Steven Slappendel and Lloyd Radcliffe have claimed the 2026 Vendi Golf Sand Greens Fourball Championship at Narromine Golf Club, holding off a strong field of 216 players from more than 40 clubs across New South Wales to take the title.
The Newcastle pair finished at 85 points, 13 under par, after rounds of 42 and 43, pipping Sydney duo Ryan Cadle and Jack Gillet and locals Kale Bock and Craig Duff, who both finished a shot back on 84 points.
The championship returned to Narromine for the first time in 16 years, and the central west venue proved a popular destination, drawing competitors from across the state for two days of competition.
Round one was played in ideal cool conditions, producing some of the best scoring of the event. Cadle and Gillet led after day one with a brilliant 44 points (-8), while home pair Sambrook and Potter were just one shot back on 43 points (-7). Slappendel and Radcliffe sat a further shot behind on 42 points (-6).
The Newcastle pair produced a composed 43-point second round to move clear of the field on day two. Cadle and Gillet fell to 40 points, while Bock and Duff fired the round of the tournament, 44 points (-8), to leap into a share of second place.
Remarkably, it was Slappendel and Radcliffe’s first time playing sand greens in a competitive environment.
“We’ve only played sand greens for fun and a bit of a muck around,” they said after the win.
The champions were quick to praise the venue, also.
“The course was great, and the greens were great. They had more sand on them than what we’re used to, so it took some adjusting. Our smoothing could use some work as well.”
In the nett division, Dom and Brendon Gadsby from Dubbo Golf Club claimed the Bruce Reynolds Trophy with 94 points, winning by a single shot.
