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
Seventy nine ladies were booked into the second round of the Holt’s Spring Brooch but with grey clouds greeting competitors on Wednesday morning, 25 ladies decided to not risk the inclement forecast.
The remaining 54 ladies enjoyed very mild weather with Division 2 player, Jenny Lynas especially finding the conditions to her liking with 71 nett from her 28 handicap to take out the September Monthly Medal.
Runner up in this grade was Pam Blohm (32) 72 nett.In Division 1, school teacher Sarah Clark (21) enjoyed her Wednesday outing with 74 nett with the runner up prize going to Mag Kiley (18) 74 nett.
In the Spring Brooch comp, points are awarded to the top ten players in each of the three rounds.
With only one round to go the result is wide open as there are 20 different players with points.Dianne Nalder and Lois Carnie led the ball pool with 74 nett, Rosie Ficarra putted well to win the putting comp with 32 and the nearest the pin winners were Bev Holt, Shelley Wilkins, Nona Wilson and Marie Cruickshank.
Shot of the day was executed by Paula Pickert when her second shot on the 316 metre par 4 first hole found the bottom of the cup.
The Friday Grand Final holiday saw Sue Davis (22) 34 points take out the main prize whilst on Saturday 43 ladies took out cards in the stableford comp.In Division 1, Maralyn Morrison (26) 38 points won from Naomi Domaille (20) 36 points with the Division 2 prizes going to Jenice Krahnert (27) 37 points and Cath Lang (28) 35 points.
Jude Simmonds, Jan Butcher, Ruth McAlister and Robyn Bett all scored 35 points to lead the ball rundown.Kathy Parkinson, Jude Simmonds and Jenny Ford were the most accurate on the par 3’s.
Kathy Scott (20) plays a very handy game and on Sunday found form with 40 points to win by one point from Libby Gregory (29).
Nyah West
There was a good attendance of members and one visitor from Tarrawingee for a social outing on the club’s wind-up day and a 3 person ambrose was the choice with some fun activities thrown in.
The best scratch score handed in was that of Amber Moynihan, Blake Fraser and Kevin Oliver with 84.5 points just pipping out a ‘pensioners’ grouping of Peter Cockroft, Thelma Watson and Dennis Pretty who scored 85 points.
On handicaps, Sheena Gadsden, Gary Farley and Troy Green scored best with 85/13.3/71.7 whilst the Debbie Farley, Jayden Petersen and Allister Pretty combination scored 87/14.3/72.7.
Nearest the pins went to visitor Terry Ousley (Goodyear Autocare 2nd), Peter Cockroft (Nyah West Pharmacy 12th), Amber Moynihan (Nutrien Ag/Landmark 15th) and Troy Green (Rutherford Street Tyres 16th).
The season’s activities wound up with the traditional PK Templeton putt and Mike Moynihan did best, winning the bottle of Stones Green Ginger wine.
