Harden Golf News

Hoppe Hammers in Cullinga Mines Gift
On Saturday, the gents played for the newly minted perpetual trophy called the Cullinga Mines Gift, proudly sponsored by Michael Baldry. This trophy stands over a foot tall and is quite impressive along with Michael’s kind gift for the superior Stableford player in March each year as the course transitions from Summer into the earliest hints of Winter bloom. Tough going with fast fairways and slow greens.

Not too tough for our victor in Kevin Hoppe who turned the conditions to suit and shot a most impressive 1 under par for 43 Stableford points. Kevin is number 1 player in the field most weeks and especially likes his Summer golf and the emphasis on different short game scrambling. Whilst the Par event did not impress him all so much last week, the slip back into Stableford most definitely suited his game.

Runner up on the day, only due to some slightly wayward scoring, was Tam Kennedy who also is a stalwart of the Summer Stablefords. Tam led off the ball comp with 41 definite points and 2 in question, and was closely followed by Darrell Cassidy on 40 points and the event sponsor himself pushing the boys hard toward excellence on his trophy day. Michael Baldry shot a very handy 39 points.

In the Bendigo Bank Hole in One stakes, it was another week of sharp shooting, however Darrell Cassidy was closest with 2.7 metres or 9 ft in the old language.

Elliott Takes Club Trophy
In a modest field as the ladies begin resuming their normal duties, the winner of the day’s Stroke event for the Club trophy, was Jeanette Elliott who put together a respectable round of 84 for 76 shooting within 2 of her handicap on the fast fairways and slower greens from the recent coring.

Runner up on the day was Marj Manwaring who had a 78 net, 2 shots back from Jeanette after handicap. A further ball was awarded to Pat Walker who was just behind Marj in the count.

Grahame Taylor Claims Midweek
In a reasonable field last week, Grahame Taylor came up trumps with a round 1 less than his handicap to record 25 points around the 12 hole and par 24 midweek layout. Grahame loses the 1 shot from par and will begin his round this week 1 shot lighter of handicap on 9.5.

Second and only 1 shot back was David James who played to his handicap on 24 points, whilst Peter Steinke, Peter Steinke, Ron Kerr and Garth Webb were 3rd for 23 point rounds.

The starter has informed me to advise that the cluster of ladies and gents that all tee off together on Wednesday and Friday each week, will resume afternoon (1.00pm) tee offs from 3 April.

This Week
On Saturday, our gents will be playing a Club Stableford from lunch time, as also will be the ladies in their own comp.

See you on the course. Alby

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