Portarlington Golf Club – June 14, 2018

WHILE it was a pretty normal week on the golf course at the club last week, it was a great weekend for Portarlington, with the biggest Celtic Festival in the Southern hemisphere coming to town and attracting at least 15,000 visitors to our quaint little village. With magnificent weather turned on for the event, the town was abuzz with wonderful music, and loads of food, coffee, market stalls and drinking at every nook and cranny. What a great event for our town, with all the local businesses working extended hours to cater for the huge demand, and a fun social occasion for the locals. I’m also sure there were spin-offs for our golf club – bistro, bar, green fees and other unmentionables!

Tuesday June 5, Men’s Par
Another great day for golfers, with 137 men having a crack, and Tony Fiteni emerging at the top of the pile with 5 up, also leading the B Graders from Arthur Johnson’s +3. Alan Sweeney topped the A Graders with +2 on a countback from Linton Newitt, a square round by Ron Peacock led the C Graders from Ian Pardy by a shot, and best D Grader was Ian Davis with +4 from Russell Pavletich on +2. The NTPs were scored by Ross Gibb, Doug Beare and Jon Cleary, and Matt Salter got his regular ProPin.

Wednesday June 6, Ladies’ Stableford
A beautiful day greeted 66 ladies to the course, and Sandy Issell continued her rare form by winning the day with 39 points, and C Grade from Joyce Livermore’s 33. Pat Peacock led the A Graders with 38 from Jacky Rowe’s 35, and Cathy Strachan won B Grade with 38 from Chris Cunningham’s 36. Nearest the Pins went to Donna Utt and Di Roede, and the ProPins to Helen McDonald (0-25) and Maureen Welsh (26-45).

Saturday June 9, Men’s and Ladies’ Stableford
Another perfect day on a dampish course got 154 men and 29 ladies out of bed and onto the track. Neighbour Josh Bowen from Curlewis GC may not want to go back after carding an astonishing 47 points to win the day and D Grade by 8 points from Rodney Allen. Peter O’Neill headed the C Graders with 37 by a countback from Barry Lincoln, Richard West had the 2nd best score of the day with 44 to top the B Graders from Yani Lathouros’ 39, and Dave Ash was best of the A Graders with 39 by a point from Doug Beare. The NTPs were picked up by Gavin Whyley, Matthew Kelly and Derek Ambrose, and Jack Martin got the ProPin. Best of the ladies was Sue Gregory with 38 from Sandy Issell’s 36, the NTPs went to Jacky Rowe and Lou Blomley, and Bec Waldron scored the ProPin.

Coming Events
Saturday June 16, Men’s and Ladies’ Par
Tuesday June 19: Men’s Stableford
Wednesday June 20: Ladies’ 4 BBB Par
Thursday June 21: Men’s and Ladies’ 18- and 11-hole Stableford