Valley View
A good field of eager golfers emerged from the 10-week COVID-enforced ban on competition golf for Saturday’s stableford event (which just proves that the more things change the more they stay the same!).
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Only one golfer could have been said to hit the ground running though, Gavon Armstrong posting the day’s best score of 38 points enabling him to collect the B grade winner’s trophy by three shots from Alan Curnow with 35 points.
It was a tight contest at the top of the leaderboard in A grade, with a four-way countback leaving Peter Mangan as the winner from Ed McQuienn, Kelly Cheong and Peter Noble, all of whom posted 35 points.
The number 35 dominated the Jack Bond Build Pro scoreboard, with Jan McHale winning the ladies’ comp in a countback from Julie Neale after they also returned cards with 35 points.
Aside from the aforementioned Kelly and Nobby, other ball comp winners were Rory Kerr, Daryl Harrison, Graeme Harrison, Alan Hausler, Geoff Strachan and Sharon Harrison, all with 34 points.
Nearest the pin trophies on the third went to Steve Hammond (A grade) and Ray Brereton (B) while Des Pentreath took the voucher on the 15th.
With the ban on competition golf being lifted Saturday, golf has moved back to a shotgun start with assembly and registration at 11.30am for a 12.15pm tee-off. If you can’t make it by 11.30am please give the office a call to let the duty team know you are coming.
At this stage Tuesday golf will remain at 10.30am for 11am hit-off and don’t forget the Thursday night nine-hole event, which hits off at 5.30pm and culminates with Lawrie’s quiz.
The information I have from the ‘Pres’ is that players of all vaccination statuses can play but you need to be double vaccinated to enjoy our clubhouse activities. Please direct queries on this matter to President Mick on 0418 510 201.
Finally, on a sad note, since my last report the club lost a former president and very popular member in John Flett.
Fletty was a regular monthly medal winner and didn’t mind throwing in a joke or two during an idle moment of play. He will be greatly missed and the club extends its sincerest condolences to Vy and the Flett family.
MERRIGUM
Golf seemed a distant memory for most before Saturday’s return to competition at Merrigum.
The event was stableford and with only a couple of exceptions players were obviously rusty after the long lay-off.
Larry Hockey was the star of the day, winning with a score of 40 points.
He was three points ahead of his closest rival after a dominant display.
Somehow he has managed to turn his form around from the long ago par round we played where he was somewhat disenchanted with his play.
Larry will discover there is a price to pay for a good round though, as he will likely find himself three shots lighter on his handicap when he next plays.
James Campbell is another whose game has been a little erratic in the past, but he too came to the fore when it counted and finished as runner-up with an impressive 37 points.
He was six points ahead of the next best, but oddly his handicap drifted out slightly.
Tony Borrelli picked up a ball for his 31 points.
Nearest the pins were won by Jeff Parry on the ninth, Cory Berghofer on the jackpot 12th and Ash Sanders on the 14th.
Larry Hockey collected enough for a deposit on a small house by winning the jackpotted chook shed challenge.
He was just lucky someone could remember the jackpot was still running.
This coming Saturday’s round is stroke for the Privilege Cup.
We should be able to recognise our playing partners this week as we venture back to a maskless outdoor society.
The twilight competition also resumes this Thursday, so come and enjoy release with 10 holes of golf in the evening.
PARKLAND
A hole in one highlighted the reopening of competition golf at Parkland.
It was buzzing around the clubhouse as golfers embraced the freedom. Jim Miller, who recently moved to Kyabram, aced the 136m 14th.
The left hander had never had the privilege of scoring an ace before. Using his trusty driver he saw the ball roll over the mounds in front of the green then find its way to the cup.
The round of the day went to Joshua Cartwright carding 70 off the stick, nett 50, to win C grade. Runner-up was Chris Harmer with 74-22-52.
Third went to Rob Reid on 77-24-53. Ray Coleman won A grade after a three-way countback.
Ray finished with 68-13-55. Runner-up was Peter Clark with 68-13-55 while Peter Fraser had to be content with a ball for his efforts. B grade went to David Blake 67-15-52 while Don McKenzie was second with 70-16-54.
Third went to Michael Turnbull with 72-17-55. Naomi Cartwright won the women’s A grade event with 72-16-56. B grade went to Trudie Plumb with 78-27-51.
Daphne Jewell won C grade with 84-29-55. Runner-up was Jackie Pearce on 84-28-56.
Third went to Lyn Fraser with 85-28-57. Ball winners were Chris Kelly, Kathy Bell, Pam Spokes, Heather Sleeth, Kathy Fanning, Peter Price, Fred Roberts, Mal Baker, Mick Sullivan, Darren Baird, Peter Barrette and Troy Pearce.
Junior golf. The Mygolf junior program started last night with round two to be held on Tuesday, November 23.
Bingo : Bingo is still in sleep mode at the moment.
Annual tournament will commence on Saturday, November 6 to Sunday, November 14.
Coming events:
Saturday: Men’s and women`s aggregate stableford. 9am to 9:30am/11:30am to noon shotgun.
Tuesday: Cup day: Men’s and Women`s four ball best ball stableford. List on noticeboard outside for times. Duty: F.Glover, D.Tonkin, D.Hee, D.Atkinson.
Wednesday (November 3): Men’s par. 9:30am to 10am. Shotgun.