COOTAMUNDRA golfers will flock to the local course this weekend for one of the most anticipated events on the annual program.
More than 100 players are expected to tee up in the 2010 staging of the Holden Scramble, with the
ultimate aim of each team being the chance to progress to the National Final at the luxurious Queensland lay out atTwin Waters later in the year.
Like many golf clubs around the country, the Scramble has been an institute at the Cootamundra Club, for many years enjoying the support of long time Holden dealership, Jenkins Garage.
With the sale of Jenkins last September, new owner Phil Hines was adamant that partnership would
continue.
“I know how much golfers look forward to
competing in the Holden Scramble and Cootamundra Holden was more than happy to carry on the
tradition,” Hines said.
“The Jenkins family were synonymous with the Holden dealership in Coota and were great supporters of the Holden Scramble.”
A keen golfer himself, but one whose hectic
business profile prevents him from getting out on the
fairways as much as he would like, Hines is urging all local players to line up on Saturday.
“It (the Scramble) is a great event,” he said.
“The format of four-person ambrose means most teams will have plenty of birdie chances and there’s nothing more exciting than trying to knock in a birdie putt.”
Hines has first hand experience of playing in the Scramble and in 2001 was fortunate enough to compete in the Regional Final.
“It was by default really as my cousin Steve, who was a part of the winning team locally along with Jeff Davies, Ted Hardy and Kieran Sargent, couldn’t make the Regional Final in Canberra so I filled in,” he said.
“It was a great experience and I know what the
winners of Saturday’s event can look forward to.”
Hines is hopeful the response to this year’s Scramble mirrors that from last year when the Coota event attracted enough players to send two teams away to the Regional Final.
“We need 27 teams, or 108 players to qualify two sides and early suggestions are we’ll do that,” he said.
As of Tuesday morning 21 teams had confirmed tee times and, with at least a couple more certain to add their names to the list the 108 target is well within reach.
Among the benefits to all golfers who play on the weekend is a $500 cash back available on the purchase of any new Holden vehicle in the next 12 months.
Staff from Cootamundra Holden will be on course on Saturday, manning a barbecue and drinks station on the fourth hole.
“It will be a gold coin donation for each, with all proceeds going to junior golf here in Coota,” Phil said.
Cootamundra golfers have a remarkable record in recent Holden scramble, with four teams qualifying for the National Final in recent years.
Garry Mason, Russell Peck and Mick Trinder
started the trend in 2003, while Brent Lange
combined with Phil and Jan Davies three years later to book themselves a berth to Queensland.
The following year, 2007, saw two Coota-based teams make it through to the big one, with local winners Daryl O’Keefe, Bruce Webb and Tayce Cheshire taking the next step at a Regional Final at Yowani in Canberra, while Joel Hart, Roger Hart and David Harris claimed the Harden Holden Scramble before winning another regional final at Federal Golf Club.
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