Captain Shane Maloney, Winner Andrew Ogilvie and Sponsors Ron Birmingham and Tony Slee
Wet and windy conditions met the original 98 players who started in the 35th playing of the Cam Wilson Bowl event. 98 started and 84 finished.
Amongst the past winners in the field ere – Andrew Ogilvie (2008), Angus Johnson (2010), Scott Van Heurck (2017), and Vince Caruso (2020).
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.
Longstanding members Tony Slee (49 years) and Ron Birmingham (45 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 the customary “shot of the day”.
Judging from the scores in the morning it must have been a “GALLERY DAY” – Wayne Trumble, Greg Polla, Ian Mumford, Wilfred Ong and Brian Stuart all up amongst the leaders
The morning was led by Captain Shane Maloney (15 H’Cap) and Wayne Trumble (22 H’Cap) with 38 points with the Captain leading on a countback. One was quite surprised as Shane had gone from 11 to 15 over a space of 6 months and had only had 2 scores over 31 points in that time.
Wayne had not performed much better with his handicap going from 19 to 22 over the last 5 months and 6 scores over 31 points
So well done to both players today.
Next was Codie Girdwood (16 H’Cap) with 37 points. Greg Polla (12 H’Cap) on 36 points was next but 13 points over his first nine was costly – to say the least. Six 3 pointers on the back nine eased the pain, somewhat.
So, what could the afternoon plays do? With the weather becoming worse as the day progressed no less than 14 players withdrew at some stage during the afternoon – including the Sponsor Marquee group.
It looked like a race in four – Don O’Brien. (15 H’Cap), General Manager, *Ben Unbehaun (13 H’Cap), 2008 Champion Andrew Ogilvie (9 H’Cap) and Phil Johnson (9 H’Cap).
So here is a progressive leaderboard note * denotes ineligible to win
After 9 holes
Phil Johnson 19 points
*Ben Unbehaun 18 points
Andrew Ogilvie 18 points
After 15 holes
Andrew Ogilvie 33 points
Don O’Brien 32 points
*Ben Unbehaun 31 points
Phil Johnson 29 points
Who could overtake the Captain – if anyone.
It was not going to be Don O’Brien who finished with 3 points over the last 3 holes – total 35 points.
Phil Johnson faired a little better – 5 points and 34 overall.
So, it was down to 2 – Ben and Andrew, Partners in the winning Scramble Team.
Playing together and with holes 3, 4 and 5 to complete it looked like Andrew might hold on.
But 1 point ion the 3rd from him and 3 points from Ben saw it all tied up with two to go.
The “tricky 4th green” got both of them and one point each – still tied.
Now to the 5th and final hole with both needing 3 points to tie with the Captain – and they both made excellent pars and totals of 38 points – what a finish.
Now for the countback-
Wayne Trumble 21.17=38 FOURTH THIRD
Shane Maloney 20.18=38 THIRD SECOND
Andrew Ogilvie 19.19=38 RUNNER-UP WINNER
*Ben Unbehaun 17.21=38 Countback winner but ineligible to win
Whilst Ben Unbehaun would win on a countback to his credit, he made himself ineligible as he is an Honorary Member.
And so, Andrew Ogilvie is crowned the CAM WILSON BOWL CHAMPION for the second time.
It was said earlier about the form of two of the first four players and it is a similar story for the General Manager whose most recent round showed him amassing one point over the last 4 holes. So current form was not on his side either.
Like the others his handicap has drifted over the last 6 months but a couple of high 30’s scores were evident in his record.
But in the end all congratulations go to Andrew Ogilvie on a well-deserved victory.
Best of luck to all players playing in the Spring Cup next weekend.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS-;
WINNER Andrew OGILVIE 38 Points
RUNNER- UP Shane MALONEY 38 Points
THIRD Wayne TRUMBLE 38 Points
FOURTH Codie GIRDWOOD 37 Points
“A” GRADE Greg POLLA 36 Points
“B” GRADE Don O’BRIEN 35 Points
“C” GRADE Lachie RAINSFORD 35 Points
BEST GROSS Matt DUMBLE 27 Points
BEST FORMER CHAMPION Andrew OGILVIE 38 Points
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 CHAMPION ANDREW OGILVIE
Editor’s Footnote
It just goes to show that if you persevere in this game good things will come your way.
And the whilst they did not win Shane Maloney, Wayne Trumble and Ben Unbehaun gave us all hope!!
From Greg Fitzhardinge
