AN early-morning start was programmed for the Blue Lake Golf Club women last week, with expected high humidity to hit the region.
For the 33 women competing, the 7.30am time slot proved to be the right decision as the cool conditions were quickly replaced with the humidity by mid-morning.
The par round is usually met with trepidation but a few made use of the course in excellent condition and recorded impressive scores.
Division 1’s Ronda Edwards and Division 2’s Lyn Annand were rewarded with the top voucher’s for their respective grades, both signing for +4 to break their handicaps.
With the Cafe Belgiorno Handicap Championships looming, the intensity has ramped up to qualify in the top eight of both division’s, with the second and third qualifying rounds to be completed by the end of March.
Playing off 16, Edwards’ scorecard consisted of nine pars, three on the outward nine and six more on the inward nine for a strong win.
Runner-up Karen Panagopolous also put in a good effort off 25, with just one par on the fifth hole to square the outward nine but pars on the 12th, 13th and 15th holes coming home to finish square. Playing off 18, captain Helen Myers finished third with -1.
Annand was pleased to be back in Division 2’s winning circle with her +4.
A par on the par 3 fifth hole and no wipes on the outward nine set up the round, with one wipe coming home and the remaining holes halved.
Runner-up was president Beryl Mahoney who is back on track after a foot issue recently and would be pleased with her score of +1.
She recorded pars on the second and fifth holes, with only one wipe recorded overall.
After a count-back from Jo Gogan, Shannon McDonnell claimed third spot with a score of -2, having the better back nine score where count-backs occur.
Nearest to pin second shot on the long par 3 16th hole went to Division 1’s Dianne Perryman and Division 2’s Rose Case.
Chip-in ferret prizes were given to Lee-Anne Medhurst on the ninth, Ronda Edwards on the first, Fiona Punton on the 14th,which resulted in a birdie, Lucy Richards the fourth and 15th and Shannon McDonnell on the second.
Meanwhile in Monday’s Pennant, Blue Lake’s A Grade side lost to Mount Gambier 3/2, while Division 3 saw a draw with Lucindale.
Saturday saw 17 women hit the fairways for a stableford competition in pleasant autumn weather.
High scores alluded most, due mainly to several challenging pin placements, along with early morning dew on the course.
A three-way count-back was required for first, second and third places, all with 33 points.
In the end it was Edwards back on top following her Wednesday win, with splits of 14/19.
Her round included pars on the second, 11th and 18th holes, with a wipe on the 13th.
Punton was second with splits of 15/18, with pars on the seventh and 16th holes, plus a wipe on the par 5 third.
Helen Stratford rounded out the podium with splits of 17/16.
She managed just one par, on the second hole, with a wipe on the 13th.
The novelty prize for the best front nine went to Cherryl Hill with 18 points.
