The most prestigious event on the Men’s Calendar, THE CG DUDLEY CUP, was played over 36 Holes of Stroke Play over the weekend of October 12 and October 13. SHAW and PARTNERS replaced our long-term sponsors as sponsors of this year’s “Dudley” and Club Championships – but the faces were the same- Stuart Beattie and Mark Palmer. Our appreciation is extended to Stuart and Mark for their ongoing support of the club.
2024 marks the 74th playing of “THE DUDLEY”, and a field of 111 players started on Saturday in their journey to be crowned champion on Sunday evening and to qualify for the Club Championships. Pleasingly this was 22 or so more than in 2023. There were 17 Junior/Intermediate Members in this year’s field who did not play in 2023.
Just a little bit of history about the man after which the trophy is named, for those who do not already know.
CYRIL DUDLEY – President for 27 years (1932-1950 and 1955-1962)
In 1933 he was made a Life Member and in 1963 “President Emeritus” which literally means “one who has retired with honour”.
In 1975 he was awarded a C.B.E.by the Queen for services to Real Estate, Sport, Politics and Community Service.
Family–
His wife Pam was a Founding Member and Life Member.
Tom Dudley, one of his six children, was a member of the first winning “A” Grade Pennant team in 1960. Son John was also a member and handy golfer.
Cyril himself played on a handicap as low as 6 and was a member of a winning “B” Grade team.
His daughter, Anne, married Herb Elliott in 1959.
Some of Cyril’s other achievements
President of WA Golf Association
President of Subiaco Football Club
President of the Real Estate Institute – both the state and national bodies
Life Member Real Estate Institute of Australia
Involved in organizational committee for the 1962 Empire Games (now Commonwealth Games)
Past champions in the field included – David Falconer (1976 and 2003), Brian Hanna, (1989), Andrew Everett (2007), Timothy Tan (2009), Campbell Thomson (2020) and the Defending Champion Luke Bai.
ROUND ONE
A lovely Spring Day greeted all players and there were no excuses for any player not to have a good score
In the morning “Gallery” member Wayne Trumble (20 H’Cap) led the way with net 69 which was made up of two consistent nines, spoil by double bogeys on the 9th and 18th.
Next one shot behind was the effervescent John Samuels (6 H’Cap) whose net 70 was spoilt also by a double bogey on the last. His Gross 76 saw hm in 3rd place for the Pascoe Cup awarded to the player with the leading Gross score over the 36 holes.
Then followed a group of 5 players on 71 – Joe Jones (10 H’Cap), James Pluske (7 H’Cap), Bob King (20 H’Cap), Tim Song (18 H’Cap), John Mitchell (20 H’Cap)
In the afternoon the wind came up and made scoring a little more difficult with only two players under par – Richard Lee (18 H’Cap) and Julian Blythe (16 H’Cap) both with 71.
Richard started well but his front nine was spoilt by 2 triple bogeys on the 8th and 9th. – out in 48. Two Birdies late in his back nine saw him home in 43 and he was still in with a chance of winning The Dudley.
Julian, the winner of the Neil Watson Tray 2 weeks before was out in 41 and was heading for the lead, but all his good work was undone on the inward nine where 4 doubles saw him home in4 6, but still in with an excellent chance.
A further 6 players were on even par 72.
So it was an open event with fifteen players within 3 shots on even par 72 or better.
The Defending Champion, Luke Bai (11 H’Cap) was 5 shots adrift of the leader and with some work to be done if he was to have back-to-back wins.
The Best Gross belonged to Edmond Hall with two over par 74. Keedan Nelles was next on 3 over par 75, John Samuels on 4 over par 76 and Brendan Jones and David Falconer on 5 over par 77.
In the “over 55’s” John Samuels with 76 led the favorite, and winner for the past five years, David Falconer by one shot going into Sunday.
ROUND TWO
Once again, a beautiful Spring Day greeted the players with temperatures in the low to mid-twenties.
Could this be the year for John Samuels? could Wayne Trumble go on with the job? would one of the players within 3 of the leader come to the fore? or could it be someone from outside the top 15? Time would tell.
So, let’s start our round up of Day 2 with the overnight leaders playing in the morning.
Wayne Trumble (20 H’Cap) it has to be said hung on for dear life over his first few holes but then the Curse of The Dudley hit him and a disastrous back nine sprinkled with 7’s an 8 and a 9 saw him fall down the Leaderboard – but he had the best first round net in his keeping.
