After one of the briskest Winter starts of 2026, Saturday's 9 Hole Stableford ended up treating the later starters with the ideal golfing conditions. The day produced plenty of drama, with both the men's and ladies' competitions showcasing just how quickly fortunes can change over nine holes.

No story summed that up better than Steve Henderson's.

After three holes, Steve had managed just three Stableford points and would have been forgiven for wondering whether it simply wasn't going to be his day. Then something clicked. Over the final six holes he produced an extraordinary 17 Stableford points, storming home to finish on 20 points and snatch victory on countback. It's proof that in nine-hole golf, you're never out of the contest until the final putt drops!

Murray Carter and Peter Adam also finished on 20 points after excellent rounds of their own, while Richard Thomas was just a point further back on 19 in another tightly packed men's leaderboard.

Men's Stableford Results

1st – Steve Henderson – 20 pts – $27 (Winner on Countback)

2nd – Murray Carter – 20 pts – $22

2nd – Peter Adam – 20 pts – $22

4th – Richard Thomas – 19 pts – $16

5th – Jaydee Oh – 18 pts – $12

5th – Adam Dawson – 18 pts – $12

7th – Mitch Newport – 17 pts – $8

7th – Alan Brown – 17 pts – $8

7th – Grant Hardy – 17 pts – $8

7th – Brendan Peet – 17 pts – $8

7th – John "Boggy" McDowell – 17 pts – $8

7th – Kris Brewin – 17 pts – $8

The ladies' competition had its own fast starter.

Ann McDowell wasted no time making her intentions known, opening her round with a net eagle and never looking back. That flying start laid the perfect foundation for her winning total of 19 Stableford points, holding off the ever-consistent Lynda Baker, who finished runner-up on 17 points. When you begin with a net eagle, it's amazing how much more enjoyable the remaining eight holes seem!

Ladies Stableford Results

1st – Ann McDowell – 19 pts – $15

2nd – Lynda Baker – 17 pts – $10

Special Prizes

Nearest to the Pin – Hole 7
Kris Brewin – $20 Life Pharmacy Wilkinson's Voucher

On the 7th hole, Kris Brewin produced an absolute peach of an approach shot. By all accounts it had eyes for the hole while it was still in the air before eventually coming to rest a mere four feet from the flag. Close enough to claim the Life Pharmacy Wilkinson's Nearest to the Pin voucher and leave everyone else wondering what might have been.

Longest Putt – Hole 9
Errol Frewen – $25 Neat Meat Voucher

On the 9th green, Errol Frewen demonstrated that sometimes leaving yourself in exactly the right spot is half the battle. Faced with a 25-foot putt, Errol rolled it straight into the heart of the cup to claim the Neat Meat Longest Putt prize and finish his round in style.

Congratulations to all of our winners and prize recipients. Saturday was another reminder that golf has a funny way of rewarding persistence. Whether it's recovering from three quiet opening holes like Steve, launching your round with a net eagle like Ann, or holing a pressure-packed 25-footer like Errol, there's always another great story waiting just around the corner.