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Perfect weather and conditions greeted us at the fantastic Riverside Oaks Golf Course just outside Sydney for the 2009 NSW State Long Drive Championships. With a water carry, lakes to the right and a beautiful backdrop of the magnificient clubhouse competitors were keen to get going. During the day there was a slight tailwind, for the first time since we've been coming to Riverside Oaks.
Again there was a good mix of new competitors with the experienced competitors.
Leon Ratapu started things off with a very nice 299.2 metres. On his next turn in the opens he increased his distance to 326.8m still holding onto the lead. Newcomer Craig Sconce (new to long drive, but an elite athletics sprinter) then blasted into the lead with 336.2 metres. He would hold the lead with this distance until late in the afternoon when ex Australian Champion Steven Kennedy snuck past with 337.0 metres. Stevens lead was shortlived however as Leon Rapatu hit 339.5 metres, then to be outdone by Craig Grigson with 342.1metres and then Mark "Shrek" Bylsma with 347.0 metres. By end of qualifying Mark Bylsma held the longest distance with the 347.0metres and Crag "the Animal" Grigson was in second with 342.1 metres.
Mark and Craig then had a playoff. Craig started proceedings with 320.metres. He then increased his distances to 324metres and then 335.0 metres. Could only manage 333.0 metres so Craig Grigson is the 2009 NSW State Long Drive Champion. Mark is Runner up and Leon Rapatu came in a good close third.
Newcomers Craig Sconce (4th), Rodney Laugher (6th), Josh King (8th), Matt Manton (12th) all showed great form for a first hitout and showed they could all be very competitive in Long Drive. Our other newcomers Matt Barlow, Terry Humphries, Brendon Smith, Lee Flemming and Brett Stinson also hit well and will be very much improved by their first hitout.
"Rubber Man" Anthony Donovan showed everyone just how flexible you can be once you get some steel rods put in your back. Anthony is improving with each event and is working hard to get to the top guys. A 318.9 metres was a great effort. Simon Abbott, Ben Dyer,Sam Isaacs (back after several years of tapering) and James Craig all showed they still have what it takes to be at the top of long drive.Congratulations to all hitters.
In the Senior Division Michael Grant hit great all day and at one stage held the longest drive out of anyone at 329.3 metres. He will definitely be a force at the nationals.
Kerry Frew won the Super Senior Division, while Claire Johnson (for the second year in a row) won the Women's division.
Thankyou to everyone at Riverside Oaks for providing such a great venue, as well as assitance and service on the day. Well done also to all the competitors.
| Place |
Category |
Competitor |
Qualifying Dist. |
Final |
| 1 |
Men's |
Craig Grigson |
342.1 |
344.2 |
| 2 |
Men's |
Mark Bylsma |
347.0 |
333.0 |
| 3 |
Men's |
Leon Ratapu |
339.5 |
|
| 4 |
Men's |
Stephen Kennedy |
337.0 |
|
| 5 |
Men's |
Craig Sconce |
336.2 |
|
| 6 |
Men's |
Rodney Laugher |
335.0 |
|
| 7 |
Men's |
Simon Abbott |
329.0 |
|
| 8 |
Men's |
Josh King |
324.7 |
|
| 9 |
Men's |
Ben Dyer |
324.7 |
|
| 10 |
Men's |
Jason Gruber |
324.5 |
|
| 11 |
Men's |
Anthony Donovan |
318.9 |
|
| 12 |
Men's |
Matt Manton |
318.2 |
|
| 13 |
Men's |
Sam Isaacs |
318.1 |
|
| 14 |
Men's |
James Craig |
318.0 |
|
| 15 |
Men's |
Matt Barlow |
290.3 |
|
| 16 |
Men's |
Terry Humphries |
286.3 |
|
| 17 |
Men's |
Brendan Smith |
285.1 |
|
| 18 |
Men's |
Lee Flemming |
285.0 |
|
| 19 |
Men's |
Brett Stinson |
280.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Senior's |
Michael Grant |
329.3 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Super Senior's |
Kerry Frew |
155.0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Women's |
Claire Johnson |
165.0 |
|
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