Nightingale, who had previously won the club championship, headed a strong field of more than 120 golfers from all over to take the coveted Lithgow Open title.

He was the only golfer to break par, returning a 71 which was good shooting considering his limited preparation.

“I have not been playing as much as I would have liked to over the last couple of months due to my university studies.

“But thankfully, my game hung together to return the 71.

“It was good to get one up on Dad (Max who was runner-up).

The Open was sponsored by the Lithgow Council and a big thanks went out to them for their continued support from president Geoff Brooks and captain Max Nightingale on behalf of the club.

Mayor Maree Statham was on hand to congratulate and present all the winners and runners-up with their trophies.

The Lithgow course was presented at its best thanks to the hard work of young Josh Lewis and Cody Smith who have worked tirelessly to get the course up to a high standard and thanks from the board and members went out to them.

The Open and course drew good comments from the many visitors who, with the locals, enjoyed the beautiful summer conditions.

Runner-up to Nightingale was his father Max, one shot behind on 72 off the stick on a countback.

The B grade scratch scoring saw some hot competition with the winner Merv McManus who shot 82 with A Schuster of Blackheath two back on 84.

The best junior scratch score went to Jackson Nassis of Henbury with 82.

The Vets best scratch score went to Max Nightingale with his 72 with the runner-up trophy going to Greg Hunter with 75.

Handicap events

The winner of the A grade division was Kevin Lloyd of Henbury Golf Club (Kandos) with 68 nett after he counted out Lithgow golfer Don Wolfenden who also carded 68.

In B grade, it was a double for the Henbury golfers with Oden Osgood best with a incredible 61 nett.

Runner-up was Kobe Hunter on 63 with Kobe also being awarded the Commonwealth Bank Shield for the best local nett score.

Henbury’s Oden Osgood returned the best junior nett score with his 61.

The Diggers Cup went to Jeff Geddes.

In the team’s events, the winners of the best scratch team went to Max and Ian Nightingale and Darren Hunter and Andrew Burton.

The best handicap team went to Max Nightingale, Greg Hunter, Darren Hunter and Kobe Hunter.

The longest drive went to Damien Marjoram in A grade and in B grade, the prize went to Ian Fitzgerald from Blackheath.

One of the highlights of the day was a hole in one on the second by Lithgow’s Shannon Johns.

Other nearest the pin awards went to Paul Bosman on the fourth; Brian Bourke on the ninth (57cm); Greg Hunter on the 13th (459cm) and Graham Dean on the 18th (148cm).

Those to figure in the ball competition were Greg Hunter, Bill Oldfield, Brian Bourke, Brian Giblett, Paul Nightingale, Ian Northey, Daryl Cole (Henbury), Fraser Hamment, Ross Harrington, Kevin Besant (Henbury), Greg Guest, Nick Nassis (Henbury), Laurie Northey, Richard Whitefield (Blackheath), Carlos Garibotto, Paul Bosman, Ian Fitzgerald (Blackheath), Graham Dean, David Thompson and Gordon Pirie.

Balls cut out on 72 on a countback.

Those who won major awards were not eligible for the ball competition.

Along with the green keeping staff and council, thanks were also extended to the bar staff, club professional Garry Nightingale and to Jeff Geddes and the Lithgow Mercury for their continued support of golf in the district.