Murray Downs Men:
The shackles have, finally, been released allowing our Victorian “border bubble” golfers permission to travel into NSW to play golf and haven’t they taken advantage of these easing of restrictions.
With large numbers of golfers entering the daily competitions held at Murray Downs Golf & Country Club, over the past week.
Last Thursday, a large field of 89 players assembled to partake in a “stroke” event, which is unusual for a mid-week competition, with some very good scores being recorded.
Graham McLellan (10) recorded the day’s best score of net 69, to claim the major prize on offer and division 1 honors.
Neville Brady (3) was runner-up in this division with nett 71.
Terry McEwan (18) was the best in division 2 with nett 72, from Lachlan Carroll (21) on nett 74, whilst in the 3rd division Andrew McLean (25) was the best with nett 70, over Bill Gurnett (32) who finished with nett 74.
The lucky shots on the par three holes were hit by Arnold Kirby on the 2nd, Aldo D’Amico on the 5th, Ron Munro on the 11th and Ray Power on the 15th and in the ball run-down scores of nett 76 and better were required to get a ball.
Friday, being a public holiday in Victoria, 91 players (68 men & 13 ladies), took advantage of the day off and competed in a stableford competition, were Andrew Gilchrist (12) and Jonathon Hirst (13), both recorded the day’s best score of 39 points, with Gilchrist coming out on top, via the count-back system, for division 1 honors.
Brenton Halligan (17) was the best in division 2 with 37 points, from John Tripodi (16) runner-up on 36 points.
Again, the count-back system came into play, to separate Paul “Babba” O’Loughlin (26) and Stefan Mangiameli (26), for division 3 honors, when both players handed in scores of 38 points, with O’Loughlin coming out on top.
Other players required scores of 34 points and better in the ball run-down.
The NTPs were claimed by Ash Free on the 2nd, Dale Smith on the 5th, Craig Davis hit it to 98 cm on the 11th and Rod Bishop hit a good shot on the 15th, as did Brenton Halligan who eagled the par 5, 7th hole, to take off the “eagle’s” nest.
On Saturday, AFL Grand Final day, 150 players (107 men & 43 ladies) to took part in the daily stableford competition and again some very good scores were recorded.
Division 3 was the red-hot division were Joel Travaglia (32) recorded his best score ever, of 39 points, to claim the major prize, from the unlucky Brad Cockfield (24) who finished with 38 points.
Andrew Cameron (17) and Mark Burns (16), fought it out for division 2 honors, when both players finished with 37 points apiece, with Cameron getting the nod, via the count-back system and in division 1, Mark Warren (10) was the best with 34 points from Colin Mewburn (13) on 33 points.
Other players required 34 points and more to be in the ball run-down, meanwhile the NTPs were claimed by George Sidorow on the 2nd, Rick Rundle-Gordon on the 5th and Matt Harrop on the 11th and 15th.
On Sunday, good numbers of golfers continued to flock out to Murray Downs, to get away from the Victorian restrictions, for their regular round of golf. John Tripodi continued on with his good form, by recording the day’s best score of 39 points from his 16 handicap and in doing so claimed the major prize on offer and division 1.
He only just got over the line, as a regular visitor from Kerang, in Andrew Spitty (3) was hot on his heels with 38 points.
Rick Austerberry (26) also recorded 38 points and was the best in division 2, with Greg Armsden (23) runner-up on 35 points.
Other players required scores of 34 and more to be in the ball run-down, whilst the nearest the pins were taken out by Matthew Loats on the 2nd, Neville Brady on the 5th, Greg Armsden on the 11th and Steven Emberson on the 15th.
There were, still, at lot of eager – enthusiastic golfers available for Tuesday’s stableford competition with a near record field of 51 players partaking in the mid-week event.
These numbers allowed for play 2 divisions and again some very good scores were recorded. Paul Bethune (13) and Jason Perry (15) fought it out for division 1 honors, with the count-back system coming into play to separate them, with both players finishing with 39 points apiece, with Bethune coming out on top.
The lucky Ross Palmer (20) also had the same score of 39 points, but avoided the count-back, as he was the best in division 2, with Andrew Ferguson (26) runner-up on 37 points.
The ball run-down was also quite hot, as other players required 34 points and better to get a ball.
The NTPs were claimed by Ross Hastings 0n the 2nd, Robbie Gray on the 5th and Wayne Wisby on the 11th.
A little bit of housekeeping, the new knockout dates have been posted, in the breezeway.
If you are still in the running for these events, please ensure that your matches have been completed by the due date.
The next rounds must be completed by the following dates:
4BB – October 10, October 24, November 21 & final November 26.
Singles: October 17, October 31 and November 26
Mixed: October 24 & November 25.
We will be holding two separate Swan Hill Windows & Kitchens, 9-hole summer competitions, each of 8 weeks, over this summer.
The first will commence on Monday October 18 and go through until Sunday December 12.
The 2nd competition will commence on Monday January 17, 2022 and run through until Sunday March 13, 2022.
There will be presentations at the end of each competition.
The competition consists of teams of 4 players, with the teams 3 best weekly scores being used as the team score.
The week commences on Monday and concludes on Sunday.
Entry is $40 per team plus $6 per round and can be played in conjunction with other competitions.
Players can play as many times as the wish, each week, if they need to improve their score.
The Golfers 2021/22 AGM has been postponed until Monday November 8. Nomination forms for committee positions will become available on October 4 and must be submitted by October 18.Finally, the Grand Final of the Swan Hill Wholesalers Premier League competition will be played on Saturday October 9, followed by a BBQ and presentations in the Mayer’s gazebo, from 6:00pm.
Murray Downs Ladies:
Jenny Lynas is the 2021 MDG&CC Medal of Medallist winner.
Extremely windy conditions and recently cored greens greeted competitors on Wednesday and Jenny’s score of 68 nett from her 27 handicap clinched the title from the 9 other Monthly Medal qualifiers.
Jenny is a renowned big occasion competitor and her score, which included 5 pars, reflected this ability.
The October Monthly Medal was also on the agenda.
Thirty-nine marker Lyn Beasy shot her best ever score at Murray Downs. Her score of 105/66 won her her first medal and the C grade winners voucher.
A two shot reduction in her handicap was also a highlight for Lyn. Runner up in this grade was Laurel Dewhurst (34) 75 nett.
Jenny Lynas was also the B grade winner from Glenda Coulter (29) 71 nett.Last week, Lyn Merrett scored 40 points and this week followed up with 70 nett from her 22 handicap to win A grade from Maree Thurwood (14) 73 nett.
Tina King led the ball pool with 72 with Judi Benbow, Robyn Bett, Lynne Bishop, Marg Moore, Paula Pickert and Suzanne McClellan all 74 successful.
Noni Domaille collected two ntp prizes with the others going to Maree Thurwood and Paula Pickert .The sandy greens suited ex sand scraper Tina King who won the putting comp with 29.
Forty-six ladies enjoyed Saturday’s summery conditions with Jenny Ford (25) collating the score of the day with 40 pts to win Div 2.
Rebecca Humphrys (25) 36 was runner-up.In Div 1, Lynne Bishop (15) 36 points won from Carol Wiseman (23) 33 points.
Nearest the pin winners were Jenice Krahnert, Dione Heppell, Sue Davis and Rebecca Humphrys.On Sunday, Dione Heppell (12) 39 points won from junior Mabel Spitty (41) 38 points.Ball winners were Melita Sartori and Olive Spitty with Michelle Holt and Lynne Bishop taking out the two ntp prizes.
