mmg.com.au

Manly’s Richard Gallichan led from start to finish in last week’s annual Rich River Trainee Classic to defeat Medway’s Ben Ford by two shots with a four-round total of 275.

Gallichan returned the best score during last Tuesday’s opening round, with a six-under par round of 66.

In a field of 140 trainees, only 17 others managed to break par.

Sharing second place with rounds of 67 were Joel Landers (Kwinana, Western Australia), Ethan Conden (Woodlands) and Sean Roach (Southern).

Rounds of 68 were returned by Alexander Pitty (Pennant Hills) and Deyen Lawson (Curlewis).

Three players returned rounds of 69, Clayton Bridges (Toronto), Ben Ford (Medway) and Kyle Grant (Terrey Hills).

There were a log jam of players with rounds of 70 and 71.

Former Rich River members Jack Wilson (72) and Kacey Heywood (79) were a little off the pace.

The second round of the classic was again played in hot and windy conditions, which again showed in the scores with only 14 players scoring under par.

At the half-way mark, Gallichan had a five-shot lead after shooting a five-under par round of 67.

Second place was shared by Ford and Grant after shooting a 69 for a total of 138.

Third spot was shared by Pitty and Landers, both on 140.

Following the third round, the stage was set for a thrilling finish after Ford fired a four-under par round of 68 to gain two shots on the overnight leader who shot his third sub-par round — a two-under par 70 for a total of 203.

Tied for third place were Pitty and Grant on 210, followed by Tim Hart (Gainsborough Greens) and Roach on 211.

The final round of the classic saw Gallichan enjoying a three-shot advantage over Ford.

Gallichan picked up another shot when he birdied the first hole, but immediately gave it back when he bogeyed the second.

Ford gained two shots after a double bogey by Gallichan on the par-three fourth hole.

Both players eagled the long par-five fifth hole and after nine holes there was only one stroke the difference in favour of Gallichan.

Over the final nine holes, both players had chances to win the classic, but Ford had three bogeys over the back nine, with Gallichan having a two-shot buffer when Ford bogeyed the 17th hole.

Both players parred the 18th, giving Gallichan a well-deserved win after leading all the way for a four-round total of 275.

Scores: Richard Gallichan 275, Ben Ford 277, Kyle Grant 281, Brad Moules 282, Sean Roach 282, Tim Hart 282, Simon Hawkes 283, Jack Wilson 284, Dylan Higgins 286, Brad Wilson 286.