November 2020 Newsletter

Inaugural Bobby Jones Trophy (Sunshine Coast Hickory Championship)

 

On Sunday 18 October 2020, Hickory Golfers Queensland held the inaugural Sunshine Coast Hickory Championship — hosted by Cooroy Golf Club and sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Golf & South Burnett District Golf Association.

Expertly organised by Grathan Leatherbarrow and his team, the day was a raging success. Coming in on his day off to cut the greens especially for our event, greenkeeper Todd McNamee must be thanked for his commitment and complemented on the true and speedy playing surfaces presented for play. The barbecue lunch, expertly cooked by injured golfer/cricketer Kale Hamilton and comprising salads made by Grathan’s partner Angela Price and Jason Norris’ wife Jenny, was greatly enjoyed by all, as were the superb pavlovas cooked by Jenny.

Hospitality extended by Cooroy Golf Club was outstanding and greatly appreciated by all who attended this marvellous new event — which will surely become the highlight of the first six months the HGQ annual calendar. Next year’s championship will be a stroke event run over two days in mid-May, with both gross and net divisions. Because of proposed course and clubhouse enhancements, Cooroy Golf Club will become an even better venue for future events.

After lunch, Grathan Leatherbarrow presented winner Greg Mellifont with the striking and unique perpetual Bobby Jones Trophy, along with a permanent memento and a shirt. The trophy, hand-made by Cooroy Golf Club member Jason Norris, is a quirky and most appropriate addition to those crafted for us over the years by Ross Haslam. It will be a keenly contested award for many years to come. Grathan then presented the place getters with handsome prizes generously provided by the Sunshine Coast Golf & South Burnett District Golf Association.

Greg Mellifont continued his great recent form, streeting the field with 42 stableford points and becoming the inaugural Sunshine Coast Hickory Champion. In second place, with a most commendable 37 points, was Cooroy local Robert Wode. Third place was occupied by another golfer whose good form continues, Peter Monks with 35 stableford points. He did so, on countback, from Jason Norris and Alan Grieve.

Thank you to the committee and members of Cooroy Golf Club for hosting such a memorable event. Special thanks go to master organiser Grathan Leatherbarrow, along with Jason Norris, Todd McNamee, Angela Price, Jenny Norris and Kale Hamilton, who made the day a great success. Thank you also to the Sunshine Coast Golf & South Burnett District Golf Association for its generous sponsorship of the event.

Results:

Greg Mellifont (15) 42
Robert Wode (25) 37
Peter Monks (17) 35 C/B
Jason Norris (9) 35
Alan Grieve (9) 35
Bruce Collins (14) 34
John O'Shea (12) 33
Mervyn Ross (10) 32
Bradley Tatnell (10) 32
Ian King (10) 32
David Klaffer 1 31
Bronco Price (12) 30
Peter Egan (24) 29
Ivan Hodges (7) 28
Andrew Baker (12) 28
Wally Boydell (25) 27
George Giblett (-4) 27
Ross Bishop (12) 27
Chris Webster (15) 26
Arthur O'Shea 19 26
Mitch Davies (17) 25
Grathan Leatherbarrow (9) 20
Alex Officer (-1) 15