The 42nd edition of the Aglime State Sand Greens has come to an exciting close. 1992 was the last time the competition ran in Augusta, WA favorite Stephen Leaney took home the honours.
This year’s Championship had a total of 197 competitors from 87 different clubs that competed on Saturday and Sunday, 142 on Thursday and 192 on Friday.
Praise must go to Augusta Golf Club on both the presentation of the course and the hospitality shown to all.
Rain all day Saturday caused a reduced championship and an 18-hole shootout on Sunday.
The Undulating fairways and tight landing zones proved difficult, which was represented in the days scoring.
The weather was a complete turnaround from Saturday. With a stern breeze blowing it made the holes into the wind tricky to hit both the fairway and green.
Shaun Malone, Daniel Negus and Jarred Tenni all got their rounds off to flying starts birdying their first hole to get things moving.
Shaun Malone continued strongly on their front side with another birdie and one bogey to make the turn at 1 under.
The field was bunched up at the turn with several the field sitting at a couple over.
Rodney Shemeld birdied both his 9th and 10th hole to take plenty of momentum into his back nine.
However, a double bogey on his 12th hole had him move back to one over.
Malone also faltered on the start to his back nine bogeying and then double bogeying the 11th and the 12th hole.
The leaders again came to a bunch in the middle of the back nine with Malone, Tenni, Shemeld and Negus all sitting at two with four to play.
Shemeld was the first in the clubhouse after birdying his 18th to sign for a one over 73.
An impressive turnaround from a former champion who trailed after nine holes.
The hopefuls in the groups behind still sat at two over and needed to make a push coming up the stretch.
Both Negus and Tenni both fell short prior to 18 and signed for 77 and 74 respectively.
Malone walked off his 17th needing an eagle to win outright and a birdie to join Shemeld in a playoff.
Unfortunately for Malone his drive found the righthand side trees. Needing a birdie Malone went for it and didn’t make it out of the trees. This all but ended the hopes of Malone.
Evan Sewell and Ben Puvanendran were pushing hard in groups behind. Unfortunately for Sewell neither of his birdie putts on 17 or 18 dropped and missed out on getting into a playoff with Shemeld.
Congratulations must go to Rodney Shemeld on taking out the Aglime State Sand Green Championship for 2022 but also to Augusta Golf Club for presenting both the course and the club in such an exceptional way.
The 2023 Aglime Sand Greens will be held at Moora Lake View. Will Shemeld go back to back or will a new champion arrive.
