Saturday the 8th of October saw 97 players contest the 32nd playing of the Cam Wilson Bowl event and the following Past Winners were in the field – Andrew Ogilvie (2008), Angus Johnson (2010), Stewart Wharton (2015), Scott Van Heurck (2017), Grant Evans (2019) and Vince Caruso (2020).
The Cam Wilson Bowl was inaugurated in 1991 and was named after former Captain, President, Historian and Life Member Cam Wilson. The Cup was a forerunner to the CG Dudley Cup and Club Championships. Prior to 1991 only Full Members were eligible to play in the CG Dudley so the committee of the day decided to include a number of Provisional Members in the field and these positions came from the results of the Cam Wilson Bowl. Now it is open to all members with Saturday Playing Rights.
Longstanding members Tony Slee (46 years) and Ron Birmingham (42 years) once again sponsored the day and we thank them for their continued support of the Bowl.
Invited to join their playing group was former member Phil McPhail (a past Club Champion).
It was a perfect Spring Day with warm and still conditions all day. After the morning field had finished the in form Bevan Lawrence (13 H’Cap) – fresh from victory in last Saturday’s event was leading on a countback from Cliff Matson (19 H’Cap) with 40 points. At the end of the day no points on the 14th hole for Cliff could prove to be costly.
Close behind on 39 points was Jeff Lane (16 H’Cap) and “Mr Consistent” David Southam (5 H’Cap) and David Williams (27 H’Cap) were a further point adrift. So, it was to be a nervous wait for the morning leader.
In the afternoon a couple of players started well but in the later stages of their round went backwards very quickly – both Simon Smith (19 H’Cap) and Richard Lee (17 H’Cap) were sitting on 30 points after 13 holes but both players could only manage 5 points in the last 5 holes to fall out of contention. (A little different to Simon’s blistering finish in the Winter Cup).
The Autumn Cup winner, Michael du Pont (10 H’Cap), finished strongly over his back nine with 21 points but that was not enough for victory.
So just when you think it is all over, you have finished your article and Bevan is rehearsing his victory speech, along comes a player in the final group not using the AP and after every card is in, bar one, Brady Morris (11 H’Cap) pips Bevan Lawrence on a countback. And that is despite wiping the 1st and 10th. But 16 points over his final 6 holes saw a well deserved come from behind victory – a great effort.
Cliff Matson held on to third position and Jeff Lane was fourth on a countback from Michael du Pont. Then followed David Southam and David Williams on 38 points and Greg Parry, David Andrich, Keedan Nelles and Gerhard Saueracker on 37 points.
Anthony Joseph took out the Best Gross with 34 points and the best of the past winners was Scott Van Heurck with a creditable 36 points from his 7 H’Cap. Grant Evans (10 H’Cap) also had 36 points but Scott won on a countback.
Finally, congratulations to our 2022 Champion Brady Morris on a well-deserved victory. One has to feel for Bevan Lawrence but he must surely be among the favourites for the C. G Dudley.
The sponsors made a further distribution of golf balls to some of those in attendance at presentations.
A special vote of thanks to our sponsors of the day, veteran members Tony Slee and Ron Birmingham, the staff and the 97 players who made the day a success.
Roving Reporter’s Comment
One of the sponsors (and not Tony Slee) had a day he would rather forget and finished stone motherless!!! No doubt he was suitably rewarded for his effort.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS-;
WINNER Brady MORRIS 40 Points
RUNNER- UP Bevan LAWRENCE 40 Points
“A” GRADE Michael du PONT 39 Points
“B” GRADE Cliff MATSON 40 Points
“C” GRADE David WILLIAMS 38 Points
BEST GROSS Anthony JOSEPH 34 Points
From Greg Fitzhardinge
