Magnetic Island
Crystal clear water, Koalas, Tiger Sharks, missed taxis and the greatest State of Origin match we have ever seen were all some of the highlights of our weekend in Townsville, Tropical North QLD.
Firstly, a sold out field took on the toughest terrain and tricky golf challenges we have seen in the Survivor Golf Series.
A 9-hole course with 4 difficult par 3s and the hardest par 5 in Far North Qld for many reasons. Mid way through the qualifying round I had to give a team relief to move their ball away from the stubborn Koala on the putting surface which was not going to budge!
With local knowledge proving to be the key it came down to 2 local teams battling it out in an intense playoff. Both teams shooting an impressive 59 (Nett 7 Under)
Kilts & Cox (Tom Grieve and Iain McKay) and The Greenskeepers (Grant Vormister and Greg Melvin).
The Greenskeepers looked to have the advantage early in the playoff making an impressive par but with nerves of steel, Iain McKay squared the ledger to force a second sudden death playoff in front of the 80 strong semi-intoxicated locals.
It was then Tommy G sinking a 20-foot birdie putt, putting one hand on the trophy and one foot to Port Douglas. It was over to you Greg Melvin and without hesitation holed a 15-foot birdie putt to send the crowd into applause and force a NTP shootout for the 3rd attempt in this awesome playoff.
With the sun coming down and bad light almost stopping play it was Iain McKay’s solid wedge game proving too strong, sending Kilts and Cox in the Grand Final in Port Douglas. The Boys turned up the Ronan Keating and partied hard late into the night.
Rowes Bay
Sunday saw our 2nd of 2 events in Townsville, held at Rowes Bay GC, featuring many celebrity guests and Survivor Golf debutants, all chasing the glamours golden ticket.
I would have to say the course condition was magnificent and hats off to the golfing staff at Rowes Bay for incredible conditions of play, especially the greens.
Early favourites Chad Townsend (Cowboys) & Elliot Lovejoy (MMM) found early water and ball misplacement trouble and were never sighted on the leaderboard but were heard saying in the clubhouse they will be back next year for some redemption.
This event saw a tearaway leader who were never headed. Out wide (Brendan Egan & Chris Mann) barely put a foot wrong to shoot an equal survivor course record (Nett 12 under) and a well-deserved spot in the final.
With 80 players we needed to find a second place to qualify into the finals and this is where all the drama unfolded.
3 Teams all squaring off at Nett -9 forcing a 3-team playoff in front of the beautiful 18th green and competitors from the day.
SharksSeaEagles (Norman Sillay and Steve Kain)
Put Your Winkers On (Brian Winkle and Barry Robinson)
The Humphries (Darren Morrison and Paul Young)
Paul Young and Steve Kain both hitting nice shots into roughly 15 feet setting up nice birdie attempts which had The Humphreys and SharksSeaEagles in a very strong position. Brian Winkle landing one 30-foot past just on the edge.
It was then Barry Robinson stepping up and holing a 30-foot birdie putt which broke 7 times before dumping in the cup receiving a huge applause from the crowd. This putt proved to be way too good for all involved, sending Winkle and Young to the big dance in Port Douglas.
A special thanks to everyone who travelled so far to be a part of this unreal event. Can’t wait to take on this part of the country next year.