It’s not often that we hear of a Northern member winning a world trip in a golf tournament. But just this month one of ours won one with just a straight hit.

Ralph De Marchi, playing in the annual Mercedes Trophy at Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast earlier this month, made it through the qualifying rounds to the final day when all of the big prizes were for the taking, and he was the lucky one.

Ralph didn’t win any of the top prizes of a trip to play in the final in Germany. They went to the first three who will represent Australia in the World Final at Stuttgart. Ralph finished 6th overall and might not have won anything but for a straight drive.

Ralph’s win in the straightest drive competition on the last day of the three day event won him the ultimate consolation prize; a trip to Scotland as a VIP at The Open at St. Andrews in July and some Loch Lomond whisky to go with it. Not a bad result and you only have to own a Merc to be in the event, and of course pay for your entry.

I’m not sure that Ralph’s fabulous win will have more Northern members out buying a Mercedes in the next few weeks. Just maybe! However I’m hoping that Renault has a similar event and I might give it a try.

Congratulations Ralph. I reckon that you won the best prize. Maybe we’ll see you in the crowd on the big screen at our British Open event at Northern