Home » Golf » The 19th Hole

The 19th Hole

Murray Downs Men

LAST Saturday’s competition was an “Irish Four Ball” format, where each team of four players played a modified Stableford competition.

All four players’ scores were counted on three holes, three scores counted on four holes, two scores counted on five holes and the team’s best score on six holes, which were then added up for the final team total.

The winning team of Simon and Rachel Fry, from Kooyonga GC in SA, and Glen and Lyn McGough, from Blackwood GC, finished with 95 points, one point ahead of Justin Condely, Leigh Paynter, Brenton Gurnett and Ross McFarlane on 94 points, who pipped Craig Davies, Dale Smith, Rob O’Brien and Steve Bulmer for second on countback.

The nearest the pins went to Murray Conn on the 2nd, Ben Smith on the 5th, Geoff Frame hit a great shot into 54cm (claiming the jackpot) on the 11th, and Ross McFarlane on the 15th.

Sunday’s competition was a medley Stableford event, which saw the in-form Lucas Free (27) continue with his recent purple patch of golf by recording the day’s best score of 40 points to take out Division 3, from Kevin McArdle (25), from Melton Valley, with 39 points.

Division 2 was decided by the countback system, with Dale Smith (15) coming out on top of Andrew Bethune (17) when both players finished with 39 points each. In division 1, it went to Kelvin Kellett (10), from Mornington, with 39 points, ahead of Daniel Cruickshank (4) on 36 points.

Keagan Grant led the ball run-down with 39 points, which went down to scores of 34 points, while the NTPs went to Kelvin Kellett (Mornington GC) on the 2nd, Thomas Dullard on the 5th, Jason Perry on the 11th and Kane Trimble (Hepburn Springs GC) on the 15th.

On Thursday last week, the daily competition was a Stableford format in two divisions, which saw Mark Warren (11) record the day’s best score of 37 points to take out Division 1 from Rob Hinton (19) on 36 points.

Mick Burns (23) was the best in Division 2 with 36 points, ahead of Tom Wilkins (35) with 31 points. Other players required at least 33 points to be eligible for a ball, while the lucky shots on the par three holes were hit by Sam Rovere on the 2nd and 15th, Ray Power on the 5th and Ross Hastings on the 11th.

The competition on Monday was restricted to playing the back nine holes twice, as the greens were receiving much-needed maintenance. Ash Miller came out on top with 40 points, from Matt Quaife on 39 points.

Tuesday’s competition was a nine-hole event, played on the front nine-holes with Chris Mahon (31) getting the nod over Andrew Ferguson (28) when both players finished with 20 points apiece.

Entries are now open for the annual knockout (singles & 4BBB) events. Players can enter by adding their names to the list displayed in the cabinet in the breezeway. Entries for these events close on Friday, 31 March.

In the breezeway, entry forms are also available for the annual River Murray Challenge, a mixed 4BBB Stableford competition held against Rich River. This event will occur here at Murray Downs on Sunday, April 23.

Also coming up very quickly, starting on Sunday, April 30, is the 2023 Premier League competition, with teams of six players competing against each other.

If you would like to be part of this competition, please contact the co-ordinator Tony Ford and he will attempt to get you into a team.


Murray Downs Ladies

PAULA Pickert had two reasons to celebrate after Wednesday’s March Monthly Medal event at Murray Downs.

First, she collected her third Monthly Medal; secondly, she had her best-ever stroke score of 83, including one birdie and seven pars.

Competing in Division 1 off a handicap of 17, her net score of 66 was six shots clear of Lois Carnie (19), who was runner-up in this division.

In Division 2, Jenny Monahan (32) returned to the winners list and scored 72 net.

Sally Fearn, who has just started her golf journey, returned a score of 73 net from her 52 handicap to take out second prize.

Noni Domaille was the best putter of the day with 29, and Claris Bourne executed the lucky shots to the par 3s on the 2nd and 15th, Chris Warburton on the 5th and Lois Carnie on the 11th.

Jude Simmonds, Rhonda Barrow, Claris Bourne, Avis Shipsides, Jenice Krahnert and Georgina Douglas all scored 73 net to collect balls.

On Saturday, Claris Bourne (25), 37 points, won from Barb Cadd (28), 36 points.

