The second week of the Victorian Par Three Championship was held on Sunday at Kyabram Parkland Golf Club, with the men taking centre stage this week.
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Twenty-year-old D’Arcy Whyte, who is home on holidays from college in the United States, turned up trumps to win the overall event.
A member of Commonwealth Golf Club and Rich River, Whyte was also a junior participant at Parkland learning the skills some years ago.
His win capped a strong performance from the youth over the past fortnight, with 14-year-old Vivien Zhau winning the women’s tournament last week.
“It was probably one of our strongest junior/younger fields,” club representative Naomi Cartwright said.
“D’Arcy’s 20 so he’s just come out of the junior ranks, but the juniors certainly are showing what they can do on the short course.”
Runner-up was last year’s winner Steven Slappendel from Horizons Golf Resorts, who also has local connections.
Whyte compiled rounds of 56, 57 and 58 for a total of 171. Starting the final round one shot ahead of Rich River local Hunter Reid, Whyte announced his intentions with a starting birdie and a nine-hole total of 27.
Then he slipped with a couple of bogeys on the back nine early to enable Slappendel to start a comeback.
Slappendel finishing with 61, 57 and 56 for a total of 174 to be runner-up after a countback from Hunter Reid.
Slappendel was five shots behind Whyte overnight, with Whyte seven up at the turn on Sunday.
However, Slappendel charged home with par for the last nine, while Whyte managed four over 31 to claim victory by three.
Over the two weekends, the club had 89 men from 55 clubs, and 87 ladies from 44 clubs, take to the challenging short course.
“It’s a state event, so the men’s event we attracted about 50 golfers that had a handicap under 10, so the quality of the golfers was increased,” Cartwright said.
“It’s a sought-after event and a challenging event for those golfers that want to test their short game.”
Technical play around the holes was essential, with little room for error, and the high-level play was a treat for local spectators
“A lot of our club members (were watching), as well as a few extra spectators that came with the players,” Cartwright said.
“Our club members came down and had a look to see what they could do and how to play the course at a high level.”
Cartwright thanked the club’s volunteers and event sponsors for their efforts.
Kaybram Parkland’s next major event is a unique speed golf event in October.
The tournament sees players running around the course, with results based on finishing time as well as the usual shot-making.
Results
The overall winner was D’Arcy Whyte, Commonwealth, Rich River 171. Runner-up Steven Slappendel, 174. The 54 hole gross junior winner was Hunter Reid, Commonwealth/Rich River, 174. The net winner was Nathan Todd, Randwick, 174. The 54 hole gross senior winner was Stephen Valentine, Kew, with 177. The 54 hole net A-grade winner was Stephen Valentine, Kew, 171. B-grade, Minjun Ji, Southern, 175. C-grade, Phillip Barling, Garfield, 168.
54 hole A-grade runner-up Hunter Reid, Commonwealth, 171. B-grade went to Warwick Marcakis, Gardiners Run, 176. C-grade was won by Nathan Todd, Ringwood, 174.
Best net score round one. A-grade Steve Graham, Corowa, 54. B-grade, Luke Sciotto, Rich River, 56. C-grade Anthony Harmes, Riverside Mildura, 54. Best net score round 2. A-grade, Justin Ryan, Bendigo, 55. B-grade David Lighfoot, Lakeside, 57. Robert Brown, Gardiners Run, 53. Best net score round 3. A-grade Michael Barca, Mooroopna, 52. B-grade Wayne Quarrell, Torquay RACV, 52. C-grade Daryl Hunter, Traralgon, 55.
Round 1 Nearest the pins. A-grade Michael Barca, Mooroopna, 14th, B-grade Troy Burnett, Ranfurlie, 15th, C Grade Peter Barter, Craigeburn Willmot, 9th, Round 2. Jack Nibbs, Metropolitan, 7th, Steve Donnison, Nagambie, 14th, C-grade Bob Brown, Gardiners Run, 1st. Round 3 A-grade Jack Nibbs, Metropolitan, 10th, B-grade Truc Nguyen, Goonawarra, 1st. C-grade Daryl Hunter, Traralgon, 5th.
The rolling nearest-the-pin went to Joshua Todd, The Australian, 5.7cm.
The team’s event went to Mick Crompton, Kane Burt and Aaron Baker, Parkland, 170. The event was supported by the Kyabram Club.
President Geoff Berry addressed the gathering, thanking the volunteers for their support over the past two weeks.
There were 55 clubs involved in event, with 50 players under a 10 handicap.
2027 plans are under way, with the Par 3 Championship celebrating 21 years.