Now what was John Samuels (6 H’Cap) doing? He was going extremely well over his first 13 holes and was 3 over the card and then The Curse got him – 7 on the 14th. He had a Birdie on the 16th and closed with two bogeys and net 74 for the day – Overall net 144 – even par.
His playing partner Tim Song (18 H’Cap) could not buy a par on his back nine and had 8 bogeys and one double to end up with net 73 and net 145 for the weekend.
After 71 on Saturday, Joe Jones (10 H’Cap), starting from the 6th was going along steadily and with 5 holes left to play still had half his handicap left. A bogey on the first and then The Curse of The Dudley paid him a visit – with a triple on the second. To his credit he regrouped and finished off his round with 3 pars and signed for another net 71 and was the overall leader in the clubhouse with 142.
James Pluske (7 H’Cap) started both nines with a birdie but after that there were too many bogeys and a final score of 76 saw him finish the weekend on 147.
After a first round of 79 Alastair Henderson ((20 H’Cap) was looking for a vast improvement which he did easily – net 67 and a contender for the best second round score. Overall, a creditable 146.
The Defending Champion, Luke Bai did not make any impression and finished the day with 76 and 150 overall.
So, after the morning round the overall leader was Oz Jones (10 H’Cap) with an overall score of 142. Next was John Samuels (6 H’Cap) on 143 followed by Tim Song (18 H’Cap) on even par 144.
The battle for the Pascoe Cup was heating up with the defending Club Champion, Tristan Geerlings bouncing back after an opening round of 79 with a one under par 71 and a total of 150.
And now to the afternoon round.
Not much was happening with the afternoon field however a couple of players caught the eye
Oliver Bisschops (17 H’Cap) was making a charge. After opening with an average first round of 76 and starting from the 6th he started with 2 birdies and whilst there was a triple on his front nine, he turned 5 over the card. With 5 holes to play he was 7 over and looking good. He found pars hard to come by over his final holes and returned an excellent 67 and a total of 143 which would ultimately give him third place.
After a fine 71 on Saturday John Mitchell (20 H’Cap) was well in contention after 9 holes – net 34, but the next 5 holes probably cost him The Dudley- 4 doubles and a bogey. He closed well and finished with a second round 71 and total of 142 but the damage had been done and he was running second behind Joe Jones – on a countback.
Then lurking in the background was two times Champion, David Falconer (5 H’Cap) who was just off the pace after round one – net 72. After 9 holes on Sunday, he was 4 over the card and looking good for a place but probably not the win.
His back nine on Sunday was outstanding – 8 pars and one Birdie on the 13th – easy as you like. Net 70 coupled with his net 72 in round one saw him clinch the win on a countback from Joe Jones and John Mitchell.
In doing so he became the first player in the 74 years of the C.G. Dudley to win the cup three times – congratulations on an amazing feat.
The Pascoe Cup awarded to the winner of the Best Gross was won by Tristan Geerlings on 150 with none other than David Falconer on 152 and John Samuels on 155
David Falconer won his 5th consecutive over 55’s trophy on 152 with John Samuels next on 155.
FINAL RESULTS
Winner David Falconer 142 OCB
Second Joe Jones 142
Third John Mitchell 142
Fourth Oliver Bisschops 143 ocb
Fifth John Samuels 145
Sixth Tim Song 144
Seventh Dylan Morgan 145
Eighth Alastair Henderson 146
Ninth Gavin Furness 147 ocb
Tenth James Russ 147
Eleventh Calum Lindsay 147
Twelth James Pluske 147
PASCOE CUP WINNER – Tristan Geerlings – 79.71=150
OVER 55’S David Falconer 77.75=152
It is the start of a busy period for the courses staff with major course renovations being undertaken in early November. The course was presented in the best shape for some considerable time – so well done to Brad and his team.
Thanks to the Pro Shop and House staff for their efforts over the weekend.
A big thankyou to Mark Palmer and Stuart Beattie from SHAW and PARTNERS for their sponsorship of this years’ CG Dudley and Club Championships. You are very valued club members.
Best of luck to all of those who qualified for the Club Championships.
Congratulations to David Falconer in winning his third CG Dudley Cup.
From Greg Fitzhardinge
