Booth wins Port Augusta Classic after course record

Words by
GARY ROWBOTTOM
Port Augusta Golf Classic Committee

The 2012 Jacob’s Creek Golf Classic in Port Augusta held between the 6th and 12th of August was an outstandingly successful event, attracting a record number of total game nominations (1208 at event start).

The event was a showcase to both visitors and locals of all that the Port Augusta Golf Course and the City of Port Augusta has to offer. The Port Augusta Golf Club is extremely proud to have been able to host such a fantastically successful event, and promote our golf club and city to all.

Visitor numbers were absolutely outstanding, with golfers travelling here from 47 visiting golf clubs to attend the Classic. Support was particularly strong from quite a number of leading metropolitan Golf Clubs, and there was a strong contingent from Esperance in Western Australia and Alice Springs was also represented. This year the organisers were particularly pleased with the number of lady visitors. The 2012 Golf Classic undeniably delivered a fantastic result for both the Port Augusta Golf Club and the city of Port Augusta.

The most important element in the event’s success was the excellent course preparation, with the course presented for the week in brilliant condition. The fantastic course presentation is due to the hard work and preparation of the course maintenance team led by Corey Keanen and Jason Dickinson and supported by a hardworking band of volunteers. The weather for the event was generally very kind, with really only some strong winds on a few days in the middle of the week creating some extra challenges for participants.

The most prestigious events of the week were the Jacob’s Creek 54 Hole Championship events held on the Wednesday to Friday of the week.

The Classic attracted an excellent number of low figure handicap golfers, including at least two playing off scratch. The A Grade Men’s competition developed as a fascinating battle between local defending Champion Mick Warren and a number of the visiting low and scratch handicapped golfers. However a brilliant new course record of 65 by 17 year old Lachlan Booth from the Glenelg Club on Thursday set a difficult chase, and Lachlan held on to win by two strokes from Ben Stowe from Grange. Lachlan’s 3 round total was 216 (a mere six shots above par).

The Ladies Division One 54 Hole Championship was a tussle between local Champion Ceri Nicholson, Sarah Alomes from Whyalla and Christine Beasley from the Glenelg. Local knowledge was a key factor in allowing Ceri to establish and maintain a lead and record another win in this event with a 54 hole gross total of 245, with Christine Beasley finishing as runner up.

In other grades of the Jacob’s Creek 54 Hole events Robert Baker from Westward Ho (256) scored a narrow 2 stroke margin win from Neil Wilson of Esperance. The C Grade Men’s championship was taken out by popular local Paddy O’Keeffe (a member of the Port Augusta club for over 50 years) on a score of 271 with Gary Rowbottom just hanging on for second place on 277.

The Ladies Division Two 54 Hole Championship was won by Janet Henningsen from the Adelaide Westward Ho club over Maureen Edwards of Murray Bridge. Locals Trudy Ekberg and Noel Sampson from Maryborough took out the Jacob’s Creek Ladies Handicap 54 Hole titles for Division 1 and 2 respectively. Expatriate Julie Baird from the Thaxted Park club and Maryann Koerner of Whyalla were the 54 Hole Jacob’s Creek Stableford event Division 1 and 2 winners. Trophies for the 54 Hole events were presented by Matt Andrews and Chris Allen, representing major Sponsor Jacob’s Creek.

The presentation and operation of the event was praised by visitors at the daily trophy presentations, as was the fantastic generosity and support of the many Sponsors for the week long Classic.

The Quiz Night held on the Wednesday, was a well attended and successful event once again. The daily event newsletter “In the Rough” kept players informed of the event’s progress and highlights once again. The golfer’s breakfast on Sunday morning prior to the final day’s Ambrose competition was also very well supported and appreciated.

The Port Augusta Golf Club would like to take this opportunity to thank the major sponsor Jacob’s Creek, all other sponsors for the 2012 Classic, and all the local club members and friends who contribute to maintaining the Jacob’s Creek Classic status as a leading event in the region’s sporting events calendar.