… and Jamie ‘Hooks’ a fourth pro title
THE owner of a Sunshine Coast carpet cleaning business sucked up the energy and atmosphere to win the Handiskins national final at Palm Meadows GC on the Gold Coast last month.
Mick Prince, who plays off a 15 handicap at Headland GC, qualified for the four-person final after returning 33 and 32 stableford points for a 65 total.
Waiting for him on the first tee were Cowra GC’s +1 marker Peter Kirwan (34-22 – 66), Nambucca Heads GC’s Dennis Ashton off 18 (35-29 – 64) and McLeod CC’s four marker Graham Fairweather (34-30 – 64).
There was $40 on offer for each of the first six holes, $60 for each of the next six holes and $80 per hole from 13 to 18 as well as two nearest the pins each worth $60 in the handicapped skins final.
Mick Prince celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Handiskins national final.
“I didn’t get off to a good start, but then I started to hit my driver well to stay out of trouble and my irons and approach shots were very good,” Mick said.
“I didn’t putt that well all week, but I got there in the end.”
And in the end Mick banked $500 courtesy of eight skins and a $60 nearest the pin collect on the 11th.
“I think the Handiskins concept is great for club golfers and I’d recommend it. “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s serious as well,” Mick added.
Graham won four skins and a NTP to take home $320, Dennis picked up three skins worth $220 and Peter won three skins and banked $160.
More than 80 club golfers (men and women) from all Australian states as well as a group from Norfolk Island, played two stableford rounds for four spots in the Handiskins final.
Footnote: There was a $20,000 hole-in-one prize on offer courtesy of sponsor Peter Lehmann Wines, but the cheque was unclaimed. Mind you, one player did get rather excited when his ball finished just a few inches from the cup.
Professional Jamie Hook poses with the Jarrod Lyle Memorial Trophy.
THE PROFESSIONALS: THE idiom “drive for show, putt for dough” certainly worked in professional Jamie Hook’s favour when he eagled the double water-carry par-5 18th hole at Palm Meadows to win the Pro Handiskins final.
Hook, the head pro at Pacific Dunes, Matt McLean (Burleigh GC), Gavin Vearing (Wodonga GC) and Tom Perfect (Cowra GC) reached the Pro Handiskins final and then put on a master-class performance before the drama unfolded on the final green.
After winning seven skins in the first nine holes, Matt McLean looked a likely winner as he already had $3100 of the $10,000 prizemoney in the bag.
With five skins ($3000) up for grabs on the 523m 18th, Matt, Tom and Gavin were unable to eagle the hole which left Jamie with a tricky three-metre eagle putt to “steal the show” and add to his $500 skin on the 10th.
Jamie, an excellent driver of the golf ball, casually rolled in the eagle putt to stun his rivals and claim his fourth title.
Handiskins national finalists Graham Fairweather, Mick Prince, Dennis Ashton and Peter Kirwan.
“I guess over the years I have learnt to be patient and not throw in the towel,” Jamie said. “I just kept trying to hit good shots and give myself chances. I felt like I did that and didn’t hole many putts until the 18th.
“On the last, I just wanted to get it to the hole and give it a chance.
“It would have been better to win it in a different way, but it was pretty exciting to do it on the last.
“The boys played well and there were a lot of birdies to halve holes. I feel bad for stealing the show, but it was a good day.”
Jamie pocketed $3500, Matt $3100, Tom $2000 and Gavin $1400 which included two nearest the pins worth $500 each.
There was $400 on offer for each of the first six holes, $500 for each of the next six holes and $600 per hole from 13 to 18 as well as two nearest the pins each worth $500.
Despite being a tense final showdown, the camaraderie among the group was evident as they joked, told stories and supported and encouraged each other throughout the final.
Last year’s winner, Steve Myers from Longyard GC, didn’t make the final but made a courageous defence of his title after only recently returning to golf from a forced lengthy break when he broke his neck in the surf. He was out of action for close to six months and was only able to remove his neck-brace two weeks prior to the event. When he missed out on making the final, Steve turned up to support and encourage Jamie, Matt, Gavin and Tom. What a legend!
The Pro Handiskins finalists Tom Perfect, Matt McLean, Gavin Vearing and Jamie Hook.
MEANWHILE, Wayne Trefoni, Daniel Spooner, Daphne Pearson and Paul Jones reached the Peter Lehmann Wines Skins Final where 18 bottles of the finest wines awaited.
Paul and Daniel got the taste early winning a bottle of Bonds Shiraz each on the first two holes respectively courtesy of pouring in winning putts.
Then the tension started to build as holes three to 14 were halved and the friendly banter started to dissipate as 13 bottles of wine were for the taking on the 15th hole.
It was Wayne Trefoni who broke the ice and landed the baker’s dozen to relieve the stress. Daniel won the 16th hole to pick up a second bottle and the final two holes were halved.
Peter Lehmann Wines ambassador Malcolm Stopp (right) presents Wayne Trefoni with some of his prizes.
Peter Lehmann Wines brand ambassador and educator Malcolm Stopp gifted Daphane Pearson, aged 80 and the only woman to make the final, the wine.
The Peter Lehmann Wines Golf Challenge is a secondary competition for club golfers who do not qualify for the Handiskins final.
It’s a great event and very much a social part of Handiskins finals week.
For the record, more than 180 golfers and their partners attended the Peter Lehmann Wines Golf Challenge dinners hosted by the extremely knowledgeable and entertaining Malcolm Stopp.
SPIKENOTE: Handiskins has raised more than $200,000 for Luek the Duck cancer research. At the recent presentation dinner at Mercure Resort the 220 golfers and their partners in attendance dug deep raising another $10,800 for Challenge (supporting kids with cancer).
Chief writer David Newbery has been living, breathing and writing and editing golf for more than 30 years. His extensive knowledge of the game comes from covering golf around the world. Hired by Inside Golf in 2009, David previously worked as the editor of The Golfer for 25 years and before that worked for numerous daily newspapers in Australia and overseas. The Brisbane-based journalist describes his golf game as “a work in progress”, but has had the privilege of playing golf with some of the game’s best players including nine-time major winner Gary Player. David enjoys travelling, reading, music, photography and spending time with family and friends – on and off the golf course. 
