A LACK of play, rain and more penalty shots than he would usually concede in a year didn't stop Ben Marron reclaiming the Club Taree Golf championship.
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Marron was controversially disqualified from last year's event. He'd won three successive titles before 2014.
However, he assured that didn't provide any added incentive this time around. In fact, his preparation was pretty ordinary.
"I hadn't picked up a club for about three months,'' he explained.
"I've been coaching my young bloke's under 10 cricket team and also playing (cricket)?with Taree West in the afternoon.''
However, Marron was still reasonably confident, reasoning that there are only a handful of genuine contenders each year for the title.
"Peter Doherty's always going to be there, Peter Simpson and Greg Turner go alright.''
Defending champion Matt Walz didn't play this year.
Marron started in the right manner when he fired 71 to be the early leader. However, he endured a bad day at the office the second round, falling five shots behind.
"I hit four or five out of bounds,'' he said.
Marron recovered in the third round. He led Doherty by a shot going into the last round and consolidated to win by eight.
Rain fell in the last round but Marron said his group had the best of conditions.
"We hit off at 11am and it wasn't too bad,'' he said.
"The afternoon groups really got hammered.''
Marron again scored the Manning championship double by winning the Wingham title.
"I've won that about four or five times now,'' he said.
"It's three of the last four, anyway.''
With five Taree titles Marron is in striking range of Doherty's record eight championships at Taree. However, he doesn't think he'll be challenging for that record in the foreseeable future.
"I think that record's going to be around for a while,'' he said.
Marron will play in the 36 hole Country Championships at Wollongong next month.
With cricket commitments now taking most of his time, Marron isn't too confident of success.
"I'll be lucky to finish in the top 100,'' he said.
Cricket will ensure he doesn't get too much of an opportunity to spend much time on the course leading up the the Country titles.
Apart from coaching he is also captain of Taree West's first grade side this season.
"I'm busy on Saturday morning and Saturday afternoons - so I won't be playing much golf,'' he said.
Marron's current handicap is +1. It has been as low as +3.