MURRAY DOWNS MEN
THE participants for the 2022 Swan Hill Wholesalers grand final, have been decided.
After last Saturday’s elimination finals were completed, it is now down to the final match of the season, were the undefeated Sticky Bandits will do battle with the Royal Goat Trackers on Saturday for bragging rights for the next 12 months, as Premier League winners.
After last weekend’s matches, the Bandits, with only four players available, gave the reigning premier President’s Cup side a golfing lesson, winning 133 to 120. All four Bandits players scored 32 points or more, while the President’s team only had one player matching this score. In the other elimination final, the Goats had a very convincing win over the Dukes 141 to 124, with Speedy Frame (Goats) and Brian Elliott (Dukes) leading the way for their respective teams with 40 points.
The Royal Goats – Tony Ford, Kane Domaille, Geoff Frame, Graeme Mathiske, Paul Raudino, George Sidorow, Tony Wilson and Brenton Gurnett – are now into their fifth consecutive Premier League grand final, will all need to be at the top of their game, as the undefeated Bandits are formidable opponents, capably led by Jorgen Leschke, Daniel and Brenton Cruickshank, Sarah Clark, Justin Condely, Jackson Quirk, Andrew Halligan and Johny Hirst. At the end of play, next Saturday, a barbecue and presentations will take place in the Mayers Gazebo at 5pm.
Last Saturday there was a stroke event for the July monthly medal and the playoff for the 2021-22 Medal of Medallists. The in-form Dale Rogers (14) took off the medal with an excellent round of net 65, from the winner of the Medal of Medallists Sean Ewart (27), who finished with a net 68.
That was the magical number as it was the winning score in all three divisions: Brian Elliott (14) in Division 1, Geoff Frame (19) in Division 2 and Sean Ewart (27) in Division 3. Runners-up in each division were George Sidorow (8) with net 71, Tyrone Parkinson (20), net 73, and Ashley Edwards (25), net 72. Other players required at least net 75 to be in the ball rundown: Scott Mathiske on the second, Jim DeGregorio on the fifth, James Beard on the 11th and Tyrone Parkinson on the 15th, all claimed the nearest the pins on the par-three holes.
On Thursday last week, a Stableford competition was played in three divisions, in which John Cotter (16) of Settlers Run recorded the day’s best score of 42 points and took out Division 2 from Tony Ford (16) with 38 points.
Division 1 went to Dale Smith (12) over Mark Warren (10) by way of countback on 37 points. In Division 3, Adam Mangiameli (32) was the best with 41 points from Richard Johnson (29) on 39 points. The ball rundown went to 34 points. Mick Kiley cleaned up the jackpot on hole 11 with a hit to 24cm, Mark Warren on the second, Andrew Cameron on the fifth and Jason Mangiameli on the 15th collected the other NTPs.
In Friday’s nine-hole competition, Mick Kiley (14) got the chocolates with 21 points over Jason Perry (12) on 17 points.
There were enough players for two divisions in Sunday’s Stableford competition, with Steven Emberson (16) being the best in Division 1 with 36 points from Ken Gregory (9) on 35 points, while in Division 2 Mick Scott (21) recorded the day’s best score, 39 points, to win from Leighton Dullard (21) 38 points. The ball rundown went down to 33 points and the NTPs were claimed by Mick Scott (second), Rob Forster (fifth), Neville Brady (11th) and David McClelland (15th).
There were also enough players for two divisions in Tuesday’s Stableford competition, with many players taking advantage of the school holidays. Ross Hastings (7) took out Division 1 with 35 points over Charlie King (11) with 37 points. Division 2 went to Mitchell Croft (19), also with 39 points, from Rob O’Brien (22) on 35. At least 32 points were required to be in the ball rundown and the lucky shots were played by Sam Rovere on the fifth, Leighton Dullard on the 11th and Riley Daniels on the 15th.
Western Riverina District Golf Association’s winter pennant started last Sunday, with all matches being played at Barham. There are three divisions of five players each.
Division 1 is scratch match play and the other two divisions are handicap match play. Murray Downs took on Rich River in the three divisions, with Murray Downs winning Division 1 (four and one) and going down to Rich River in the other two divisions, (one and four in division 2, and two and three in division 3). Deniliquin has put together three strong divisions, defeating Barham in all divisions four and one.
This week’s pennant is at Deniliquin, where Murray Downs will take on Barham and Deniliquin are up against Rich River. Matches start at 10am, so the bus will leave early.
Our next major event coming up is The Scramble, a four-person Ambrose event sanctioned by the PGA, scheduled for Sunday, July 31. To register, go to thescramble.com.au and follow the links.
MURRAY DOWNS LADIES
MARYANNE Davis is no stranger to winning at Murray Downs. She has 15 club championships to her name and added another Monthly Medal to her bounty on Wednesday.
Winter illness, grey nomads and school holidays are affecting competition numbers with only 49 women teeing off in frosty conditions. Maryanne’s score of 68 net from her 12 handicap was four shots clear of B Grade winner Tina King (31). Runners-up in the two grades were Jenny Lynas (29) on 75 net and Heather Evans (36) on 74 net.
Rhonda Caccianiga (75) and Judi Benbow (76) led the ball pool. Maryanne Davis also won the putting competition with 29 and collected a NTP prize on the fifth hole. Other NTP winners were Audrey Domaille, Paula Pickert (jackpot) and Sue Davis.
Janette Tucker usually plays her best golf on Saturdays and this week was no exception. Her score of 37 points from her 22 handicap was one shot clear of the ever-improving Belinda Gardner (29) who finished on 36 points. Kristy Gordon (35 points) led the ball pool and hit the most accurate shot to the 11th, with Belinda Gardner successful on the 15th.
LAKESIDE LADIES
IT was a perfect day for golf on Wednesday and we had a good field of players taking to the fairways. Mandy Ackland found the course to her liking and carded a 99/23/76 to win the golfer of the month award. Deanne Free was runner-up with a 111/32/79, while Laurel won the ball competition.
For NTPs, the Lake Boga Cafe voucher on the third was won by Deanne, The Lake Boga Marine ball on the seventh went to Mandy, and the Shaw Auto Electrical ball on the 12th and Joan’s ball on the 18th were both won by Jean. Mandy also took home the putting award with 24 putts.
Lakeside’s annual men’s and ladies’ four-ball event is on this Sunday. Assembly is at 10.30am for an 11am hit-off, with all welcome.
TOOLEYBUC LADIES
Monthly Medal, Wednesday
Winner – Ros Jennings 71 net
Runner-up – Marg Rowe 75
Nearest the pin – Narelle Fraser 5/14
Balls down the line – Narelle Fraser Marg Lauer
Nutrien Award – Narelle Fraser
Fewest putts – Ros Jennings 32
Trophy donor – Tooleybuc Sporting Club
