Chrissy Skinner and Josh Oppy win Club Championships
Posted on: 21 January
The 2024 Club Champions have been decided following the finals of all grades being played on Sunday 21 January in windy and challenging conditions.
Chrissy Skinner and Sarah Tokolyi faced off in the Women’s Club Championship, and it was the 3-time champion Chrissy Skinner who got off to the stronger start. A solid par on the 7th followed by a par on the 9th put Chrissy 4up at the turn. Sarah fought back during the middle stages but as the players walked onto the 15th tee Chrissy was still 3up. A brilliant shot into 15 from Chrissy coupled with Sarah unluckily missing the green meant Chrissy had two putts to win the match, which she did.
In the Men’s, Josh Oppy and Mat Duchini had a close tussle in the morning with Mat making a great birdie on 18 to take a slender lead into the break. Josh came out hot after lunch, winning the 1st, 2nd and 5th to suddenly find himself 2up. Mat managed to win the 6th before Josh won the 7th and 8th before Mat won the 9th with a great birdie, which all added up to Josh leading 2up with 9 holes to go. Josh made a good par on the 10th to go 3up and both players halved the 11th, 12th and 13th . A solid par on the 14th by Josh was enough to win the hole and make it 4 up with 4 to go. Mat got into trouble off the tee on 15, meaning a bogey 4 would be enough for Josh to win his 2nd Club Championship.
Martine Oldfield and Sally Addison had a great B Grade Final, with Martine always maintaining a narrow advantage. Martine was 3 up with 3 to go before Sally made a brilliant putt to win the 16th. Sally’s bunker shot on the 17th just trickled over the back which opened up the door for Martine to claim her first Club Championship.
Youngsters Max Donne and Harry Higgins squared off in the Men’s B Grade Final, which went right down to the wire. The match fluctuated all day and Max found himself 1 up with 3 to go. After Harry found trouble off the tee on 16, Max’s superb pitch was enough to win the hole. Harry fought back to win 17 to keep the match alive and both young men hit fairway down 18 to set up a grandstand finish. Max slightly pulled his 2nd onto the bank, and putted down to approximately 8 feet. Harry hit the center of the green and putted up to a gimme, meaning Max had an 8 foot putt to win the match. Max hit a brilliant putt which fell in the right edge of the hole to give him victory.
In the C Grade Woman’s final it was Jayne Cayzer who got off to the better start and was 1 up through 7 holes against Helen Davis. Helen fought back and took a slender lead into the last hole where she made a brilliant up and down to secure victory.
In the C Grade Men’s final Jim Bulling and Richard Buxton had a enthralling contest with Richard ultimately securing a 2&1 victory. Richard was 1 up with 3 to go and two solid shots had him on the back of the green and ultimately was enough to win the hole. A solid tee shot from Richard to the center of the green was enough to ensure victory.
Well done to all the finalists and winners and thanks to everyone who assisted with scoring and refereeing on the day.