VETERANS
VETERAN golfers who are current members of the Sunraysia and District Victorian Veteran Golfers Association are well aware of the benefits of being part of this group.
For instance there is a little more than a week before the next district veterans competition. This is one of 10 competitions held on the first Monday of each month from March to December. Currently new memberships numbers are pleasing and we would like this trend to continue as we would like to recruit as many people as possible.
So how is a golfer defined as a veteran? Simply, players need to be at least 50 years of age and both male and female players are welcome.
Why join? The benefits are that you get to enjoy a game of golf with other like minded players. There are physical, social and wellbeing benefits as well. You have an opportunity to play on all district course, to win prizes and meet new people. Walkers and cart users are catered for. The cost is greatly reduced because the local clubs value and support us. Meals are provided each time.
Our monthly events are not the only veteran competitions. Several district clubs conduct their own weekly games. Contact your golf club and find out about their days.
Just turn up on Monday, April 3 at the Mildura Golf Club at 8.30 and you will warmly welcomed and looked after. Come along and find out for yourself. See you there.
MERBEIN
OUR regular Wednesday Stableford event was won by Graeme Kerr with a steady 38 points from runner-up Graeme Kelly on 33 points.
The only NTP was Graeme Kelly on the Australian Vintage Merbein 3rd, landing to within 128cm, sadly Graeme missed the birdie putt.
The Friday twilight Stableford Cashed Up back nine saw Max Turvey a clear winner with a scintillating 21 points.
Saturday was a Stroke event. There is a saying about mad dogs and Englishmen and hot weather, well we had a number of Englishmen playing in extreme heat on Saturday, we love our golf at Merbein.
The winner was Steve Farley 78/70 from runner-up Doggie Watson 88/71. Ball comp went to Wayne Innes 86/73 and Mark White 80/73.
NTPs: 3rd Australian Vintage Merbein – Greg Marshall 82cm; 3rd Pigeon Dollars – Greg Marshall; 8th Drummond Golf Mildura Sunraysia Golf Driving Range – Al Gourlay 1330cm; 12th Club Voucher – Stuart Watson 1080cm; 16th Merbein Lions Club – Shane Trinnick 710cm; 16th Merbein Lions Club weekly – Paul Mulder 137cm.
Meat raffle randomiser was won by Wayne Innes.
Today is a Stableford event with tee off from noon, Friday is the Stableford Cashed Up back nine and Saturday is a Par event.
RED CLIFFS
LAST Wednesday a Stableford event was played for both the men and women.
Glenys Murray has continued her consistent form to win the women’s event with 38 points from runner-up Kaye Hart on a countback with 37 points.
For the men, Gary Nunn had a super 41 points to win A Grade from Lloyd Hale who had 39 points. Robin Arnold had 38 points to win B Grade and Laurence Arnold was the runner-up on a countback with 33 points.
NTPs: 3rd – M. Hudak; 8th – L. Palmer and P. Knight; 12th – D. Hassell and D. Lloyd; 15th – F. Englefield; 17th – D. Hassell and G. Giddings.
On Friday the 9 hole comp was played and Callum Winslow won with 19 points on a countback from runner-up Tony Johns.
On Saturday we held our Footy Colours Day and Stableford was played. Essendon were the winners with Justin McPhee having 39 points, Faye Englefield 38 points and Garry Swallow 38 points. Runners-up on a countback with 38 points were Rodney Hand and Biddy Pitt. Congratulations to Tom Minns for scoring a hole in one on the 12th.
NTPs: 3rd – L. Bottomley; 8th – D. Morgan and S. Fox; 9th – T. Germane; 12th – T. Minns and J. Mason; 15th – D. Morgan and L. Bottomley; 17th – T. Germane and S. Fox; 18th – R. Hand.
On Sunday Barry Pilgrim had 36 points to win from runner-up Ryan Hawke on a countback with 35 points. Clayton Clifford, Andrew Thomas and Darren Murnane won a ball.
MILDURA
THE Monday Labour Day Medley competition on March 13 had 80 players enjoy a day on the course for the public holiday.
The A Grade winner was Nick Katis (8) with 37 points from runner-up Peter Hartmann (7) with 36 points on a countback from third placed Rob Morgan (10) also on 36 points.
