Bilney claims another club championship

OVER three weekends in March the Mount Gambier Golf Club held its Men’s Club Championships, culminating on the last weekend with finals played in three Grades – Club Champion, B Grade and C Grade.

Each grade contested a matchplay event over 36 holes.

Darren Bilney took out the Club Champion award with a 7-6 win over Jayden Eldridge.

Bilney got to the final after qualifying in second position and then defeating Michael Cutting 7 –6 and Richard Gosling 3 –2.

Runner- up Eldridge was the leading qualifier and defeated Craig Wirth 3 – 2 and then had a close tussle with Darren Coxon to win 2 –1 to secure his spot in the final.

The B Grade Championship for players with handicaps between 9 – 18 also saw the top two qualifiers make it to the finals.

Nathan Taylor qualified in top spot and defeated David Boyce 3 – 1 and then Bryan Hunt 5 – 4.

Tim Driver qualified second and went on to defeat Gary Button 5 – 4 and then Nick Driver 3 – 2 to make his way to the final against Taylor, with Taylor taking out the final 5 –3.

As in the other grades the C Grade (19 – 45 handicaps) final came down to the top two qualifiers.

Cruz Bilney was the top seed and had a bye in the first semi finals before defeating Ian Ewart 2 up.

Max Tollner had a tight win over Peter Emetlis 1 up and then defeated Abdullah Kamara 4 –3 to get to the final where he had a victory over his younger opponent.