More than 300 players from 75 regional clubs made the trek to Perth to compete in Drummond Golf Men’s Country Week.
With a variety of competitions – including Stableford, 4BBB, foursomes and stroke play – held across 14 clubs across the metro area, there was something for everyone and some ferocious competition throughout the five-day celebration of country golf.
It was Bunbury Golf Club’s Danny Ennor (pictured above) who was the week’s biggest winner as he edged out Drew Wilkins (Kondinin GC) to secure the 36-hole Country Stroke Play Championship at Meadow Springs Country Club – an event dating back to 1924.
Ennor fired rounds of 75 and 76 against the club’s par of 72 for a 151 total. This was matched by Wilkins, who carded 74 and 77, but the title went to Ennor on a countback. Brookton GC’s Ryan Sheridan, meanwhile, was third just a shot further back.
His win was Ennor’s eighth Country Stroke Play Championship title across four decades, his previous victories coming in 1998, 2002, ’03, ’09, ’10, ’11, and ’13. Only country golf titans Barry Jones (12 titles between 1956-81) and RM Wansborough (nine titles between 1932-55) have won the event more times than Ennor.
Sand greens duo claim foursomes crown
The Vines Golf & Country Club hosted the 36-hole Country Foursomes Championship, which was won in fine style by Rodney Shemeld (Goomalling GC) and Gil Jones (Calingiri GC).
Shemeld and Jones both play their golf at sand greens clubs but mastered The Vines’ fast grass greens to post a comfortable victory with a 151 two-round total.
This left them five clear of Bunbury GC’s Shane O’Donovan and Simon Golem, with further Bunbury pairing Matt Simmons and Danny Ennor in third a further stroke behind.
Gil Jones and Rodney Shemeld won the Country Foursomes Championship
Elsewhere across the week, Watheroo GC’s 24-year-old Kit Lefroy did enough to suggest he may be leading the next generation of country golfers. Lefroy claimed victory in the 18-hole Stableford event at Royal Perth on day one and was also runner-up in the 18-hole par comp at The Cut the next day.
The event rounded out with the City vs Country Match Play challenge at Nedlands GC, which was won by the Country Team 4-3. Gil Jones, Stephen Graham, Michael Cave and Chris Rawes put the crucial points on the board.
Neil Goddard, GolfWA’s Operations Manager, hailed the success of the week, saying: “Men’s Country Week is one of the most enjoyable events of the year and we were delighted to see such strong support from so many clubs once again.
“Our congratulations to all the winners, particularly Danny Ennor, whose longevity and consistency is extremely impressive. To win an eighth stroke play championship is no mean feat and Danny can rightfully be considered one of the best WA country golfers of his generation.
“Thanks to Drummond Golf for their on-going support of this event, and to all our host clubs who did so much to welcome our players and provide them with a great golfing experience.
“Around two-thirds of our field predominantly play on sand greens, so for them to come to Perth and have access to a number of the best grass greens courses in the state is something they greatly appreciate and enjoy.”
Drummond Golf Men’s Country Week results
18-Hole Stableford – Lakelands CC
1st (38 points) = Mark Turner (Pickering Brook GC)
2nd (35 pts) = Noel Nottle (Calingiri GC)
18-Hole Stableford – Royal Fremantle
1st (34 points C/B) = Shane Woods (Tambellup GC)
2nd (34 pts) = Reegan Davis (Harvey)
18-Hole Stableford – Royal Perth
1st (41 points) = Kit Lefroy (Watheroo GC)
2nd (37 pts C/B) = Paul Marres (Wundowie GC)
18-Hole Par – Mosman Park
1st (+2) = Alan Goodall (Broomehill GC)
2nd (+1) = Adrian Rebane (Goomalling GC)
18-Hole Par – The Cut
1st (+6) = Jordan Dwyer (Santuary GC)
2nd (+3) = Kit Lefroy (Watheroo GC)
36-Hole Country Stroke Play – Meadow Springs
1st (151 C/B) = Danny Ennor (Bunbury GC)
2nd (151) = Drew Wilkins (Kondinin GC)
18-Hole Stroke – Hartfield
1st (69 C/B) = Steve Tanner (Wundowie GC)
2nd (69) = Jeremy Lister (Harvey GC)
18-Hole Stableford – Pinjarra
1st (37 points C/B) = Terry Armstrong (Pingaring GC)
2nd (37 pts) = Henry Blechynden (Kweda GC)
18-Hole Stableford – Rockingham
1st (44 points) = Steven Baker (Denmark CC)
2nd (40 pts C/B) = Mike Ryder (Toodyay GC)
36-Hole Country Foursomes – The Vines
1st (152) = Rodney Shemeld (Goomalling GC) & Gil Jones (Calingiri GC)
2nd (157) = Shane O’Donovan & Simon Golem (Bunbury GC)
18-Hole 4BBB Stableford – Mandurah
1st (47 points) = Michael Dujardin & Dale Brede (Pickering Brook GC)
2nd (45 pts) = Stephen Mumme & Cliff Welsh (Donnybrook GC)
18-Hole 4BBB Stableford – Wanneroo
1st (48 points) = Tery Armstrong & Steve Wilson (Pingaring GC)
2nd (47 pts) = Dominic Ripepi & Trevor Waterhouse (Merredin GC)
City vs Country Math Play – Nedlands
Country beats City 4 points to 3
Access all the results from Drummond Golf Men’s Country Week here.
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