MURRAY DOWNS MEN’S
WE have had visitors from all over Australia on the course this week, including from Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, who joined a crowd of Victorians to enjoy our fairways and surrounds.
Something constantly heard from the regulars is, “gee, aren’t we lucky to get to play this course every weekend”.
There were enough entrants for three grades of prizes for the men on the Thursday, April 3, with Lyonell O’Shannassy having a day out to collect the eagle’s nest, the nearest the pin on the 15th and third place in the A grade section with an even score against par.
Notable mention to Ross Hastings too for sticking it to 67cms on the 11th hole to collect the jackpot.
Ian Johansen and Dale Smith finished first and second in A Grade with +2 and 0, ahead of Lyonell.
Brendan Crabbe was the overall winner on the day though, topping B grade with an impressive +4, ahead of John Tripodi (+1) and Steven Emberson (0).
Dan O’Bryan (+2), Gerard Mackay (+1) and Greg Daniels (+1) took home the honours in C grade, with special mentions to Dan O’Bryan and Shaun Lawry, who have recently taken up the game, it is great to see you out there enjoying it.
The jewel in the crown of the men’s competition schedule occurred on Saturday, with 75 players lining up to try and win the monthly medal and the prestige that comes with it.
The course was very long from the back tees and combined with the pin locations and windy conditions, the field found it difficult to get below par in nett stroke competition.
Mark Warren beat everyone fair and square with a nett -3 (69), with Mark Robertson (-1) Lleyton McLean (-1) and Mathew Collins (+1) finishing on top in A grade.
Christy Merritt (-1), Chris Knee (even) and Tony Miceli (+2) led B grade, with Sebastian Parseghian (-2 and second overall on the day), Ian Read (-1) and Damian Mangiameli (even) filling up the spots in C grade.
A few good players were dialled in on the par three’s, with the furthest away from the pin being 589cm, with Jimmy McLean hitting them close by picking up the nearest the pins on the 5th (320cm) and the 15th (85cm) holes.
There was a small field on Sunday for the competition against par, with only two grades of winners awarded.
Well done to Dennis Moore, who finished best with an impressive +5 and runner up Grant Ford with +3 in the field of 37.
Brad Cockfield, Richard Johnson and Matt Harrop were the only others able to beat par, finishing with +1 each.
It was a cracking autumn day to finish off the week of golf, with perfect conditions on Tuesday, April 8.
School holidays must be in full swing because there was a number of young fellas out enjoying the conditions in the men’s competition, with Noah Starrs (playing off +1) seen going around with a mob of young fellas passing on his tips about the game.
Harper Wilson finished with 40 points in the Stableford competition in A grade, ahead of Malcolm Talbot (37), while Timothy Phillips and Murray Conn collected the pocket money on offer in B grade.
MURRAY DOWNS LADIES
TRACEY Hooper is enjoying a purple patch at golf currently, after following up her win in the April monthly medal and reducing her handicap by four shots to again take out the major prize on Wednesday.
On this occasion, Tracey teamed with Mandy Amezdroz (42) to score an incredible 50 points to win the qualifying round of Golf on the Murray and earn themselves the honour of representing Murray Downs at the final at Yarrawonga Golf Club in June.
Carol Wiseman (27) and Kerry Gammon (34) scored 46 points to finish second and will join the winners at the final.
In third place was Chris Warburton and Janelle Hogan with 45 points, having finished ahead via a count back from Sally Fearn and Claris Bourne and Lisa Brady and Jenny Monahan.
Noni Domaille birdied the par five 12th hole to collect the balls in the birdies nest, while Claris Bourne collected the jackpot on the 11th, with the nearest the pins going to Lisa Jakobi, Mary-Annie Davis and Mandy McCallum.
On Saturday, Eilleen Willox (25) scored 37 points and Claris Bourne (27) scored 36 points to lead the field, with Olive Spitty (1) scoring 34 points to finish third ahead of Belinda Gardner, Mabel Spitty and Kristy Gordon, all on 33 points.
Mabel Spitty and Julie Overall hit the most accurate shots to the 2nd and 11th to win the nearest the pin’s.
Tamika Hogan (20) square led a small field on Sunday, with Mag Kiley scoring 21 points to win the Golden Girls event, with Kaye McAlpine the next best with 18 points.
Lois Tippett won the nearest the pin prize.
MURRAY DOWNS DAD’S ARMY
ON Monday, April 7, members of Dad’s Army played the back nine, with Gavin Scown returning the best score of 20 points. He was followed Robert Deighton and Robert Smith (18 points), John Brereton, Tom Wilkins, Ross Cox and Brian Devlin (15 points), Kevin Maddy and Andrew Millar (14 points) and Ian Dickson (13 points).
On Wednesday, April 9, members played the front nine, with Tom Wilkins finishing with the best score of 18 points.
He was followed closely by Gavin Scown and Ross Cox (17 points), Ian Dickson (16 points), Robert Smith, Brian Devlin and Barry Bishop (14 points) and Robert Deighton and Kevin Maddy (13 points).
The weekly winner was Gavin Scown with 37 points, followed by runner-up Tom Wilkins with 33 points, Robert Smith and Ross Cox (32 points), Robert Deighton (31 points), Ian Dickson and Brian Devlin (29 points), Kevin Maddy (27 points) and Barry Bishop (23 points).
LAKESIDE LADIES
A SMALL group set off on a perfect day for golf on Wednesday, with Deanne Free having a day out to claim victory with 39 points.
Mandy Male finished as runner-up with 38 points while Sue Notting won the ball competition, with the nearest the pins going to Deanne on the 3rd, 7th and 18th holes, with Debbie Kelly closest on the 12th.
Old and new golfers are all welcome on to join on a Wednesday at 9.30am, ready for a 10am tee-off.
NYAH WEST
Opening Day for season 2025 was last Sunday, with a three-person Ambrose event resulting in a runaway win for team Manser, scoring 69, nett 60.75, with team Beasy the next best.
An enjoyable barbecue tea followed the day’s play courtesy of our sponsors, Gary and Debbie Farley.
The nearest the pins went to Andrew Flanagan on the Goodyear Autocare 2nd, Kevin Oliver on both the Nyah West Pharmacy 12th hole and the Nutrien Ag/Landmark 15th, while Gary Farley claimed the Rutherford Street Tyres 16th hole.
The Country Tracks 4WD Swan Hill Eagles Nest received yet another egg.
This Sunday will be the our first monthly medal for the season, which will be a stroke round.
With the school holidays on, the Swan Hill and Kerang Toyota Disc Golf course is available every day after 10am and is free to enjoy for all the family.
TOOLEYBUC LADIES
Stableford – Wednesday, April 9
Winner – Leonie Lambert (36 points via countback)
Runner-up – Janet Brauer (36 points)
Nearest the pin 5/14 – Narelle Fraser
Nearest the pin 9/18 – Lisa Zanker
Balls down the line – Lisa Zanker, Mary Robinson, Narelle Fraser
Trophy Donor – Tooleybuc Hotel/Old Butcher Shop Cafe
