The final round of the 2015 Victorian Men’s Par 3 championship concluded this afternoon bringing to an end a fantastic week of golf at the Kyabram Parkland Golf Club. Perfect winter conditions set the stage for an exciting finish to the men’s event following on from the tight finish in the Women’s Par 3 championship on Thursday afternoon.
Heading into this afternoon’s final round, Craig Hasthorpe (Commonwealth) held a comfortable six shot lead overnight after two brilliant rounds on day one saw the Commonwealth division one pennant winner at five under par 103.
At the conclusion of the final round, it was Hasthorpe who cruised to a six shot win maintaining his overnight lead to take this year’s crown. After shooting an even par 27 on the outward nine and with this year’s title looking as though it was a mere formality. Hasthorpe seemed destined to break the tournament record of 160 set in 2008.
A late double bogey on the 52nd hole followed by a bogey on the 53rd saw Hasthorpe miss the record narrowly by a single stroke. Nevertheless, a final round of four over par 58 capped a great event for Hasthorpe who finished with a fine 54 hole total of one under par 161.
Hasthorpe now follows in the footsteps of fellow Commonwealth member Zach Murray who took the title last year ensuring back to back Par 3 championship wins for Commonwealth members.
In second place for the second year running was Matias Sanchez (Sandhurst) who finished with a solid 54 hole total of 167 with Jamie Scapin (Mooroopna) finishing third after a final round 58 gave him a 54 hole total of 172.
The B Grade gross event came down to the wire, with Kevin Stone (Kyabram) securing a popular win scraping home by one shot from John Hoare (Pakenham) who finished on 201 with Rich River local Alan Williams finishing in third place on 202.
In the nett championship, brothers Jackson and Cooper Gentle (Kyabram) fought out the top prize. With both playing off a handicap of eight, it was Jackson who edged out his sibling with a three round nett total of 162 with Cooper finishing in second place on 163.
Austin Baker (Kyabram) ensured another local featured a top the leaderboard taking home the top prize in the B Grade nett event after finishing the event with a three round nett total of 156 from a handicap of seventeen. Chris Tindale (Kyabram) finished a further eight shots back in second place with a nett score of 164 from a handicap of eighteen to take second place on a countback from two other players.
Golf Victoria extends its sincere thanks to the volunteers, clubhouse staff, members and the Kyabram Parkland Par 3 committee for once again staging a brilliant week of golf in both the men’s and women’s events.
Next year’s event will take place on June 11- June 12 with Kyabram Parkland hosting the event for the eleventh time in 2016.
Click here to view final results and championship leaderboards.