B Grade winner was Stephen Pongrac (23) with 39 points from runner-up Shane Dickeson (26) with 37 points from third placed Aaron (Fridge) Robson (19) on 36 points.
There were 19 balls in the ball comp and 33 points or better collected.
NTPs: 2nd Trentham Estate – Adam Sheperd 165cm; 12th Zilzie Wines – Mark Woodhouse 82cm.
The ladies Tuesday 9 hole competition on Tuesday, March 14 was won by Christine Hartley (45) with 17 points from runner-up Isobel Westhead on 15 points.
The ladies Tuesday 18 hole competition on Tuesday, March 14 A Grade winner was Ann Bowen (11) with 37 points from runner-up Carla Sherriff (23) with 35 points. B Grade winner was Janet Fumberger (32) with 41 points form runner-up Sheryleen McGlashan (31) with 40 points.
There were eight balls in the ball comp and 34 points on a countback or better collected.
NTPs: 2nd Trentham Estate – Carla Sherriff 1150cm; 10th Trentham Estate – Ann Bowen 4cm; 12th Zilzie Wines – Ann Bowen 493cm.
Last Wednesday 113 players played in the March Monthly Mug Stroke competition in three grades.
A Grade winner was Mark McDonald (7) with 68 nett from runner-up Maurice Warn (7) an 69 nett and third place went to Steve Fumberger (10) on 70 nett.
B Grade winner was Keith Williams (13) with 67 nett from Paul Wright (13) on 70 nett and third place went to David Guild (16) on 71 nett.
C Grade winner was Fred Stewart (20) with 69 nett from runner-up Greg Butcher (22) on 70 nett on a countback from third placed Graeme Burrows (22) also on 70 nett.
There were 28 balls in the ball comp and 74 nett on a countback or better collected.
NTPs: 1st Pete’s Pure wine – Neville Hodgetts 78cm; 2nd Trentham Estate/PIG – Steven Fumberger 438cm; 10th Trentham Estate – Ben Winton 560cm; 12th Zilzie Wines – Mark Woodhouse 119cm.
Ladies Friday 18 holes competition winner was Ann Bowen (10) with 35 points from runner-up Dora Stewart (20) with 33 points.
There were four balls in the ball comp and 32 points or better collected.
Last Friday’s medley 9 holes Twilight Stableford competition winner was Meredith Turner (34) with 18 points from runner-up Valerie Whitelaw (35) on 17 points.
There were four balls in the ball comp and 16 points or better collected.
Last Saturday 149 players braved a very hot day with a strong northerly wind for a Par event.
A Grade winner was Josh MCaskill (9) with +3 from runner-up Andrew Stewart (4) on +1 on a countback from Ron Casey (10) also on +1.
B Grade winner was Thomas Ferguson (13) with a terrific score of +6 from runner-s up Neil Saunders (16) on +4 and in third place was Noel Hedwards (13) on +3.
C Grade winner was Fred Stewart (19) with +4 from runner-up Dylan Bottoms (17) square on a countback from third placed Darren Knight (20) also square.
D Grade winner was Stephen Lush (26) with +2 on a countback from runner-up Graeme Worthington (26) also on +2 while third place went to Brent Smith (25) on +1.
There were 37 balls in the ball comp and -1 on a countback or better collected.
NTPs: 1st Pete’s Pure wine – Ivan McKenzie 101cm; 2nd Trentham Estate/PIG – Stan Prymke 137cm; 10th Trentham Estate – Chris Bush 178cm; 12th Zilzie Wines – Joseph Rocca 120cm.
The Ranfurly Iron Jack – jackpotted.
TWW eagles nest went off with two eagles – Keith Williams had an eagle 2 on the 6th and Andrew Stewart had an eagle 3 on the 18th.
Sunday’s Drummond golf medley Stableford winner was Frann Sette (29) with 38 points from runner-up Mark Luitjes (19) with 36 points.
There were five balls in the ball comp and 34 points on a countback or better collected.
The Mildura open is now only two weeks away, so if you haven’t entered yet, it maybe too late as there were only a couple of spots left. Standby entries will be called if there are any cancellations.
There’s plenty of spots for Friday’s 18 hole Stableford event and perhaps the biggest prize for the weekend on offer for the best score, a full seven day Mildura Golf Resort membership. So, don’t delay, get a tee time and have a go.
Bookings are through the golf shop or online for members, phone 5022 8089.
