History repeats

BACK IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE: Andrew Stark claimed his second Mount Gambier golf Club senior's championship on the weekend at the Attamurra course.

IT was a case of history repeating itself in the Mount Gambier Golf Club’s 2020 seniors championship on Sunday, with Andrew Stark and Faye Mainwaring taking out the men’s and women’s titles respectively.

For the 54-year-old Stark it was the second time he had lifted the trophy after winning in 2016, co-incidentally with the exact same score of 76 off the stick.

This victory for the former club groundsman and committee member came after a battle royale, with fellow 50-59 age groupers Jeffrey Hodge, Trent Eitzen and Joe Clements also signing for 76s.

Stark’s split of 38-38 was enough to claim the win on a count-back.

He said he was “stoked” to prevail on a day which saw 78 players face the starter in perfect conditions.

Unfortunately for Clements it was a matter of what might have been considering he was the only member of the leading quartet to make a double bogey, the blemish coming on the relatively-easy par four 12th hole.

One shot behind the top four was defending champion Richard Gosling who fired a 77.

In the women’s competition it was a case of keeping it all in the family with Mainwaring claiming the crown for the third consecutive year after her sister Helen won in 2016 and 2017.

A typically consistent round from the ladies captain – she was 14 from 14 for fairways hit – saw her post an 85 off the stick (playing off a 14 handicap) to win by a single stroke from Kerry Pedler.

Heather Barry (playing off 21) shot a credible 87 to finish third, her effort resulting in a net 66 and 43 stableford points, the best of the day across all divisions.

Age group net winners: Men (50-59) Ken Whitehead 68; (60-69) Robert Martland 68; (70+) Bob Dalgarno 68.

The 82-year-old Dalgarno deserves a special mention for his 84 off the stick, with four three-putts costing him a chance of shooting less than his age.

Women: (50-69) Heather Barry 66; (70+) Anne Schrapel 67.