Coolamatong Golf Championships

By Steve Cuff

The Coolamatong Snowy Mountains Country Golf Club men’s championships were decided on Sunday after three rounds of intriguing competition.

Once the final putts dropped, Brett Ainsworth won the A grade and club championship, Laurie Whitehead B Grade and Geoff Murphy captured the C grade.

After the first round Brett Ainsworth may have thought he was out of contention as he trailed Charlie Filtness by six shots after Filtness posted a respectable 79 for his first round.

By the end of the second round this situation had reversed considerable after Filtness posted an out of character 90, and Ainsworth came roaring back with a fine 4 over par 75. This would also be the lowest round of the championship.

Heading into the final third round, Ainsworth had a commanding 8 shot lead over Ben Dutch and a further shot back was Filtness. Ainsowrth was never troubled and in the end ran away with the Club Championship finishing with a handy 77, and a total of 237. Filtness (80) finished second on 249 overall and Ben Dutch (83) third on 251.

In the B Grade Laurie Whitehead started off the first round with a very respectable 83 to set the pace, and the rest of the B grade field could not catch the wily veteran. Finishing with two final rounds of 85 and 90, Whithead’s overall 258 score was five shots better than Mick Bottom’s 263.

While the final B grade scores may have appeared it was cut and dried, it was far from. Bottom was well in contention when he posted a sizzling 3 over par 38 on the first nine of the final day, but then let it slip considerably on the back nine, finishing the day with 88, of which he was very disappointed.

It was daylight between C grade winner Geoff Murphy and runner up Roy Gabriele, with Murphy romping away from the field winning by 39 shots. With scores of 94 in the opening round and a steady pair of 98’s it was a resounding win.

In the handicap nett events, Ben Dutch finished A grade winner on 221. Ben has had a great year and as a result of playing virtually non stop golf and practising, has reduced his handicap considerably from mid 20’s to now be off 10. Ross Thompson, last year’s club champion finished runner up in A grade nett.

Steve Young won the B grade handicap with 233 nett in a close finish to Bob Key, 237. Key would rue his 2nd round score 97, nett 81, which cost him the chance of the top handicap spot.

In C grade Jim Kubacki won the handicap score on 242 from Dal Dutch on 266.

All members would like to thank the volunteer course workers and greens staff for presenting the course in the best possible condition for the championships. They continually do an outstanding job in course preparation. Thanks to Bob Key and Laurie Whithead for changing pins and cutting the greens in between the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Anyone wishing to play golf, the course near Berridale is open for all players any day of the week where they can pay for the round via the honesty box at the tenth tee.

Memberships are also available and the club host open competitions on Wednesday and Sunday for players with handicaps.

On Saturday April 4 the club will also host an open charity day with all players welcome, handicap and non handicap. To register for the charity day call the golf club on 02 6456 3518.

Championship Results

Club Champion: Brett Ainsworth 237

Scratch R/up: Charles Filtness 249

Handicap Winner: Ben Dutch 221 Nett

H/Cap. R/up. Ross Thompson 231 Nett

"B" Grade

Scratch: Laurie Whitehead 258

Scratch R/Up. Mick Bottom 263

Handicap Winner: Steve Young 233 Nett

Handicap R/Up: Bob Key 237 Nett

"C" Grade

Scratch Winner: Geoff Murphy 290