THERE wouldn\u2019t be many golfers in our region who didn\u2019t make it to 13th Beach last weekend to see some unbelievable golf played at this year\u2019s Oates Vic Open. To have players of the calibre of Minjee Lee, currently ranked number 20 in the world, former world No. 1 Laura Davies, and Australia\u2019s own Robert Allenby and Richard Green was a fantastic opportunity for us club golfers to see how it can be done. However, to see the depth of players not so well known to us, such as Simon Hawkes, who won the Men\u2019s event, and up-and-comer Karis Davidson, who finished just behind Minjee in the Ladies, was exciting for us all to see.<\/p>\n
Tuesday January 30, Men\u2019s Stableford<\/strong> Wednesday January 31, Ladies\u2019 Stroke<\/strong>
\nA field of 152 of us rolled up for our mid-week hit in good golfing conditions, and Stephen Rose did best of all with 42 points, to also top the C Graders by two points from Ray Linegar. Sean Arnott, visiting us from a neighboring club, won A Grade with 39 on a countback from Richard West, Josh Williams scored 39 to beat all B Graders with Wayne Pavletich one point behind, and Andrew Barti\u2019s 42 was best in D Grade from a 38 by Geoff Strachan. The NTPs were collected by Charlie Sedgeman, Domenic Luca and Stephen Rose, and Rex Johnson scored the ProPin.<\/p>\n
\nA field of 68 ladies turned out for their Opening Day and February Medal event, with Liz Culph beating allcomers with a nett 69, also taking out C Grade from Helen Newitt\u2019s 73. A 71 by Nancy Hendy topped the A Graders with Marg Howell next best on 75, and Cathy Strachan collected the B Grade voucher with 73 by a shot from Diane Roede. The NTPs went to Beth Peterson (A) and Heather Spry (B), the ProPins to Jacky Rowe (0-25) and Jan Rain (26-45), and best putter was Helen Newitt with 29. Another 10 ladies played in a special Stableford event, and Kay Randall top scored with 38 points.<\/p>\n