Club Championships 2020
What an exciting finish to this year's 20th Club Championships. In the Open Men's Zak El Kurdi won his first championship with some clutch putting on the last 9 holes and the luckiest bounce in golfing history.
Zak was pushed hard all the way by some excellent golf from defending champion Imran Muftarov who shot 72 in firm and windy conditions. Zak started the day 7 shots in front but after the first 9 holes the lead was reduced to just 3 shots, and by the 15th hole when Imran made a birdie they were all tied with just 3 to play. But as champions do Zak responded with a great birdie on 16 holing a slippery downhill 15 foot putt to grab the lead back for the last time.
After extending it to 2 shots with a solid par on the difficult 17th Zak stood on the 18th tee with adrenaline pumping and the wind blowing hard off the lake. Anything on dry land and Zak would be home, however a blocked driver rode the wind and crashed into the balcony of the townhouses, but instead of staying out of bounds it somehow ricocheted back into the light rough from where he knocked it on the green and secured a par for a 2 shot win!
Well done to Zak who managed to lead from start to finish over 72 holes which is no mean feat! We look forward to seeing his continued success in the future. Also a big shout out to Imran for his excellent play and fantastic sportsmanship over the final round.
In the Women's event, defending champion Joanne Tey overcame a 4 shot deficit heading into the final round to shoot a solid 79 and win by 6 shots over Bianca Findlay.
Joanne is getting into the habit of winning. Not only has she won back-to-back Women's championships but she also won this year's Junior Championships by 8 shots over Jesse Trembath. Great golfing Joanne! We look forward to watching you add trophies to your cabinet in the years to come.
In the remaining grades and categories:
* Rob Koers won the closest contest of all categories with a 1 shot win over Gary House, and Anthony Cramer to take the Senior's title
* Steve Mulholland won B grade by 2 shots over Carlo Chincarini
* Neil Bradshaw came storming home to win C Grade by 17 shots and also won the Captain's Trophy for the lowest overall Gross
* Bill Findlay won the Super Seniors and became the second Findlay on the Board after his Junior Champion grandson Jake!
Nett events: Alessandro Cilmi won the Junior Nett by 6 over the up and coming Brady Crews
* A grade Nett was won by Peter Hackett
* B Grade Nett was won by Andrew Snopczynski
* C Grade Nett was won by Jean Pierre Deruddere
* Women's Nett and the Women's Captain's Trophy winner was won by 6 shots by Jayne Todd
* Senior Nett winner was Rob Van Dullemen by 4 shots over Harald Muller
* Super Senior Nett was won by Barry Watters
Thanks to all the members who took part at minimal notice this year, and a special thanks to Mark Findlay and his team who delivered a magnificently prepared course this year!
Lastly, the Top 8 Gross overall qualify for the Links Trophy played in January, and the Top 8 Nett scores after 54 holes in all other grades will qualify for their respective grade Matchplay events to be played in February. Placegetters by grade will be posted on the noticeboard and the shop will make contact in the new year to book in the first round of matches.
Junior Golf on the rise at Sanctuary Lakes
Following from her great performance at our Championships Joanne Tey went on to finish in 4th place in the u/16s category and 7th place overall in the Victorian Junior Amateur championships at Barwon Heads and 13th Beach. In the boys we had some great results from Alessandro Cilmi, and Taegan Dodds in the u/14s, and Jesse Trembath and Harrison Muller in the u/16s.
Great to see the next generation coming through and we look forward to seeing their names on future leaderboards.
Colts Pennant Manager required
Pennant golf is only 6 weeks or so from starting up again and we are still in need of a Manager to look after the Colts u/24s. If you are interested please let Shaun Bakker or the shop know.
Wishing all our members and staff a Merry Christmas and I look forward to a less interrupted year of golf in 2021!
From the Club Captain
Alex Franklin
