Rhodes in a class of his own
A ROUND of 72 on Saturday in the third round of the Coomealla Club Championships saw Greg Rhodes extend his lead to nine shots over Troy Neville who had 75 with James Daly two shots further back in third after a 77 and Nathan Gard rounding out the top four after a 77.
A nine-shot lead for Rhodes meant he had to turn up, play, sign a correct scorecard and the win was his.
He was still able to shoot the equal low round of the Championships on the final day with a two-under 70 off the stick.
This saw him finish with a total of three under par 285 with scores of 73, 70, 72 and 70, one of the lowest totals at Coomealla Club Championships in the history of the club.
James Daly started the day 11 shots behind and almost kept up with Rhodes on the final day shooting a one under 71 off the stick. This saw him finish second by 12 shots with rounds of 76, 73, 77 and 71 for a total of 297.
Troy Neville finished third, four shots behind Daly with scores of 74, 75, 75 and 77.
Cameron Stewart was next best and after a poor round of 80 on day one came good with scores of 75, 74 and 75 to get some form in his hands just at the right time with Country Week next week.
Laird in charge
ROUND two of the Coomealla Golf Club Ladies Championships was played last Wednesday with Sue Laird increasing her lead by three shots over Lee Bottomley.
Laird’s opening round of 76 was followed up with 79 last Wednesday to sit 11 shots clear with one round to go ahead of Bottomley’s 84 and 82, with the rest of the field out of contention of finishing in the top two spots.
The final round on Saturday saw Laird cruise to victory retaining her 11 shot lead when she shot a final round score of 80 which was matched by Bottomley.
This now sees Sue Laird as the Coomealla Golf Club Ladies Champion for 2019 with scores of 76, 79 and 80 for a total of 235 and finding some great form just in time for Country Week.
Country Week ready
Both of our mens’ and ladies’ Country Week teams are ready for action next week in Melbourne.
The men are primed to go head first at trying to win their first Division 1 shield and the ladies have one of their strongest teams looking to take out Division 2 and move up to Division 1 for the first time.
Greg Rhodes will lead the men with a very strong line up headed by Tim Walker and Ashley Whitehouse. Long time Country Week stalwarts Justin McPhee and Cameron Stewart will be keen to impress at the highest level as they have in the past with Mark Hann, Garth Doherty and Brendan Rowse needing to fire to give the team its best chance of success.
The men will play one round at the Huntingdale Golf Club on Monday, two rounds at Cranbourne Golf Club on the Tuesday and the final round at Victoria Golf Club on Wednesday.
Our ladies will be led by Sue Laird with a strong line-up behind her including Jenny Stephenson, Sophie Crouch and Tarsha Hawley at the top of the team.
Madeline Jukes has continued to impress this year and should hold her own in Division 2 all while gaining some experience.
Lee Bottomley and Lisa Garioch have proven in the past they can get the job done and will enjoy playing down the line this year, hopefully getting our team off to a great start each game.
Nia Whittle and Heidi Schultz will rotate in during the week when needed and be keen to show they are up to the task.
I am really looking forward to seeing how the ladies go this year because I believe they have the team that is more than good enough to win against any competition that comes their way.
Our ladies will play two rounds on Monday at Southern Golf Club and two rounds on Tuesday at Woodlands Golf Club before having the day off on Wednesday when the rest of their Division plays at Rossdale Golf Club.
MDGA district championships
THE Murray Darling Golf Association District Championships for both men and women will be played at the Coomealla Golf Club on October 12 and 13.
Greg Rhodes would have gone in odds-on favourite for this but will be away playing in the Australian Senior Amateur Championship.
This leaves the District Championships wide open with the usual suspects whose names get thrown in the ring at all the big events. The question is: Who will step up when it counts?
The ladies will be lead by Sue Laird and Jenny Stephenson with a list of ladies who could compete.
You can enter the MDGA District Championships now by booking in through the Coomealla Golf Club website if you have access to it or by calling 5027 4658 and booking in through the pro shop.
This is the biggest district event for the year with great prizes available and your chance to get your name on a trophy as district champion.
Organise your group now or book in and make sure you don’t miss out.
Champion of champions
TO go with the MDGA District Championships the Champion of Champions will also be played.
Any golfers who have won a scratch or handicap 36-hole event at any club Open or overall Scratch or Handicap event at any club Championship at any club that is a member of the MDGA will be eligible to play in the Champion of Champions.
The MDGA will be getting invitation letters out to all that have qualified within the next week notifying them of their awarded entry.
If you receive a letter of invitation make sure you take advantage of it and get your name in by calling 5027 4658.
I’ll be away at Country Week next week so there won’t be a 19th Hole but I will keep you informed of what happened for both the men and ladies’ teams the following week.
If you would like to keep up with the sides’ progress check www.golf.org.au/victorian-events-calendar and go to September 30 to find the Country Week link.
If you have any golf-related topics or a rule change you would like me to explain contact me at mildura@houseofgolf.com.au
