Storms Hit Hard at Championship Final

Monday, Nov 28, 2005

The team from Morrinsville will be hoping for a strong finish today

After a heavy rainstorm storm blew through the Sunshine Coast in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving behind a blustery sea breeze, it was the team from the NSW south coast town of Port Kembla who handled the demanding conditions better than the rest to emerge as narrow leader of Holden Scramble Championship Final.

The Twin Waters course bared its teeth and made life difficult to all but a few of the 32 teams during Sunday's second round, however the Port Kembla combination made an eagle at their final hole, for an outstanding net score of 51.125 and will take a narrow advantage over the first round leading Morrinsville team from New Zealand into the final day today.

Comprising professional Richard Jumrukovski, Martin Perry, Brett Tarrant and his wife Gaye, the Port Kembla team were looking forward to starting the final round half a shot ahead of the Morrinsville team.

While the male team members had a big influence on the team score, Gaye Tarrant, a current member of the Australian Indoor Hockey squad, also made a strong contribution despite being short on experience as far as the sport of golf goes.

"I've only been playing regularly for about six or seven months," she explained. "My husband Brett, who is in this team, plays so I thought I might as well join him. This whole Holden Scramble thing has been a great experience."

The Port Kembla team won through at their local event, sponsored by Dwyers City Holden, before being successful in taking out the Camden Lakeside regional final with an impressive net score of 48.125.

However, the team from NSW will need to be at its best on the final day to hold off the Kiwis from Morrinsville, who played their second round with the 24-0 scoreline from the Tri Nations Rugby League final contested overnight, emblazoned on the front of their golf carts. They, along with another Kiwi foursome from the Russley Golf Club who are currently fourth, have an outstanding opportunity to upstage the Aussies in another international sporting contest.

The team from Logan City near Brisbane separates the two New Zealand outfits in third place, while Windsor golf club, located west of Sydney, is fifth.

A cut was made to the leading 17 teams, with those successful set to play their final round with one of Australasia's leading touring professionals. The team from Norfolk Island, making their first visit to a Holden Scramble Championship Final, luckily claimed the 17th spot. A consolation flight will also take place for the remaining 15 Championship Final teams.

At the conclusion of the second round a random draw was conducted to determine which touring pros would partner the Championship flight qualifiers, with Nathan Green, a creditable 17th at the Australian Open to play with Bargara, David McKenzie with Peregian Springs, Steven Bowditch will partner Castle Hill and the big hitting American Bubba Watson has been draw to play alongside Norfolk Island.

Leader Port Kembla have drawn accomplished Victorian Cameron Percy, while Gareth Paddison will attempt to get his fellow Kiwis over the line when he tees up with the Morrinsville team.

Peter Lonard and former US PGA Champion, American Shaun Micheel, will also take part in the festivities during the final day.

In the Women's Holden Scramble Final, Yamba clawed back a couple of shots on front runners Toowoomba, however the Queenslanders will take a commanding lead into the third and final round.

On the last day Holden Young Lions Carlie Butler will join the Yamba team, while Nicole James will play with Toowoomba.

Day two scores

Port Kembla (NSW) - 105.25
Morrinsville (NZ) - 105.75
Logan City (Qld) - 108
Russley (NZ) - 108.75
Windsor (NSW) - 109
Bargara (Qld) - 110.5
Goulburn (NSW) - 110.75
Eagle Ridge (Vic) - 111.25
Wentworth (NSW) - 111.5
Kempsey (NSW) - 112.75
Gold Coast CC (Qld) - 113
Castle Hill (NSW) - 113.25
Rossdale (Vic) - 113.75
Peregian Springs (Qld) - 113.75
Paraparaumu (NZ) - 114.5
New Brighton (NSW) - 115
Norfolk Island - 115

Mt Gambier (SA) - 115.75
Araluen (WA) - 115.75
Kyneton (Vic) - 116
Tuggerah Lakes (NSW) - 116.25
Bendigo (Vic) - 116.25
Gulf Harbour (NZ) - 116.5
Highercombe (SA) - 117
Katanning (WA) - 117
Mowbray (Tas) - 117.5
Catalina (NSW) - 118
Cairns (Qld) - 119.25
Riverlands (NSW) - 119.75
Te Puke (NZ) - 120.5
Ryde-Parramatta (NSW) - 120.75
St Clair (NZ) - 123

Holden Scramble Women's Final

Toowoomba (Qld) - 110
Yamba (NSW) - 116.5

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