This year's Windy Ridge Golf Classic was played on Friday, June 6, at the private course on the property with the same name near Penong.
Rains the night before dampened the course and raised everyone's spirits. President Butch Dunn welcomed guests and this year's celebrity golfer, Michael Knowles, who for some five years has been pleading and bribing the captain for an entry to this prestigious event.
The first tee, a tricky Par 3, offered a novelty prize which Bill Klaebe claimed with a very delicate shot to be nearest the pin.
Three former champions were playing with the intention of winning the coveted jacket, so competition was fierce.
Captain Roger Freeman, Michael Knowles, Benno Polkinghorne and Dudley Trowbridge were locked in battle trying to establish a decent lead. Justin 'Chook' Baker had been practising and was showing good form, while big 'Shirl' from the Caltex Truck Stop, Penong, had another trophy in mind.
Lance "Kingy" Dunn was quietly ambling along on his motorised buggy playing very consistent golf.
Social Committee chairperson, Jodie Dunn, and her helpers, Angie Freeman and Beth Dunn, served a wonderful roast lunch in the clubhouse dining room at the halfway mark.
Captain Roger and 'Chook' were split by one shot going into the last eight holes, with former champion Benno Polkinghorne not far behind. Some of the players who were playing well before lunch had obviously eaten too much as their golf scores slipped away.
The novelty events came into contention when a long drive was contested by Bill Klaebe over Butch Dunn, and many players found the tight out-of-bounds fence difficult to stay away from.
After a sumptuous barbecue tea cooked by president Butch and Dudley Kelly, captain Roger called everyone to order and handed over to sponsor Bill Klaebe to announce the winners.
The trophy and winner's jacket was claimed by the very consistent former champion, Lance 'Kingy' Dunn as the 2008 Windy Ridge Champion. Justin Baker was runner-up and Michael Knowles was best off the stick.
Official results:
2008 Champion: Lance 'Kingy' Dunn. Runner-up: Justin 'Chook' Baker. Best off Stick: Michael Knowles. AM winner: Roger Freeman. AM runner-up: Ben Polkinghorne. PM winner: Andrew "Butch" Dunn. PM runner-up: Bill Klaebe. NAGA: 'Shirl' Laws.