Consistency was the key for Michael Wherritt’s success in the Aqua West Dubbo Open played over 27-holes on Sunday.
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The course greenkeeper put together nines of 37-36-36 on the 1-27 layout and with 109 in total won by a shot from Phil Munro, with Matt Gleeson two further back on 112.
The result could well have been different with the 27th hole holding the key to the success of Wherritt and the demise of Munro.
“Michael pulled a wedge into the left hand side bunker on 27 but got up and down for par, while I had a relatively easy birdie putt but missed,” Munro said.
“Considering the set-up of the course and the tough conditions in the earning morning I think the scores were pretty good.
“It was very cold and frosty at 8.30am when we went down one (1st hole) and I think the scores of all the players at that time of the morning reflected in the overall scores.
“I was three over on one to nine but Wherro was only one over and you look at Matt Gleeson’s card and he had six over 41 on his first nine holes, from ten to eighteen.
“As well, the tees were way back and the pin placements tough, so it was a good contest but not ideal for making birdies.”
Munro recovered from his 39 to start, with 37 and then one-under-par 34 on the way home (holes 19-27) while Gleeson had rounds of 37-41-34.
The Dubbo Open attracted 100 players in the three grades, which was quite good considering the minimal amount of advertising.
In the field was Kerry Fields from Aqua West, major sponsors of the event and thanks is expressed to him and his staff for their support.
In the minor grades, Thomas Barker took out the B-grade scratch with rounds of 43-39-42 (124), seven shots in front of Dayne Gardiner 946-42-44-45 133) with Andrew Graham next on 135 (49-42-44).
In C-grade Steve Williams distanced himself from his rivals with nines of 43-47-42 for 132 in total.
Ivor Trapman (47-46-46 139) was second and Rod Firth (46-49-49 144) third.
In the handicap divisions, Andrew Walden, Darren Scholes and Grant O’Reilly dominated the top grade, while in B-grade the placings were Scott Macleod, Tim Beatty and Michael Taylor.
The ultra-consistent Randall Richardson won C-grade handicap by 2-1/2 shots from Gavin Weekes with Mark Powderly third.
n Open results: page 35
