STRONG WINDS and dry conditions wreaked havoc on the greens on Saturday as the opening round of Horsham Golf Club’s championships got under way.
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May’s monthly medal was also contested, with no one bettering a score of net 70 on a day where only seven players shot rounds of par or better.
Trentham Golf Club’s Peter Watts adjusted well to the tough conditions, firing a nine over par 80 playing off a handicap of 10.
His net 70 was enough to win on a countback as a host of other players also settled for rounds of 70.
In the championships, Josh Dossett shot an impressive three over 74 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into round 2.
Scott Boschen’s 76 leaves him in second place and in an enviable position as well.
As the sun dried out the greens and the wind whipped the putting surfaces, golfers found it difficult to hold the greens with their approaches.
Softer, more receptive greens in the morning certainly provided better scoring conditions.
Horsham Golf Club professional Lisa Jean said she eagerly watched the action from the clubhouse.
‘‘I was watching from the pro-shop and the ninth green looked like it was really tough,’’ she said.
‘‘All the balls were rolling off the back. No one was able to stop the ball on the greens.’’
Jean said the difficult conditions certainly made navigating the course a tough ask.
‘‘The greens were really hard and fast considering the wind was getting up,’’ she said.
‘‘Anything around par is good in those conditions,’’ she said.
Jean said with three rounds to go, consistency would go a long way to deciding the club champion.
‘‘At this stage I would say anything up to high 70s is still in it, especially if the weather is going to stay like this,’’ she said.
‘‘We don’t have the likes of who can shoot really low scores this year, so it should be a tight competition, which is really good for the club.’’
Ray Gilmarten and Grant Wright are tied for the lead in the intermediate grade, after both shot rounds of 82 to be tied on net 72.
Zayne Taylor leads B Grade with a net 70, ahead of Terry Reid and Chris Smith, who both had rounds of net 70.
A round of net 70 for Rob Lyness sees him leading C Grade, one stroke clear of Barry James Hopper, who fired a net 71 on Saturday.
The championships continue with round 2 on Saturday.