MURRAY DOWNS MEN’S
THE Golden Putter for 2025 has been run and won, with the 58th edition attracting a capacity field of 244 golfers from 60 visiting clubs.
The tournament got under way in the very frosty conditions on Saturday morning from which the half-way leaders in Brett Archer and Michael Cunningham, from Goonawarra Golf Club, put the pressure on the rest of the field with a very good score of 11-up, to hold an overnight lead of four.
Sunday morning got under way with only a slight frost on the ground, and again the day’s best score came from this side of the draw.
Brothers Jack and Peter Jacobson, from Meeniyan, put together a great score of 12-up to go with their previous days score of 6-up, to really put the pressure on with a final total of 18-up, with our overnight leaders faltering after managing only another 3-up.
Three other pairings came home very strongly in the afternoon field, but in the end they could not quiet bridge the gap, with each all falling short by four.
Runners-up prizes went to locals Kain Domaille and Brenton Gurnett with 14-up (4 and 10) and were followed by 2024 winner Tony Ford, who combined this year with his son Grant with an identical score (4 and 10), while also with an identical score of 4 and 10 was Justin Thompson and Dion Carmichael in fourth.
The overnight leaders finished in fifth position by way of the countback system at 11 and 3.
The men’s tournament commenced on Friday with the Golden Shoe event, which is a singles Stableford competition.
A capacity field of 132 players took part across three divisions, with the winner of the 2025 Golden Shoe being Damian Thomson (16) from the Horsham Golf Club, with a score of 38 points, by way of the countback system ahead of Simon Pengelly (10) from Melton Valley.
Simon had to settle for first prize in Division 1 and was followed by Nicholas Cox (3) from Woodend on 37 points, with Steven Dewhurst (10) finishing third with 36 points.
The Shoe winner, Damian Thomson, was the best in Division 2, followed by Mark Luderman (13) from Warrnambool on 36 points and Michael Bangit (14) from Melton Valley the next best with 34 points.
In Division 3, John Thrush (17) from Melton Valley was the best with 37 points, ahead of Dan O’Bryan (28) with 35 points and Billy Kemp (20) from Horsham with 34 points.
Overall, it was a very successful week of golf at Murray Downs, with over 900 rounds of golf played across the five days, which includes the women’s Golden and Silver Putter events that were held on Wednesday and Thursday.
MURRAY DOWNS LADIES
THE 2025 Golden Putter two-day tournament was rated a great success by local and visiting golfers last week.
Once again, the Golden Putters are travelling out of town, with Virginia Dalton (21) and Lynne Smith (18) from Thurgoona Golf Club the proud owners of said putters with a score of 7-up, but only after they survived a countback from Lisa Brady (28) and Lisa Zanker (23 – Manangatang Golf Club).
Marg Moore and Norma Everett were third with 5-up, while other local golfers to feature were Carolyn Zambelli and Maree Thurwood, Jenny Lynas and Di Atkin, Janette Tucker and Glenda Tucker and Kerry McDonald and Tracey Hooper, all with 4-up.
The July Monthly Medal was on the agenda on Wednesday, with Melita Sartori (33) posting the best score of 74 nett to win by one shot from division 1 leaders Michelle Holt (26) and Jenny Lynas (27).
The runner up to Melita in division 2 was Barb Cadd (31) with 79 nett.
Shelley Wilkins scooped the balls from the birdies nest on the par 5, 12th hole and Sheila Beard’s 29 putts took out the putting comp.
Paula Pickert collected two nearest the pin prizes, with the others going to Jenice Krahnert and Lynne Bishop.
Paula Pickert (76), Carol Wiseman (77) and Claris Bourne (78) led the ball pool.
MURRAY DOWNS DAD’S ARMY
ON Monday, June 30, members of Dad’s army played the back-nine, with Robert Smith coming home with the best score of 19 points.
He was followed by Tom Wilkins, Graeme Bray and Gavin Scown on 16 points, Ian Dickson on 15 points and Barry Bishop and Keith Plant on 14 points, with the rest below 12 points.
The June monthly winner of the tin of fruit was Barry Bishop with 116 points, ahead of Brian Devlin on 113 points.
On Wednesday, July 2, members played the front-nine, with Barry Ingram winning with 16 points.
He was followed by Ray Frame and Colin Hayward on 15 points, Rob Smith, Tom Wilkins and Kevin Maddy on 14 points and Brian Devlin and Damian Kelly on 13 points.
The weekly winner was Rob Smith with 33 points, ahead of Tom Wilkins on 30 points, Gavin Scown on 27 points, Ray Frame on 25 points, Brian Devlin, Damian Kelly and Col Hayward on 24 points and Kevin Maddy on 20 points.
LALBERT
ON Sunday, June 29, the final round of the Lalbert Club Championships was held.
The winner of the men’s scratch event was James Meehan Jnr. on 83, while the runner up was Scott Worner on 84.
The handicap winner was Zac O’Meara with Nett 70 ahead of Brett O’Meara on Nett 71.
The ladies scratch winner was Karen McKissack on 89, while the nine hole juniors scratch winner was Kel P. on 52 ahead of Blake S. on 64.
The handicap winner was Bo B. with Nett 40 ahead of Harry on Nett 41.
2025 Lalbert Golf Club Championship Results
Nine-hole junior winner – Jed O’Meara
Junior club champion – Chayse Worner
Ladies club champion – Karen McKissack
B grade men’s champion – Scott Worner
A grade men’s and club champion – Doug Meehan.
Ladies NDGA medallist and Pat Jobling Memorial winner – Jess Worner
Men’s NDGA medallist – Chayse Worner.
NYAH WEST
THE Wealth Architects sponsored 4BBB stableford tournament last Sunday was very well attended, with visitors from Barham, Murrabit and Murray Downs clubs.
The handicap winners were the Dennis Pretty/Owen Harrop team with 44 points, ahead of the Ben Turner/Nathan Walle team with 42 points and the teams of Arthur Graham/Dale Drummond, Andrew Flanagan/Leigh Paynter and Greg Maher/Peter Laursen, all on 41 points.
In the non-handicap section, Joel Walsh/Jacob Lister won with 47 points ahead of Anthony McKee/Lachie Hannig on 36 points.
All roads lead to the Murrabit Golf Club this Sunday for their annual tournament, while our junior development program resumes this Sunday at 9.30am for all school children.
TOOLEYBUC LADIES
Wednesday, June 26 – Stableford
Winner – Lois Jordan
Nearest the pin 1/10 – Lisa Zanker
Nearest the pin 5/14 – Narelle Fraser
Wednesday, July 2 – Monthly Medal
Winner – Di Walters (116/64)
Runner up – Tracey Burge (90/67)
Nearest the pin 1/10 – Leonie Lambert
Nearest the pin 5/14 – Narelle Fraser
Balls down the line – Lois Jordan, Jill Coburn, Bev Beasy
Least putts – Mary Robinson 34
