By Casey O'Connor
At the weekend members of the Stanthorpe Golf Club welcomed a host of visitors to the club one of the most important weekends on the Stanthorpe golf calendar, the Stanthorpe Open.
In addition to visiting players from neighbouring clubs including Texas, Inglewood, Warwick, Allora there was also a contingent of members of the API golf who have been regular visitors now for a number of years along with representatives from City Golf Club.
Players certainly filled three greens on both days.
Maddie’s Gift Gallery has been sponsoring golf in Stanthorpe for many years and is a long term sponsors of this event along with Tenterfield Golf Club and City Golf Club (Toowoomba) who are generous sponsors of golf throughout the Darling Downs region. The club appreciates the generous support of these sponsors.
It was unfortunate that Tenterfield players were unable to attend due to border restrictions however the club was represented by several members who live on the right side of the border (the Queensland side).
The club also extends their thanks the members of Rotary Club of the Granite Belt who were on hand both days of the carnival manning the BBQ and keeping the breakfasts and burgers coming.
Margie Locke and Ivan Juriss returned a score of 44 points to win the medley 4BBB stableford on Saturday. Jim and Jenny Grassick (City Golf) were the runner’s up with 41 points.
Winners of the Men’s only event was the team of Rod Werner and Kev Rowling who also returned 44 points followed by runner’s up John Slack and Rino Piovesan, (42 points). Pin shots were won by David Gianini, Geoff Fearby, Matt Waterworth, Lisa Stuart, and Jenny Grassick. Pro-pins went to Mark McCosker, Errol Thompson and David Gianini and Linda Kelly picked up the ladies pin at three.
I understand that aside from the scores on Saturday one of the highlight was the impending storm late in the day. With much of the field still out on the course when the storm finally arrived there were players scurrying from the course seeking shelter. Fortunately, all returned unscathed to the safety of the clubhouse but there were not many dry bodies.
There was less stress on Sunday’s with no storm on the radar.
The men played a stroke event on Sunday and the overall gross winner with 71 was Scott Constable. Kev Rowling returned the best nett score of 69. Grade gross winners were David Burgess (A grade), Gary Maguire (B grade) and Angelo Maugeri (C grade).
Inglewood visitor, John Morpuss won the nett A grade and flying the local flag were local players Richard Reardon (B grade) and Viv Thouard (C grade).
Racheal Hendry (30 points) was the winner of the ladies played a stableford. Ahead of runner up Helen Jones (29 points).
Lisa Stuart won Division One. Runner-up was Nikki Waterworth. Margie Locke took the honours in Division Two ahead of Kay Webb runner-up and in Division three it was Fiona Kelly first and City player Jenny Grassick second.
Pin shots were claimed by Scott Constable, Blue Thompson, Jim Grassick, Racheal Hendry, Margie Locke and Nikki Waterworth. The Men’s approaches went to Mark Hendry, John Morpuss and Norm Mitchell.
The Ladies’ approaches were claimed by Carmel Owen, Lyn Ludlow and Mei Bell. The accuracy drives at the 1/10 hole were won by Lyle Bryant and Annelle Batterham.
Following the presentations at the end of play there was a multi draw raffle which was arranged by Shaneen and Eric McLellan. The wonderful prizes were possible thanks to the support of many local business houses. So great was the support that unfortunately there are too many to list here.
A big thank you also to those members who worked hard to have the course and surrounds looking magnificent for the event.
After such a big weekend it is back to regular play this weekend. Saturday’s competition is an individual stableford, Michael Lane one of the club members.
There is a time sheet on the board at the club house and there is an early morning tee off time available. The afternoon session starts at 11.30 am.
And of course, Sporters will be back in action again on Sunday morning.
