The lowest handicapper competing In the 2025 Lithgow Golf Club Championships is Justin McCann (+2) and he showed his class over the first two rounds of the four round event to enjoy an eight shot lead. McCann after being close a couple of times in the past is keen to add the club championship title to his already impressive list of wins. Heading big fields on both days he recorded two superb rounds of 70 and 68 for a total of 138.
Current title holder Harry Bender has dominated the championships over the past two years winning back to back titles but will not be going for his hat-trick as he is currently enjoying an overseas holiday in Bali.
Although McCann is enjoying a big lead, the chasers Darren Hunter (scratch) who is a former champion and Justin Nelson (1) are the closest challengers on 146 and they will be confident that they are still in the hunt for the prestigious title.
Steve Hall (+1) and Brian Judge (3) have also played well with scores of 152 and 153 respectively.
The championships will conclude this weekend with all three grade titles up for grabs. Results from the first and second rounds are as follows:
First round:
A grade winner was Peter Hall 8 with a score of 68 nett. Hall came home strong over the back nine with a par round 36 off the stick.
Runner up was Chris Keller(7) with 69 nett.
Best scratch score went to Justin McCann with a two under par 70.
A two way countback was needed for B grade with Paul Stewart (14) and Steven Mays (12) both carding 68 netts.
Stewart’s produced some of his best golf for some time carding a two over par 38 to take the countback and the winning voucher.
Mays was runner up and the best scratch score went to the inform Rob Hawes (10) with a score of 80.
Jim Heterick (25) was a clear winner in C grade with last week’s winner Heidi Inwood (26) runner up on 77 nett.
Best scratch score was Graeme Osborne (20) with 99.
Those to play well and figure in the vouchers were David Marshall, Josh Howarth, Justin Nelson, Dave Titcume, Troy Luka, Ian Downey, Jason Murray and Brian Judge. Cut was 73 nett ocb.
Nearest to the pins were: 2nd Anthony Boza (157cms); 4th Michael Saville (280cms); 9th Geoff Wheeler (208cms); 13th Graeme Cheney (200cms) and the 18th Graeme Osborne (300cms).
Second round:
Justin McCann (+2) took out the A grade voucher with a 70 nett and his magnificent 68 off the stick gave him some breathing space in the race to the championship title. He posted five birdies in his round.
Runner up was a former champion in Andrew Burton (3) with a score of 71 nett and the best scratch score went to Darren Hunter (scratch) with 73.
The B grade winner was Carlos Garibotto (12) with 68 nett.
Runner up was Corey Osborne (12) one shot back on69 nett.
Best scratch score went to Steve Mays (11) with 80.
The C grade winner was Graeme Osborne (20) who made a major improvement from the previous day with a score of 68 nett.
Runner up was young James Bennett (19) with a score of 72 nett and the best scratch score went to Julie Murnane with a 94 off the stick.
Vouchers went to to Greg Guest, Peter Hall, Anthony Boza and Max Nightingale. Cut was 72 nett ocb.
Nearest to the pins were: 2nd Blake Goldspink (116cms); 4th Steve Hall (380cms); 9th Anthony Oldfield (62cms); 13th Greg Guest (234cms) and Corey Osborne on the 18th (82cms).
The conclusion of the championships will be held this Saturday and Sunday with the presentation to follow on the last day.
Monday Vets:
Winner was Darren Healey with a score of 39 points.
Runner up was Carlos Garibotto with 34 points and in third spot was Rodney Clarke on 33 points ocb and they both won Workies vouchers.
Fourth place went to Dave Warren on 33 points ocb from fifth place Kevin Eagleton also on 33 points.
Vouchers cut out on 22 points ocb.
Nearest to the pins went to Carlos Garibotto on the ninth and Darren Healey on the 18th.
Wednesday PFD Food Services nine hole competition:
Winner was Chris Goodsell on 18 points.
Runner up on a countback was Les Barnes from third placed Greg Guest with both finishing with 17 points.
Vouchers went to those with 15 points and better.
Nearest to the pin was Carlos Garibotto.
Friday Central West Leak Detection and Plumbing nine hole competition:
Winner was Darren Hunter on 20 points.
Runner up on a countback was Dave Thompson on 19 points from third placed Kobe Hunter.
Vouchers went to those with 17 points ocb.
Nearest to the pin was Blake Goldspink.