Sport
29 July, 2022
Relaxed Richard wins Woodford golf title
RICHARD Murdoch emerged triumphant as the Woodford Golf Club men’s championships went down to the wire.
With scores of 72, 71 and 75 in the three rounds, Murdoch edged out Stephen McAllister and Chris Walk by the narrowest possible margin as they had identical scores of 73, 69 and 77 in A grade.
It was the first time Murdoch had ever won a club championship, and he said he was very pleased about it.
“I had no expectations coming into the championships,” he said.
Having first picked up a golf club at the age of eight, Murdoch has since played the sport on and off for about 40 years.
Murdoch played junior golf in the New South Wales town of Bega before moving north of the border, and then he played at Caloundra before transferring to Woodford about five years ago.
A resident of Kilcoy, Murdoch is a member of Woodford Golf Club and a teacher at Toogoolawah State School.
Murdoch said he usually played golf each Saturday, describing himself as a “once a week golfer” while it was “a social thing” for him.
“In my younger years I was very competitive,” he said.
“To me it’s just the fun social aspect now.”
Murdoch’s maiden club championship title was unlike other championships, as the first round was played on May 7 before the third and final round occurred 10 weeks later.
Rounds two, three and four were originally scheduled for May 14, 21 and 28, before being postponed to the first three Saturdays in July due to wet weather.
Then with the course still not ready for play on July 2, the championships were reduced from 72 to 54 holes as play proceeded on July 9 and 16.
Murdoch said he had no plan or strategy, while it was a case of “relax and enjoy yourself” as he was one shot behind the lead at the start of the final day.
“My philosophy is, it is what it is,” he said.
“If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
Murdoch said the course was as tough as it could be on the final day, as expected, with the tees right at the back while the pins were in the toughest positions.
“My philosophy is see ball, hit ball,” he said.
“I don’t overthink it, or else it gets you in trouble.”
Murdoch said he would definitely be back to try to defend his title next year.
In B grade, Gavin Aylward took out top spot with scores of 81, 92 and 85, while runner-up Wayne Chaplin had 88, 89 and 86.
Ian Payne won C grade following scores of 92, 93 and 96, while the second-placed Derek Richards had 93, 97 and 91.
Seniors winner was Ken Wearing who scored 70, 77 and 77, and runner-up was Steve Collyer with 76, 74 and 80.
