Handicap finals heat up

Blue Lake Golf Ladies fight it out for handicap championship

Last Wednesday the semi finals of the Belgiorno’s Cafe sponsored Handicap Championships were held for the women at the Blue Lake Golf Club with a stableford competition for those not involved in semi finals.

The weather left a lot to be desired with buffeting winds making conditions difficult but at least blowing the threatening rain away.

The Division 1 first semi final between Kate Hommelhoff and Josie Ashby was always going to be a tough one for Ashby having to give nine handicap strokes to Hommelhoff, who is the current Division 2 handicap champion, and this year hoping to win Division 1 having dropped to this division the past few weeks.

Scores on the outward nine seesawed Hommelhoff 1up on the turn to the 10th hole, Ashby with a win squaring then able to halve the next three holes. Hommelhoff then put her second shot on the 14th close to the flag for a win giving it back to Ashby on the 15th but a wide drive on the 16th let Hommelhoff in for another win then a win on the 17th clinched the game for Hommelhoff 2/1.

The second semi was also a close finish between Sue Agars and Rosemary Martland with five handicap strokes going Agars’ way. Martland took control on the outward nine and was 3up heading to the 10th tee scores see-sawing with Martland 2up after the 12th hole then halving the 13th. A three on the par three 14th for Agars bought the score down to 1up for Martland but Agars was able to find something extra winning the 16th and 17th, 1up with 1 to go. A win on the 18th, 2up, cemented her a place in the grand final tomorrow.

The Division 2 first semi final saw top qualifier Carol Melhuish put her stamp on a place in the grand final with a 3/1 win pitted against Jaynee Oberer who had to relinquish fourhandicap strokes to Melhuish who made use of three of them with wins on the 6th, 7th and 8th hardest indexed holes going to the 10th tee 2up. Oberer won the 10th, halving the 11th and a win on the 12th to bring the score back to all square. Melhuish then won the 13th and 14th, lost the 15th, finishing with wins on the 16th and 17th. Unfortunately the second semi was a forfeit for Johanna Gogan down to play Lucy Richard,s who was unable to play due to unforeseen circumstances, allowing Gogan to head to the grand final against Melhuish.

GRAND FINAL DRAW:
36 Holes
Division 1 K. Hommelhoff v S. Agars
27 Holes
Division 2 C. Melhuish v J. Gogan

STABLEFORD RESULTS:
Scores were indicative of the wild conditions Division 1 winner Geraldine Scott signing for 32 points had splits of 17/15 recording only one wipe on the 10th, a par on the 14th and two x three pointers. Karen Panagopoulos won the runner-up voucher scoring 27 points with splits of 14/13 that included pars on the 5th and 14th holes and four wipes.

Score of the day came from Lyn Gill in Division 2 amassing 37 points with splits of 19/18 that included five three-pointers with only a wipe on the 18th. Runner-up Lyn Annand scored 33 points, splits of 14/19 also with 5 three-pointers and a wipe on the 7th

Nearest to the pin 2nd shot winners on the 16th – Helen Stratford (Div 1) and Lyn Annand (Div 2)

Pro shot – Jo Gogan Birdie – Cherryl Hill 14th Ferrets – Annand 3rd & 13th, Hill 14th, Rose Case 17th.

There will be a stableford competition for those not involved in the final this week.

STABLEFORD WINNERS: (Above – Back row) Division 1 winner Geraldine Scott, & runner up Karen Panagopoulos and (front row) Division 2 winner Lyn Gill & runner up Lyn Annand

HANDICAP GRAND FINALISTS: (Left from left) Division 1 Sue Agars & Kate Hommelhoff and Division 2 Carol Melhuish. Absent: Johann Gogan