Murray Downs
THE Murray Downs Golf course has been extremely busy over the Christmas/New Year holiday period, as many players attempt to emulate the professional golfers on the home of the 2024 NSW Open.
A big field of 115 players competed in last Thursday’s competition against par, which saw Tristan Ramadge (13) record the day’s best score of five up, to take out division 2, from Daryl Harrison (13) from Kyabram Valley at 4 up, who was followed by Jason Perry (13) with 3 up.
Division 4 was taken out by Andrew Sartori (50) with 2 up, ahead of Rob West (25) with 1 up and Geoff Bett (32) square.
Division 3 was decided by the count-back system, with John Webb (17) coming out on top from Rick Austerberry (21) and Steven Kerr (16) with all players finishing at 1 up and in division 1 Matt Loats (6) was the best at 3 up, from Gene Brooks (10) and Andrew Stanes (11) from Rossdale GC at 2 up.
The ball rundown went to as low as three down, whilst the nearest the pins were taken out by Colin Mewburn on the second, Alexander Maxwell on the fifth, Brenton Halligan on the eleventh and Justin Thompson on the fifteenth.
Friday’s competition was stableford, played in 2 divisions, which saw Nathan McLean (18) from Warracknabeal record the best of the day of 40 points, to be the best in division 2 ahead of Christopher Batt (240 with 36 points.
Another visitor from Warracknabeal, in Ryan Smith (11) was the best in division 1 with 37 points from Mat Collins (2) with 36 points, other players required at least 35 points to be eligible for a ball.
Noah Starrs claimed the NTPs on holes two and 15, as did Jacob Lucas on the fifth and Mitchell Croft on the eleventh.
In the rather warm conditions on Saturday, the January monthly medal stroke competition was played by 114 players, which saw Jorgen Leschke (9) take out the much sort after medal and division 1 honours, with a nett score of 67, by way of the count-back system from the unlucky Brad Cockfield (15), who had to settle for division 3 honors.
As mentioned, Leschke was the leader in division 1, from Graig Burrell (8) and Ken Gregory (8) both with nett 71s. Glenn Palmer (11) was the leader in division 2 with a nett 68 ahead of Sam Davis (11) with 71 nett and Ian Johansen (13) at nett 72. Brad Cockfield led division 3 with his nett 67, from Andrew Cameron (17) at 70 nett and Johannes Engelbrecht (18) with nett 73 and in division 4, Stuart Brumby (21) got the nod in his favour, from Alistair Ferrier (21) and Mick Scott (23) when all three players finished with 71 nett.
Scores of nett 76 and better were required to be in the hunt for a ball and with the lucky shots on the par 3 holes, they were hit by Brad Cockfield on the second, Joel Doherty (Coomealla) on the fifth, Graham McLellan (78cm) on the eleventh and Cassidy Sibley on the fifteenth.
The heat reduced Sunday’s field to 47 players, for a medley stableford competition, with some very good scores being recorded, the best being by Jason Baird (8) of 43 points, to lead division 1 from Gary Blencowe (12) with 42.
Tamika Hogan (25) was the best in division2 with 41 points just ahead of Mason Forrester (31) with 40 points.
Other players required at least 37 points to get a ball, whilst with the NTPs, they went to Gary Blencowe on the second Rod Bishop on the eleventh and Chris Knee on the fifteenth.
A good-sized field of 60 golfers took part in Tuesday’s stableford competition, were Gary Hughes recorded the day’s best score of 39, from his 26 handicap, to be the best in division 2 ahead of Matthew Battenally (25), who finished with 37 points.
Andrew Spitty (-3) got the nod in his favour in division 1, from Graeme Mathiske (13) with both players finishing with 37 points apiece.
Other players required at least 33 points, to get a ball, whilst the nearest the pins were hit by Darryl Domaille, Dean Farrell and Kayne Walker, on holes 5, 11 & 15.
The Murray Downs Golf & Country Club, will be very busy over the coming weeks, with several larger tournaments on the calendar.
Starting with the Gisborne Golf Club Charity Day on Saturday January 18, the format being a two-person aggregate stableford competition.
Unfortunately, Gisborne Golf club lost their Clubhouse, to fire earlier last year.
Gisborne players have always been very strong supporters, in all of our major events and this is an opportunity for us to support them, in their time of need.
All funds raised on the day will go towards building their new clubhouse.
A silent auction and dinner will follow golf. Next up is the “Bailey Ag” 2-person Ambrose event on Australia Day, Sunday, January 26.
There will be separate competitions for Men and Women (No mixed pairs).
This event is then, followed by the 31st Reciprocal Tournament which commences on Friday, January 31, with the 4BBB followed by the Reciprocal event over the weekend of February 1 & 2.
This event will then be followed by our 23rd Seniors Tournament held on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25, February.
Kerang Golf
TWENTY ONE members and guests played on December 29 in very good condition.
The winner was John Pay with 37 points from S. Harry and B. Gibson also on 37 points.
Also, in the ball-pool were K. Lane and C. Wilkie 36 and D. Wood 35.
NTP’s went to S. Dibsdale fifth, J. Pay ninth, R. Nesbit thirteenth and C. Wilkie sixteenth.
Sunday, Max Wilson Tyres & Batteries, Pinehurst, December 29, 2024
A strong field of 40 plus took part in this annual event, which was postponed from last Thursday due to high temperatures forecast.
The ladies’ winning team was Michelle Dillon and Shirley Jenner.
The men’s team were Andrew and Sadie Spitty. Runners-up were Olive and Mabel Spitty and L. Hadfield and Barry Gladman.
Long Drive went to Olive Spitty and Ben McDougall.
Straightest Drive went to Mabel Spitty and Terry Turvey.
Third B. Gladman, fifth G. Teasdale, ninth C. Gillen, thirteenth K. Chase and sixteenth B. McDougall.
January 5
IT was a good start to the New Year with 30 members and guests taking part in the days event.
It was very close with 8 scores within 1 point of the win.
It came down to countbacks.
The winner was Jim Apostolellis from Kevin Lane on 36 points each and then Phil Lloyd, John Murphy, Jack Hewitt, Luke Hadfield got the ball pool from G. Wyte and J. Pay all on 35 points.
NTP’s went to J. Apostolellis third, W. O’Neill fifth, R. Fabry ninth, G. Wyte thirteenth and J. Hewitt sixteenth.
Saturday, Monthly Medal, January 4, 2025
THE day’s winner was Shane Dibsdale with net 65, others in the ball pool were R. Pay 67, G. Service and R. Dick 69, K. Chase and L. Hadfield 70.
NTP’s third T. Turvey, fifth G. Wyte, ninth C. Gray, thirteen K. Chase, sixteenth K. Lane.
