MURRAY DOWNS MEN’S
THERE were a few hot days for members of the Murray Downs Golf & Country Club this week, which provided great conditions for scoring.
Thursday’s medley par event saw 63 players fight it out on the course, with Anthony Ford (16) taking out the top spot and the B grade title with the leading score of 2 up.
Runner up in the B grade was Wayne Such (17), who scored 1 up, followed by Tom Wilkins (30) who shot all square and claimed third on a countback.
The A grade was a very tight affair, with Paul Bethune (8) coming through with his 1 up score seeing him win on a countback over Mark Warren (9) and Doug Grant (6) who were second and third respectively after both also scored 1 up.
For the ball rundown, a score of 2 down was required to have a chance, with the nearest the pins claimed by Belvoir Park Golf Club visitor George Barnes (2nd), Jonathan Hirst (5th), Gene Brooks (11th) and Troy Gnitecki (15th).
Sunny conditions brought about some strong scores for Saturday’s stableford competition, with Kooyonga Golf Club visitor Harry Simpson (6) hitting an impressive 43 points to win the day and the A grade title.
Another visitor in Peter Brown (3) enjoyed the course and finished second in A grade with 42 points, while Brenton Cruickshank (8) scored 39 points and claimed third on a countback.
The B grade competition was also taken with authority, as Ross Hastings (10) shot 41 points to take first place ahead of Brenton Halligan (10) in second with 37 points, with Dave Hogan (12) scoring 34 points to claim third on a countback.
Jason Perry was the man for the job in C grade after nailing the win with 37 points, with James Downing (17) following close behind with 36 points and Ben Smith (16) scoring 34 points to round out the top three.
Lastly, D grade was another close affair, with countbacks needed to decide the podium finishers.
All three finished on 37 points, but it was Trent Hawkins (18) who emerged on top, followed by Sea Temple Golf & Country Club visitor Stephen Lewis-Driver (28) in second and Chris Grant (20) in third.
A score of 33 points was required to get a placing on the day, with the nearest the pins won by Sam Davis (2nd), Mathew Collins (5th), Brenton Halligan (15th) and Cayle McLean (11th), with McLean taking home the nearest the pin jackpot with his shot finishing only 54cm away from the hole.
Sunday brought saw a medley stableford competition take place and conditions were ripe for Lance Stobaus (16) as he hit an amazing 44 points to put himself head and shoulders above the field to win the day and claim the B grade title.
Following behind in B grade was Malcolm Talbot (15) who finished runner up with 38 points, with Stephen Banks (13) third with 35 points.
The C grade competition saw Peter Roberts (25) shoot 38 points to take first place ahead of Charlie Blake (26) who finished with 36 points, with Jacob Lucas (30) finishing third with 35 points.
In the A grade and Future Golf member Randal Hampson enjoyed the course and shot 39 points to finish on top, with Dione Heppell also showing the boys how it’s done by picking up 35 points and taking second place on a countback ahead of Shane Ingram (6).
To claim a placing 33 points was required, with the nearest the pins won by Matthew Battenally (2nd), Scott Zambelli (5th), Carolyn Zambelli (11th) and Brenton Halligan (15th).
After a break over Christmas and all of January, the WRDGA Summer Pennant was back and it was a great day out for the Murray Downs team on Sunday at the Cohuna Golf Club.
The team were proudly wearing their new shirts as they defeated Deniliquin Golf Club over five matches, winning three and leaving the other two all square.
The best showing was made by the pair of Troy Gnitecki and debutant Chris Knee, with the pair finishing four holes up with three to play.
Next week will be played at Kerang against Rich River, with a win required to keep in touch of the finals.
MURRAY DOWNS LADIES
THIRTY women competed in a foursomes event at the Murray Downs Golf & Country Club on Wednesday, with the event played in pairs with competitors using one ball and taking it in turns to play out the hole.
Paula Pickert and Norma Everett were the best combination, scoring 88 off the stick to score a 66.5 nett after their adjusted handicap of 21.5 was applied.
Second placegetters were Suzanne Napier and Avis Shipsides with a 72.5 nett score, with Carolyn Zambelli and Melita Sartori scoring 74 nett to finish in third place.
Julie Overall and Jenny Monahan led the ball pool, while the nearest the pin winners were Bev Holt, Suzanne Napier, Mag Kiley and Kayla Shadbolt.
On Saturday, Nadine Cox (26) posted the best score of 39 points to win Division 2 by one point ahead of Barb Clark (30), while the Division 1 leaders were Dione Heppell (9) 37 points and Shelley Wilkins (22) 34 points.
Ruth McAlister (37 points) and Lynne Lawry (35 points) were the next best, while Sarah Clark and Kerry Gammon took out the two nearest the pin prizes on offer.
The women’s golf committee are conducting Come and Try days each Friday at 5.30pm during March, with details available by calling the Pro Shop on 5033 1427.
Next week is the annual Pink Day, which is sponsored by Kennedy’s Jewellers, with proceeds from the day going to the Swan Hill District Health MRI appeal.
MURRAY DOWNS DAD’S ARMY
ON Monday, February 10, members of Dads’ Army played the back-nine, with Graeme Bray returning the best score of 20 points.
He was closely followed by Ross Cox and Andy Millar on 18 points, Barry Ingram and Brian Devlin on 16 points, Gavin Scown on 15 points, Damian Kelly and Robert Smith on 14 points and Barry Bishop, Raymond Frame, Ian Dickson and Kevin Maddy on 13 points.
On Wednesday, February 12, members played the front-nine, with the best score being recorded by Barry Ingram with 18 points, ahead of Ross Cox on 17 points.
Trailing behind them was Kevin Maddy and Robert Deighton on 15 points, Robert Smith and Barry Bishop on 13 points and Raymond Frame on 12 points.
The weekly winner was Ross Cox with 35 points, ahead of Barry Ingram on 34 points, followed by Kevin Maddy on 28 points, Brian Devlin and Robert Smith on 27 points, Barry Bishop and Robert Deighton on 26 points, Raymond Frame on 25 points and Ian Ray on 19 points.
VETERANS
THERE were 37 entries received for the NDVGA event held on Tuesday at the Barham Golf Club, including 19 ladies and 18 men, which is the first time the ladies have outnumbered the men – well done ladies.
Many thanks also to Sienna for her support.
The winner of the ladies A grade event was Ruth McAlister with 36, while the runner up was our newest member Lisa Zanker with 31.
The ladies B grade winner was Lorraine Howard with 33 and the runner up was Joyce Boyd with 32.
The ladies ball pool went to L. Bray (31), N. Robinson (31) and M. Cameron (30).
The men’s A grade winner was Dennis Pretty with 36, ahead of runner up G.Wyte with 34.
The B grade winner was Ray Henshall with 37 and the runner up was G. Jordan with 35, while the ball pool was won by I. Dodd, P. Roberts and R. Austerberry all on 33.
The nearest the pins were won by L. Howard and K. Lane (1st), M. Moore and R. Fleming (6th), L. Zanker and G. Wyte (9th) and J. Lynas and D. Pretty (12th).
