Thomas fired a round of 66 to lead by nine shots from last year’s runner-up Vince Kelly, who opened his championship account with a round of 75. Jarod Sommerfeld is in third place with an opening round 79.
In B grade Daryl Nalder is a three-shot leader after a first round 83, ahead of Simon Tilders on 86, with Neil Boswell, Wayne Pitts and Magnus Aitken on 88.
The joint C grade leaders with 91 are Gary Stephens and Glen Warren, a shot ahead of Brian Dixon, but this is wide open with 15 golfers within nine shots of the lead.
Keanu Sutton had an opening round 92 to lead D grade by four shots to Ken Maher, with a further four shots to Ross Burnham and Des Ramsey.
The second round of the championships will be played tomorrow, with the third and final round the following Saturday.
In the daily stroke event on Saturday Matt Thomas was the A grade winner with net 69 from runner-up Jarod Sommerfeld net 74. Nalder won B grade on net 72 by a shot to Magnus Aitken, Brian Dixon had net 73 to win C grade on countback to Marg Radeski, and Keanu Sutton won D grade with net 70 from runner-up Denise Hunter net 72.
The ladies championships started yesterday, but no results were to hand at the time of going to print. Their second round will be played on Tuesday, with the final round next Thursday.
Last Thursday the ladies had a stableford event, won in A grade by Vicki Brunker with 37 points and showing ominous signs with the ladies’ championships underway. Runner-up was Prue Lloyd on 36. In B grade Fay Harrington had 34 to win on countback to Karen Druitt.
On Wednesday in the men’s stableford competition the A grade winner was Noel Swainger with 37 points, on countback to Chris Mitsch. B grade winner was Dale Barling with 38 from David O’Brien 37, and in C grade the handicapper still hasn’t caught up with ‘Dickie’ Grant (though it can’t be far away) and he recorded a comfortable win with 41 points from Jamie Begg 34.
Don’t forget the raffles and meals at the club tonight. Tickets are on sale from 6pm with draws at 7.30.
Last week’s results:
Thursday March 24, ladies stableford:
A grade V Brunker 37, r/u P Lloyd 36; B grade F Harrington 34, c/b K Druitt.
Ball comp: J Choice, M Rothwell, P Davis, K Leetham, C Maher, M Radeski, S Simpson, D Hunter, R Peacock, A Gorsuch.
NTP: P Chalmers, S Aitken. Golden hole L O’Brien.
Saturday March 26, stroke:
A grade Matt Thomas 69, r/u J Sommerfeld 74; B grade D Nalder 72, r/u M Aitken 73; C grade B Dixon 73, c/b M Radeski; D grade K Sutton 70, r/u D Hunter 72.
Ball comp: D O’Brien, D Ramsey, K Leetham, W Pitts, K Maher, P Grant, R Turner, G Stephens, L Chappell, P Lloyd, G Warren, R Bolton, S Lugsdin, N Boswell, R Burnham, P Chalmers, S Tilders, D Wade, C Thomson, T Chandler, V Kelly, K Simpson, G King, G Rodda, R Campbell, Mark Thomas, J Barnett, c/o 77.
NTP: 2nd W Pitts, G Tiri; 5th V Kelly, G Tiri; 9th M Aitken; 11th B Roach, K Druitt; 13th G Warren, K Sutton. Golden hole G Tiri.
Tuesday March 29, ladies 12 holes, par 3:
S Aitken net 37; r/u B Purtill 38.
Ball comp: P Larcombe, D Hunter, K Zanatta, C Maw, P Chalmers, J Adamson, P Grant, R Lawrence, P Davis, B Campbell, B Daniels c/b 41.
NTP: B Campbell, V Barnes.
Wednesday March 30, men’s single stableford:
A grade N Swainger 37, c/b C Mitsch; B grade D Barling 38, r/u D O’Brien 37; C grade J Grant 41, r/u J Begg 34.
Ball comp: C Thomson, J Radeski, R Turner, G Willoughby, N Purtill, G Davies, T Hollins, J Rhook, I Campbell, H Barker, D Brewin, R Bolton, P Oddy, D Grant, P Joice, D Ross, P Hodgkinson, R Lawrence, G O’Brien.
NTP: G Willoughby, B Dixon. Golden hole M Lyne.
