Monthly Winner:
PETE LINCOLN (17): Despite missing Round 6 and lacking recent play, Pete defied expectations and delivered a phenomenal round. He shot eight strokes under his handicap to claim victory with 44 points—the highest score of the season so far.

Monthly Runner Up:
TRAV JONES (10): After his previous NAGA-winning performance at Eagle Ridge, Trav came back strong, setting the bar high on the first day of play with an impressive 40 points and claiming the early clubhouse lead.

Top Performances:

Best Front 9:
PETE LINCOLN (17) & TRAV JONES (10): Both players had a strong start, scoring 21 points each. Highlights included Trav's birdie for 4 points on the 2nd hole and Pete conquering the Coffin with a birdie of his own.

Best Back 9:
PETE LINCOLN (17): Pete outdid his impressive front nine by posting a 3-over 37, earning an outstanding 23 points. His round featured an early birdie on the Par 3 12th hole, sealing his dominant performance.

Best Gross Score:
REECE TWYFORD (6): The "Gross King" reclaimed his title with a consistent round of 74. Close behind were Trav Jones and Ryan Dale, both posting commendable scores of 75.

This month's unfortunate NAGA points recipients were:

Round 7 NAGA Points:

Each month, the competitors with the lowest five scores receive NAGA points, contributing to the Yearly NAGA leaderboard. This month's recipients featured a mix of seasoned NAGA veterans and some fresh faces. After my close call last month, I find myself bitterly joining the ranks this time around. Here are this month’s unlucky NAGA points earners:

• BRENTON MAY : 5 Points

• ADAM FINDLEY: 4 Points

• JACK LEWIS: 3 Points

• DANIEL ALLWOOD, TOM BAILEY & CHRIS GRUNDY: 2 Points

• JOSH WILSON, KANE GROSE & JAVIER VEGA-SANGUESA : 1 Point each

With over 70% of the field already having earned NAGA points, the question remains: can the remaining 16 players hold their ground through the final four rounds?

MONTHLY AWARDS:

TINDER AWARD

☆ JACK LEWIS ☆ - 7 Swipes

A hattrick of swipes was a tough way to start his round!

GATTUSO AWARD

Awarded to the player with the greatest variance between their front and back nines. This accolade pays tribute to the passionate Italian football coach/player Gennaro Gattuso and his truly descriptive quote surrounding his teams performance. This 5 second YouTube video is a must see to truly understand the Gattuso Award:

https://youtu.be/QJHUbtR0yI8?si=LEK88SKComSvQQhl

☆ CAM ASKER ☆ - 8 Point Difference (Front 10 & Back 18)

Pulling off the great escape from the NAGA points with 9 points in his last three holes seeing Asker catapault to safety!

NEVER GO FULL KAREN AWARD

This special award also doubles as a public service announcement for all players: stay calm and don’t let minor frustrations ruin your game. After scoring consecutive net birdies on holes 5 and 6 and being on track for a stellar round, this typically composed player couldn’t hold back. Frustrated by slow play ahead, he made a call to the clubhouse, “Going Full Karen” in protest.

Unfortunately, that burst of frustration was not compatible with maintaining focus, as the round unraveled from that point, yielding just one point over the next four holes. As someone who also struggles with slow play, I can fully sympathize with this award recipient. So, with a touch of empathy—hard luck goes to:

☆ ANGUS BOWDEN ☆

MR SHOCKTOBER AWARD

☆ REECE TWYFORD ☆

Even though this didn’t occur during a PGAC Round, it’s such an incredible story that it deserves another mention. For those who missed it, Reece shot an impressive 38 points at Patterson River CC. But what truly sets this day apart is what happened before his round: Reece heroically stepped in and saved another golfer's life in the parking lot. It’s not often that a round of golf starts with lifesaving heroics, making this an unforgettable feat worthy of all the recognition it gets!

ESSENDON 23/24 AWARD

☆ JOSH WILSON ☆

Well, much like my beloved Bombers over the past two seasons, I started this season in strong form, even holding the lead for a brief moment. But true to Essendon fashion, I’ve hit a mid-to-late season slump, and now I’m in a freefall down the season leaderboard. This slump became even more glaring this month, as it marked the point where the 20+ players who have participated in every round could begin replacing their worst scores—everyone except me, that is. I was the only one who didn’t manage to improve on my lowest score. Definitely derseving of my own not so special mention and just narrowly missed out on the Paris Rahm Award.

PARIS RAHM AWARD

This award, named in honor of the 2023 Masters Champion's infamous collapse at the Paris Olympics, recognizes those who stumble at critical moments—whether by faltering over the final few holes, squandering home-course advantage, wasting good form, or struggling in perfect conditions. There are countless ways to earn this less-than-prestigious title.

This month's recipient is no stranger to the dubious honor, having claimed it once before in a strikingly similar manner. Our Round 6 winner at Eagle Ridge had an outstanding performance, thanks to an incredible back nine that netted him 24 points alone. Fast forward two weeks to Flinders, and over the entire 18 holes, he managed just one point more than that back nine total, finishing with only 25 points and earning a spot again in the NAGA points.

We might need to start calling him MR GATTUSO GOLF, as he has now won twice, featured in the NAGA points three times, and claimed the Paris Rahm award twice—all in just seven rounds!

This month's Paris Rahm recipient is none other than last month’s victor:

☆Tom Bailey☆

Thats the Round 7 wrap up, see you at Portsea for Round 8.