MURRAY DOWNS MEN
LAST Saturday’s hot, windy weather sorted out the men from the boys, with a field of only 68 men and 18 women taking part in the daily Stableford competitions.
The conditions didn’t affect Fred Fletcher’s golfing ability, as he recorded the day’s best score of 41 points, from his handicap of 10, to be awarded the major prize and division 1 honours.
Runner-up in this division was Steven Bulmer (11) with a modest 36 points.
Graham McLellan (12) was the best in division 2, with 37 points, just ahead of Gary Bailey (15) with 35 points, while in division 3, it was Chris Knee (24) coming out on top with 39 points, from Howard Rosewarne (26) with 37 points.
Rick Rundell-Gordon led the ball run-down with 36 points which went down to scores of 33 points.
Graeme Cox on the 2nd, Andrew Gilchrist on the 5th, Gary Wilkes on the 11th and Andrew McLean on the 15th all hit the lucky shots on the par three holes to claim the nearest the pins.
Sunday’s event, in far better weather conditions, two divisions of players took part in the competition against par, where Rob O’Brien (23) recorded the day’s best score of four up to take out division 2 from Joel Travaglia (27) on two up (it was bought to my attention, by a very reliable source, that Joel was on the phone early the next morning, bragging to his mates, that he has finally got it and is open to giving golfing lessons).
I can assure you, Joel, that good form in golf is usually only for a brief period.
Daniel Cruickshank (4) got the nod over Mark Grant (11) for division 1 honours when both players finished at two up.
Scores of one up and better were required to get a ball, while the NTPs went to Paul Higgins (Spring Valley GC) on the 2nd, Rob Forester on the 5th, David McClelland on the 11th and Malcolm Talbot on the 15th.
Last Thursday’s competition was against par, playing from the black tee markers, which saw Mark Burns (17) having a real day out by recording a score of four up to take out division 2 from Malcolm Talbot (18) on one up.
Colin Mewburn (13) was the best in division 1 with two up ahead of Wayne Wisby (11) at square, while in division 3, it went to Geoff McDonald (35) ahead of Tony McDonald (28) when both players finished at one up.
In the ball run-down, scores of at least one down were required to get a ball.
Ross Hastings had two excellent shots into holes 11 and 15 to claim these NTPs, as did Mark Warren on the 2nd and Bob Burns on the 5th.
On Tuesday of this week, a small field took part in a Stableford competition, with Graeme Mathiske (12) being the best with 33 points, just ahead of Tony Wilson (27) and Tony Ford (17), both on 32 points.
Those players wishing to participate in the annual singles and 4BBB knockout competitions are encouraged to put their names on the lists on the notice board in the breezeway.
Entries close on Friday, March 31.
Players wishing to participate in the “Premier League” competition are advised to get their names into Tony Ford as soon as possible, as this competition commences on Sunday, April 30.
It is a shotgun start day, with a barbecue from 11am, prior to the noon assembly.
Also coming up very quickly is the annual “River Murray” Challenge match against Rich River Golf Club, to be held at Murray Downs on Sunday, April 30.
The format is a mixed 4BBB Stableford competition, commencing with a noon shotgun start.
MURRAY DOWNS WOMEN
EIGHTY-two women teed off in Wednesday’s annual Fay Ayson Memorial Day teams event.
This event, sponsored by Kennedy’s Showcase Jewellers, is played in teams of four, with the best three scores on each hole counted.
About $1,600 in comp fees will be donated to a local cancer support service.
Lynne Lawry, Bev West, Suzanne Napier and Lyn Delmenico were the best combination on the day, with a score of 119 points.
Sue Davis, Kristy Gordon, Kerry McDonald and Mandy Amezdroz scored 117 points to take out second place.
A separate pink survivor ball competition is played in conjunction with the major event, and the winners were Val Hedwards, Suzanne McLellan, Wendy Talbot and Barb Cadd with 38 points ahead of Jill Bath, Lois Coady, Avis Shipsides and Rhonda Barrow with 37 points.
Judy McMahon hit her tee shot to 107cm from the pin on the 11th hole to claim the jackpot, with the other lucky shot prizes going to Jenny Ford, Marg Moore and Janette Tucker.
The teams of Nonie Domaille, Libby Millar, Lois Tippett and Deryn Pinney and Tina King, Laurel Dewhurst, Ruth McAlister and Lois Heil led the ball pool with 111 points.
The forecast of 40 degrees on Saturday depleted the field, with Carol Wiseman (25) on 35 points leading from Jude Simmonds (22) on 34 points and Kristy Gordon (16) on 33 points.
Lang Lang GC member Cheryl Stockdale (20) and Pam Austerberry (22) both scored three up on Sunday, with the former taking the spoils.
