Club championships decided at St. Marys
Pat Payton Marty Rutledge posted his first triple bogey this year at St. Marys Golf and Country Club.
It came on the 18th hole Sunday, on the final day of the annual Men’s Club Championship. Rutledge, however, had lots of room for error on his 36th hole of the two-day competition as he finished with a six-shot victory over his next closest rival.
It’s the second time in the last four years that Rutledge has captured the St. Marys Men’s Club title.
“I’ve been here (in the final foursome) pretty well every time in the last five or six years, and it’s nice to win it,” he said.
Thirty-three golfers took part in the 2008 Men’s Club tournament, with two not finishing.
Finishes under par
A scratch golfer, Rutledge had a two-day total of 142 (67-75) this year. He was the only player to finish under par.
The 38-year-old Rutledge explained what happened when he knocked his tee-shot out of bounds on the par-4 No. 18 hole Sunday afternoon.
“The wind was blowing across, and I just let it leak,” he said. “I was getting tired actually, but the last hole was just a mental block. The shot just got away from me.”
After firing a sizzling five-under 67 on Saturday, Rutledge took a six-shot lead on Rich Parsons (the 2006 champ) into Sunday. The final group included Rutledge, Parsons, Jimmy Craigmile and ‘B’ Flighter Robby Smink, who had an opening-day 75 on Saturday.
“Saturday was real easy; it was no struggle,” Rutledge said. “Today (Sunday) was the exact opposite.
“I don’t honestly know what happened. I struck the ball and drove it fairly well, but I missed some greens. And the pin placements were a little tougher (Sunday).
“I had to scramble a lot on the back nine, but my putter was good today which helped me. Maybe it was the pressure of playing with a big lead. If you lose that, then you’d really feel bad.
“I was proud of the way I played today; I just scrambled a little more than I would have liked,” Rutledge added.
Parsons settled for ‘A’ Flight (0 to 4 handicaps) runner-up after shooting 73 and 75 for a 148 two-day total. He also claimed the club’s 2008 Senior title.
Craigmile, who shot a pair of 75s on the weekend, emerged the ‘A’ net champion. Fourth place went to Dan Murrell, who had rounds of 77 and 75.
Wayne Ross won ‘B’ Flight honours (for golfers with 5 to 9 handicaps).
Ross had rounds of 82 and 76 for a 158 two-day total, edging Jason Skipper (81-78-159) by a single shot. John Cole (79-82-161) was third, and ‘B’ Flight net champion Robby Smink (75-89-164) was fourth.
There was a close battle for the ‘C’ Flight (10 to 14 handicaps) title.
David St. Louis (81-85) and Eric Henkemans (85-81) finished with 166 total gross scores. St. Louis won the flight due to retrogression, while Henkemans settled for low-net honours.
Derek Galloway (89-85) was third in ‘C’ Flight, and Jon McPhail (86-89) was fourth.
In ‘D’ Flight, (15 and up handicaps), Pete Vossen topped the field with a 189 (91-98) two-day total. Dan Armstrong (94-99) and Ed Bradley (97-96) tied for second, four shots back.
McKnight wins Ladies title
Carol McKnight, meanwhile, recorded a four-shot victory in the one-day Ladies Club Championship Saturday at the St. Marys golf club.
A birdie on the par 3 No. 9 hole helped McKnight shoot a 44 on the front nine. Another 44 on the back nine helped the St. Marys resident post an 18-hole total of 88.
“It was just good enough to win because I had a so-so game; it wasn’t awe-inspiring at all,” McKnight said with a laugh.
“The other two ladies I played with (Paula O’Donnell and Carol Wamsley) had some bad holes, and I had some bad holes. The three of us couldn’t seem to play the kind of golf we’re capable of.”
McKnight has won the St. Marys club title several times in the past, including the first time when she was just 15 years old.
Finishing second on Saturday was O’Donnell, who pencilled in a 92 (49-43). Third place went to defending club champion Wamsley, who carded a 93 (44-49). Kit Tracey (52-43-95) was fourth overall.
Marion Kunder, of London, was the day’s low-net winner. Kunder shot 105 (50-55), but a 36 handicap gave her a net score of 69.
Fourteen golfers took part in the ladies competition.

RECENT MEN’S CLUB WINNERS
2007 - Dave Shepley
2006 - Rich Parsons
2005 - Marty Rutledge
2004 - Dave Shepley
2003 - Derek Fifield
2002 - Rick Fifield

RECENT LADIES CLUB WINNERS
2007 - Carol Wamsley
2006 - Paula O’Donnell
2005 - Carol Wamsley/Paula O’Donnell
2004 - Carol Wamsley
2003 - Paula O’Donnell
2002 - Donna Greer