On The Tee: Steve McDonald holds six-shot lead at halfway point of 2021 Club Championships

McDonald (144) has a six-shot buffer over Phil Campbell, with three-times defending champion Reece Hodson on 153. Justin Sutton (154) and Michael Stanford (155) round out the top five.

McDonald will be looking to go on with the job this year after he was also the leader at the halfway point in 2020.

Twelve months ago he carded twin rounds of 73 to begin his charge which at that stage gave him a two-stroke buffer over Stanford and Sutton. But he couldn't hold on, ending up in fourth, as Hodson took the spoils for the seventh time.

Across the other three grades there were some hot scores over the opening 36 holes of this year's Club Championships as well.

Shaun Elphick posted 164 to lead B grade from Noah Constable and Geoff Cooke, who both sit on 170.

B1 grade is headed by up and coming youngster Rory Elphick (171), who has a solid six-shot margin over David Clews at the halfway point of the championships.

Col Hope returned a score of 181 to be three strokes clear of Ben Wilkins in the pursuit of the C grade crown.

Detailed scores can be found on the home page of the website. Go to member's area, men's major events.

Meanwhile, Tim McKinnon fired 41 points to win Thursday's A grade event from Mick Locke and John Fagan who both had 39 points, while a solid one-over par garnered the scratch for James Hundy.

Col Hope revved himself up for the championships by compiling a lovely 41 points to hold off Grant Ledingham (40) and Paul Dury (38) on his way to the B grade victory. Twenty-three points enabled Tony Wells to win the scratch.

A low scoring affair in the ladies event saw Janet Coles emerge victorious on a countback over Jenny Murray after both players had 31 points. Cindy Perfect was a shot away in third.

Dury and David Haley proved a formidable pairing in the 2BBB as their 48 points was one shot better than Wells and Andy Kajons. Hundy and Matt Phillips had 40 points to win the scratch.

The Bathurst Golf Club's annual general meeting will be held on Monday, April 19 at 7.30pm in the clubhouse.

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