Paul Blanch stars with hole-in-one

THE “Hole-in-One Club” eludes even the best of golfers so it must have come as a form of relief as much as joy when, on this past Saturday 19 September, Paul Blanch hit his tee shot on the 15^th hole into the cup.

With six club championships under his belt, he would have been forgiven for thinking that it might never happen. Happen it did, and with proud father Doug Blanch as witness.

The background to Paul’s achievement was an Individual Stableford event sponsored by Harwel Lifts with a good-sized field on the course in ideal Spring conditions.

The winner in A grade was Mitch Andrews with a handy 38 points followed by runner-up in the grade, club captain, Nathan McInnes, 37.

The scores in B grade were identical with Trevor Sharp, 38, just edging runner up Wayne Maddalena 37.

In C grade the winner was Steve Benson whose 41 points earned him the win after a count-back from runner-up Paul Garland, 41.

Balls were won by Steve Benson 41, Paul Garland 41, Trevor Sharp 38 Mitch Andrews 38. Nathan McInnes 37, Geoff Reynolds 37, Wayne Maddalena 37, Peter Sate 37, Doug Blanch 36, and Jeff Wilson 36.

The Nearest-to-the-Pin trophies at the NTP 4^th and 13^th holes were won by Craig McLeod in A grade, John Nicolson in B grade and Scott Atkinson in C grade.

At the 6^th and 15^th holes Paul Blanch’s Hole-in-One was good with Wayne Maddalena and Bill Murray getting the nod in the lower grades, albeit with not quite the same fanfare as occurred in the top grade.

The long drive trophies at the 8^th and 17^th holes were won in the three grades by James McLeod, John Cornelius and Josh Wilson.

The Super Sevens for the week ending Friday 18 September was won by Dave Mann with a monster 19 points. Balls were won by Ray Pittman 18, Dave Mann 17, and Clint Paton and Peter Markey 16.

This coming Saturday, 26 September, the Gloucester Golf Club will be playing a Four-Person Ambrose sponsored by Knowla Stud.

The following Saturday, 3 October, there will be the October Monthly Medal, an Individual Stroke event sponsored by Arkwood Organic Recycling.

By Peter WILDBLOOD