THE DoingItForJarrod day, which funds the Challenge foundation, supporting kids with cancer, was a very successful day with 110 players competing at Murray Downs last Sunday. The format was a gentsomes competition in teams of four, where all four players drove from the tee, selected the best drive and then played their own ball out into the hole for Stableford points. The teams’ two best scores were used as the team score for each hole.
After all of the dust had settled, it was Team Free, consisting of Dallas, Ash, Lucas and Tara Free, who accumulated the best score of the day with 107 points. In second position, with 103 points, was the team of Jason Perry, Scott Mathiske, Matt Harrop and Lance Stobaus, who were followed by Shelley and David Wilkins and Michelle and Stuart Holt, who also scored 103 points. They were closely followed Ian and Kerry Gammon, Marg Moore and David McFarland with 101 points. Lucas Free hit it to 133cm on the 2nd hole to claim the nearest-the-pin prize for a personal birdie and five points. Cameron Bell was nearest the pin on the 5th, Andrew Halligan got it on the 11th and Rick Austerberry had a good shot into the 15th. In the women’s NTPs, Mag Kiley won on the 2nd and Rosie Ficarra was the closest on the 5th, as was Janette Tucker on the 11th. It was an enjoyable and successful day, from which a portion of each entry fee will be donated to the Challenge foundation.
Saturday’s conditions were trying, wet and windy, with the daily Stableford competition being played from the “gold” tee markers across three divisions. The best score of the day was recorded by Mick Burns (28) of 40 points to take out Division 3, from Malcolm Talbot (21) by a solitary point. John Webb (15) was the best in Division 2 with 36 points from Barry Lacey (14) on 35 points and, in Division 1, Ross Kenyon (11) came out on top with 38 points with Paul Stanley (9), from Rosebud Golf club, next best with 37 points. Other players required at least 33 points to be eligible for a golf ball, while the nearest-the-pins went to Fred Fletcher on the 2nd, Dale Rogers on the 5th, John Webb on the 11th and David McFarland on the 15th.
Last Thursday, a day was organised by trainee professional Cameron Bell, as part of his traineeship. The format was a two- person Ambrose stroke competition, in which the combination of Matthew Loats and Lindsay Watts recorded a net total of 61.25 to win the event by one shot from James McLean and his partner, former Hawthorn champion footballer Gary Buckenara, with the pairing of Tony Ford and Bob Burns a further 0.75 behind third on 63.25 net. The ball rundown went to scores of 64.75 net and better. The nearest the pins were taken out by Doug Grant on the 2nd, Jonathon Hirst on the 5th, Mark Warren on the 11th, and John Tripodi hit it to 52cm on the 15th.
It is easy to see that the school holidays have started, with two divisions of players taking part in a midweek competition, where the countback system came into play to decide the winner of Division 2, when both Tony McDonald (30) and Stephen Matthews (27) both came in with the day’s best score of 39 points. Unfortunately for Matthews, McDonald got the favourable nod. Division 1 was taken out by Shane Kelly (21) with 36 points from the very lucky Graeme Mathiske (13), whose score of 34 points would have missed out on the ball rundown. The NTPs went to Mark Warren on the 2nd, Darryl Domaille on the 11th and Rob O’Brien on the 15th.
Coming up on Sunday, October 2, is the A Grade Sheds – Andy Graham Day which is a three-person Ambrose competition, which will be played in groups six. Assembly is at noon and entries are being taken through the pro shop. Also coming up on Monday, October 17, is the annual general meeting of the men’s golf committee. Nominations are still being taken for positions on the committee, so members who are interested in joining the committee are encouraged to complete a nomination form as soon as possible, as nominations close on Monday at 5pm.
MURRAY DOWNS LADIES
FIFTY-two ladies braved the showery conditions at Murray Downs Golf & Country Club on Wednesday to compete in the second round of the Holt’s Autos Spring Brooch.
This event features three rounds, one each of stroke, par and Stableford, with points awarded to the top 10 players in each round.
Best score on Wednesday was from Cobram-Barooga Golf Club visitor Debra Ryan, who enjoyed the damp conditions to score three up from her 24 handicap, with runner-up in Division 1 being Bev Holt (25), two up. Eileen Morath (34), one up, and Jenny Lynas (30), two down, were the Division 2 leaders.
Georgina Douglas and Laurel Dewhurst both scored two down to lead the ball pool with Marg Moore, Georgina Douglas, Jenny Ford and Jenny Lynas rewarded for the most accurate shots on the par-threes.
Suzanne McLellan (21), 34 points, and Barb Clark (29), 31 points, led Saturday’s Stableford event. Bev West and Mag Kiley were next best with 30 points each. Nearest-the-pin prizes went to Barb Cadd and Suzanne McClellan.
The Murray Downs Classic tournament starts on October 6, with some places still available in the fields. Entries should go to the pro shop.
NYAH WEST
THE official opening of the Swan Hill and Kerang Toyota-sponsored disc golf course will be next Tuesday at 11am and will be followed by a free game of disc golf and free sausage sizzle lunch. All children and family groups are invited to attend.
