Round 4 of the 2021 Club Championships drew to a close and despite some nervous moments amongst our lead contenders, the margin of victory in each of our premium grades proved our winners to be rightful champions.
In A Grade, our club champion was once again Ben Glover who put together some very good rounds when it counted, shooting par or under off the stick, before holding on down the stretch to claim the title by 17 shots from his nearest chaser.
Our B Grade Champion also extended himself better than his playing handicap across all 4 rounds to win by 18 shots at the end of the day. Harry Sachs put together 4 near perfect rounds to claim the B Grade title and also the prestigious McLean Gold Cup for the best aggregate after handicap for the Championships, all 4 rounds.
In the latter event Harry has played 4 rounds at an aggregate of 8 shots better than his ever-diminishing handicap to beat a fast finishing Matt Peisley, 10 shots back and only 2 off his handicap after 4 days.
Our Vets Champion was Kevin Hoppe, who with a failing back managed to claim this title by quite some margin. Special mention to our keen sole junior in Brodie Schofield who completed his first full Championships having recently caught the bug and delivered 4 scores on which we know he will build upon soon.
Whilst on Silverware, at presentation, Harry Sachs also claimed the Club MatchPlay title known as the Dempster Cup.
This year was the 90th anniversary of the conducting of this event, first played for in 1931 and Harry cleaned all and sundry up in dynamic style, barnstorming his way to victory a few weeks ago.
The Championships podium getters were:
A Grade top three was Ben Glover, with Kevin Hoppe in second and Matt Peisley third.
Harry Sachs took out B Grade with Tam Kennedy runner up and Chad Gilmou filling out the podium.
David James and Tam Kennedy followed Kevin Hoppe in the Vets.
The McLean Gold Cup (Nett) top three were Harry Sachs, Matt Peisley and Kevin Hoppe.
Further on 2021 Harden Golf Club Championships
Daily Event Saturday
On Saturday, the field arrived for Round 3 to rolled and cut greens and a different experience from rounds 1 & 2 of the Championships. The course was set long and the greens getting slicker and trickier with some pin cuts proving length and accuracy to be at a premium.
Our daily winners both shot 38 points stableford and were rewarded with a voucher for their 2 better than handicap or 38 point rounds. Ben’s was a great round of 69 off the stick, normally very tough for a scratch marker to claim a stableford event but well done. Both boys were 5 points clear of their nearest chasers.
Balls went back deep to 31 points and were awarded to Chad Gilmour (33), Simon Glover (33), Bernie Parker (32), Michael Baldry (32), Craig Filmer (31) and Matt Peisley (31).
Daily Event Sunday
Sunday again saw Chad with more tricks up his sleeve as Green’s Superintendent. The greens rolled again and brought down a tad more speed to adapt to the changing pace of putts, proving the golfer who would chase ahead.
That man on Sunday was Matt Peisley and saw him as the only golfer to break his handicap for the day, having a hard fought 37 stableford points. Balls went back to 33 points and were claimed by Ashley Hall (36), Chad Gilmour (35), Harry Sachs (34), John Brownhill (33) and Maurice Manwaring (33).
This Saturday
A pressure free individual stableford is scheduled for this Saturday after 4 rounds of stroke play. It’s a mixed medley stableford so all are welcome.
