To mark the 30th anniversary of the annual Golf Classic, the organisers pulled out all the stops this year to secure the Cut Golf Course in Dawesville, just south of Mandurah, to give Adam Scott wannabees the chance to drive for show, putt for prizes and then strut their stuff on the fairways.
Blue skies and champagne weather greeted the almost 100-strong field who mustered at 8:30am in Perth for the 90-minute bus drive to a course that was voted number one in Western Australia in 2008-09 and has consistently ranked in the top 25 in Australia overall.
And besides the fun and games, the day was all for a very good cause too as PESA-ASEG, for the first time, partnered with a charity of choice, Parkerville Children and Youth Care, a not for profit organisation that raises awareness of child abuse and supports children and families in need.
By the time the last putt had been sunk and the final toast presented at the buffet dinner, $1803 had been raised for the charity from a silent auction, competitions, prizes and a raffle. G&H Solutions then offered to top up the kitty to a round figure of $2000.
A putting and chipping competition preceded the main event and the golfers fuelled up with a light barbecue and sandwiches prior to the shotgun start at noon.
Out on the course it was thirsty work in the heat as fourball teams scrambled to sink putts and skilfully weave their balls on to the ‘dancefloor’ to stay in contention for the Ambrose rules competition.
Once the divots had settled, Prue Lemming, Kim Cook, Greg Stret and Andrew Duncan took home first prize. The winners on aggregate were the ION team of Jeromy DePledge, Gerry Spanninga, Kim McInerney and Graeme Eastwood.
Nearest to the pin (Shearwater) was Kim McInerney, (RPS) Rob Kneale and (Paradigm charity hole) Gerry Spanninga. Simon Stewart won the prize for straightest drive of the day and Stuart McCulloch belted the longest drive on the PGS sponsored hole.
Tales of epic chips, lipped putts, shanks and the yips regaled audiences at an evening of fine feasting and bonhomie at the dinner cum prizegiving to end a day of fun and festivities on the fairway.
A special word of gratitude is due to the sponsors who made this special day possible. So, to platinum sponsors DUG, gold charity hole sponsor Paradigm, silver sponsors for golf balls, NRG, gold on course drinks sponsors Searcher Seismic, putting competition sponsor Geosoft and hole sponsors RPS, CGG, PGS and Shearwater, a big thank you.
We hope you enjoyed the day as much as all the participants and didn’t throw too many clubs into the lake in frustration.