Kube heads the queue for Southern Open

AN elite field will tee off this weekend in the Southern Open at Tasmania Golf Club.

Favourite for the title will be state team and Royal Hobart member Richard Kube.

Kube, a former member of Tasmania, is one of a handful of plus handicappers who have entered this year’s event.

Challenges for the title are expected to come from local members Andrew Phillips, Kingston Beach’s Nathan Gatehouse and Royal Hobart’s Paul Read. Wynyard’s Craig Hancock and Joshua Hill from Royal Hobart will also be keen to perform well. For information and post entries contact Southern Metropolitan Golf Association secretary Bruce Kelly on 0407 809 593. AUSTRALIANS Grace Kim and Karl Vilips have won the first and second gold medals for their country at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. Kim was all tied up with Alessia Nobilio with 18 holes remaining, but a final round one-over 71 was enough to hold off the Italian and win gold at one-over for the week.

Vilips entered the final day with a one-stroke buffer over the 32-strong field at The Hurlingham Club after opening rounds of 69 and 68. The 17-year-old closed with a oneunder 69 for a two-stroke win over American Akshay Bhatia. VICTORIA’S Gordon Claney from the Kingston Heath Golf Club won the Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship recently.

Claney did just enough to claim his second national senior crown with scores of 72, 74 and 73, edging out two rivals by one shot at the Spring Valley Golf Club in Victoria.

Prospect Vale Golf Club’s Robbie Berne was the best Tasmanian in equal 15th after rounds of 73, 79 and 79.

NSW stormed home to share the interstate teams championship with Victoria on 678 strokes apiece. Tasmania placed a respectable fourth in the teams championship and was represented by Berne, Richard Denholm and Peter Shaw from Royal and Bill Wellington from Huon Valley. AUSTRALIA’S best senior women golfers teed off at the Sandy Creek Golf Club in SA on Monday for the Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Championship.

Among the field of 84 are seven Tasmanians, including Prospect Vale sisters Tammy Hall and Deidre Panton, and Devonport’s Lu Proud.