Murray Downs Men
Last Thursday, prior to the Victorian travel restrictions being re-imposed, a field of 59 golfers took part in a competition against par, in two divisions.
The best score of the day, +4, was recorded by Bill Macumber from his handicap 15 and in doing so took out the major prize in the A grade section, from Wayne Wisby (8) who finished with +3.
John Goodley (20) led the 2nd division with +2 from Tony McDonald (29) at -1.
Chris Merritt, Dale Rogers & Laurie Shipsides led the ball run-down with scores of square, which went down to scores of -2.
Mark Warren (2nd), John Tripodi (5th), Gerard Mackay (11th) and Chris Merritt (15th) took out the nearest the pins on the par three holes.
On Saturday, a small, of predominately NSW, residents took part in a medley stableford competition, with Keagan Grant (26) recording the days best score of 38 points, to take out the 2nd division from Brad Cockfield (26) with 35 points.
Brenton Halligan (17) got the nod over Ross Kenyon (12) for the division 1 honors, by way of the count-back system, when both players finished with 35 points apiece.
To get a ball, other players required a score of 34 points or better, whilst the nearest the pins where claimed by Justin Condely on the 2nd, Andrew Petersen on the 5th, Brayden Hogan on the 11th and Brad Cockfield on the 15th.
Then onto Sunday’s competition, which was played off the seldom used, but very well accepted, short “Downs” course.
Another medley stableford event was played, in two divisions.
Claris Bourne (19) took out the major prize and 2nd division, by way of the count-back system, with a score of 39 points from Tony McDonald (19), whilst in division 1, Arnold Kirby (11) was the best with 38 points over Ashley Free (+1) with 37 points.
Other players required 34 points and more to be in the ball-rundown.
Ole Rhode had his eye in on the par three holes, taking out the NTPs on holes 5 & 15, with Ash Free and Arnold Kirby doing likewise on holes 2 & 11 respectively.
On Tuesday, the competition was against par, with a field of 33 players taking part. Andrew Ferguson (26) recorded his best score for a very long time, to take out the major prize with a score of +3, by way of the countback system, from the unlucky, Ross Hastings (8), as the next best score of +1, submitted by Howard Rosewarne (25) and Rhonda Caccianiga (45), led the ball rundown, which went to those with -1.
The very lucky shots on the par three holes (and they must have been very lucky shot) for the daily NTPs were taken out by Rob Merrett on the 2nd & Peter Martin on the 11th holes.
This Saturday, (now that Victorian “border bubble” residents are permitted to play golf at Murray Downs), we will have the elimination finals of the Swan Hill Wholesalers Premier League competition.
Top of the ladder “The Royal Goat Trackers” will take on the 4th placed “Country Club Chicks” and “Power On”, 2nd, will be up against the “Presidents Cup”, 3rd, in the other match, with the winners going through to the grand finale, which hopefully will be held next week, August 21.
The “Royal Goats” have a very strong team, capably lead by their captain, Tony Ford and ably assisted by Geoff (Speedy) Frame and when you throw in the likes of George Sidorow, Graeme Mathiske, Kain Domaille, Ray Power, Brenton Gurnett and Wayne Wisby, this team of former Goat Trackers, will be very hard to beat, but then again, the “Country Chicks” also have some very talented players in their team.
They have 2021 Golden Putter winners Lynne Bishop and Shelley Wilkins, both in good form, Barb Cadd and Sue Davis are usually not far away from the leaders, nor are Kristy Gordon, Gaye Legudi, Ann Webb and Rebecca Humphries.
This match will go right down to the wire, with the “Goats” predicted to come out on top, by a slender margin.
In the second elimination final, between “Power On”, who were powered “off” in their last match, up against the “Presidents Cup”.
The “Power” has been on or near the top of the ladder, all competition, whilst the “Presidents” mob have maintained a position in the four from the beginning.
Neither team has any real stand out players, they just come together as a team, when required.
Nona Wilson leads a very competitive “Power On” team and has good support in Brian Elliott, Cath Lang, Maryann Mathiske, Roger Walker, Jenny Ford, Geoff Brasser and Paul Sparks, whilst the “Presidents Cup” mob, probably have the stronger team on paper, but they will all need to lift, to get over the line.
With their mainstay, in Ken Gregory not available, they will require strong performances from Mick Kiley, Mal Woolhouse, Alan Mason, Col Hedwards, Rob Merrett (2Rs, 2Es & 2Ts), Gary Bailey and Gerard Moloney, to get through to the grand final match.
I’ll go with the “predictor” which has selected the “Presidents” mob to come out on top by a margin of 3 points.
As the Murray Downs Golf & Country Club’s club house is currently temporarily closed, all golfers are encouraged to support our other venues at either the Swan Hill Club or Spoons Riverside, during these difficult times.
Murray Downs Ladies
Seventy one ladies took the opportunity to play golf on Wednesday after Victorian regional restrictions were eased and afterwards met up at the Swan Hill Club to enjoy a “cuppa” and debriefing on the days golf.
The August Monthly Medal was on the agenda with competitors enjoying almost spring like conditions.
Dianne Plant plays off a 24 handicap and scored 70 nett to win her first Medal at the club.
Dianne started her golf life at Managatang and this has been her best score at Murray Downs since joining about 8 years ago.
Handicap divisions are averaged out for daily competitions and Dianne was competing in Division 1 where the runner-up Lois Carnie ( 17) also had 70 nett.
Altona Lakes GC member , Rebecca Humphry , is a regular competitor at Murray Downs because of work commitments in Swan Hill and also was amongst the mix with 70 nett to win Div 2.
Jude Lonergan was runner with 71 nett from her 27 handicap.
In Div 3, Lyn Billing (33) 72 nett and consistent Jennifer White (34) 73 were the winners.
Robyn Bett 71 and Shelley Wilkins 73 led the ball pool which went down to 75 nett.
Deryn Pinney included 27 putts in her score to win the putting comp, Jude Simmonds collected four balls from the “Birdies Nest ” on the 12th and the nearest the pin winners were Jude Lonergan, Sheila Beard, Eileen Willox and Kath Brennan.
Lakeside Ladies Golf
Wednesday morning started out with a beautiful day for golf and we all set off for a par round.
By the end of the day the winds were almost gale force & it was good to get to the club house.
Deanne Free won the day with a -3 on a countback from Jean Youl.
Joan Foster took home the ball comp with a -4 also on a countback from Laurel.
Trish managed to take home the chocolates.
Jean won the Lake Boga cafe coffee & cake with a birdie on the 3rd, Joan had a couple of good shots to take home the balls from Lake Boga Marine on the 7th & Shaw auto electrical on the 12th & Mandy also finished with a birdie after a close drive to win Joan’s ball on the 18th.
