The tournament winners had big smiles with their prizes, presented by (far right) Emblem, Benalla director Rowan Pollard.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Golfers from across Victoria and NSW gathered on Friday, May 8 in Benalla for the 76th Maie O’Shea Bowl, honouring a local golfing legend and Ensign stalwart.
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In the 1920s, Maie O’Shea and her twin brother, Jack, acquired the Ensign following their father’s death.
For more than 50 years, Maie served as editor and reporter for the Benalla community, during which she also compiled local sporting results for statewide papers.
Maie O’Shea Bowl winners Kelly Gibbons, Susan Berran, Andrena Berran and Tracey Woodhouse from Bethanga.
Photo by
Supplied
On top of her journalistic achievements, Maie was a passionate golfer, who served as president and vice president of the Benalla Golf Club over a period of seven years in the 1950s.
In 1985, she was honoured with life membership at the club, and her name has remained prominent there since her passing.
On Friday, 100 women from 17 clubs participated in the bowl, which each year honours Maie’s legacy.
Benalla Golf Club women’s captain Sue Oakley said the event was all about remembering a hard-working local legend.
Val Nicholas, Andree Klopsteins, Marg Brown and June Shennan.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“As early as the 1920s, Maie was described as a ‘keen and successful’ Benalla golfer,” she said.
“Her claim to fame was winning the North-East Singles Golf Championship in 1933.
“Maie loved her golf and was certainly a pioneer in a male-dominated profession.”
This year, Kelly Gibbons, Tracey Woodhouse and Susan and Andrena Berran from Bethanga Golf Club triumphed in the bowl, with scores totalling 148 stableford points.
The A-grade winner on the day was Erin York on 39 points, and Ms Oakley was runner-up with 38 points.
Emblem, Benalla director Rowan Pollard presented prizes to the tournament winners.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Gayle Wells won the B-grade category with 35 points on a countback from Linda Terry, who also scored a 35.
Margaret Franke-Williams, on 39 points, and Helen Eyre, on 42, were C and D-grade winners, and Louise Calvert-Jones, on 37, and Janet Wraith, on 39, were their respective runner-ups.
Nearest the pins went to Glenda Marshall, 3rd, Susan Wood, 8th, and Rosemary Rutledge, 13th.
After prizes were dealt out and clubs celebrated, Ms Oakley thanked the many people who continued to make the day a success.
Benalla Golf Club women’s captain Sue Oakley was the emcee on the day.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“Thank you to the many people who have made today possible,” she said.
“(Thanks to) the volunteers of the club — the many people helping over many weeks to help things tun smoothly today, and to Chris Perus, our director of golf.
“Once again, the fantastic efforts of grounds staff and bistro staff also made the Maie O’Shea Bowl an event that the golfers will look forward to in 2027.”
Ms Oakley also thanked the Ensign for its continued sponsorship, and new sponsor Emblem, Benalla for its generous support in 2026.
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