Murray Downs Men
Cadd & Arnoldt take out the 2021 Murray Downs Golden Putter:
Two former local players, in Greg Cadd and Brad Arnoldt have taken out the 2021, 54th Murray Downs Golf & Country Club’s Golden Putter, with a 36-hole score of 15 up, against par.
The Golden Putter, a 36-hole 4BBB against par event, is the most prestigious event that is held at Murray Downs each year and is supported by long time sponsors in Tom Wilkins of “Tom Wilkins Menswear” and Ritchie & Tracey Merritt of “RTM Constructions”.
Visitors come from near and far, in an attempt to take home, the much sort after “Golden Putters”.
With capacity fields of 244 on each day, players gathered very early, with the morning assembly time of 6.45 and an afternoon assembly time of 12 noon.
All players must be congratulated on arriving on time, which allowed for each day to run very smoothly.
When the dust had settled and all scores had been submitted and checked off, it was the combination of Greg Cadd (4) from the Rich River GC & Brad Arnoldt (29) from Future Golf, who came out on top with two very consistent rounds of +8 on Saturday & +7 on Sunday, for a final total of +15.
Arnoldt followed on with a family tradition, as his grandfather, Leith Haig also won one the very first Golden Putters, when the event was being played at the former “Donnington” course.
They were two shots in front of the next best pairing of the father and son combination, from Murray Downs, in Graham (12) & Scott (7) Mathiske, +13 (+5 & +8).
In third position, beaten by the count-back system, was a pair of brothers from the Ballarat GC, in Brendan (19) and Matthew (14) Kosloff with a score of +13 (+7 & +6).
Coming in in fourth position, from the Horsham GC was the pairing of Mark Douglas (19) and David Lavithis (25) on +12 (+4 & +8), followed by our President Colin Hedwards (13) and his long-time playing partner Mal Williams (22) with +11 (+3 & +8).
Separate events were held on each day, Saturday’s best score was handed in by Kurt Wight (30) and Simon Macdonald (18) from Future Golf and the Curlewis GC of +9, followed by Brock (5) & Justin (11) Foster from Mt Xavier GC +8 in second position, with locals Craig Davies (21) & Chris Joyce (16) in third, with +7 and Woodend golfers Mick Keating (16) & Mick Fitzpatrick (21) +6 fourth.
The best score on Sunday’s event and also the best daily score from the weekend, was submitted by Rod Stephens (16) Rosanna GC and Murray Downs’s member, John Webb (16) of +10.
They were one shot ahead of the father and son combination in Tony (16) and Grant (9) Ford on (+9), followed Devil Bend visitors, Colin Stewart (15) and Brett Harkin (12) on +8, in third position, with brothers Mark (21) Geelong GC and Craig (11) Fletcher, Murray Downs on +7.
The Golden Putter weekend actually commenced on Friday, with the 18-hole Golden Shoe singles stableford event.
With a capacity field of 133 fronting the starter, all was in readiness for a very successful and enjoyable weekend at Murray Downs.
The course Superintend, Terry Dewhurst and his staff had the course in as good as condition as possible, the Pro shop staff had received all the entries and had arranged the draws, the Murray Downs Bowlers had the BBQ ready at the back of the 9th green, for breakfast and lunch and the kitchen staff were prepared for the influx of golfers, especially for the two-course dinner on Saturday evening.
Friday’s “Golden Shoe” was taken out by “A” grade player, Brett Harkin from the Devil Bend Gc, off his 12 handicap with an excellent score of 43 points, next best in this division from the Eynesbury GC, was Adam Attard (7) with 38 points, followed by Luke Dennehy (11) on 37 points in 3rd position.
The “B” grade division was won by Rod Stephens (16) from Rosanna GC with 39 points, with Shane Slattery (16), Mt Derrimut GC, on 38 points runner-up and Murray Downs Captain, Mick Kiley (17) in third position on 37 points.
In the “C” grade division the best score of 39 points was submitted by a Melton Valley GC visitor, in Justin Craven (24), runner-up was Mark Douglas (19) Horsham GC on 37 points by way of the count-back system, over Jim Lewis (30), from the East Framlingham GC.
The nearest the pins were taken out by our CEO, Greg Roberts on holes 2 & 15, James McLeod on the 5th and Colin Stewart on the 11th.
Now, onto more important golfing matters, this weekend we have the 6th round of the “Swan Hill Wholesalers” Premier League competition, were “Sweatpeas” take on the “Country Club Chicks”, the “Royal Goat Trackers” and “Presidents Cup” do battle, “Power On” and “MD Mavericks” come up against each other, as do “The Dukes” & “The Sticky Bandits”.
In the first match its 5th versus 7th, with both teams only just outside the top four, they both must win as there is only one match left in the season, Lynne Bishop, Shelley Wilkins, Barb Cadd and Kristy Gordon have all been in good form for the “Chicks” as have Barb Clark, Carol Wiseman, Claris Bourne and Eileen Farrar for the “Peas”.
I’m tipping the[M1] “Chicks” by a small margin.
In the second match between the “Goats” and the “Presidents” men, 3rd versus 2nd, this result will go right down to the wire.
President, Col Hedwards, had a very good weekend in the putter, Captain Mick Kiley, hit some good form in Friday’s Golden Shoe, Gerrard Moloney is in good form and if Vice President Mal Woolhouse, stops using the housel of his stick, the “Presidents” team should come out in front of the “Goats” even though Graeme Mathiske,
Brenton Gurnett, Kain Domaille and Tony Ford are all in very good form for them.
