Major Championships are always the highlight of the Tully Park calendar. Winners can have their name preserved for prosperity or, unlike your scribe, the finest form can desert at the pivotal moment. A fantastic turnout of Tully Park members contested the 2011 Major Championships and a select few secured lasting glory. World famous golfer Brett Ogle is among the names that adorn the Tully Park honour boards as well as greats such as Bruce Devlin, Steve Elkington and Jack Newton. To win any championship at Tully Park earns a place in history.
But back to 2011. This years championships were fiercely contested in all grades, including a playoff for the B Grade Champion. Alan Bill was the D Grade Champion with afantastic score of (93, 101,102,97) 393 for the 72 hole stroke competition. Winning the C Grade Championship, Tully Parks best dressed golfer, Tim James, was 28 shots clear over Andrew Kadwell who took out the C Grade Nett prize. B Grade was the story of the championships. After 4 rounds, 72 holes and 349 strokes, Mick Harris and Russell Schmitt found themselves tied for the B Grade Champions title. Russell, as usual had been out early in the first group and had completed his round in (probably) less than 2 hours. Mick, meanwhile was savouring his good form, finishing his round some 3 hours later. PLAYOFF! In an exciting 3 hole play off Russell Schmitt claimed the B Grade title with a par on the 3rd playoff hole. In A Grade, Scott Nolan backed up his Tully Park Open Championship of last month, becoming clun (A Grade Champion) for 2011 with a score of 290. Scott was 10 shots clear of young Josh Whittaker (who will feature in coming years) and 20 shots clear of John Smith on 310. Scott shot a course record of 69 in his final round.
So to our champions.
A Grade: Scott Nolan 290 Gross, John Smith 264 Nett
B Grade: Russell Schmitt 349 Gross, Roger Holgate 283 Nett
C Grade: Tim James 351 Gross, Andrew Kadwell 291 Nett
D Grade: Alan Bill 393 Gross
The Rocky Harris Memorial Shield for the overall best nett score went to John Smith, the first time for many years that an A Grade player has won for many years.
It must be said that these championships were played in the best conditions for many years, due to the dedicated work of Greg Hosking and his volunteer crew. The greens and fairways continue to improve under his stewardship and rival those of many higher rated golf courses. Those excellent conditions had no effect on your scribes play throughout the championships as he explored every hidden corner of despair available at Tully Park Golf Club, on his way to his first ever special ball. Such is golf.
Your scribe is, however, somewhat of a trivia buff, and is inviting all and sundry to a Prawn and Chicken Trivia Night top be held at the Tully Park Clubhouse on Friday December 2nd. Excellent prizes and a world of fun are on offer along with the traditional Tully Park hospitality. Tables of 8 people may be booked at a cost of $25 per person. Payment is required to secure your seat, with a maximum of 80 seats available.
