RIVERSIDE
THIS past week has definitely been sending us some chilly signs that winter is nearing.
The men’s and ladies’ fields have been increasing since the relaxing of the restrictions.
On Monday, the veterans and friends Stableford came down to a countback with two on 36. Greg King put together the better back nine, giving him the win over Grant Giddings.
The ladies’ Stableford on Tuesday was a winner for our most senior member Anne Parker who had 31 points on countback over Lyn Delmenico.
It was also Stableford for the men’s Wednesday competition.
A Grade went the way of Jarrad Stokker, with a super round of 38, playing of a handicap of +1.
It was a three-way countback for runner-up with Chris Curley taking the honours, from Brad Winslow and Gavin Minter, all on 35s.
Another great score of 38 was revealed in B Grade, with a comfortable win to Noel Thomas, from Michael Englefield in second (34).
Thursday’s competition was in two divisions after 35 ladies braved the extremely chilly cold conditions.
Suzy Conquest continued her winning streak in A Grade, this time making the most of her 34 points to snatch the top spot after a countback against Lisa Garioch.
A lovely 38 from June Hensgen, gave her a win in B Grade, in front of Gaye Briggs (37).
Halen Smythe, from Coomealla, was the winner of Friday’s nine-hole medley Stableford with a fine 20 points.
Simon Dale took runner-up after a countback with Jamie Donaldson (both on 19).
Conditions weren’t much better on Saturday, but this didn’t seem to affect Tracey Coulson as she knocked up another win, taking out the ladies’ monthly award with a score of 100/77.
Ayse Jewitt picked up second place (107/79).
The putting comp went to Lyn Saunders on a countback from Garioch and Lorriane Palmer, all on 31 putts. The men contested their monthly medal on Saturday in three grades with 88 players taking to the course.
Michael Holcroft played an excellent round of (78/71) to be the winner of A Grade and take the medal. He finished in front of Steve Wilmann who showed his talent with a pretty special 72/73.
The B Grade medal went to Steve Turlan after an exceptional day (89/72), making it by just one shot over runner-up Grant Giddings (87/73), who just pipped Claude Dawson (86/73) on countback.
The C Grade medal winner was Chris Curley, producing a very fine 90/72, who stepped up from his second place on Wednesday.
Runner-up went to Dave Coulson, just oen off the pace with a pleasing 109/73.
Andrew Stewart played three magnificent shots on the par-five second to leave with an eagle.
Dale Meredith put together the winning score (38) in Sunday’s medley Stableford.
There were three vying for second place and Greg Love used his luck to grab that. Darren Gray and Tony Coppola just missed the cut.
Coming events: Today: Monthly medal. Tomorrow: Ladies’ monthly medal and putting. Friday: All-day play nine-hole medley Stableford. Saturday: Men’s Stableford, ladies’ Stableford. Sunday: Medley Stableford.
COOMEALLA
TODAY the men and ladies play stroke with putting for the ladies.
Friday is the President’s Port 12-hole Stableford.
Saturday is Stableford for men and ladies, with Sunday a medley Stableford.
Last Sunday was a medley Stableford with Matt Bottomley winning on 38 points. Runner-up was Greg Chandler (37) and third went to Dean Anderson (36).
NTPs were: Aaron Blake (third, 110), Wayne Hatcher (seventh, 90), Nathan Gard (11th, 34 and Greg Rhodes (18th, 735).
Congratulations to Troy Neville on his albatross on the par-five eighth.
Last Wednesday was a par round.
A Grade winner was Gary Fumberger (+2) on countback from runner-up Steve Spooner and Nathan Gard.
B Grade winner: Gary Kerr (+5) on countback from Tim Knight. Third was Trevor Carroll (+3).
C Grade winner: Terry Albion (+3) on a countback from runner-up Aaron Lucchesi. Third: Brian Alderton (+2).
NTPs were: John Coleman (third, 126), Larry Frasca (seventh, 120), Paul Booth (11th, 84) and Peter Dooley (18th, nine).
Women: Stableford winner: Janice Walker (40). Runner-up: Sue Jones (38).
NTPs were: Nia Whittle (third, 36), Sandra Hunt (seventh, 297), Janice Walker (11th, 96) and Maureen Bailey (18th, 180).
Friday was a medley nine-hole Stableford.
Winner: Lachlan Cottrell (20) on countback from Gary Thomas.
NTPs were: Mark Hann (11th, 200) and Greg Rhodes (18th, 720).
Saturday the men had Stableford.
A Grade winner: Rhodes (36) on countback from James Daly and Ross Robertson.
B Grade winner: David Guild (40). Runner-up: Paul Booth (38). Third: Trevor Carroll (37).
C Grade winner: Paul Matthews (41). Runner-up: Hugo Haring (33). Third: Graeme Burrows (33).
The ladies had Stableford.
Winner: Lee Bottomley (35). Runner-up: Walker (33).
NTPs were: Catherine Lanigan (third, 53), Whittle (seventh, 740), Catherine Lanigan (11th, 79) and Heidi Schultz (18th, 30).
Sunday was a medley Stableford
Winner: Matt Bottomley (39). Runner-up: Gard (37).
NTPs were: Darren Bottomley (third, 242), David Lewin (seventh, 200), Lee Bottomley (11th, hole-in-one, his second in three months) and Matt Bottomley (18th, 560).
MERBEIN
STEADY scoring was had over the two competition days at Merbein with everyone still happy to be playing after the long break.
Long hitter A. Fairlie scored his second eagle in two weeks, making short work of the par fives.
Wednesday: Winner: P. White +1. Runner-up: R. Walder +1. Third: R. Teasdale -1 and A. Rudd -1.
NTPs were: M. Thomson (third, 460cm, and sixth, 680), K. Matulick (14th, 810) Teasdale (16th, 497) and P. White (18th, 810).
Saturday: Winner: M. Dean 39 points. Runner-up: M. Vinning (39). The came J. Pope (38), Walder (36), Fairlie (36) and F. Crouch (36).
NTPs were: Fairlie (second, eagle, and sixth, 15), Teasdale (14th, 586) and Pope (18th, 380).
Coming events: Today: Stableford. Saturday: 4BBB Stableford.
A $200 single membership and a $250 family membership are available which will carry you though to September 2021.
WENTWORTH
WE are back, although we haven’t been anywhere.
Sunday was a stroke round, convincingly won by Garry Bourke with 68 net.
Runner-up was an improving Annette Green with 73.
NTP was: Bourke (17th, 430). The important Mr Risky went to the Phantom, Glen Walker.
Another two weeks and most things will be normal, watch this space.
VETERANS
THE disruption caused by COVID-19 to the planned season has been significant.
Happily individual clubs have recommenced their veteran competitions.
With the constant changing of restrictions this forum will be used to inform members of the current arrangements and state of play for our district events.
The association is in constant communication with host clubs and members. We will also follow the assistance offered and guidelines provided by the Golf Australia association.
The next planned event at Coomealla on June 1 will not go ahead.
The clubhouse is closed and the current restrictions prevent us from organising the day.
The following event is the Ouyen trip reorganised for June 22.
If there is sufficient interest and the proposed easing of restrictions go ahead their clubhouse can be opened and alcohol can be served with meals.
This is subject to requirements about cleaning, space and social distancing.
What is not clear yet is the rules regarding the draw and cart limitations.
We don’t know about being allowed to have a shotgun start but we know that up to 50 can attend.
Having sand scrapes necessitates using the rake when putting so that needs to be addressed.
Chat to your club’s committee representative and stay tuned. We will do our best to get things back to normal as soon as possible.
