For the first time in many years, a local golfer has won the Open Championship at the Allora Golf Club. Talented sportsman Willy Duff won the event from an incredible field of 85 local and visiting golfers at the Allora course on Sunday. The field was the best contesting an Allora Open for at least 10 years. The weather was perfect and the condition of the course drew lavish praise from our many visitors, even if their golf game wasn’t great. Willy shot a 3 over par 71 to beat another local golfer and terrific bloke Timmy Exelby who shot 73 to win the “A” grade gross in a countback from outstanding Warwick golfer and frequent visitor to Allora in Kris McLennan. Other local golfers to feature on the day were Wayne “Macca” McKewen who was “A” grade net winner on 65; “Moose” May “A” grade net runner-up (69); Rod Simpson “B” grade gross winner (80); Russell Sparksman “B” grade gross runner-up (82); Rob Hoey “C” grade gross winner (84); Steve “Gibbo” Gibson “C” grade net winner (67) and Gus Somes “C” grade net runner-up (68). Visiting golfers filled the remaining podium positions with “B” grade net winner being John Krienke from City Club with 68 in a countback from Oakey golfer George Wright. Former Wattles Champion hooker and Clifton member Micky Bowe won “C” grade gross runner-up with 92.

In the Ladies competition our regular visitor from Brisbane, Sue Lewis, won the division one gross with a score of 86. The vivacious and very popular Bonnie Edwards from the Bell Golf Club was runnerup with a score of 92. Net winner in division one was Judy Lester of the Warwick Golf Club with a score of 80.

The Ladies division two gross winner was our very own Brooke Gilmore with a score of 90. Runner-up was another visitor from Warwick in Di Johnston who shot a score of 102. The net winner in division two was the “grand lady” of the Darling Downs Association, Iris Thompson with a score of 81 with fellow Oakey Golf Club member Margaret Hayward being runner-up with a score of 83.

Thanks to the City Golf club for their continued support of the Allora Open Day and thanks also to the amazing support that we receive not only from the City golfers but also golfers from clubs right across the district. Special mention to Doreen and Ray for the countless hours that they put in working on the golf course and particularly for their invaluable assistance in organising Sunday’s event.

Additional congratulations to Macca for winning the annual Cornflower Cup with 39 stableford points in a countback. This is the second time Wayne has won the Cornflower Cup having also saluted in 2017 with a whopping 45 stableford points. Many thanks to our valued club members Kenny and Sue Wilson for sponsoring the hotly contested Cornflower Cup each Open Day.

In other golf news, the Allora Hardware Duck Run last Friday was won by Nick Lake who continued his hot recent form with a score of 22 points to win in a countback from another in-form golfer in Rod Simpson. Pin shot was won by Beetle, approach by Willy and long putt by Jimmy. Thanks Allora Hardware.

This coming Sunday will be the Monthly Medal sponsored by Ty Gardner Concreting. See you on the links.

This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 22 November 2023.