Golf

5 June, 2025

'Mallee Mauler' continues strong form

The sun was shining and the sky was blue, and with the slightest of gentle breezes whispering down the fairways it was the perfect day for golf.

By Contributed

And so, with it being the first round of the club championships, the Royal and Ancient Rainbow Golf Course played host to its biggest field since the hit and giggle that was opening day.

Seventeen keen golfers took on a fast track that would reward those who stayed straight and punish those who put even the slightest bit of sideways spin on the golf ball.

The field was split into two groups with those whose handicap was 16 or lower finding themselves in A grade while those with 17 or above were put into B grade.

As well as competing for the chance to get off to a good start in the championships (which for 2025 has returned to the best total scores over three rounds), it was also a chance to win some prizes paid for by captain Stephen ‘The Little Pom’ Leach.

And if Leachy is opening his wallet, you had better make the most of this rare event.

No doubt, then, that everyone was keen to do well.

To the A grade first.

The biggest question facing the A graders was would anyone be able to shake off the poor form that had been dogging most of the lower handicap players for 2025.

Marc ‘The Mallee Mauler’ Edelsten had been the only bloke to have scored below 84 this season and had been cleaning up on the veterans’ circuit, having already been crowned Veterans’ Greens Champion for the 2024–25 season.

Or would current champion Stephen ‘The Little Pom’ Leach rediscover his form from 2024?

Or would it be Wayne ‘Groundskeeper’ Nitschke’s year to shine, having already knocked the ‘Little Pom’ out of the singles championship?

And one should never discount previous multiple championship winner Andy ‘Quaddie’ Martion, who is starting to click into gear.

Yes, the Mallee Mauler would shine, with a very well-played 77 off the stick.

But it was the Little Pom who would take the lead in the first round.

Shooting a personal best 73, the little man had a day out, aided by some luck along the way, none luckier than his tee shot on the par three fifth which flew high – too high, he thought.

Leachy took a quick glance at his club and realised that he had selected the wedge instead of the 9-iron.

But then, there was his ball only five feet from the hole.

One person who had no luck was Rodney ‘Blackbeard’ McLean.

Every time he strayed just the slightest bit from the fairway, he ended up stuck in a bush or jammed up against a tree.

All I can say is that there must be quite a few squashed black cats between Rod’s house and the golf course.

Things got very interesting in B grade, where it very quicky became the battle of the generations with two southpaws going blow for blow.

Representing the Baby Boomers was Ol’ Man Goso, and representing the upstart Gen Xers was Mark ‘Muddy’ Cocks.

With the two players sharing a handicap of 17, you knew it was going to be close.

And after the 18 holes were completed, only one shot separates the two lefties, with the more experienced Goso holding the slenderest of leads.

Also not far off the pace are Daryn ‘Bagman’ Clugston and Roger ‘Mr Golf Balls’ Smith.

Special mention must be made of president Roger cleaning up on the 16th birdie hole, winning eight golf balls and thereby leaving him in only a slight golf ball deficit for the season.

Nearest-the-pins for the day were taken out by Aaron ‘DeChambeau’ Glen on the 10th and Little Pom Leach on the 5th.

Also, welcome to Lucas Edelsten and Jason Gebert who played their first (of many, we hope) rounds for the season.

Hope to see you both on the course again soon.

This week golf will be stableford, as well as a chance to kick-start the first round of the pairs knockout.

If you want to be a part of this board event, just let captain Stephen T. Leach know and he will put you into the draw.

Hope to see you there.

Till next week, happy hitting.

SCORES

A grade: S. Leach – 73 – 8 – 65 (disq – captain), M. Edelsten – 77 – 11 – 66 (1st), W. Nitschke – 83 – 12 – 71 (2nd), A. Martion – 84 – 12 - 72, A. Glen – 88 – 15 – 73, R. Sluggett – 90 – 16 - 74, C. Gebert – 91 – 12 – 79, R. McLean – 97 – 16 – 81; B grade: P. Gosling – 88 – 17 – 71 (1st), M. Cocks – 89 – 17 – 72 (2nd), R. Smith – 95 – 20 – 75, D. Clugston – 94 – 18 – 76, D. Schilling – 112 – 36 – 76, O. Clarke – 114 – 37 – 77, H. Hollamby – 109 – 30 – 79, L. Edelsten – 98 – 17 - 81, J. Gebert - 102

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