Sue Davis and Lisa Jean were next best with 34 points, with Claris and Lisa also collecting nearest the pin prizes.

Summary conditions greeted the 64 women who teed off in the par event at Murray Downs on Wednesday.

Pam Blohm has made up for a golf hiatus in 2022 by registering her second win in the past couple of weeks.

On this occasion, Pam had the score of the day of five up from her 30 handicap to win Division 2 from Judi Lonergan (28) square.

The next best score was in Division 3, where new golfer Kerry McDonald (40) scored four up to win on a countback from Lois Heil (44).

Division 1 winners were Georgina Douglas (24) and Mag Kiley (17), both two up.

Deanne Frame (39) also scored four up but had to be satisfied with leading the ball pool.

Next, best were Paula Pickert, two up and Lois Carnie and Kath Brennan, both one up.

Lois Carnie and Judy McMahon shared the birdies nest on the par five 12th hole, and Mag Kiley and Lois Carnie also shared the jackpot on the par three 11th hole.

Other par three lucky shots were executed by Pam Austerberry, Jenny Lynas and Virginia Allen.

An Irish four-ball was held on Saturday, with the team of Carol Wiseman, Janette Tucker, Kerry Gammon and Ruth McAlister taking the spoils with 84 points.

Bragging rights in the Domaille household belonged to Audrey Domaille (33), 38 points, after she beat her mother, Noni (20), by three points on Sunday.

Kristy Gordon (16) also scored 35 points. Kristy also collected a nearest the pin on the 2nd hole, with Belinda Gardner most accurate on the 11th.

The annual Fay Ayson Memorial Pink Day is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Kennedy’s Jewellers have sponsored this event for many years, with proceeds from the day donated to local cancer support services.

Digital Editions


  • Critical service opened

    Critical service opened

    ACCESS to community alcohol and other drug services has expanded to Swan Hill, as First Peoples led Ngwala Willumbong opened its doors on Beveridge Street…

More News

  • Eagles fly into new season

    Eagles fly into new season

    THE Mallee Eagles won’t be rolling out the red carpet for rivals Balranald when the two clubs meet at Lalbert, with former Eagles coach Brent Macleod coaching against his former…

  • Education partnership paves the way

    Education partnership paves the way

    SEED Ability has joined Country Universities Centre Mallee to strengthen pathways for students into allied health careers, becoming the centre’s first local platinum partner. With a contribution of $5000, Seed…

  • Lew prosecutes his case

    Lew prosecutes his case

    A FORMER Melbourne councillor with a history of political run-ins has thrown his hat into the ring to replace retiring Nationals heavyweight Peter Walsh, declaring he is the candidate to…

  • Truck collision closes highway

    Truck collision closes highway

    STURT Highway at Paringi has reopened following a two-truck truck crash on Wednesday. Emergency services responded to the collision about 5.20am and closed the NSW stretch of the highway between…

  • Speed, alcohol offences detected over Easter

    Speed, alcohol offences detected over Easter

    ANOTHER Easter long weekend has passed without a road fatality in Swan Hill, Buloke and Gannawarra shires, keeping a two-decade long streak of travellers returning home safe. However, not all…

  • Swans set to soar

    Swans set to soar

    It won’t just be our region’s footballers and netballers who will begin another campaign over the coming days, with the Swan Hill Soccer League’s senior squads also opening their 2026…

  • Renowned pianist brings joy

    Renowned pianist brings joy

    MUSIC has a way of connecting generations and nowhere was that clearer than when internationally acclaimed pianist Tom Williams sat down to play for the residents at Hope Aged Care.…

  • Shining a light on family violence

    Shining a light on family violence

    A STRIKING new feature will greet visitors at Swan Hill District Health’s 1860 Café this April, with the health service proudly hosting the Elephant in the Room installation. Delivered in…

  • Fuel thiefs strike

    Fuel thiefs strike

    SWAN HILL Arson: POLICE are investigating a suspicious fire involving building debris and household items at a property on Murray Valley Highway on 5 April. Police said they believed it…

  • Motown revival

    Motown revival

    AUDIENCES are preparing to relive the music that defined a generation as The Big Chillout, a joyous Motown experience arrives in Swan Hill on 17 April. The feel-good live show…