The State Final of the 2016 Mazda Victorian Four Ball Championship got underway this morning as 192 players took to the splendid Sorrento GC. A light breeze swept across the undulating layout for the majority of the day, as the field enjoyed pleasant scoring conditions which was reflected with a number of fine scores returned in all three categories.
Twenty three qualifying events took place over January, February & March, comprising of eight metropolitan & fifteen regional events. The 96 pairs who qualified for this year’s state final did so as a result of strong performances during the qualifying rounds. The second & final round to conclude this year’s State Final will be played tomorrow at The National GC’s Ocean Course.
The men’s event is delicately poised at the conclusion of round one. With the top 16 places atop the leaderboard separated by only four stableford points. Taking day one honours on a countback was the Northern duo of Dean & Blake Anderson who along with two other pairs recorded 45 points. Defending champions Ricky Aow & Alan Quek (Wellington Links) sit hot on the heels of the top pair equal second with Todd Matthews & Leigh Graham (Neangar Park) after both pairs also recorded 45 points.
The women’s championship is also a tight affair. Leading the field is the Cranbourne duo of Gina Smith & Vikki Templeton who fired a fine round of 43 points. In pursuit is Kath Dellar & Helen Norton (East Geelong) just one off the pace at 42 points with a two way tie in third place on 40 points.
The mixed component produced an array of solid scores. Ann Mackintosh (Lara) & Alex Wilson (Thirteenth Beach) are setting the pace after round one with 44 points. The Lakeside combination of Jan Olszewski & Maria Flanagan are Mackintosh & Wilson’s nearest challenges after returning a first round score of 42 points.
Golf Victoria & Mazda have once again teamed up for the State Four-Ball Championship until at least 2017. A brand new Mazda2 is still up for grabs at both days of the state final having not been claimed at any of this year’s qualifying rounds.
With a host of pairings within striking distance in all three categories after round one, the scene is set for an exciting finale at tomorrow’s final round!
To view full results, click here.