Part-timer Trent fresh for Maroochy River Open

TRENT Butlin, who describes himself as a part-time golfer these days, has long had a love affair with the signature 18th hole at Maroochy River.

The long-hitting Butlin once famously drove the green on this difficult, dog-leg hole which requires a tee-shot of at least 300 metres to clear the pond that guards the front of the green. On another occasion he scored a rare eagle two on the par-4 monster.

Playing with a group of mates in the Maroochy River Open from the tough black tees recdntly, he scored a more orthodox par-4 on the 18th, a hole rated the hardest on the course. It allowed Butlin to sign for a par round of 72 and tie with Headland teenager, Ben Duncombe.

The two golfers – who had each represented the old Horton Park Golf Club in junior pennant competition some years ago – played in the morning and were required to return in the late afternoon for a sudden-death playoff to decide the winner.

Duncombe’s drive on the first playoff hole found the water, and Butlin, who plays so rarely these days he has taken out a remote membership of the Howlong Golf Club on the Murray to keep his handicap, two-putted for a regulation par and a one-stroke victory.