Dunedin golfer again wins Otago rural tournament

By Neville Idour

Phil Bungard equalled the Middlemarch course record last year but fell three shots short of breaking it to win this years Emerson’s Brewery Course Record Challenge.

Bungard, from the St Clair Golf Club in Dunedin, shot 68 which was good enough to win the day by one shot from Tom Lee.

Former New Zealand Open winner Mahal Pearce was third with 70 while tied on 72 were three players Mat Tautauri, Will McLaughlan and Matt Weir.

Bungard said conditions were ideal and the course seemed to be there for the taking.

``I had a plan to be three under par after nine holes to set me up for a four under last nine,’’ Bungard said.

``The putts wouldn’t drop on the front nine so the nine pars made it too difficult although I did go four under on the back nine. I guess we aren’t as good as we think we are.

``Middlemarch do a great job and provide excellent support. It is a fun day.”

The most extraordinary round of the day belonged to Matthew Crawford (St Clair) who was nicely placed to challenge the record when four under par after 11 holes.

However the last seven holes produced triple bogey, quadruple bogey, bogey, bogey, par, eagle, birdie, par to finish on 74. The course at 5698 metres is no pushover despite it’s flat nature.

Although no one took away the $1000 bonus there were prizes for the top six finishers.

The inaugural event last year was a great success and for a small country club with just 34 members, an event like this is a triumph of ingenuity, innovation and enterprise. That’s especially so when you consider that just 10 years ago the club almost ceased to exist.

Back then the membership had dwindled to a few and just a tiny few, sometimes three or four, would turn up for Saturday members’ day, said current club captain Stacey Atkinson.

The club secretary at the time sent a letter to the Dunedin City Council asking if it would like to buy the course for use as a park. The answer, not surprisingly, was no.

So a community meeting was held and informed the club would have to close without more support. Current population of Middlemarch is about 300 people, so not a large demographic.

Fortunately a member kindly loaned the club $10,000 to assist financially and there was a will for the club to survive and ultimately thrive. That loan has since been repaid.

Current membership is 34 including six women, and Saturdays now attract 15 or more players.

The club is also attracting some junior players.

Atkinson said: “2021 was our best year financially with around $4500 in green fees and more members playing the course.

``Also the bar is proving our biggest earner aided by tournaments like this one. The clubhouse is also being used for community functions.”

As for course maintenance the club owns the machinery needed for greenkeeping and has a part-time greenkeeper and voluntary labour for the work. The course always looks good and with green fees of just $20 why not play it if you get the chance.

In fact the next event on the calendar is a must. The Cockies Classic, which has been going for over 40 years, will be held on the May 12.

It is a three-person ambrose and is now entry only as last year it had to be closed at 90 players.

Initially intended for the farming community it now attracts all sorts. The entry fee of $40 which includes free barbeques on course plus a meal after golf is a steal. Only in the country, eh.

The club will celebrate 100 years in 2026.