MURRAY DOWNS MENS
AFTER our club’s championships, this week’s golf at Murray Downs returned to a near normal program.
Last Saturday’s competition was a Stableford event, played over three divisions, from which Division 2 player Paul Raudino (16) recorded the day’s best score of 38 points, seeing him take out the major prize on offer, while the runner-up in this division was club captain Mick Kiley (17) with 34 points.
Division 1 was taken out by Oliver Rohde (8) with 37 points, ahead of Brian Elliott (13) on 36 points, while in Division 3, Stephen Cameron (22) was the best with 36 points ahead of Mick Burns (21) on 34 points. The magic number required to be eligible for a ball was 32 points, with a number on this score missing out by way of the countback system – while the lucky shots on the par 3 holes where hit by Grant Ford, Oliver Rohde, Johannes Engelbrecht and Mick Kiley, on holes 2, 5, 11 and 15 respectively.
On Sunday, and in very blustery conditions, it was again a Stableford competition, this time played in two divisions, with Ash Free (4) recording the day’s best score of 38 points and taking out Division 1 ahead of Jason Baird (15) on 35 points.
Division 2 went to Lucas Free (33) by way of the countback system, from Christopher Howley (20), with both players finishing with 35 points apiece.
Similarly, to the day before, 32 points was required to be eligible for a ball, with the nearest the pins going to Ash Free on the second, David McClelland on the fifth, Robert Forster on the eleventh and Paul Sparks hit it closest on the fifteenth.
Thursday’s competition was also a Stableford event and was played over three divisions, with Division 3 player Geoff Bett having a very good day, recording 44 points from his handicap of 33. Runner-up in this division, with 35 points, was Rob West (22).
Terry McEwan (19) took out Division 2 with 40 points and finished ahead of Rob Prockter (14) on 39 points – while in Division 1, Ross Hastings (7) was the best with 38 points and was closely followed by Graeme Mathiske (12) on 37 points.
Other players required at least 34 points to be eligible for a ball, while the nearest the pins went the way of Mark Warren on the second, Rick Austerberry on the fifth, Rob West on the 11th and Andrew Petersen on the 15th.
Friday’s 9-hole competition was won by Wayne Such (22) with 24 points and was followed by Barry Ingram with 21 points and Judy McMahon on 19 points.
The best score from Tuesday’s competition was recorded by Malcolm Talbot (19), who finished with 42 points, ahead of Ron Munro (17) on 40 points.
After week five of the Swan Hill Windows & Kitchens 9-hole summer competition, scores have tightened up considerably at the top of the ladder, with team Cadd Magic on 286 having their early lead reduced to a solitary point by the Golden Oldies, with the Pigeons a further 14 points adrift.
Carol Wiseman with 20 points and Claris Bourne with 18 tried their hearts out to keep Cadd Magic on top of the ladder, but it was the Golden Oldies with three of their team in Rob West, Maz Morrison and Joe Morrison all digging deep with 19 points apiece that narrowed their lead to just one point.
With only three rounds to go in this current series, the leading teams will be getting very nervous – as the closing pack lead by the ‘Pigeons’ won’t be giving an inch to the top two sides. Will it be the ‘Pigeons’ coming home to roost, or will one of the other teams make a late charge from the back of the pack to overtake the early leaders?
MURRAY DOWNS LADIES
Fifty-two women teed off in the Stableford event on Wednesday at the Murray Downs Golf & Country Club.
Carolyn Zambelli led the way with a creditable 37 points from her 30 handicap to win Division 2, ahead of Judy McMahon (32) on 35 points.
In Division 1, vice-captain Pam Austerberry (26) with 36 points won ahead of Marie Cruickshank (29) on 34 points.
Barb Upton 34 points and Jill McIndoe, Ruth McAlister and Heather Evans all scored 33 points to lead the ball pool, while Sue Davis hit it closest on the second and fifth holes, with Barb Clark and Jeanette Tucker the most accurate on the 11th and 15th.
Saturday’s rain reduced the numbers with Claris Bourne (26) 32 leading from Jude Simmonds (22) 29 – while on Sunday, Glenda Coulter (28) with 37 points and Joan Foster (33) with 36 points were the leaders.
TOOLEYBUC LADIES
Medal of Medallist – Leonie Lambert 92/67
Winner – Leonie Lambert 36 points
Runner-up – Lisa Zanker 33 points (on count back from Narelle Fraser)
Nearest the pin 1/10 – Narelle Fraser
Nearest the pin 9/18 – Leonie Lambert
Balls down the Line – Narelle Fraser, Bev Beasy
