Saturday the 5th of October saw 117 players contest the 34th playing of the Cam Wilson Bowl event and the following Past Winners were in the field – Mal Skipworth (1999), Mark Palmer (2002), Andrew Ogilvie (2008), Angus Johnson (2010), Colin Yoong (2014 and 2021), Scott Van Heurck (2017), Grant Evans (2019), Vince Caruso (2020) and the defending Champion Cliff Matson.
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.
Once again longstanding members Tony Slee (48 years) and Ron Birmingham (44 years) sponsored the day and we thank them for their continued support. And everyone who was at presentations who did not receive a Voucher received their personal “shot” for the day.
It was a perfect Spring Day with warm conditions all day. The scores reflected the conditions with no less than 26 players scoring 36 points or better. After the morning field had finished 11 players had matched even par or better and the best of those was former Captain Jim Claffey (35 H’Cap) with an outstanding 44 points – the best he had returned since his amazing 51 points on the 16th of November, 2019.
First off as usual, Jim started quietly and only had 9 points after 5 holes but then the next 3 holes set up his score – 10 points and he turned in 21. Then the back nine was full of points and not a single wipe – 23 points and overall 44. Could this be matched?
David Southam (6 H’Cap) started with a Birdie and 3 points. He continued with 2 pointers for the next 6 holes but finished his front nine with 2×3 pointers – total 21 points. A solid back nine of 20 points gave him a total of 41 points. Dave won the best Gross with a very creditable 35 points.
Tim Tan (6 H’Cap), starting from the 6th hole, looked anything like a contender after 2 holes – 2 points. Then he woke up with 4 points on the 8th and 3 points on the 9th. He turned for home with 20 points – not bad for someone who only had 2 points after 2 holes. A solid final 9 holes saw 19 points and 39 overall.
The 2023 CG Dudley Cup Winner, Luke Bai (11 H’Cap), was warming up for his Cup defence and also had 39 points. His card was sprinkled with 3 and 4 pointers but a blemish on the 10th hole saw 2 points thrown away and cost him any chance of catching the leader.
Could anyone catch the leader in the afternoon?
Enter Mark Galligan (23 H’Cap) – a member since 2017 but had not played a competitive round at Nedlands since May 2023. He must have been playing socially or practicing a lot, as starting from the 6th, he had 11 points after 4 holes and then the rot set in – 3 points in the next 4 holes. Saved by 3 points on the 14th he turned in a very middle of the road 17 points. So, he was not going to challenge – or was he? He started his final 9 holes with 3×3 pointers, a 4 pointer, and a further 2×3 points – total in 6 holes 19 points and back in contention. He finished with a couple of 2 pointers and a final 3 pointer for a total of 26 points for the nine and 43 overall.
In his last 20 rounds, Gav Morgan (13 H’Cap) had one score of 39 points and one of 36, so when he started with a “wipe” on the first hole he was not in the hunt, so it seemed. Whilst he righted the ship and finished with18 points on his front nine, 44 points was a long way away. A quiet start to the back nine with 2 points on the 10th. And then 3,3,4,3,3 – 16 points and 36 points with 3 holes to play. Six points were added and he signed for 42 points – excellent given his form coming in and his start to the day.
Paul Jenkins (28 H’Cap) had his best round for some considerable time (13th of April – 40 points) and whilst he did not mount a serious challenge his 39 points was enough to be the day’s “C” Grade winner.
Andrew Ogilvie (7 H’Cap), whilst probably not a threat to the winner or Runner Up could have easily snatched the “A” Grade winner’s prize but an untimely “wipe” on the 17th saw that disappear and he had to settle for third position and the best of the previous winners.
A special vote of thanks to our sponsors of the day, Tony Slee and Ron Birmingham, for their continued support of “The Bowl” and thanks also to the Course, House and Pro shop staff and the 117 players who made the day a success.
Best of luck to all players playing in the CG Dudley Cup next weekend.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS-;
WINNER Jim CLAFFEY 44 Points
RUNNER- UP Mark GALLIGAN 43 Points
THIRD Andrew OGILVIE 39 Points
FOURTH Luke BAI 39 Points
“A” GRADE Timothy TAN 39 Points
“B” GRADE Gav MORGAN 42 Points
“C” GRADE Paul JENKINS 39 Points
BEST GROSS David SOUTHAM 35 Points (Gross Stroke Score of 73)
BEST FORMER CHAMPION Andrew OGILVIE 39 Points
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2024 CHAMPION JAMES “JIM” CLAFFEY
Roving Reporter’s Comment
After so many years playing at Nedlands you really would think our Sponsors would know that when you tee off the 18th you tee off from the BLUE MARKERS not THE WHITE!!!
One of the sponsors had 38 points after 17 holes- costly mistake.
Grace Furness after having 38 points MAY be back in favour with her father and it is possible they will be paired together in the next Mixed Event – NEXT YEAR!!
From Greg Fitzhardinge
