A trend seen throughout the year is continuing for the Mount Brenton Golf Club, with a larger entry than 2016 already confirmed for the annual men’s amateur tournament days before the event.
The cut-off was Wednesday for the 36-hole tournament running Saturday and Sunday with the field split for shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days.
The total number of registered players stood at 160 as of last weekend, a significant jump from last year’s 130.
“We’re up at least 30 or 40 entries from last year,” enthused Mount Brenton pro Jan Best.
The recent ladies’ amateur tournament also attracted more players than a year ago. Mount Brenton is definitely bucking the trend seen at some other courses.
The men’s entry has been as high as 200 in the past so there was still room to accommodate more at the last minute.
Brady Stead of Victoria is the defending champion after shooting a par 71 on the first day and four-under 67 in the final round.
There looks to be a large visitor presence for this year’s tournament.
“Practice rounds are already happening,” said Best last Sunday. “We try to accommodate people coming in from out-of-town.”
There are all sorts of extras such as skins games and horse races where players can earn some cash along the way.
Anyone scoring a hole-in-one at the right time in the right place could also cash in big. There are four major hole-in-one prizes being offered.
The first hole-in-one on No. 3 Saturday receives $10,000 courtesy of Best Western; a $5,000 pro shop gift card goes to the first player managing the feat Sunday on No. 3; an ace on No. 7 Saturday could result in a gift card worth up to $2,500 from the Ladysmith Home Hardware for a lucky golfer and a new car from Discovery Honda is up for grabs on No. 11 Sunday.
The prize table will feature all sorts of selections for the top low gross and net scores.