BUGGY
The 2023 King Island Golf Open was run and won. It certainly was a huge success with all golfers taking the opportunity to begin on Friday at Ocean Dunes and the local through to Monday’s Cape Wickham 4BBB.
The overall winner of the KI Open on 150 with a 76 on Saturday and 74 on Sunday was visitor Ben Wilton off a handicap of +2.
Runner-up on a play-off was Tim Barnes on 155 with an 84 on Saturday and a great comeback 71 on Sunday. The play-off was with former AFL footballer Bernie Vince 155 with 77 and 78 each day.
The play-off was witnessed by a large gathering on the Club Hill house balcony. You could hardly call it an A-grade finish, but it was full of drama. Both tee off – one in the bushes, the other hardly getting onto the fairway. Tim won with a 5 on the par 3 18th hole.
The ladies’ 36-hole gross was Tomi Crewes 169 and runner-up local stalwart Robyn Wilson 174.
The ladies’ gross winner was Lara Pascoe 143, and runner-up Olivia Homewood 146. It was fantastic to see a good contingent of 12 ladies compete and they all had a terrific and enthusiastic time.
All in all 84 competed in the Open. Saturday had pretty tough conditions with a stiff south-easterly wind. No one shot the lights out just hang-in was the word around the course. Sunday was far more favourable with an east breeze, warm, sunny and some good scores were recorded.
AROUND THE TRAPS
Visitors came from far and wide – from Adelaide, Melbourne and Tassie mainland.
Good to see Troy Sullivan back after 20-odd years. Pete Gardiner returned as did many others including Mark Walton, Clint Edwards, Greg Munday, Mark Johns, Lochley Watson and Dallas Ryan to name a few.
There were 29 players with a handicap of less than 10 including three + figures. A pretty talented field.
Friday evening’s Calcutta was handled by Sam Woolley. The King Island links course was in superb condition.
Volunteers and the behind-the-scenes team did a terrific job in recording scores highlighted by the absolute legend Rusty Scott, the starter for another Open. The bar team headed by Kirsty Russell and Salt & Thyme for catering Friday, and Saturday culminating in a superb Sunday evening meal. Captain Chris Richards did a fantastic job and again well done to the committee for a great weekend.
CHRIS RICHARDS-KING ISLAND GOLF AND BOWLING CLUB GOLF CAPTAIN
Congratulations to all our winners. Job well done, especially with a challenging windy Saturday.
Thank you to our local sponsors who give those who have no hope, some hope to take something home and to Kirsty, Patto, Craig, Jen and anyone else who faced the crowds at the bar.
Thanks to Mel, Garry and Jess for sorting the cards and the scoring.
Worst job done well. Thanks to the Salt & Thyme team in the kitchen, as well as Kirsty, the committee and members who provided us with responsible serving of alcohol by cooking for the crowd.
Lastly, thanks to those who spent countless hours making it possible to play this great game on such a great course.
Thank you for presenting another outstanding track to slice, hook, swear and put on. Back to 51 weeks of practising for the next one.
Winners of the Wickham 4BBB were Dallas Ryan and Lance Anderson (43 Points), second Helen and John Conway (39 Points) and a noteworthy third on a count back from Jim Cooper and John Mauric, Adam Hely and Roger Clemons (38 Points).
Thank you to the Cape Wickham team for providing another great day.