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The 2018 Victorian Men’s & Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship has officially begun. The fields were spread across Cranbourne and The National (Long Island) golf clubs, with players enjoying an intermittently sunny but windy afternoon on the links.
Over at Cranbourne GC, it is a packed leaderboard in the Men’s A-grade field with a cluster of players sitting in contention for the title. NSW visitor Keith Shepherd was the best in with a one under par round of 71. The Antill Park member carded 5 birdies for a 71 off the stick, leading by a shot from 2015 champion Mark Boulton (Phillip Island) on 72 with a further five players all tied on 73. The National’s Daniel Millman recorded the best nett score of 71 which is a single shot clear of a trio of nett 73s.
It was a tough day for the women’s field (also at Cranbourn) with only 3 players in the field of 25 breaking 80. Rebecca Thomas of Leongatha and Woodlands’ Kate Caridakis are leading the charge on 6 over par 78, with Sue Wooster (The National) hot on their tails a shot behind and chasing her fourth consecutive Mid-Amateur title. Jody Doran of Lakeside was the best nett score in with a solid 71 followed by Yarra Yarra’s Megan Thorley on nett 73.
The National (Long Island) hosted the Men’s B grade section with scoring proving difficult in the blustery conditions. Frank Palinkas (Woodlands) was the best with a 5 over par 77 to hold a two shot lead over David Cerny (Keysborough) with a host of players just a further shot back. In the nett section, Tim Schramm (Qantas) produced a great score of nett 67 to lead by 3 over Lou Skantzos (Spring Valley). The highlight of the day though went to Mandalay member Fred Mwenye who had a hole-in-one on the 141m Par 3 12th. Congratulations Fred!
Previously in Victoria, only those aged between 30-54 on the first day of the championship have been eligible to tee it up. Following review of many major mid-amateur championships around the world including the US and English Mid-Amateur Championships, Golf Victoria has elected to trial removing the upper-age limit restriction on the event for 2018.
The final round kicks off at 8am tomorrow with the field switching courses.
Click here for tomorrows draw.
Click here for leaderboard.