Murray Downs Men
MANY golfers continue to enjoy the magnificent facilities at our doorstep at Murray Downs.
This was quite evident over the current and past week, with some large, regular groups of golfers returning to enjoy our course and hospitality and participate in the daily competitions.
Saturday’s competition was against par, played in three divisions, where Rick Rundell-Gordon (18) put together his best score since winning the “C” grade championship two years ago. He recorded the day’s best score of five up to take out division 2, from Sam Davis (14) who finished at one up.
Laurie Shipsides (12) got the nod in his favour to be the best in division 1, with two up, over a regular visitor from Coomealla, Aldo D’Amico (9), while division 3 went to Todd Graham (25) from Shepparton, also by the countback system, with three up from Roger Walker (19).
Other players required at least one down to be eligible for a ball, while with the nearest the pins, Sam Davis topped off a very good day by being the closest on holes 5 and 15, Mark Warren was the closest on hole 2, as was Geoff Brasser on hole 11.
Last Thursday’s competition was a Stableford event, where the self-proclaimed worst golfer at Murray Downs, Tony Ford, finally came good by recording the day’s best score of 39 points, from his handicap of 16, to be the best in division 2, from Rick Austerberry (20) with 38 points.
George Barnes (5) was the best in division 1, also with 38 points, from Graham McLellan (11) who came in with 37 points, while division 3’s best with 38 points was Andrew McLean (24), ahead of Tony Wilson (26) with 34 points.
Allan Kellock (15), from Shepparton, led the ball run-down with 38 points, which went down to scores of 34 points. Dale Smith claimed the NTP on the 5th hole. Peter Amezdroz was the closest on the 11th, as was Graeme Mathiske on the 15th.
Sunday’s competition was a two-person medley Ambrose event, where two very low markers, our current club champion James McLean (+2) and Matthew Stieger (+5) from Wagga Wagga, combined well together to get the chocolates, with a net score of 62.
Their score of eight under par on the front nine holes, which included an eagle three on the long par five, fourth hole, was followed up by four birdies on the back nine holes for a score of 60 off the beater. Because of their combined low handicaps, they had to give away two handicap shots for their final net score of 62.
They finished just ahead of the father-and-son combination of Ash and Lucas Free, who finished at 62.5 net – they, in turn, were half a shot ahead of another father-and-son combination in Brenton and Greg Cruickshank, who finished with a net 63.
The nearest the pins were taken out Kristy Gordon on the 2nd, Brenton Cruickshank on the 5th, Dion Carmichael on the 11th and Dale Smith on the 15th.
Chris Knee (24) took out Friday’s nine-hole competition with 19 points, from Amanda Amezdroz (46) and Shane Ingram (6), both with 18 points.
Ron Munro (20) recorded the best score of 36 points in Tuesday’s Stableford competition, just ahead of Ross Hastings (9) with 35 points.
Greg Weybury, Tony Wilson, Michael Corridan and Graeme McMillan all got a ball each for their efforts of 33 points, while Rob Hinton and Howard Rosewarne each claimed the NTPs on holes 2 and 11, respectively.
This Sunday, Murray Downs Golf & Country Club are hosting the final of the WRDGA summer pennant competition, which will be played between Deniliquin and Barham.
The match should go down to the wire, as there has been very little between these two teams over the season. The first pairings will hit off from 11:30am.
Sunday, April 16, is the Elegance Tiles by Conidi Tiles & Lighting two-person Ambrose event for men and women (numbers permitting).
The day will commence with a barbecue from 11:30am, followed by a noon assembly.
Also coming up very shortly is the annual River Murray Challenge match on Sunday, April 23, between Rich River and Murray Downs.
The 2023 Challenge will be played at Murray Downs. The format is a mixed 4BBB Stableford competition, commencing with a noon assembly.
This event will be followed on Sunday, April 30 by the first two rounds of the 2023 Swan Hill Wholesalers Premier League competition.
Murray Downs Ladies
SIXTY-seven women teed off in the Anniversary Cup at Murray Downs on Wednesday. This event has been played annually since the 25th anniversary of the club’s opening.
Jenice Krahnert (30) had the best score of the day but will have to wait to see if she is successful, as the Saturday players who did not compete on Wednesday have a chance to compete for the trophy.
Jenice’s score of 39 points won division 2 from Maralyn Morrison’s (26) 35 points.
In division 1, consistent Jude Simmonds (22), 38 points, and Georgina Douglas (24), 36 points, won the vouchers and the division 3 winners were Heather Evans (35), 35 points, and Lyn Billing (36), 33 points.
Noni Domaille, 34 points, and Julie Overall, Norma Everett, Robyn Bett, Judi Lonergan, Virginia Allen and Suzanne McLellan, all 33 points, led the ball pool.
Faye Palmer collected the jackpot for her accurate shot on the par three 11th hole, and the other nearest the pins went to Suzanne McLellan, Judi Lonergan and Michelle Holt.
Lynne Lawry’s (30) one-up was the Saturday against par event winner ahead of Claris Bourne’s (25) square.
Janette Tucker, Maralyn Morrison, Kristy Gordon and Kerry McDonald collected balls for their even result.
Dione Heppell and Marg Moore were the nearest the pin winners.
Veteran Golf
A VERY small number of veteran golfers entered for the Stableford event at Kerang on Tuesday, March 21.
The AGM had to be rescheduled to Tuesday, April 18, at Kerang.
The lady’s winner was Meryl Cameron with 29 points and runner-up was visitor Joan Sherer with 26 points on a countback.
The men’s winner was Graham Wyte with 33 points and visitor John Sherer with 32 points was runner up.
Ball pool went to Jill Marshall and Fred O’Bryan, while NTP winners were Joan Foster, Jill Marshall, Brenda Levan, Meryl Cameron (twice), Graham Wyte, John Sherer (twice) and Ray Henshall (twice).
The next event will be at Kerang again, as Cohuna has been cancelled.
A good turnout at Kerang for the AGM would be great.
Tooleybuc Ladies
STABLEFORD on Wednesday.
Winner was Narelle Fraser on 36 points ahead of Jill Coburn on 27 points.
Balls Down the Line: Marg Lauer, Janet Brauer.
Nutrien Award: Narelle Fraser.
Nearest the Pin: Janet Brauer 1/10, Narelle Fraser 5/14.
Trophy Donor: Blue Sky.
