Matt Thomas has what appears an unassailable 10 shot lead heading into the final round of the 2024 Deniliquin Golf Club championships.
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Thomas looks set to add another championship to his growing tally when the final round is played tomorrow.
He had rounds of 69 and 70 (139) last weekend and is clear of Vince Kelly 76-73 (149).
In third place is Jimmy Poka jnr who recorded 79-76 (155) in the opening two rounds.
In B-grade the contest is much tighter. Geoff Corboy 84-86 (170) has a narrow two shot lead from Terry Howe 83-89 (172) and Geoff King 85-88 (173).
There are nine players within 10 shots of the leader.
In C-grade Peter Thompson had rounds of 93-93 (186) to lead by two shots from Norm Purtill 90-98 (188), with a further seven shots back to Rob Armytage.
The D-grade leader is Russell Begg 93-97 (190), a massive 17 shots ahead of Ross Burnham, so Begg appears to have that title in the bag.
In the daily events at the weekend, on Saturday Matt Thomas started the championships in great fashion with a two under par 70, and his net 71 was also the A-grade handicap winner on the day, from runner-up Zac Pearce on 72.
B-grade winner was Norm Purtill 71 from runner-up Craig Manning 72, and C-grade winner was Russell Begg 69 from runner-up Geoff McCallum 72.
On Sunday the A-grade winner was Kerran Leetham net 70 from runner-up Andrew ‘Taffy’ Brunker 72, and B-grade winner was Toby Rae 73 on countback to Fiona Milward.
Last Thursday was also a stroke event with two grades for the monthly medal.
It was a tight contest for the medal, which went to Kerran Leetham on countback.
A-grade winner was Peter Locke 73 from runner-up Kerran Leetham 75, and B-grade winner was Prue Grant 75 on countback to Janet Lord.
There is a whole heap of golf coming up, with the course set to be very busy in the next few weeks.
Tomorrow is a stroke event and also the final round of the men’s championships.
On Sunday the club will host the GOH Celebrating 50 Years charity day, with proceeds to the golf club.
This is a four-person ambrose, $30 per player, 11am assembly for 11.30am shotgun start.
It will be followed on Monday by a big day with visiting golfers from throughout the Goulburn Valley when Deniliquin hosts the GV Veteran Golfers.
On Tuesday the ladies have their 9 hole event, and now there is a new 9 hole social event with an 8am tee-off.
This is a fun and friendly event for all levels, from beginners to accomplished golfers.
And veteran golfers are reminded of the 9 hole vets event held each Friday morning from 9am.
Next Wednesday is the usual stableford event, Thursday is versus par and Saturday, April 20 is stableford, with the men contesting the coveted Borella Cup.
Also coming up is the annual Diggers Day, to be played on Sunday, April 28 as a four-person ambrose.
And mark your diary for the big MND charity day on Sunday, June 2. More details on this popular annual event will be provided in coming weeks.
A feature of this event will be the chance for a lucky golfer to win a Ford ute, which is up for grabs for the first hole-in-one on the ninth hole.
There will be other novelty events, including pitching into a bucket that will be floating on a dam.
So get your team together for a great day out, with 11am assembly for 11.30am shotgun start.
Obviously, there will be no shortage of golf for our members and visitors in coming weeks.
For a social break, why not head down to your club tonight for Friday Night Fun from 6pm with raffles and meals available.
Why not enjoy a night out and support the club, while also having a great time.
Last week’s results:
Thursday, April 4, single stroke:
A-grade P Locke 73, r/u K Leetham 75; B-grade P Grant 75, c/b J Lord.
Ball comp: R Pogonoski, F McCalman, J Choice, A Bull, C Hardman, V Brunker, D Hunter, S Lugsdin, L O’Brien, V Seely, c/b 80.
NTP: 9th J Armytage; golden hole M McKnight.
Saturday, April 6, single stroke:
A-grade Matt Thomas 71, r/u Z Pearce 72; B-grade N Purtill 71, r/u C Manning 72; C-grade R Begg 69, r/u G McCallum 72.
Ball comp: D Irwin, J Wacheke, G King, T Grant, N Boswell, T Howe, S Callanan, G Corboy, J Sommerfeld, G Nolan, G Rodda, D McQuie, T Rae, T Bult, R Armytage, O O’Callaghan, J Radeski, J Kellahan, L Campbell, W Pilosio, V Brunker, A Ferguson, M Radeski, c/b 76.
Sunday, April 7, single stroke:
A-grade K Leetham, r/u A Brunker 72; B-grade T Rae 73, c/b F Milward.
Ball comp: Matt Thomas, D Ring, J Pearce, B Barlow, V Kelly, R Begg, P Thompson, B Bourke, T Bult, C Thomson, J Sommerfeld, J Poka jr, G Corboy, M Battenally, c/o 76.
NTP: 2nd V Kelly; 5th A Brunker; 9th P Thompson, N Purtill; 11th T Grant; 13th G Willis. Golden hole A Brunker.
Wednesday, April 10, single stableford:
A-grade R Turner 38, r/u P Joice 37; B-grade G Freckleton 38, r/u D Wade 34.
Ball comp: T Maw, J Hunt, G Davies, J Radeski, P Hodgkinson, D Maraldo, F Conallin, N Purtill, B Dixon, R Bolton, C Mitsch, K Maher, J Penna, G Baker, c/b 32.
NTP: 9th P Hodgkinson, D Maraldo. Golden hole A Erickson.
Off the Tee columnist