It was a dramatic and exciting climax to the 2026 Lithgow Golf Club Championships with star golfer Harry Bender hoisting the Championship trophy aloft for the third time.
The championships was a huge success with big fields turning out on each of the four days. A big thanks was extended to sponsors Westfund, Portland Concrete and Excavation, Centennial, Metromix and Drummond Golf Penrith for their support of the championships. It was good to see representatives of the sponsors at the presentation to present the winners with their prizes.
Bender added his name to the trophy to his previous titles on 2023 and 2024 missing out last year when he was overseas on holidays.
The winner of the 2025 title was Justin McCann who was Bender’s main challenger from the opening day and the pair were locked up on 146 strokes at the halfway mark. Bender edged ahead in the third round to lead going into the final roundbut McCann came back strongly on the final day cutting back Bender’s lead to trail by only one at the final hole.
Both golfers hit the green on the 18th hole with McCann having first shot at his birdie. Showing great composure he drained his long putt for forcing Bender to hole his 300 centimetre putt if he as to win or two putt for a play off.
Bender said: “I hadn’t had much luck on the greens today but I thought I had nothing to lose. “If I missed I thought I still have a chance to win in a play off. “Thankfully I struck the ball on the right line to give me a birdie and win by one” “It was an great Championship with Justin who is an excellent golfer pushing me all the way.” Both golfers who play off a handicap of +1 played great golf throughout the four rounds with Bender finishing with a total of 291 while runner up McCann as one back on 292.
The A grade handicap winner was Dave Warren who not only picking up winners trophy but also added the handicap Vets prize.
Another highlight for Warren was he grabbing a hole in one during the third round. Warren finished with a four round nett score of 290. Runner up was Jonathan Van Veen on 293 nett.
Matthew Whitney was a clear winner in B grade with a seven shot win. He finished with a total of 333 with the runner up trophy going to Greg Guest on 340.
The handicap winner was a battle of the ‘young guns’ with Jai Osborne taking out the winners trophy on 289 with mate Riley Cameron runner up on 292 nett.
C grade was a runaway victory to Geoff Wheeler who played consistent golf to finish with a total of 384.
Runner up was Dave May on 401.
Handicap winner was Stephen Jennings on 305 nett with grandson James Bennett runner up back on 331 nett.
The Veterans scratch trophy was won by Darren Hunter on 298 with the nett winner being Dave Warren on 290 nett.
The junior scratch champion was Brodie Carter on 347.
The handicap title went to Jai Osborne on 347 nett and he had the added pleasure of receiving his trophy from his grandfather Graeme Osborne who was representing Westfund at the presentation.
Third round results: (In nett winner, runner up and scratch winner):
A grade: Steve Hall 69 nett, Harry Bender 70 nett ocb and Darren Hunter 70 on a countback.
B grade: Kel Lampton 66 nett, Scott Wallace 69 nett and Brodie Carter 82.
C grade: Christine Peachman 71; Lachlan Drury 72 ocb and Martin Stewart 93.
Nearest the pins went to Darren Hunter, Rod Bright, Blake Goldspink, Carol Burton and Ryan Gurney.
Vouchers went to those with 73 nett and better.
Fourth round:
A grade: Jonathan Van Veen 69 nett, Ian Downey 70 nett and Justin McCann 72.
B grade: Riley Cameron 69 nett,nStsve Mays 72 and Brodie Carter 84.
C grade: Lachlan Drury 71 nett, Steve Jennings 74 nett and Geoff Wheeler 98.
Nearest to the pins were: Damien Marjoram, Steve Mays, Brian Judge and Harry Bender.
Vouchers went to those with 75 nett and better.
Club captain Chris Keller and president Greg Guest thanked the green staff for presenting the course in top condition and also the club staff headed by club manager Natasha Drury for making the championships the success that they were.
Wednesday Sparks Finance – Mortgage Broker Lithgowe nine hole competition:
Winner was Mark Seckold on 21 points.
Runner up was Heath Egan on 17 points.
Vouchers went to Jeff Geddes and Ross King.
Nearest to the pin was Chris Goodsell.
The GA 18 hole competition was won by Justin MCann with 39 points from runner up Todd Cleary on 37 points.
Central West Leak Detection and Plumbing competition:
Played over seven holes due course maintenance the winner was Andrew Griffiths with 17 points.
Runner up was Max Nightingale on 16 and in third place was Dave Thompson on 15 points ocb.
Vouchers went to Mark Bennett and Carol Osborne.
Next Saturday’s event will be the March monthly medals.