With cloudless skies and barely a breath of wind, Sydney really turned on the weather for the three days of the 2011 SDGO. The course was set up and ready for play by 10am on Friday. This year a reverse course (par 61) was employed for the Friday Doubles and Saturday rounds.

The first 18 holes were a two throws best throw format which saw the team of Tim Marchbank and Chris Finn shoot a 46 to lead Luke Williams and Martin Ryland-Adair by 2 with a 48.

The 9 hole final was a two tee shot followed by alternate throw format which saw Tim and Chris tied with Luke and Martin on 74.  After a three hole playoff Luke and Martin emerged victorious.   Other scores were Neil Roberts and Jonathan Jonas with 88 and Andrew Nicholls and Matthew Gallagher 100.   The teams of Jason McFarlane and Peter Cricchiola and Greg Sparksman and Peter Dunn only played 18 holes and scored 64 and 65 respectively.

A total of 27 competitors from New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and Sweden took part in this years’ Open.

After the first 18 holes playing the reverse course, the leaders in each division were Kurt Karlsson in the Open with a course record 54 to lead Martin Ryland-Adair by 6, Neil Roberts in the Men’s Advanced with a 65 to lead Aaron Moreton by 2, Peter Cricchiola in Men’s Recreational with a 77 to lead Andrew Sims by 3, Greg Sparksman and Bruce McNaughton were tied in the Men’s Grand Masters on 70. Sally Hill shot a 82 in the Ladies Open and Terry Jordan had an 89 in the Men’s Masters.

The best round in the afternoon was a course record equaling 54 by Martin Ryland-Adair, followed by Kurt Karlsson who backed up his morning round with a 55. This gave Kurt a two round total of 109 and a 5 shot lead on the rest of the Open field. In Men’s Advanced Aaron Moreton improved to shoot 63 for a two round total of 130 to take a 2 stroke lead over Neil Roberts who shot a 67. Peter Cricchiola shot 84 for a two round total of 161 putting him in a tie for the Men’s Recreational with Andrew Sims who shot an 81. In Men’s Grand Masters Bruce McNaughton shot 66 to eclipse Greg Sparksman by 2 for a two round total of 136.  Terry Jordan shot 80 for a total of 169
in the Men’s Masters and Sally scored an 80 in the Ladies Open for a two round total of 162.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny and all were ready to take on the “Classic” Red/Gold Course (par 58). The morning round saw the following divisional leaders emerge. In the Open Martin Ryland Adair shot a course record 50 for a three round total of 164 to lead Kurt Karlsson who shot 58 by 3 shots. In Advanced Neil Roberts scored a 62 for three round total of 194 to overtake Aaron Moreton who shot 66 by 2 shots.   Andrew Sims shot 78 for a three round total of 239 putting him 7 shots in front of Peter Cricchiola who shot an 85 in Recreational. In Grand Masters Bruce McNaughton shot 68 for a three round total of 204 to lead Greg Sparksman who shot a 73 by 7.  Terry Jordan shot 91 for a total of 260 in the Masters and Sally scored a 78 in the Ladies for a three round total of 240.

After lunch and a further nine holes the winners in each division were Neil Robertswith a total of 222 in the Men’s Advanced from Aaron Moreton on 227. Andrew Sims with a total of 277 from Peter Cricchiola on 288 in the Men’s Recreational. Bruce McNaughton with a total of 233 from Greg Sparksman on 244 in the Men’s Grand Masters. Terry Jordan picked up the Men’s Masters with 305 and Sally Hill took out theLadies Open with a total of 279

The top four players in the Open division then took part in a 9 hole final. These were Martin Ryland-Adair on 192, Kurt Karlsson on 193, Luke Williams on 208 and Chris Finn on 209.

At the end of a tense, hard fought final involving some great golf, much gnashing of teeth and some rather frank self-assessment, Kurt Karlsson and Martin Ryland-Adair emerged tied for first on 221, with Luke Williams a further 13 shots behind on 234 and Chris Finn in fourth on 239. Martin came out the winner on the first playoff hole to take the Open Division.

Thanks to all the players both from interstate and locally who took part in this yearsevent and helped to make it such a successful tournament.

Special thanks must go to Andrew Sims who has been kind enough to donate paint for making the course for a number of years and Erik Dahl who donated thetournament drinks.

Thanks must also go to the Sydney Olympic Park Authority for the use of such a great venue,   Thank you to the sponsors Defy Gravity Discs for supplying the prizes.    Thanks also to ADG and Innova for theirassistance and support.

Lastly thanks must be given to all the members of the NSW Disc Golf fraternity who pitched in and assisted in a great team effort.

Hope to see you all again next year.

Martin Ryland-Adair

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