Collier - 150th Open Final - Monthly Medal Rd 6 - Pines Lake
A big day was to be had by all. Rain was forecast on a chilly and wet morning. A monthly medal up for grabs and who would be the Inaugural "Champion Golfer of the Year" for the players club?
Heiney came bounding out of the blocks and was playing some wonderful golf.
David Ogg was again solid and consistent.
Even Mike Patton who couldn’t sleep was in early contention. (MP: I should have stayed in bed! )
And Basil, who’s form last 2 weeks couldn’t be ignored as he started well.
After 9 holes Oggy and Heiney both in the same group were joint leaders at -3 , with Basil and Scotty (Good to see some form from Scotty) 3rd at -1.
The rain settled in the back 9 and then the grit and character of each player was tested. A bogey and then double bogey by Oggy derailed his round. A 7 on the 14th par 3 blew up Heiny round as he surrender his lead. An 8 by Basil on the 11th and Scotty on the 10th looked like they had blown there chances.
As each challenger fell away it boiled down 2 a 2 horse race. Oggy recovered and birdied the 16th but unfortunately missed his par put on the 18th and finished with +1.
Basil then started an amazing run home from the 14th with 2 pars and rest bogeys, the 18th was decisive as a beautiful bunker shot was executed and 2 putt to finish with a 6. Overall +1 and win on countback from Oggy for the monthly medal and Scotty finishing 3rd kept his nerve.
It became the daily double for Basil as he also pipped the unlucky Norm on countback, scoring 36 stableford points on the day for the champion golfer. On a day where patience and good scrambling was need Basil had it in spades with a bonus of driving consistently.
A wonderful matchplay also took play between Rob Mizen and John Morris, after John taking a 17 on one hole and being 5 down on the front 9 , most pundits would have gone home losing their money on John. But this wonderful competitor and dogged golfer started the long climb back up the mountain and was magnificent in fighting back and drawing the match.
Winners
1st: Basil Musca (+1)
2nd: David Ogg (+1)
3rd: Scott Robins (+2)
NAGA: John Morris (+20)
Nearest
Pines 3rd: Norm Mews
Pines 7th: No takers
Lake 3rd: Basil Musca
Lake 5th: Ryan Nottle
Lake 8th: Ryan Nottle (Money hole)
Long Drive A: Mike Patton
Long Drive B: Pete Plater
Nearest in 2: Marc Ellis
Nearest in 3: Mike Patton
Longest Putt: Paul Heine
Money Hole: Ryan Nottle
Match Play
John Morris All Square Rob Mizen