Old Boys battle for golfing supremacy

25/2/2009

It was a battle between the Old Boys when Brent McEwan (1998-99), playing out of the St Clair Club, firmly established himself as the Otago No 1 men’s golfer after securing the double in the Dunedin men’s championships last weekend.

Brent McEwan (1998-99), on his way to golfing success at St Clair

Brent finished 7-under par on 277 for a two-shot win in the Alex Sime Cup over Mark Brooks (2001-05, Queenstown Club) and Nick Borren (2003-07, Windsor Club).

Brent also led the field of 82 in the handicap event, played at St Clair, to become the first winner of the Ron Timms Memorial Cup, awarded in honour of the club’s most successful amateur and club professional for 25 years. Ron Timms died last earlier this month.

Having looked in good form in the Otago strokeplay at Balmacewen three weeks ago, Brent lost the title to Liam Balneaves (Invercargill) after a poor finish. Last weekend though he started the final round with a five-shot lead and wasn’t about to repeat the Balmacewen finish as he scored a final round 71 to stave off any challenge.

Nick started the tournament in sparkling form with an opening round of 65 on the par 71 course. However, his three-shot lead evaporated quickly as he posted a four over 75 on the Saturdat afternoon. Countering that was Brent’s second round 68, which gave him a four stroke lead. He then shot his third sub-par round on the Sunday morning while Mark set the pace with a 67 to tie with Nick for second place.

It was the second year running Nick had finished runner-up.