BRING IT ON: Griffith’s (from left) Matt Staines, Josh Stapleton, Barry Stapleton and Sid Knox are ready to represent Western Riverina at the NSW Country Championships this weekend. Picture: Anthony Stipo
GRIFFITH golfer Josh Stapleton believes Western Riverina's experience could be the difference as they take on the best regional players in the state at the NSW Country Championships at Muswellbrook this weekend.
With decades of history playing at the prestigious tournament from the Griffith members alone, Stapleton said calm heads will prevail in the pressure cooker environment.
"Matt (Staines) and I have both played at Muswellbrook, but the last time I was there was in 2006 and Matt was there a couple of years before me," Stapleton said.
"I played in the State School Championships and I hit the ball pretty well, but you have to be on your game when you have blind dog-legs holes.
"There's some hills you have to contend with, but generally it's pretty flat and you can get in a bit of trouble off the tee up there.
"I haven't had a chance to hit any balls since I have been up here, but we'll have a practice round on Friday and get another good look at the layout."
Completing the Griffith contingent are Barry Stapleton and Sid Knox, with Josh talking up his father and Knox's ability to think their way around a court.
"They both have got quite a good short game and a really solid stroke with the putter which will come in handy," he said.
"We're all taking experience away in playing in this tournament, but they have a lot more experience in trying to get themselves out of trouble.
"They'll play the percentage golf more often than say Mat and myself and it pays off in tournaments like this."
Played over two 36 holes of stroke, the best team in the Country will be crowned along with an individual state champion, who will earn a ticket to compete at the NSW Open
Staines goes into the tournament as Griffith's biggest hoping of winning the individual title having won his 10th club title this year, with Josh saying his teammate and friend will be tough to stop if he gets on a roll.
"Because we don't practice as much as we used to, it feels even better to shoot a good score and really, on a bad day, he shoots as good a score as anybody else can on a good day," he said.
"He's aggressive, but you play like that on any course, but you have to learn to take you medicine when you have to.
"But he's hitting the driver that far at the moment, he'll probably be one of the longest hitters there this weekend at about 280m off the tee, which is really a drive and a chip into most holes."