RIVERSIDE
RIVERSIDE’S Summer Open was a resounding success, with fields of more than 150 for both days.
Players on Saturday would have lost a few kilos with the humidity at crazy levels, but Sunday certainly made up for it, with a refreshing breeze and a drop in temperature.
The 36-hole tournament was played in two grades for the ladies and three for the men.
Broken Hill’s Jenny Stephenson put together some outstanding golf over the weekend and was rewarded for her efforts, winning the ladies’ A Grade scratch comfortably after scores of (85-79-164). Lee Bottomley (Coomealla) was runner-up (86-84-170).
B Grade’s Nora Paech had (98-104-202) and was over the moon with her win. Helen Burke was runner-up (103-100-203) with both ladies from Riverside.
In the handicap section, Riverside’s Lisa Garioch struggled a little in her first round but made every shot count on Sunday, finishing with a winning score of 79-73-152. Runner-up was Leanne Lehmann from Nhill with a consistent 77-77-154.
Helen Burke’s net score for the two days gave her a winning score in B Grade of 77-74-151. Runner-up was May Connolly (77-79-156) from Riverside.
Two sensational rounds from Riverside’s Brendon Rowse (78-72-150) put him on the top of the podium in men’s A Grade scratch. But it didn’t come easy, as runner-up Daryl Morgan, from Red Cliffs, was just one shot behind (74-77-151).
Riverside’s vice-captain Steve Spooner was the B Grade winner after two great rounds (82-80-162). Runner-up was Merbein’s Aaron Finch (84-82-166).
C Grade winner Steve Turlan, from Riverside, was proud to accept his trophy after some fine golf (87-97-184). Runner-up was Riverside’s Ray Cottle (96-89-185).
The handicap winner in A Grade was Mildura’s Joseph Rocca, who produced two terrific rounds (70-72-142). Runner-up was Coomealla’s Tim O’Neil (70-75-145).
It was extremely close in B Grade, with a countback needed to determine the placings. Riverside members Simon Dale (77-65-142) picked up first place, runner-up went to Steve Spooner (72-70-142) and Darren Gray (70-73-143) was just pipped at the post.
Two more Riverside players were in a countback in C Grade, once again with some brilliant scoring. George Mason’s consistency (70-70-140) gained him the win, with Gary Van Steenis (66-74-140) runner-up.
Monday was a great day for Mick Burke in the veteran and friends competition, winning with an excellent 40 points in front of France Wilmann (39).
The ladies played Stableford on Tuesday in nine and 18-hole events.
Dot Knight scored 35 to record comfortable win over a group of three players on 31. After a countback, Pat Riordan came in second, followed by Sally Watson and Helen Burke. Lauris Hicks had 14 points to win the nine-hole comp and also the NTP on the fourth (500).
Considering the weather, 61 was quite a pleasing field on Wednesday, for the men’s Stableford.
Michael Holcroft has been producing some nice golf of late and a super 40 enabled him to grab another well-deserved win in A Grade. Graeme Southwell was runner-up (38).
Keith Willis went one shot better for his win in B Grade, with an exceptional 41, in front of John Sutton (37).
It was a stroke game for the ladies on Thursday and Suzy Conquest scored a sensational (86-69) to collect the win over Carol Benning (90-70).
Cath Kent had a 34 net in the nine-hole stroke to win on countback against Liz Wallace.
Friday’s nine-hole medley Stableford was well supported and Riley Austin played well to take the win with 22 points.
It took countback to settle the runner-up and Gavin Graham was the lucky player with Aaron Wilkie and Nick Goodieson just missing out.
The daily comps for Saturday and Sunday were run in conjunction with the Summer Open with two grades for ladies and three for men.
Saturday’s ladies’ A Grade winner was Pat Riordan (93-73) over runner-up Steph Baker (87-75).
B Grade went to Roz Nash (102-76) on countback from runner-up Nora Paech (98-76) and Maree Irvin (105-76).
Sunday ladies’ A Grade winner was Wendy Dawson (88-73). Runner-up was Lisa Garioch (83-74).
The B Grade victor was Helen Burke (100-73) from Lyn Delmenico (107-77).
Saturday men’s A Grade: Winner – Brad Steer (70-68). Runner-up was Tim O’Neill (76-70) after a countback against Joseph Rocca (75-70).
B Grade: Winner Tezza Simpson (81-67), runner-up Darren Gray (82-70).
C Grade: Winner Gary Van Steenis (89-66), runner-up Stuart Mensch (86-67).
Eagles: Jeramiah Johnson (par-four eighth), Jacob Simmon (par-five fifth), Zepp Deckert (par-five second) and Brad Steer (par-five 11th).
NTPs were: Deckert (fourth, 174), Tim Peterson (seventh, 146), Steer (12th) and Mark Johns (18th, 115).
Sunday men’s A Grade: Winner Garth Doherty (71-70), runner-up Joseph Rocca (77/-2).
B Grade: Winner Simon Dale (80-65), runner-up Mark Alvey (83-68).
C Grade: Winner Ray Cottle (89-67), runner-up George Mason (93-71) after a countback against James Scherger (93-71) and Michael Slater (99-71).
Coming events: Today: Stroke, monthly medal. Tomorrow: Ladies’ Stableford plus a nine-hole Stableford. Friday: All-day play nine-hole medley Stableford. Saturday: Men’s opening Stableford, laides’ Stableford. Sunday: Medley Stableford.
MILDURA
THE Mildura ladies played Stableford last Wednesday and the winner was Glenda Hiskins (38). Second was Sue Burgess (33).
