Heath Paech competes in the B grade final.
Steve Wedding sizes up a putt on his way to the B grade title.
Trevor Smith hits hard and flat during the A grade final.
JAMES Norcock outlasted Trevor Smith in a match for the ages to win his seventh club championship at the Naracoorte Golf Club on Sunday.
In an epic battle that went to the 38th hole, Norcock produced some exceptional shots after putting himself into trouble off the tee to stay in the game as Smith rallied over the last two holes to finish square on the 36th.
In front of a big crowd, Norcock held the largest lead of three up until the last nine holes when Smith, using his phenomenal short game, got himself back into the game.
Both players had an opportunity on the last hole, but a two putt by Smith and a scrambling par by Norcock, they went to the 37th.
Norcock produced the shot of the day - hooking his ball out of the trees and on to the green from 140m out.
A halved hole after both players hit good putts that almost went in.
On the 38th hole both players missed the green on their second shot, but unfortunately for Smith his short game cracked and he couldn't make the up and down.
Norcock was left with a two foot putt for the championship which he knocked in for a victory that he won't forget.
The B grade final was won by Steven Wedding, defeating Heath Paech 2 and 1.
With both players showing early nerves, Wedding took an early lead and led through the opening nine holes.
Paech slowly worked his way back into the match on the back nine to go to into lunch all square.
The final 18 holes was a tight tussle with both players threatening to run away with the match at various stages.
Paech had a superb four hole stretch going from one down to three up.
The turning point came on the 27th with Wedding in trouble he managed to hole his putt from off the front of the green for par and when Paech three-putted the match was turned on its head.
Wedding took his momentum into the last nine, winning the next three holes.
To Paech's credit he fought back to be all square with five holes remaining.
Wedding parred both the 33rd and 34th to leave Paech two down with two to play.
Unfortunately for Paech he had to take an unplayable on the 35th, resulting in a half, giving Wedding the title.
Ron Crane claimed C grade over John Shepherd.
During the first 18 holes Shep (through his self-generated smoke screen) was extremely accurate while the bigger hitting Ron sprayed his drives, resulting in Shep taking a four hole lead at lunch.
His lead increased to five on the 19th but from then on Shep became less accurate (perhaps the narcotic effect was lessening) and Crane was able to capitalise on his opportunities and gradually reduce the lead to two after 27.
Crane took the lead after the 31st and withstood a brief fight back to win the match 2 and 1 after a good contest.
Ian Dick won his first ever championship by taking out the D grade over Reece McDonald.
It was a tight contest early with neither player giving up much ground.
Dick looked the better player though, regularly hitting greens (not normally what a D grader does) and had gained himself a six hole lead at the half way point.
From there Dick's only problem was how to stop his beard from catching fire due to his hot golf game, winning by the biggest margin of the men's contests, 7 and 6.
The Saturday comp prior to the championship finals was sponsored by ANZ Agribusiness and Wesfarmers Insurance.
Forty-four players played a 4BBB stroke round.
Chris Burford and Paul Schroder combined well to win with a net 64, one shot clear of Murray Telfer and Bill Moorhouse.
The anticipated member cash draw jackpotted again with Jill Williams missing out on $125.
This week the draw is worth $150, make sure you are there between 5.30 and 6pm to collect the cash when your name is drawn.
Friday night teas are on tomorrow - come up and have a fantastic meal for only $10, contact Rosie Wright via email (info@swampys1.com.au) if you would like to attend.
With Father's Day on this weekend come in and update his wardrobe, as I have 50 per cent off all men's clothing until Sunday.
Dads will also receive a free bucket of balls on Sunday as part of the relaunched driving range.
The range from Wednesdays through to Sundays will be club range balls only.
A bucket of 40 balls costs $4 and the range is open to the public as well as members - happy Father's Day.
- Club professional Michael Justin
