly Medal. Unlike normal weekly competitions, golfers are split into four handicap divisions based on the Blue Tees Rating – A 0 – 5, A Reserve 6 – 12, B 13 – 19 and C 20 – 54.

Conditions for Round 1 were generally fine with a steady 1 club breeze and Will and his team had set some challenging pins.

In A Grade, perennial winner Mark Johnston shot a very competitive level par 71 and was joined on the same score by our Course Superintendent Will. Mark Henning also had a very good round, shooting 72 followed by Cooper Maddinson on 75. Will leads the way in the Nett with 67 followed by Mark on 69.

In A Reserve, Neil Hartley had an excellent 73 giving him a solid advantage over the chasers, Scott Abbott 79 and James Eagle and Luke Day on 80. Neil also leads the Nett with 67 followed by Ian Beard 71, James Eagle and Chris Phillips 72.

B Grade has joint leaders Ian Fox and Greg Stephenson after rounds of 86. Three players are close on their heels after 88’s – William Vale, Paul Sainsbury and Patrick Morris. In the Nett, Greg Stephenson leads the way with 70, Alastair McDonough 71 while Ian Fox is joined by AJ Robinson on 72.

Finally in C Grade, Wayne Dickie leads the way on 93 followed by Luke Morris and Keith Muller on 96. Three further chasers, Anthony Ballard, Glenn Askew and Craig Everett shot 97. Craig Everett leads the Nett on 66 followed by Ken Miller 69 and Luke Morris 72.

Good luck to everyone next week for Round 2.

Semi final week of the Illawarra Pennants with our C Pennants team in action at Nowra against the team from The Grange.

After finishing second in their section of the qualifying matches, Barney and his team were up against the ladder leaders from the other half of the draw in The Grange. Unfortunately the guys and girls came up short, losing the match 1.5 : 4.5. Our young protégé Vincent Muller won his game and Gary Hoare squared his. Bad luck to Will Vale, Barney, Greg Stephenson and Jo Webber who were all defeated. Thanks to Barney and the rest of team who represented the club this year – Gary Hoare, Will Vale, Vincent Muller, Tracey Casinelli, Jo Webber, Greg Stephenson and Paul Feest. Special mention to Tracey who went undefeated through the round robin matches but was unfortunately unavailable for the semi-final.

Final week of the Illawarra Pennants qualifying season with only pride on the line for the A and B Pennants Teams and the White Horse Cup side. Critical match for Barney’s C Pennant team with a finals berth to play for.

The A Pennant team took on ladder leaders Moss Vale at Russell Vale. Not a good day for the guys going down 6 : 0. Lloyd Herron, Mark Johnston, Will Ockenden, John McFarlane, Ed McLean and Lachie Maddinson were all defeated. Thanks to Will Ockenden, Mark Johnston, Steven Walda, Lloyd Herron, Jack Brand, Ed McLean, Lachie Maddinson and John McFarlane who have all represented the club this year.

The B Pennants also travelled up to Russell Vale where they took on Port Kembla. Unfortunately, their disappointing season continued with a close 3.5 : 2.5 loss. Gerard Day and Ming Leung registered wins with Chris Phillips squaring his match. Luke Day, Geoff Dunn and Sharon McCarthy all took their games down the 18th but unfortunately came up short. Thanks to the following golfers who gave up their Sunday mornings to represent the club : Gerard Day, Luke Day, Geoff Dunn, Chris Phillips, Ian Paynter, Justin Mangan, Peta Griffin, Ming Leung, Matt Shirlaw, Craig Ratcliff, Steve Hancock, James Eagle, Pete Connor and Sharon McCarthy.

The C Pennants team travelled up the highway to Port Kembla to take on Worrigee. In a great performance there were wins to Barney Kingdom, young Vincent Muller, Tracey Casinelli and Jo Webber. Gary Hoare and Will Vale lost their matches but the 4 : 2 win means the team have qualified for the finals finishing top of their division. A semi final clash against the runners up in Group 2 will take place next Sunday 22nd March. Good luck to Barney and his team.

