Bannockburn Golf Club welcomed 93 women today for the first round of the 2016 Victorian Women’s Sand Greens Championship. Thick fog blanketed the course in the early hours of the morning, causing a slight delay for hit-off but lifted into a clear sunny day out on the beautifully tree-lined course. The par 69 course was set for championship play with markers back on the yellow plates and smooth slick scrapes.
Coming in with the best score of the day was Jo Watts from Toolondo with a gross 77 with 2014 Helen Leech of Neangar Park a mere 2 shots behind. Watts and Leech were the only players in the field to break 80, highlighting the challenging nature of the narrow course. Judy Guest from Midlands had the best gross score in B-Grade with an 86 and leads by 8 strokes, while Beth Preston of Warracknabeal is marginally ahead by a stroke with 94 in C-Grade.
Guest enjoyed an outstanding nett 63 today for the lowest score of the day. The 23 marker broke her handicap by 6 solid strokes, which included a birdie on the par 3 first hole. Vera Lund of Kooringal (h’cap 13) is leading A-Grade with nett 70 while Parklands member Heather Hay (h’cap 30) also had a day out with a nett 66.
The official Tournament Dinner is held tonight at the club and provides a great opportunity for players to relax and socialise off the course. Both fields will combine tomorrow for a single multi-tee start at 9am for the second and final round.
Click here for full results and photos from today.