NTPs were: Carla Sherriff (second, 244) and Sandra Hutchinson (12th, 470).
The men played single stroke for the monthly mug the same day.
The winner in A Grade was Jason Marks (66) on countback from Geoffrey Hazeldine, and Phillip Nash (70).
B Grade was won by Matt Mason (68) from Snapper Lyell (70) and Mick Killeen (72).
NTPs were: Terry Buckingham (first, 211), Joe Morello (second, 190, which also won the Pig prize); Jamie Lanyon (10, 376) and Nigel Ingram (12th, 480). Shay Toma cleaned out the eagle’s nest with an eagle two on the third.
The Telstra twilight competition on Friday was won by Carla Sherriff, who scored 20 points.
Saturday saw single Stableford in two grades. A Grade was won by Lachlan Cottrell (38) just ahead of Rob Toms (37) and Terry O’Brien (36).
B Grade went to Alan Steedman (40) from Greg Buchanan (39) and Simon Kelly (38).
NTPS were: Ron Rowse (first, 450), Keith Williams (10, 450), Lee Tucker (11th, 237) and Neville Hodgetts (12th, 104).
The field of 24 veteran gentlemen played their usual Stableford competition on Monday. Barry Pilgrim celebrated his retirement by scoring 37 points for an easy win.
Eric Jenner scored 34 to take second and Mick Killen was third on countback, ahead of three other golfers, also on 34.
NTPs were: Alan Steedman (second, 438) and Pilgrim (12th, 348).
Coming events: Today: Combined Stableford in twos. Friday: Twilight competition and ladies’ single Stableford. Saturday: Single Stableford (mixed competition). Sunday: Medley Stableford. Monday: Mildura veterans Stableford. Tuesday: Ladie’s nine or 18-hole Stableford.
Bookings can be made online or by ringing the Mildura golf shop on 5023 8089.
VETERANS
THE first of this year’s Sunraysia and District Victorian Veteran Golfers Association’s events starts March 2.
It will be held at the Mildura Golf Resort and it is a 4BBB par round.
With the summer break over, the 2020 program will resume with the familiar 9.30am shotgun start.
The daily costs remains at $20, which includes the competition entry, green fee and lunch.
Registration will begin about 8.30am in front of the clubhouse.
There are many benefits in being a member of the district vets group.
Players from all district clubs enjoy the camaraderie, the satisfaction and fun of playing golf at a district level.
Not only do members have an opportunity to play at seven courses, play different events and participate in a championship round, but they are also part of a incentive scheme in which regular attendance will be rewarded with an opportunity to receive additional prizes.
Our district clubs support us by having courses in great condition, prepare a lunch and provide carts at a reduced cost.
Mildura have carts for just $20, allowing members with mobility or transport issues to remain actively involved.
Being the first event of the year, members are asked to remain after the presentation of awards for a general meeting.
We will be discussing organisational issues and I remind everyone that we have been investigating expanding our membership by inviting district women to join us.
In accordance with our constitution, I am giving 14 days notice required before conducting a general meeting. Please stay and have your say in matters that will affect the running of our association.
New members are most welcome to join us on the day. Just turn up and we will ensure you are looked after.
WENTWORTH
A GOOD 38 net saw Don Reid victorious in Wednesday’s Chicken Run.
The rest of the pack was headed by Glen “Phantom” Walker (42).
Max Hodges (43) did just enough to take third.
Thursday’s Stableford went down to a countback yet again with the captain/scorer (33) winning on countback from Garry Bourke.
NTP was Ron Moore who put everyone out of the game on the 12th with 28 cm.
Mrs Risky went to evergreen Annette Green (27). The handicapper needs to see an effort in future.
Coming event: Sunday: Stroke at 8am.
MERBEIN
GRAHAM Kerr played to his handicap on Wednesday and picked up the prize for the day.
A windy weekend proved a little too much for most of the field, but Joe Barber returned and won the prize for the annual Adrian Rudd Day.
Tough going was had shown by the lack of NTP measurements.
Wednesday: Winner G. Kerr 0, runner-up M. Dean -1, third F. Crouch -2.
Saturday: Winner J. Barber (36), runner-up M. Wilkes (35), third N. Cavallo (35).
NTPs were: Wilkes (second, 150) and Cavallo (16th, 705).
Coming events: Today: Stableford. Friday night: Twilight nine-hole Stableford. Saturday: Par.
RED CLIFFS
ON Wednesday we had a good field of 49 as the ladies came out of the woodwork.
In A Grade, captain Jill Gleeson led the field to finish square while Nev Birch had -1 to be the runner-up.
Brad Morgan blitzed the field in B Grade, scoring a super plus-7 to win from evergreen Graeme Duffy (plus-4).
NTPs were: Faye Englefield (eighth), Sally Jones (15th), Denise Morgan (17th) and Morgan (eighth).
Saturday’s game was a medley Stableford in A Grade and Michael Morrall (38) was the winner from Tom Minns (35).
In B Grade, Ian Doering (35) won by a point over Robert Chase.
NTP were: Chris Chase (third), Brad Morgan (fifth), Di Morrall and Affie Ganz (eighth), Adrian Pike (ninth), Sheryl Blagus (12th), Gleeson and Morrall (15th), Mal Blagus (17th) and Neville Walker (18th).
Coming events: Today: Medley Stableford with the men playing off the white markers. Saturday: Medley Stableford and the final of the Summer Cup, Brett Overton will play John Prictor.
