Welcome to this special edition report on the Stanthorpe Golf Club OPEN Carnival. The last OPEN that yours truly attended was the 150th Brittish OPEN at St Andrew’s Scotland. It may be worth mentioning that such local luminaries as Richard Reardon and Mark Hendry were also in attendance. This Writer can honestly say that comparing St Andrew’s OPEN to Stanthorpe OPEN that there is no comparison! In the battle of the Saints, Saint Andrew comes in a distant second to Saint Stan – Thorpe. Exactly who St. Stan – Thorpe is or was, is a mater of conjecture such that we simply refer to him as ‘Stanthorpe’. The point being that the Stanthorpe OPEN was heaps more fun. Golfers gathered for the fray – Inglewood and Pitsworth, Texas, Tenterfield and Toowoomba, Burleigh, Brisbane and Beyond! The Course and the Greens were in tip top condition.
Before recording Saturday’s score, there are a few details to mention. A large part of the great success of the weekend was the generous sponsorship of the three prestigious Golf Clubs: City Golf Club Toowoomba, Middle Ridge Toowoomba and Tenterfield Golf Club. This sponsorship gives the Stanthorpe Golf Club such a lift in spirits and is greatly appreciated. Not even St Andrew’s can boast about having these sponsors! The other matter to mention is the presence of Steve Bishop and his mobile golf shop. Over the weekend Steve gave golf lessons and made merchandise available to purchase at very competitive prices. Thank you Steve. Compare these prices to St Andrews and you will flock to the Stanthorpe OPEN.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the Writer of this column played the Saturday round with Matthew Burgess. On the 5th hole Matthew teed off and launched a missile the full length of the fairway and past the green. We estimated that it was 342 metres. St Andrew’s eat your heart out. This feat of unparalleled metres inspired the Writer to launch into the drive on the next tee (6th). However, suddenly a tree ‘popped’ out (it was a ‘Poplar’), which had a somewhat detrimental effect on the ‘dynamic’ ball flight. My drive was measured at 8 metres. You wouldn’t see that at St Andrews either!
Results: Congratulations to each and every player and especially the winners. The day’s game was a 4 Ball Best Ball. The outright winners were John Slack and Mark Hendry. Runners up Geoff Fearby and Randall Burgin. The mixed (mens and womens) winners and runners up were the two delightful couples of Matt and Nikki Waterworth and Keith and Helen Jones.
The Pin Shots (par threes) went to Elly Petrie, Neta Thouard and Rachell Hendry and Lisa Stuart taking the Pro Pin (second shot to the pin). Men’s: Pin Shots, David Gianini, Matt Waterworth, Greg Fraser and Pro Pins to Matt Waterworth, John Slack and Jarred Irwin. A special feature of the OPEN is the most accurate drive on the 9/18th fairway. This went to Kerry Hoffman and Santo Cavalaro.
Sunday’s Game was a Men’s Single Stroke sponsored by the City Golf Club Toowoomba, the Ballandean Pub and the Ladies Single Stableford sponsored by Luxury Home Living. The Club is so grateful for these generous sponsors. We love playing at ‘City’, we love getting a counter meal at the Ballandean Pub and the ladies love shopping at Luxury Home Living. All the male golfers were encouraged by the acting Captain to get their wives a birthday present from Luxury Home Living.
Before giving the Sunday results, special mention should be made of our long hitter Matthew Burgess. Matthew has accepted a position at the Mount Warren Park Golf Club to pursue a career in golf. We are so proud of Matthew and wish him all the best.
Sunday Results: Congratulations to all place getters: Ladies: Elly Petrie followed by Maria Carey. Pins to Maria Carey, Elly Petrie and Nikki Waterworth. Pro Pins to Maria Carey and Beth Page. Most accurate drive on the 9/18th to Jennifer Sparks.
Men’s Net: Coen Cook and Matt Burgess. A grade, David Burgess, B grade, Luke Forbes. C grade, Sam Spooner. Best Gross to Kris McLennan. A grade, Hamish Adam, B grade, Keith Jones and C grade, Keith Barnett. Pins to John Morpuss, Hamish Adam and Rhys Farrell. Pro Pins to Kris McLennan, Geoff Fearby, Brendon Barker and the most accurate drive on 9/18th to Andrew King. Well done to all in making the Saint Stan Thorpe OPEN such a swimming success.
The Members Draw also Jackpotted so next week will be $100 on the 2nd of November.
Next week's Monthly Medal Single Stroke and Putting Sponsor: Pooles Produce.
Men's Medal of Medals (Roy Carnell Trophy) Sponsored by the Carnell Family
Ladies Medal of Medals Sponsor:
Tom and Trish Fittock.
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