Golf Management Australia Spring 2017 | Page 5

AROUND THE STATES VICTORIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA Telley takes KQ title #2 defeating Haines Penfield claims GMA Challenge Last qualifier, Eastern GM Ben Telley (having walked past top qualifier Peter Vlahandreas and Peter Paccagnan in the earlier rounds), took on Latrobe GM Rod Haines (who knocked out Chris Anderson and Peter Busch) in the final of the Kelvin Quick Knockout Trophy, played at the home club of both players, Commonwealth. A brisk and blustery morning with a 7:22am tee time had both players shivering to get the game going at first light. Haines needed to give Telley only three shots in the contest with the later having played some quality golf of late to nudge his lowest handicap ever. A fidgety start would be an understatement with Haines going from bunker to bunker on the 1 st , whilst Telley three putted to halve the hole. Telley nudged his way in front as the normally unflappable Haines played uncharacteristically loose shots. Telley was 2 up through four holes, before Haines rolled in a monster birdie, only for Telley to respond with a birdie of his own to halve the hole. Haines responded with a win on the 6th, Telley counterpunched with another birdie on the 7 th . Wins at 8, 9 and 10 put Telley in the box seat, 5 up through ten holes. The match went back and forth from there before a par on the 15 th wrapped up the match. The Chardonnay then flowed at the local Yum Cha Restaurant where friends and family were on hand to toast the 2nd KQ title for Telley. With a place on the State Team at the GMA Conference at the front of his mind, the big question is will he be denied Legend status with a 3 rd win next year? The annual GMA Challenge 4BBB golf day for GM’s and their Captain or President was played in perfect winter sunshine at Royal Adelaide with the ideal conditions leading to some better than usual scores. The top three placings all had 42 points, which meant after a countback, the team from Penfield Golf Club - Alistair McLean and Geoff Nethercott - took out the trophy ahead of Ben Kavenagh and Paul Duregon (Glenelg), and Adam Hays and David Murdock (Thaxted Park). WESTERN AUSTRALIA Management Challenge won by Lakelands CC The Lakelands CC team of David Whitby, Ewan Trott, Alan Robotham and Damian Chatterly won the 2017 Management Challenge at Hartfield Country Club with a combined stableford score of 128. Host manager Mick Smith and Superintendent Nick Kinley provided a fantastic venue for the event. Held in conjunction with the Challenge was the Alex Monteath Trophy for the best combined score by a club manager and professional. Brian Close and Matt Wolfe from the WA Golf Club put together 68 points to take out this prestigious event. Life Member Alex Monteath was on hand to present his trophy – and for his trouble he was rewarded with a Toro hand mower (valued at $1000) when his name came out in the lucky draw. Thank you to Mick and his team at Hartfield CC for ensuring a great day was had by all. WWW.GMA.ORG.AU I 5