Hill Top Golf Club
Tuesday’s event was stroke, and the winner with a net 68 was Barry Dennis, with John Dickinson second with a net 71 on a countback. Other place-getters with net 71 were Paul Franke and Rocci Villani.
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Thursday’s Stableford event was won by Bob Wildes with 39 points on a countback from Lou Villani. Other placegetters were Jac Farrow (38 points), and Bob Hunter (37).
Another good field participated in the twilight event sponsored by our local electrician Mat Langley Electrical.
Husband and wife Peter and Phyl Fiddes took out the event with 20 points, with Peter taking out the bragging rights. Make the most of it, Peter, it doesn’t happen often.
Other place-getters were John Mapson and Jack Marks (19 pts), Darren Carter and Jan Coe (17) on a countback.
On Saturday the men played for the Privilege Cup sponsored by the Peppermill Hotel, Kialla, and the women played a Stableford event.
The women’s event was won by Rosemary Hepworth who only took up golf not so long ago; well done. Rosemary had 39 pts; Jan Coe in second place had 38. The other place-getter was Robyn Downs (32 pts). Nearest-the-pins — Lewis Homes 3rd: Joyce Baird; Tatura Post Office 6th: Jan Coe; Tatura Engineering 9th: Janette Hayward; and A1 Freight 14th, Joyce Baird.
As the old saying goes, golf has no age barrier — and John Mappo Mapson proved it by taking out the event for the first time in his golf career. John had 24 points on the front nine and as going well, when he suddenly realised he could do a few shots of his handicap so put on the handbrake — but still finished with 38 points to win the Privilege Cup for the month and only did half a shot.
In A-grade Bruce Gross won with 36 pts from Terry O’Brien 34 pts on a countback; in B-grade Ron Popple had 35 pts on a count back from Geoff Coolahan; in C-grade Mappo 38 pts won with the consistent Joe Deleso in second place 37 pts. Other place-getters were: 36 pts Brendan Ryan, John Steen; 35 pts Allen Gale, Jody Webber, Mike Jeffers, Bill Ashcroft; and 34 pts Glen Pearce on a countback.
Nearest-the-pins were awarded to Fred Andrews on the third hole, sponsored by Lewis Homes; Tatura Post office 6th: Geoff Coolahan; Tatura Engineering and Jackpot ninth: Steve Allison; and Ray Nicholson on the A1 Freight 14th.
The finals of the men’s and women’s club championships were played on Sunday in excellent conditions, and with the course looking a picture it was great to see so many members, most in their carts, following all the matches.
This year has seen the young guns take over, congratulations Bec and Matt.
In the Women’s Open Championship all matches were closely contested with one match going to the 19th and two others finishing on the 18th. It was great to see two newcomers to A-grade play off, with Bec Jeffers winning from Larysa Phillingham 3/2; the B-grade final was won by Sue Turnbull from Sheryl Curran 1 up; in C-grade Lyn Flett won from Josie Deleso 1 up; and in D-grade Di Day in a very close match was the winner from Robyn Butler on the 19th.
In the Men’s Open Championship finals Matt Miller won his fifth Open Championship defeating Ray Nicholson 4/3; well done, Matt. Jacob Chessells won B-grade from Leigh Thornton on the 19th; C-grade was won by John Steen from Joe Deleso 5/4.
Congratulations to all the winners and well done to all the other players who competed in this year’s championships.
Another semi-final match was played in the seniors, with Colin Barlow defeating John Fanning 2 up.
Next Saturday we play for the GMCU Monthly Medal. Sunday is the very popular Lipshut Law and Plumbing Day 4BBB Stableford event, with a hole-in-pne prize of $5000 on the ninth and an on-course barbecue.
The following Sunday we have the Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas Gary Hopcraft Split Sixes. Members can enter online; visitors, please ring the club to enter.
Happy golfing.
Bunkered
Women’s Hill Top Golf
The three-person Gentsomes sponsored by Tatura Logos & Promos and Foodworks, was a fun game played in cloudy but fine weather.
