MURRAY DOWNS MEN’S
THERE were some strong fields last week and over the weekend vying for success in the tournaments on offer.
Starting on Thursday, May 1, our club champions father Malcolm McLean (9) cleaned up the top spot on the leaderboard in the par competition.
Malcolm, a Corowa Golf Club local, carded an impressive 75 off the stick (+6), turning back the clock with some fine form.
Samuel Rovere (14) finished with a very impressive +5 to come second in the A grade, ahead of Craig Fletcher (8) on +4.
The B grade winners were all from away, but Neil Chisholm (36) +3, Joe Morrison (25) +3 and David McCallum (40) +2 finished in the placings in C grade.
The May monthly medal was decided on Saturday, with Sebastian Parseghian taking out the coveted award with Nett -5 from his handicap of 23; maybe having a handicap the same number as the great basketballer Michael Jordan helped him to shoot the lights out on the day.
Sebastian dominated the front nine to set up the foundation for his winning score and was able to remain even with his handicap on the back nine to claim the prize.
In A grade, Ross Hastings (11) finished on top with -2, followed by Stuart McLean (9) -1 and Ian Johansen (11) in third even with the card.
The B grade winners included Justin Toomey (15) -3, Trent Hawkins (18) +1 and Malcolm Talbot (16) +2.
Rob Merrett (22) finished first on a countback in C grade ahead of a visitor and another local Thomas Wilkins (32), all finishing even with the card.
Dale Smith won the putting competition on the day and Jack Cornelissen hit it to 44 centimetres on the 11th hole.
The report about Sunday’s competition cannot start without acknowledging Rick Rundell-Gordon for his hole-in-one on the 11th.
In recent weeks, players have been peppering the flag, hitting it close in search of the elusive eagle on a par three.
But Rick accomplished the task and those that know him can imagine the celebrations that ensued.
Otherwise, there were enough players for two grades to be decided, with Brian Hinton (15) finishing on top in the A grade with 43 points in the Stableford competition to be the overall winner on the day.
Jason Baird (7) finished second to Brian in A grade with 39 points, while Charles Talboys (47) and Geoffrey Bett (32) finished first and second in B grade on 41 and 37 points respectively.
Peter Norgrove (25) took out the honours on 36 points on a countback ahead of Dale Smith (10) on the same score in the Tuesday’s Stableford competition.
The 2025 Singles and 4BBB knockout competitions also got underway at Murray Downs recently, with registered teams of two and individuals signed up for the match play competition to be crowned the 2025 knockout champions.
On Tuesday, Dale Smith also got his singles knockout campaign off on the right foot with a first-round win.
MURRAY DOWNS LADIES
THE first round of the 2025 club championships, incorporating the May monthly medal, was on the agenda at Murray Downs Golf & Country Club on Wednesday.
Di Pinal is quite new to the game of golf, but now she will be totally hooked after posting a personal best score of 68 nett from her 47 handicap to win the medal via a count back from the April medal winner Leanne Button (35).
Both women were competing in B grade for the daily competition, with Sheila Beard (27) shooting a 70 nett to finish third.
In A grade, Shelley Wilkins (21) 70 nett, Val Hedwards (17) 71 nett and Virginia Allen (22) 72 nett were the placegetters, with Virginia having 28 putts to collect the least putts prize, while Mandy Amezdroz (71 nett) and Anne Webb (72 nett) led the ball pool.
Jenny Lynas, Mag Kiley, Kerry McDonald and Eilleen Willox hit the most accurate shots to the par 3s.
On Saturday, Belinda Gardner (25) scored 38 points and Maralyn Morrison (26) scored 36 points to claim the major prizes, with Anne Webb and Jill Bath the next best with 34 points apiece.
Marg Moore and Lynne Bishop scored the nearest the pins, with Lynne also cleaning out the birdies nest on the par 5 12th hole.
Reigning club champion Olive Spitty is again leading the field after the first round of the championships, with Olive scoring a one over 73 to lead by 11 shots from Lynne Bishop.
In B grade, Shelley Wilkins (91) and Virginia Allen (94) lead the scratch events, while the C grade leaders are Leanne Button (103) and Colleen Roberts (104) and the D grade leaders are Mandy Amezdroz (112) and Di Pinal (115).
Leading the way in the handicap sections are Val Hedwards (71) and Olive Spitty (72) in A grade, Sheila Beard and Shelley Wilkins (both 70 nett) in B grade, Leanne Button (68) and Sally Fearn (73) in C grade and Di Pinal (68) and Mandy Amezdroz in D grade.
MURRAY DOWNS DAD’S ARMY
ON Monday, May 5, members of Dad’s army played the back-nine, with Ross Cox winning on 19 points ahead of Thomas Wilkins on 17 points.
They were followed by Graeme Bray on 16 points, Barry Bishop on 15 points, Raymond Frame on 14 points and Robert Smith and Robert Deighton on 13 points.
On Wednesday, May 7, members played the front-nine, with Robert Deighton winning on 20 points ahead of Ross Cox, Robert Smith and Brian Devlin on 19 points.
They were followed by Damian Kelly on 18 points, Tom Wilkins on 16 points and Barry Bishop and Colin Hayward on 13 points.
The weekly winner was Ross Cox with 38 points, ahead of Tom Wilkins and Robert Deighton on 33 points, Robert Smith on 32 points, Barry Bishop and Brian Devlin on 28 points, Colin Hayward on 24 points, Barry Ingram on 21 points and Ian Dickson on 20 points.
NYAH WEST
LAST Sunday, Gary Farley (21) won the monthly medal against par with a score of -1, with Dennis Pretty (10) finishing as the runner up on -4.
The nearest the pins were won by Andrew Flanagan on the Goodyear Autocare 2nd hole and the Nutrien Ag/Landmark 15th hole, Graham Muir on the Nyah West Pharmacy 12th hole and Shane Channon on the Rutherford Street Tyres 16th hole.
The Country Tracks 4WD Swan Hill Eagles Nest expanded by another ball.
This Sunday will be a Stableford event, with an afternoon tea to follow to help celebrate Mother’s Day, with all mums urged to come along.
The club’s junior development program will recommence on Sunday, May 18, at the Nyah West golf course at 202 Yarraby Road, starting at 9.30am.
TOOLEYBUC LADIES
Wednesday, April 30
Marg Lauer Fun Day Ambrose
Winners – Tracey Burge, Ros Jennings, Janet Brauer (74/59.9)
Runner’s up – Narelle Fraser, Jill Coburn, Deb Nelson
Nearest the pin 1/10 – Lisa Zanker, Ros Jennings, Janet Brauer
A wonderful day was had by everyone and remembering our dear friend Marg Lauer.
Wednesday, May 7
First Round Championship/Monthly Medal
Winner – Lisa Zanker (86/67)
Runner up – Tracey Burge (92/69)
Nearest the pin 1/10 – Leonie Lambert
Nearest the pin 5/14 – Narelle Fraser
Balls down the line – Lois Jordan, Ros Jennings, Janet Brauer, Thelma Watson
Least putts – Lisa Zanker (31)
