Jimmy Poka Jnr added another trophy to his cabinet when he won the Ritchies IGA Deniliquin Men’s Open on Sunday.
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The course was in superb condition, and on a pleasant autumn day Poka and Chris Mitsch were tied at the top of the leader board after 18 holes and went to a play-off, which was won by the former.
The Men’s Open handicap winner was Shane Laing with a net 70.
The club would like to thank Ritchies IGA for sponsoring this important event on the annual calendar.
On Saturday there was a stableford event and the qualifying round for the Falkiner Singles Knockout. A-grade winner was Geoff Corboy with 36 points on countback from Vince Kelly; B-grade winner Graeme Rothwell 40 from runner-up Glen Warren 37, and C-grade winner Sarah Aitken 35 from runner-up Shane Laing 33.
Last Thursday the ladies played stableford and the A-grade winner was Jane Armytage on 36 points from runner-up Vicki Brunker 33, and in B-grade Ann Bull had 35 to win from runner-up Carol Hardman 34.
Wednesday’s stableford event winner was Ben Irwin with 38 points on countback to Leigh Chappell, and B-grade winner was Mark Ritchie 36 from runner-up Geoff ‘Zorro’ Bessell 34.
Coming up we have a two person ambrose tomorrow, then stableford events on Tuesday (nine holes), Wednesday and Thursday next week, before the Corporate Day on Friday and a two-person ambrose next Saturday.
If you have not entered a team for the Corporate Day you had better be quick as they close on Wednesday. It will feature Jamie Murphy, the father of Australian Test spinner Todd Murphy, as guest speaker.
Entries are also now being taken for the Big Freeze Charity Golf Day on Sunday, June 4. This is a four-person ambrose with 10am shotgun start. The $50 entry covers a barbecue and novelty events, with all proceeds going to the MND Foundation.
The annual Winter Classic is on the King’s Birthday weekend, and will again by fourball best ball stableford, with 18 hole events on Saturday and Sunday.
Singles pennant starts on July 16 and the club wants to fill two handicap teams and one scratch team, which will require 15 players. Put your name on the sheet in the pro shop. The pennant season will be for five weeks.
There are concerns about the dwindling numbers for our Friday Night Fun as the weather turns cold. Members are encouraged to support Friday night activities.
Why not come along to the club tonight and try your luck in the raffle and enjoy a meal? Raffle tickets will be on sale from 6pm with draws at 7.30pm. Meals are available tonight and tomorrow night, with reservations preferred.
Following is this week’s golfing tip from professional Jody Fleming. Jody has been helping our golfers to improve their game. You can book a lesson by giving her a call on 0427 666 183.
Three tee drill.
We all want to hit the ball crisp and clean every time while making the ball fly high and land soft (especially with the wedge). This drill is excellent for giving the golfer instant feedback.
The two key ingredients necessary to achieve this are weight shift forward and a descending strike at the ball. The three tee drill will tell you if you have achieved both.
Stick three tees in the ground about an inch apart in a straight line and at a height of about half inch.
Address the first tee as if it’s the ball with the other two tees going out to the target.
Make your normal swing at the tees and try to take all three tees out of the ground. If you break all three that’s great, you pass, if you hit all three good, but if you miss one, two or three tees, read on.
An inability to hit the third or last tee in the row means that you’re not moving your weight towards the target enough or you’re swinging the club in an upward action.
Try keeping your wrist hinged a little longer on the downswing and shift your weight more quickly to the front foot.
These two things will make it easier to hit down and through which will give you a higher flying ball.
Last week’s results:
Thursday, May 11, single stableford:
A-grade J Armytage 36, r/u V Brunker 33; B-grade A Bull 35, r/u C Hardman 34.
Ball comp: E Bolton, Y Holmes, P Grant, P Davis, L O’Brien, S Simpson, M Rothwell, J Lord, J Choice, c/o 31.
NTPs: 9th K Druitt, 11th V Brunker. Golden hole A Bull.
Saturday, May 13, single stableford:
A-grade G Corboy 36, c/b V Kelly; B-grade G Rothwell 40, r/u G Warren 37; C-grade S Aitken 35, r/u S Laing 33.
Ball comp: G Maddison, L Chappell, D Ring, D McQuie, B Bourke, A Lord, K Maher, J Radeski, M Radeski, R Landy, G Rodda, J Grant, N Boswell, G Tiri, R Armytage, A Brunker, R Burnham, A Gorsuch, P Oddy, c/b 30.
NTP: 2nd V Kelly, D Bull; 5th P Astill, J Henderson; 9th B Bourke, M Phyland; 11th V Kelly; 13th Mark Thomas. Golden hole P Astill.
Sunday, May 14, Ritchies IGA Deniliquin Open:
Open winner – J Poka jnr.
Handicap: S Laing 70, r/u C Mitsch 74.
Ball comp: L O’Brien, P O’Brien, D McQuie, J Radeski, M Radeski, c/b 77.
NTPs: 2nd K Leetham; 5th M Aitken, S Laing; 9th L O’Brien, M Radeski; 11th M Aitken; 13th C Mitsch. Golden hole M Aitken.
Wednesday, May 17, stableford:
A-grade B Irwin 38, c/b L Chappell; B-grade M Ritchie 36, r/u G Bessell 34.
Ball comp: R Friend, J Penna, W Hodgson, K Wemyss, P Joice, J Kerr, A Erickson, A Liebenberg, W Pearce, L Pattinson, K Pearce, B Barlow, J Henderson, T Grant, G Willoughby, c/b 32.
NTP: P Oddy, G Baker. Golden hole G Willoughby.
The Nineteeth Man - Off The Tee columnist for Deni PT.