Ladder leaders “Power On” take on the 4th placed “Mavericks”, who must win to stay in finals race.
The “Power” all combine very well, with Brian Elliott, Paul Sparks, Jenny Ford, Nona Wilson, Cath Lang, Marian Mathiske, Roger Walker & Geoff Brasser all very consistent golfers, for the “Mavericks” CEO Greg Roberts, hit two good shots on the par three holes last weekend, but he’ll need to do more, Brain White has been in good touch as have Ian Johansen, Ash Free and Mick Scott, but I feel the “Power” will power on.
In the final match “The Dukes” and the “Bandits” battle, 8th v 6th, for the “Bandits” Jorgen Leschke, Jackson Quirk, Daniel & Brenton Cruickshank and Leighton Dullard are always not far away from the competition prizes, nor have Neville Brady, John Tripodi, Gene Brooks, Greg Armsden, Daniel Pedretti and Russell Silvester for the “Dukes”, I think that the “Bandits” have more to play for, as they are only two points outside of the top four, with only one match remaining.
Good golfing.
Murray Downs Women
The 48th Ladies Golden Putter was held at MDG&CC last Thursday with 31 visiting Victorian clubs represented in the capacity field.
The event was held in perfect weather conditions with the previous days rain not impeding good scoring.
Lynne Bishop and Shelley Wilkins were declared the winners in front of a full clubhouse, a welcome sight after the COVID kerfuffle.
Their score of 9 up was especially commendable because of their lower handicaps, 16 & 17 respectively. In fact, the first four place getters all featured an A grader.
Lynne and Shelley are now owners of two Golden Putters.
They also won the event in 2004 with a score of 8 up.
Kerry Bond (14) and Linda Turner (25) are frequent visitors from The Sands, Torquay Golf Club and scored 8 up to take out the runner-up trophy.
Marg Ivory (22) and Adrienne Fievez (16) from Gisborne GC won 3rd prize on a count back with a score of 8 up.
These ladies never miss a tournament at Murray Downs.
Jean Youl (28) from Lakeside and former Murray Downs member, Denise Turner (17) from Neangar Park were fourth.
Locals Jenny Ford (23) and Nona Wilson (22) took out fifth prize with a score of 7 up.
Janine Gale from Latrobe GC was rewarded for her shots to the 2nd & 5th holes, Maree Ryan (Medway) and Maree Thurwood won the 11th and 15th.
The teams event was taken out by the first and second placegetters.
Lalbert Golf ClubOn Sunday the final round of the Club Championships was played, with the best three rounds of the four rounds played counting.
In the fourth day’s play – the A Grade men, Doug Meehan headed the field, taking out the Scratch with 70 off the stick.
Handicap winner was Andrew Parsons on 67 Nett.
In B Grade, Scott Worner won the Scratch with 80, Handicap went to Peter Harley with 70 Nett.
In the Ladies, Karen McKissack came in with 92, to take out the Scratch.
Maree Kingwill winning the Handicap with a 74 Nett. The 9 Hole Juniors, Chayse Worner took out the Scratch with a 53.
Handicap winner was Caitlin McKissack with a 34 Nett.
NTP was Doug Meehan.
The Club Championships
Congratulations to Doug Meehan for taking out the Club Championship for 2021 with a combined Scratch Score of 220, from James Meehan (Sen) 230.
In the Grades, A Grade Men, Doug Meehan 220, James Meehan (Sen) 230, James Meehan Jun, 236.
The B Grade Men’s Champion was Scott Worner, on 252 from Peter Harley 257 and Lee O’Meara 258.
In the Ladies, Karen McKissack is the 2021 Champion, winning on 269, from Robyn Meehan and Jess Worner, tied on 286.
The 2021 18 Hole Junior Champion is Charlie Kingwill on 270 from Danika Meehan on 321.
The 9 Hole Junior Champion is Chayse Worner on 159, from Dakota Meehan on 162 and Jonty Worner on 178.
The 2021 NDGA Medal winner, with a combined Nett Score over the three best rounds, was Scott Worner with 201 Nett, from James Meehan (Sen) 203 and Doug Meehan 208.
In the Ladies, the 2021 Pat Jobling Memorial winner, with a combined Nett Score over the three best Rounds, was Jess Worner on 205 Nett.
The Club Tournament is scheduled for the last Friday and Sunday in July.
Nyah West
A small field graced the fairways last Sunday, and it was a visiting golfer who stole the limelight in the stableford event, young Alex Moynihan, scoring 46 points off a very charitable handicap of 36.
You won’t see that handicap again Alex, the handicapper is after you.
A count back was needed to determine the winner of the daily club event, and that went the way of Allister Pretty on 33 points from Mike Moynihan, whilst Graham Muir was next best but way back on 26 points.
Winners of the nearest the pins were Mike Moynihan (Goodyear Autocare 2nd), Dennis Pretty (Nyah West Pharmacy 12th), Graham Muir (Landmark 15th) and Allister Pretty (Rutherford Street Tyres 16th).
Another egg landed in the Country Tracks 4WD eagles nest. Our club is located at 202 Yarraby Road, Nyah West and is open every day for members and visitors.