The team of Jan Coe, Rosemary Hepworth and Niki Miller amassed a score of 97 points to win the day.
The next best team consisted of Robyn Butler, Sheryl Curran and Marita Cornwall, who scored 94 points.
A third prize was awarded to the team of Mandy McGrath, Colleen Johns and Bev Roberts who scored 89 points.
Nearest-the-pins: Blossom with Love 3rd and Lindsay’s Jewels and Gifts 14th went to sharp shooter Terri Wangeman; Tatura Hot Bread 6th: Lyn Flett; Hill Top voucher 9th: Jan Coe.
Championships: Sunday saw both the men and the women competing for the ultimate trophy in all divisions, in perfect sunny conditions. The large gallery following all games was treated to some close games and excellent golf.
D-grade women ventured out first with Di Day and Robyn Butler playing out a very close match, going to the 19th hole before Di prevailed, rolling in a good putt to take the honours.
C-grade followed, with Lyn Flett and Josie De Ieso competing. Lyn took an early lead being 3 up after six holes, but Josie steadied and gradually pegged Lyn back to be square on the 17th. Lyn chipped on to the 18th green, and putted well to seal the game and the C-grade championship 1 up.
B-grade, between Sue Turnbull and Sheryl Curran, both in-form players, had a tight tussle with Sue holding an early lead of 3 up after seven holes. Sheryl persisted, being 1 down after 16 holes, winning the 17th, and going down the 18th all square. Sue proved the steadier to win the hole and the championship 1 up.
Two of the youngest members, and best friends Bec Jeffers and Larysa Phillingham, played for the first time in the Open championship. Nothing separated this pair as they entered the back nine all square. Bec got a break on the 12th, 13th and had a stroke of luck on the 14th with the ball bouncing around the bunker to land on the green, setting her up for a par to be 3 up. Larysa came back on the 15th, but Bec — who’d played steadily throughout the game — won the 16th to seal the champion trophy.
Bec and family were very happy but emotional as Bec knew how her great supporter Nan Bett, who passed away a few months ago, would have loved to see her win her first Open Championship.
The large gallery spent most of the day enjoying both the women’s and men’s games, then went back to the club house for presentations and refreshments.
Wednesday’s event: Stableford, Kath Flanagan Teams event, draw for partners. Sponsored by Trish Warnett.
Nine-hole event: Front nine.
Tatura-Hill Top Bowls Club
All sporting clubs, whether it be football, tennis or lawn bowls, need to be financially secure in their operations to ensure continual survival. Much of the revenue generated that assists supporting a club's existence is often reliant on sponsorship and most importantly individual loyal club member support.
Club support is not exclusive to finance, it can come from being an assistant in the kitchen, vacuuming the club building, mowing the surroundings, or putting the garbage bins out. If all members contributed a little, then those doing a lot can back off. Loyal club supporters should not need to be asked; they should be there to say "what can I do, or how can I help?"
Tatura Bowls Club and Hill Top Golf Bowls Country Club are in their second year of merger for Goulburn Valley bowls pennant and are playing as Tatura Hill Top. Club member Keith Smith, a lawn bowler for many years, has been a member of both clubs and is a keen supporter in each club's weekly raffles. Last week he was successful in winning two meat raffles at Hill Top and last Friday at the Tatura club his name was drawn out four times. Keith generously donated back two of his winning prizes.
Why is he so lucky? Because he generously supports both clubs. Why did he donate back two prizes? Because his freezer is full. Congratulations Keith, you are a great supporter of both clubs.
One keenly sought-after prize is the KFC voucher, which Keith managed to win, and another sponsor prize — the Tatura Hot Bread bakery pack — was taken home by Dave Westin. The club is most appreciative of our club sponsors.
John Crilly
Tatura Club notes: Christmas dinner and members’ draw, Friday, December 3 from 6.30pm. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Christmas attire. Attendance names on the noticeboard please. The next round of the Club Championship Singles and Pairs is to be completed by December 11.