The White Horse Cup Team headed up to the Highland Golf Club to take on Kiama. The team came away with a creditable 3.5 : 3.5 tie. Rob Walker, Garry Podmore and Ian Fox registered wins while Troy Webster tied his game. There were losses to Kye Hawkins, Jordan Green and Matt McAlister. Thanks to the following players who represented the club this season : Garry Podmore, Kye Hawkins, Ian Fox, Troy Webster, Brendon Miller, Rob Walker, Simon Rudd, Matt McAlister, Jordan Green, Anthony Ballard, Steven White and Will Hay. Special mention to Rob Walker who won all 5 of his matches.

Week 6 of the Illawarra Pennants season and anothe bye for the teams in the A and C groups.

The B Pennants were at Worrigee to take on Links Shell Cove 2. Unfortunately the poor run of results for the team continued with another loss, going down 4.5 : 1.5. Matt Shirlaw had a win and Ian Paynter managed to square his match. Unfortunately there were losses to Gerard Day, Geoff Dunn, Ming Leung and Chris Phillips. The loss leaves the team anchored at the bottom of the table and no chance of making the finals with only one game remaining next week against Port Kembla at The Vale. Lets hope we can end the season on a brighter note.

The White Horse Cup Team hosted their group matches this weekend and took on Highlands 1. Making the most of the home course advantage, the guys came away with a well fought 4 : 3 win. Kye Hawkins, Brendon Miller, Ian Fox and Troy Webster registered wins. Unfortunately there were losses to Simon Rudd, Garry Podmore and Matt McAlister. Their final match next week will be against  Kiama at the Highlands, but like the B Pennants they are only playing for pride with no chance of making the Finals.

It is also the final week for the A Pennants next week when they take on Moss Vale at The Vale. Sitting mid table their season will also finish next week.

In brighter news, the C Pennants Team take on Worrigee at Port Kembla. A win should see them play finals, good luck to Barney and his team.

Week 5 of the Illawarra Pennants season and all four of our teams were in action at Kiama, Links Shell Cove and Port Kembla

The A Pennants were at Kiama to take on the home side. Will Ockenden and Mark Johnston registered wins and Lloyd Herron squared his match. Unfortunately, losses to Lachlan Maddinson, Jack Brand and Steve Walda meant the team were beaten 3.5 : 2.5.

The B Pennants travelled to Shell Cove to take on Kiama. Unfortunately only Gerard Day managed a win, with James Eagle and Geoff Dunn both halving their games. Luke Day, Steve Hancock and Ian Paynter were all defeated in the 4 : 2 loss.

Big Barney’s C Pennant team followed the A’s around the Kiama layout against Moss Vale. A close win to Gary Hoare and solid wins to Tracey Casinelli and Jo Webber with Barney halving his match resulted in a 3.5 : 2.5 win. Bad luck to Will Vale and Greg Stephenson who were both defeated.

The White Horse Cup Team headed to Port Kembla to take on local rivals Nowra. Unfortunately, like the A’s and B’s they were unable to get the job done, losing the match 5 : 2. Only Rob Walker and Matt McAlister were able to register wins. Brendon Miller, Kye Hawkins, Jordan Green, William Hay and Steven White were all beaten.

Week 4 of the Illawarra Pennants season and the club were hosting A, B and C Pennants matches. Due to the nature of the draw however, only the guns in A Grade were playing a home match with the B & C Teams on the Bye.

The A Pennants took on The Vale with the match finishing tied at 3 points each. Mark Johnston, Jack Brand and Steve Walda brought home wins. Unfortunately Lloyd Herron, Will Ockenden and Dave McLean all lost their games, with Lloyd and Will both going down on the last. Bad luck fellas.

The White Horse Cup Team travelled up the road to Jamberoo, with the tough task of taking on the home team. Garry Podmore fresh from his holiday had a good win as did Rob Walker and Bill Hay. Kye Hawkins halved his game. Unfortunately there were losses to Ian Fox Anthony Ballard and Troy Webster. A tie at three and a half points each was well earned though, playing against the home team.