Course record equalled — bonus jackpots to next year

Club captain Stacey Atkinson masterminded an innovative new event for the Middlemarch Golf Club in Otago recently.

A strong 20-man field set out to break the Middlemarch course record of 66 held by Wanaka Club professional Alan Rose. The field included former New Zealand Open winner Mahal Pearce and a number of other southern representative players.

Phil Bungard (Island Park) had a sensational last four holes at the Middlemarch Golf Course Record Challenge. He finished birdie, birdie, par, eagle to tie the course record of 66 just missing out on the $500 bonus for breaking the record.

A seven under par round of 65 was needed on the challenging 5700-metre layout and after 14 holes the best scores were two under. However, Bungard certainly gave it a push. His birdie on the 172-metre par three 16th and an eagle three on the par five 18th were standouts.

From left to right are Middlemarch Course Record Challenge winner Phil Bungard, Richard Emerson (tournament sponsor) and club captain Stacey Atkinson.

Second place went to Brandon Hodgson (Otago) who was one of those two under par after 14. He added another birdie to finish with 69.

Duncan Croudis (Otago) was consistent with 70 for third place. Best of the rest were Rodney Krahenbring (Wanaka) 72, Jacob Bellamy (Port Chalmers), Graeme Barbara (Wanaka) and Ryan Rosevear (Taieri) 73.

The current record holder Alan Rose (Wanaka) found his own record out of reach with a 75 while Mahal Pearce struggled with 76. The course proved no pushover and was in excellent condition with hard and fast fairways and nicely paced greens.

All of the players enjoyed the day although some wished they had come a day earlier for a practice round. The winner Bungard said he was “rapt with the course and concept”.

Atkinson and sponsors Emerson Breweries were pleased with the success of the new event and decided the $500 bonus would jackpot to next year making for a $1000 bonus. — By Neville Idour.