The 10 finalists were Clarrie Power, Barry Duggan, John Brooker, Geoff Byrne, Doug Tozer, Steve Buttriss, Graeme Goodman, Jim Smith, Allan Bear and Garry Mason.

They hit off the first with much banter, under the watchful eye of referee Phil Moon.

Clarrie nearly went out of bounds with his first shot however recovered but was unfortunately eliminated on the first hole.

John Brooker didn’t drive well on the second but Jim Smith with his trusty five iron cleared the water. John after missing a short putt, was the second person out.

On the third, handicapper Steve Buttriss (after two pars and four points on the first two holes) hit the ball out of bounds. 

Allan Bear hit the ladies tee, however it ricocheted back onto the second fairway. After both Steve and Allan had misses, the first chip off was held, with Steve eliminated.

The fourth saw Jim Smith continue with his five iron and Barry Duggan ending up above the path on the right, his chip a little hard and down the hill leading to his elimination. Garry Mason had a tap in birdie.

The fifth saw Geoff Byrne over the green, Jim, Graeme and Allan in the bunker, with Garry and Doug on the green. After a chip off between Graeme and Geoff, it was the end of the day for the latter. Garry birdied this as well.

On the sixth, everyone progressed well down the fairway culminating in Allan and Doug having a chip off that Doug won.

The seventh hole saw Jim struggling until he hit a great shot onto the green for five. Garry and Doug were on in two with Graeme just short. Doug made par, Garry birdie and Jim sinking a 20-footer for a 6/2 Graeme converted into a 4/2, resulting in another chip off. Graeme’s chip was not the best, however Jim hit his too long and was out. They were down to three as the challenge progressed. 

On the eighth hole Graeme drove up the edge of the 18th and finally found his ball five feet up a tree, leading to an unplayable lie and penalty. 

Garry put his second into the bunker, with Doug just short for three. Meanwhile, Graeme put his third into the bunker and finally into the hole for a 6/-, Doug sunk a six-footer for 5/2 and Garry managed a 5/1. Graeme was eliminated. 

On the ninth hole with two to go, Doug played first and unfortunately found Poole Street. Garry was on the back of the green. Doug’s second ball trickled just off the 

back, and after chipping in he finished with a six. 

Garry two-putted for par winning the hole and his first Triple C, after carding a two under par 33 for the front nine.

Congratulations to all competitors and a special mention to Phil Moon for adjudicating and to Bruce Carberry of Cootamundra Carpet Care for his generous sponsorship. 

A good afternoon of refreshment and prawns was held after the event.

Congratulation also to Judy Finkle in winning the first ladies Triple C Challenge. 

More on the ladies in Friday’s Cootamundra Herald.