Merrigum Golf Club
Round two of the summer fourball, a pairs Ambrose, was Merrigum’s event on Saturday.
It was a near perfect day for golf with a gentle breeze and mild temperatures making for pleasant conditions.
There was one standout score, with the rest of the field tightly bunched in the battle for points. Bruce Brown and Clint Prygoda finished more than four shots ahead of their closest rivals after a great round of 68-6.5-61.5. The two big hitters also had easily the best scratch score of the day and after a middle-of-the-field first round are now well placed in the overall standings.
Larry Hockey and Wink Findlay had a slow start to the summer fourball but combined well this week to finish as runners-up with a score of 73-7.25-65.75. Next best were Ash Sanders and Bill Bray with 66.5. Nearest-the-pin winners were Craig Doherty with a great shot in the long sixth that resulted in a tap-in birdie, Simon Doherty on the ninth and 14th, and Phil Barca on the jackpot 12th. The chook shed challenge was a tie so jackpots for the second time.
It was good to see secretary Jeff Parry out and about again after recent surgery. Although he didn’t play, he did manage to have the winning ticket in the raffle and is looking forward to being back on the course after Christmas.
Last Thursday’s twilight competition was a family affair with Craig Doherty winning with 47-7.5-39.5. Simon Doherty was the runner-up after a countback with Bill Bray with a score of 44-4-40. Nearest-the-pins were won by Bruce Brown on the jackpot ninth and Andrew Wood on the 14th. Woody also won least putts with 16, seven behind his phenomenal nine of the previous week. The two-point cut was 42.
This Saturday’s event is stroke.
Merrigum Bowls Club
On Tuesday our pennant team visited our neighbour, Kyabram, and came away with a draw but still managed to gain another nine points.
John Firmer’s rink defeated G Hocking by four shots but unfortunately that card has gone amiss so I can’t provide a summary.
Neil Gardiner, G Hubble, M Shepherd and W Baxter played S MacFadyen and won by one shot. The Merrigum combination led for the first 18 ends but then lost the next six ends to be seven shots down with only three ends to play. To their credit they picked up eight shots to grab a very narrow victory. Well done!
In the last game Wayne Shepherd’s rink went down by five shots to J Fanning.
Our Saturday pennant team hosted Tatura Hill Top and could only manage to win one rink. Two of the other three rinks came away disappointed as they looked likely winners but couldn’t hold on to their leads.
The team of Glen Smith, Joe Chant, Graeme Hubble and Carmen Quattrocchi were up against Rod Kirby and won by 17 shots. They won 18 of the 25 ends and were never really challenged after the sixth end where they trailed by two shots. The pleasing part of the win was the fact that all players made a contribution. Keep up the good work!
Gary Mott, Peter Warburton, Noreen Earl and Caleb Dixon went down to Peter Ibbott by four shots. The scores were tight all day and Merrigum led by two shots with four ends to play. Over these last four ends THT scored six shots and Merrigum failed to add anything to its total.
David Pettifer, Colin Capes, Carol Firmer and Clive Baxter drew Rob Miller and lost by seven shots. After 18 ends Merrigum was cruising along nicely and held a seven-shot lead. However that was the end of its good form and it was outscored by 11 shots to one over the last seven ends.
Mention must be made of Clive Baxter’s leading. Clive, who is well into his eighties, has struck a rich patch of form and is giving his rink a consistent start. Well done!
In the last game, John Firmer’s rink of Wayne Shepherd, Maureen Shepherd and Lane Talbot was no match for Mike Shay and lost by 21 shots.
We hosted the Devils on Monday night and what a great sight it is to see these young bowlers going through their paces. Good luck to you all, and well done to their co-ordinators.
Please put your names on the board for the end-of-season meal and keep up the good work with your hamper sales and donations.
The draw for the championship is on the board and it is your duty to organise the game and a marker.
Young Joe
Sports Editor