It may have taken him 34 years of trying, but that only made Sunday’s SCT Logistics Parkes Open victory all the more satisfying for Cowra’s Peter Kirwan.
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Formerly from Parkes, Kirwan maintains a strong connection with the club and was overjoyed at sealing his maiden victory.
A very popular victor, Kirwan shot 75 for the first 18 holes and looked to be out of contention after Forbes’ Steve Betland shot 69 in the windy conditions during the first round.
But Kirwan stole the show when he fired a three-under 32 on the final nine holes to finish with a 27-hole score of 105 and record a memorable win.
His next closest rival was Duntryleague’s James Conran who finished with 109.
“I thought my chance had passed,” a jubilant Kirwan said.
“There were a few players in the field who are better golfers than I am, but I just got the better of them today.
“I’ve been competing in the Parkes Open for 34 years and I am just stoked to have finally won it.
“I have to thank the wonderful sponsors who without, there would not be tournaments like this.”
For local members and those players who have enjoyed a long association with the club, the John ‘Gidgie’ Leister Memorial ranks very highly in their wish list.
A beloved member of the club, Gidgie was a driving force in getting the Parkes Open up and running in its early years.
The trophy is presented to the best handicap score across all three grades.
Winning the prestigious trophy this year was Parkes’ Tim Burke with 100 nett over 27 holes.
That score also saw Burke claim the A grade handicap.
Parkes was well represented in B grade with Phil Bishop claiming the overall victory with 124, seeing off Dave Brown by a shot.
The B grade handicap was won by another local, Todd Jayet, who shot 108.5 nett.
Bill Wakim from Warringah was crowned C grade champion with an excellent 18 hole score of 88.
He defeated Mick DellaCa and The Coast’s Jeff Hogan by a shot.
The C grade handicap winner was The Coast’s Ian Fraser with a fine 68 nett, defeating George Gerrard by three shots.
A perennial winner at the Parkes Open, Robert Payne claimed victory in the veterans event.
Saturday’s prelude event, the Atlas Copco Australia Fourball Championship was very well contested.
Four groups all finished on two under (38 scratch points) in the scratch event with Forbes’ Mark Collitts and Peter Dawson claiming victory on a countback.
Parkes’ Tim McCabe and Ron Jackson put in a stunning performance to win the handicap event with an excellent 48 points.
