Professionals competing in the Legends Pro-Am heaped praise on our golf course, and rightly so.
They were amazed that you could have such a quality course in the centre of town, and acknowledged that while it is not a long course, it is certainly challenging. Mistakes can prove very costly.
The greens were in superb condition, with Pro-Am winner Tim Elliott describing them as “among the best he’s seen”. It’s a testament to our hardworking course staff, under the guidance of Terry Howe.
The professionals, many from city clubs, acknowledged there would be many metropolitan golfers very envious of our low membership fees, compared to what they pay.
It perhaps provided an opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are to have this facility in our relatively small town.
Details of Elliott’s win are elsewhere in this edition.
Winners of the amateur section were Vince Kelly, Brendan Kelly and Paul Rason with a net score of 57.66, runners-up on 59.16 were Noel Swainger, Peter O 'Brien and Bob Landy, and in third place with a score of 59.66 were Garry Baker, John Penna and Oscar Marshall.
On Monday afternoon, 22 budding junior golfers from 8 years old to teenagers took advantage of a junior clinic conducted by three of the professionals, in Nathan Condon, Bryan Wearne and Gavin Coyle.
They were extremely grateful for the opportunity, and the club thanks the professionals for giving up their time to help our junior program.
In other events, Saturday was versus par and some excellent scores were recorded. A grade winner was Josh Hunt with +6 from runner-up John Radeski +3, B-grade Ali Ferguson +5 from runner-up Alan Jenkin +3, and C-grade Graeme Butcher +6 from runner-up Jaxon O’Donnell +2.
On Wednesday, there were also three grades in pleasant spring conditions.
A grade winner was Barry Barlow with 38 points from runner-up Troy Grant 35, B-grade Ken Maher 38 from runner-up Geoff Mulham 36, and C-grade Brian Dixon 38 on countback to Marg Radeski.
Coming up we have stroke events for monthly medals tomorrow, 9 holes stableford on Tuesday, stableford on Wednesday, then the annual Spring Classic next weekend, in the usual fourball best ball format for men and ladies. Entry forms at the pro shop or on the club’s website.
Junior golf clinics are being held on Wednesdays, teaching the skills of golf through games and drills in a fun and safe environment. This a five-week program for primary school age youngsters, held on Wednesdays from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Register at the club or phone Vince Kelly on 0447 109 705 for more information.
Vince is also seeking members who will act as mentors for junior golfers, teaching etiquette, pace of play, rules and scoring. Contact Vince if you can help out with this initiative.
The Summer Sixes 9 hole competition starts on November 10. Register at the club as a team, or as an individual and you will be placed in a team.
Also coming up is the ‘Face the Tee’ nine hole event on Friday November 14, 5pm for 5.30pm shotgun start to raise money for Deniliquin High School. Register at the pro shop - $20 per player.
Don’t forget Friday Night Fun at the club tonight, with raffle tickets on sale from 6pm and draws from 7pm. Happy hour is from 6pm. Meals will be available with a limited menu.
Last week’s results:
Saturday October 25, versus par:
A-grade J Hunt +6, r/u J Radeski +3; B-grade A Ferguson +5, r/u A Jenkin +3; C-grade G Butcher +6, r/u J O’Donnell +2.
Ball comp: R Turner, L O’Brien, Mark Thomas, W Pekin, G Mulham, A Gorsuch, J Sommerfeld, S Butcher, M Radeski, P Astill, S Mills, S Aitken, F McCalman, K Butcher, R Begg, P Seely, P Grant, P Hodgkinson, A Danckert, c/b 0.
NTP: 2nd C Mitsch, P Seely; 5th B Bourke, R Begg; 9th B Bourke, G Freckleton; 11th N Swainger, S Townsend; 13th J Hunt, G Mulham. Golden hole B Bourke.
Wednesday October 29, single stableford:
A-grade B Barlow 38, r/u T Grant 35; B-grade K Maher 38, r/u G Mulham 36; C-grade B Dixon 38, c/b M Radeski.
Ball comp: R Sobolewski, D Ramsey, J Grant, F Conallin, D Wade, T Maw, P Gatacre, P Seely, P Hodgkinson, J Hood, T Chartres, G Corboy, P Locke, J Swainger, C Thomson, F Milward, R Bolton, c/b 34.
NTP: 9th B Barlow, A Wettenhall. Golden hole T Chartres.
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