Forbes golfer John Betland certainly kept the SCT Logistics Parkes Open crown in the family when he survived a three hole play-off against long-time adversary Duntryleague’s Robert Payne at the Parkes Golf Club last Sunday.
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John’s brother Steve won last year’s tournament and was in the running again this year until a disastrous final nine saw him drop away.
John held a one shot lead over Payne after 18 holes after shooting even par, but Payne held his nerve to finish the final nine holes in 35 shots – one less than Betland.
Six players were in contention after the initial 18 holes.
Justin Sutton of Parkes began his final nine on 72, while tournament favourite Mark Hale was a further shot away on 73.
James Brownlow from the The Australian club in Sydney was a further shot away on 74.
In the end, pressure played it’s part with only Betland and Payne holding their nerve as they thrive on the consistent pressure of playing representative pennants golf in Sydney.
They finished on one over par, 107, and were forced into a three hole play-off.
On the first play-off hole, the 187 metre par three, 1st, both players missed the green with Payne on the right and Betland on the left.
After playing deft chips, Betland calmly sunk his 2.5 metre putt while Payne missed from two metres.
However, on the 475 metre par five 2nd hole, Betland hit a massive 285 metre drive while Payne’s missed the fairway to the right.
He was forced to play safely to the right side of the fairway while Betland left his second shot only 15 metres short of the green.
Payne overshot the target by 20 metres and was forced to chip and run.
His fourth shot found the edge of the green, five metres from the pin while Betland played his third to approximately 5.5 metres.
He calmly sank the putt for a birdie four, while Payne two putted for a bogey six.
On the third and final hole of the play-off Betland crunched his drive to the right side of the par four 9th hole fairway.
Payne’s drive finished 125 metres from the green.
Requiring a miracle, Payne hit a magnificent approach shot to 3.5 metres of the pin.
However, Betland was not to be outdone as his approach also found the green, 4.5 metres from the flag.
His birdie putt finished only 30cm from pin and he calmly sank the putt and secure his second SCT Parkes Open victory after previously winning in 2011.
At the presentation of trophies, both Betland and Payne congratulated the Parkes club and sponsors for the success of the event, and congratulated tournament director Paul Thomas who, after 31 years, has announced his retirement.