RECENTLY retired Kevin Ireland is enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle which is affording him more time on the fairways at Collie Golf Club.
And, if last Saturday’s 18-hole stableford for the Malatesta brothers’ trophies is any indication, it has been time well spent.
Ireland finished with an impressive 41 points to be way clear of the chasing pack, with the in-form Clive Pullan his nearest rival, on 36 points.
Despite the pleasant playing conditions, Ireland was the only player to better his handicap for the round, with Pullan playing to his mark.
Club captain Clayton Flynn got close to his low mark, with 35 points, but it fell away from there with Carl Carulli, Ron Annandale, Danny Cheng, Alan Kent and Jan Van Volenstee all being rewarded with vouchers for scores of 33.
Warren Hann tuned up for this weekend’s club championships with the day’s best gross of 80 off-the-stick, while Paul Watson, on 37 nett, was the best of a group of visiting Harvey golfers.
Clive Pullan’s round was aided by some very good putting, with him taking the long putt novelties on Nos 6 and 9.
The other long putt, on No. 18, was sunk by Steven Ireland.
Nearest the pins went to Danny Cheng (4), Carl Curulli (7) and Wayne Waywood (14).
Bruce Jackson nursed a three-wood down No. 15 for the day’s longest drive.
PETER Coombs won last week’s Tuesday leisure day stableford.
He had 36 points, two better than Chris Stewart’s 34 and four better than Alan Kent’s 32.
Best vet, on 33, was John Wray.
Alan Kent (No. 4), Kim Metcalfe (7), Jay Robinson (9), Chris Stewart (14) and John Wray (18) won novelties.
JAY Robinson was rewarded for braving the wintery weather for last Thursday’s nine-hole scroungers event.
His 18 points was the best score in, two ahead of George Dorozenko, on 16.
Another George, this time Newlands, won the longest putt on No. 6.
THE 2018 Club Championships get underway this weekend, with 18-hole stroke events for the Sports First and Gull Service Station trophies on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The closing two rounds of the championships will be played the following weekend.
Members are urged to participate in all four rounds.
However, each of the events will also be run as stand-alone events to cater for those unable to play in all four rounds.
Other events this week will be Thursday’s nine-hole scroungers and Tuesday’s 18-hole leisure day stableford.