Every year, golfers from the whole of the Island come together to compete in the Annual Kangaroo Island Golf Championship Weekend.

This year’s event was hosted by the Kingscote Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday.

This is the major event on the golfing calender and each year the host Club seeks the support of a major sponsor.

This year one of the Life Members of the Kingscote Golf Club, Eric Marshall very generously offered to sponsor the whole weekend.

Over the years Eric has dedicated hours and hours of his time working for the Club he loves and continues to support even though can no longer enjoy playing. Our sincere thanks to Eric.

We also would like to thank the golfers of Kangaroo Island for supporting the event with 77 entries over the weekend. All three clubs were well represented.

The weekend started when 28 players competed in the Mixed Foursomes Champion-ship with the Island champions being Steve and Judy Bell (Kingscote) with 78 off the stick.

RESULTS

Championship Winners Steve and Judy Bell 78 (Kingscote). Runner-up Colin Billett and Heather Mossop 82 (Parndana).

Handicap Winners. Andrew Henderson and Jen Trethewey 66-1/2 nett (Parndana). Runner-up Brian and Jackie Kelly 68 3/8 nett (Parndana).

Men’s Long Drive Eddie Smith (Kingscote).

Ladies Long Drive Judy Bell (Kingscote).

Nearest the Pin Ladies No 6 Leonie Florance (Kingscote).

Nearest the Pin Ladies No 14 and 17 Ann Turbill (Kingscote).

Nearest the Pin Men No 9 Trevor Florance (Kingscote).

The individual Men’s and Ladies’ stroke events were played on Sunday in windy conditions with rain threatening all day.

The course was in fantastic condition thanks to the efforts of the Kingscote Men and with a large field of 35 men and 14 ladies the Island Championship was tightly contested.

MENS

With Barry Wheaton (Kingscote) and Craig Boxer (Kingscote) both returning scores of 77 the Mens Island Championship was decided by a sudden death play-off with Barry Wheaton successful on the first play-off hole.

With play during the day being in mainly dry conditions except for one heavy downpour this certainly was not the case during the play-off.

Both Barry and Craig hit off No1 in teaming rain, which did not let up. Barry won the hole with a Par which was a great score considering you could hardly see the ball for the rain.

What dedication to go out in those conditions to decide the event especially seeing the rest of the players cosy inside the clubrooms enjoying the fire and the refreshments.

Well done also to the caddies who also got drenched. Unfortunately the caddies don’t receive a prize for their efforts.

The Mens C Grade was also decided by a play-off between Rodney Smith (Kingscote) and Brian O’Shaunghnessy (Penneshaw). This was also played in horrible conditions and it took two holes to decide the winner. Brian being successful on hole No 2.

MENS RESULTS

Championship Winner Barry Wheaton 77 (Kingscote). Runner-up Craig Boxer 77 (Kingscote).

B Grade Championship Winner Trevor Florance 85 (Kingscote). Runner-up Trevor Griffith 86 (Penneshaw).

C Grade Championship Winner Brian O’Shaunghnessy 90 (Penneshaw). Runner-up Rodney Smith 90 (Kingscote).

A Grade Handicap Winner Des Gray Nett 70 (Kingscote). Runner-up Simon Murray Nett 71 (Parndana) C/B from Nick Mitchell.

B Grade Handicap Winner Mark Virgo Nett 70 (Kingscote). Runner-up Dion Fulwood Nett 71 (Kingscote).

C Grade Handicap Winner Garry Florance Nett 62 (Kingscote). Runner-up Greg Millar Nett 75 (Kingscote) C/B Laighton Virgo.

A grade Long Drive Craig Boxer (Kingscote).

B Grade Long Drive Danny Lovering (Kingscote).

C Grade Long Drive Frank Warner (Penneshaw).

Nearest the Pin No 3 Simon Murray (Parndana).

Nearest the Pin No 6 Keith Roberts (Penneshaw).

Nearest the Pin No 14 Rodney Smith (Kingscote).

LADIES

Judy Bell continued her good form after winning the mixed event with husband Steve on Saturday by taking out the Ladies Championship on Sunday with a great round of 77 off the stick.

A special congratulations to Leonie Florance (Kingscote) who in her first season of golf won the Division Two Handicap event. A great effort and an inspiration to all up and coming golfers.

Garry and Leonie would have been competing for bragging rights on Sunday night with Garry (also a new golfer) having won the Men’s C Grade Handicap Event.

LADIES RESULTS

Championship Winner Judy Bell 77 (Kingscote). Runner-Up Heather Mossop 93 (Parndana) C/B Heather Gray.

Division 1 Handicap Winner Heather Gray Nett 75 (Kingscote). Runner-up Jenny Clifford Nett 76 (Kingscote) .

Division 2 Championship Winner Ashley Blucher 105 (Kingscote). Runner-up Gwenda Ball 107 (Kingscote).

Division 2 Handicap Winner Leonie Florance Nett 72 (Kingscote). Runner-up Sue Lovering Nett 75 (Kingscote).

Long Drive Judy Bell (Kingscote).

Nearest the Pin No 6 Heather Mossop (Parndana).

Nearest the Pin No 14 Judy Bell (Kingscote).

Congratulations to all the trophy winners. It was a fantastic weekend of golf and a result of lots of hard work by many people.

A special mention to Heather Gray and her helpers for the fantastic catering for the weekend.

Finally again our sincere appreciation to our sponsor Eric Marshall who also came down and presented all the trophies on Sunday.

Judy just too strong

On July 3 the Kingscote ladies held their championship finals over 36 holes. The weather was kind, so with their caddies in tow, the games began.

Heather Gray and Judy Bell playing for the title began the day with some great golf. Judy winning the first two holes and after nine holes remained just the two up.

Into the second nine Heather playing well, but Judy’s long hitting made the job hard, so after 18 holes Judy was nine up.

Turning into the next nine Judy had that oversized tailor-made burner really sizzling and went on to take the title 11 up with nine to play – a convincing win but take nothing away from Heather, she played well, did us proud. Congratulations to Judy on winning her 16th title.

In second division, Joan Jenkins and Maureen Pease also set out over the 36-hole journey.

This was a tight game with Joan four up after 18 holes.

Maureen started to make up some ground, but Joan eventually won on the 32nd hole five up with four to play.

After the game everyone sat round, had a drink and a yarn or two – heard someone suggest that the human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to hit a golf ball! I can relate to that.

Later a stay on for tea was enjoyed by all. So once again, congratulations to Judy and Joan the champs and to Heather and Maureen for making it to the finals.

Just a bit of trivia … when I was in my younger days, I weighed a few pounds less, I needn’t hold my tummy in to wear a belted dress. But now that I am older I’ve set my body free, there’s comfort in elastic where once my waist would be.

The inventor of those big head woods has not been forgiven, I have to use a driver now, where once I used a seven. Though my hair has turned grey and my skin no longer fits, on the inside I’m the same old me, but golf still gives me the yips!