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EUROA GOLF CLUB
By Richard Johnson
THE regular Wednesday Stableford event was turned on its head this week when greenkeeper Dav Mackrell was given liberty to set the course to his liking in the playing of the Greenkeeper’s Revenge Round.
The field of 20 players were given the extra challenge to navigate some cruel and precarious pin placements, some almost ungettable, while other greens had some strategically placed obstacles. Don McNeur handled the challenge the best, managing a respectable 34 points to win the day from Geoff Vincent on 32. Keith Seeber, Neal Healey, Shane Malony and Tony Walters each had 31. The Greenkeeper did however extract his revenge on many others in the field, while one player succumbed completely to the Greenkeepers revenge only managed 2 Stableford points on the whole front 9 holes. Notwithstanding the challenges, much fun was had in this novel event and Charlie is recovering well.
Saturday was the qualifying round for the Lewis Family Event, when the field of 25 played the game they love to hate in a par event where the top eight players would qualify for the knockout match play rounds. Cam Roper secured his spot in the match play round with a spectacular plus 7 from his handicap of 2. Cam found the soft greens to his liking and while he had several putts lip out on the front 9, he turned on plus one going on to win 6 of the back 9 holes. It looks like Cam is also in form to challenge the course record.
Paul Jones took out Division two on + 2, one in front of Richard Johnson on +1. Charlie Walker who had recovered from Wednesday was next tied with Laurie McMartin and Dale McIntosh all square, Dan Murphy and Glen Burton round out the top eight with -1 scores.
The next match play rounds are Cam Roper vs G Burton, P Jones vs D Murphy, R Johnson Vs McIntosh, G Walker vs L McMartin.
The round was also the 8th round of the Castle Creek Teams Event. John Gilliland was called up to the Red Hot Drivers team and help secure their second team win in the last 3 rounds to propel them up the leaderboard to where they rightly belong challenging the Diamonds and Smoking Tees for the coveted crystal trophy. With progress scores now kept under wraps, it will be interesting to see if the Red Hot Drivers have left their run too late.
Next Saturday’s Stableford round will be the penultimate round of the teams event.
EUROA LADIES' GOLF
By Debra Cox
Wednesday, May 8 - Stableford "Greenkeepers Revenge"
15 women played 18 holes and five played 9 holes.
This was a fun round as our greenkeeper, Dav Mackrell, took great delight in setting out hoses and other obstacles around the pins on some of the greens and placed the pins in devious positions on the trickier holes.
It was a day of laughter and groaning! Nevertheless some golfers (not this writer) took it in their stride and turned in very respectable scores.
Winner of Division 1: Annette Smith with 33 points.
Winner of Division 2: Bev Jungwirth with 33 points.
Nine hole winner: Carol Bredden with 17 points.
Balls down the line: Jenny Thompson, 31 points and Mary Dewis, 30 points.
Nearest the Pins: 8th, Mary Dewis, 12th, Gail Allen, 18th, Roz Doxey.
Drive and Pitch: 5th, Ann Hill (in the hole), 15th, Erica Mercer.
Saturday, May 11 - Par
16 women played 18 holes.
There were no plus scores this round as playing Par can be quite unforgiving, however, Emily Flavel continues to demonstrate her golfing flair and skill with the score of the day.
Winner of Division 1: Emily Flavel with a square.
Winner of Division 2: Marion Mc Martin with a minus three.
Balls down the Line: Judy McLean with a minus one and Melissa Eddy and Deb Cox both on minus 2.
Nearest the Pins. 8th, Marion McMartin, 12th and 18th to Emily Flavel.
Drive and Pitch. 5th: Annette Smith, 15th, Gail Allen.
NAGAMBIE GOLF CLUB
By David Love
THE Nagambie golf course received some much needed rain before the Sunday stableford event helping to soften and freshen up ground conditions, but the bright autumn sun continues to shine with temperatures unseasonably warm for the time of year.
Wayne Le Cerf was the stand out player on the day hitting tee to green with precision driving and quality long irons a score of 38 points was the winning total but could have been much more with a working putter.
Runner up went to Rhys Shepherd off a new handicap of 14 Shepherd compiled 37 points showing some good form leading into next week's big event, rounding out the top three was Chris Roberts putting his best foot forward, Roberts had a shaky opening nine holes but found his rhythm on the closing nine to finish with 35 points.
The nearest the pins went to David Love with what looked like a hole in one from the tee only to be a foot and a half shy on the long par three 8th, Gary Bow showing off with an accurate strike into the 13th and Rhys Shepherd using his power to hunt down the 16th.
Next week's golf is the 1st round of the Finnigan four ball sponsored by Dean Brown Carpet Cleaning, tee off is between 9am and 9.30am, on office duty is D. Brown and in the bar J. Lodding.
AVENEL GOLF
By Lyn Carracher
THE rain late last week has been much appreciated by everyone, especially for gardens and golf courses and hopefully there’ll be some follow-up soon.
The course continues to improve and we thank our volunteers for their continued efforts.
The field was a bit depleted this week with only 7 players teeing off.
Perhaps it was the threat of more rain, or was it the game?
Whilst it’s not everyone’s favourite, par is a good test of skill and patience which is something we should all embrace on the golf course.
The only player to play to his handicap was Mark Hannigan who finished square.
Alex Smith and Shane Black were next best with -2.
Alex was runner-up as a result of a countback and Shane was the line ball winner.
NTP’s went to Alex on the 5th and Tim Batten on the 18th.
Apparently Tim’s ball ran over the edge of the hole, finishing a few feet behind the pin, but word has it that he missed the birdie putt – he must’ve been distracted by what could have been. Bad luck Tim.
The birdie ball (5th hole) was unclaimed.
The Mothers’ Day raffle prizes went to Michelle Munro, Pam Pedder and Robyn Watson. Thank you to Marlene Hull for once again organising the raffle.
The Imperial Hotel voucher was won by Eric Wellington.
This week will be stroke off the back tees as it’s Monthly Medal.
Good golfing to everyone.
WINTER TENNIS
By Rhonda Carpenter
EUROA hosted three matches on their magnificent lawn surface and Benalla had one on theirs last Monday week in round four tennis.
It was another beautiful day, and players enjoyed the warmth and high-quality tennis.
Seven Creeks’ Rosie Cameron, Rowena Ellis, Kelly Hill, and Julie Brook put in a fine performance against Creighton’s Creek.
Marja Wondergem, Sue Vaughan, Ros Doxey and Lisa Krepp were up for the contest, winning the first set 8-4, and losing the second in a tiebreak.
Seven Creeks won all the other sets, to take the match 5/44 to 1/24.
Euroa welcomed Delatite and the scores did not represent the tennis.
Both teams used five players and it was a tough battle of lengthy rallies with Euroa securing the key points.
Karyn Fraser and Jenny Smith were unlucky to lose their tiebreak set.
Jo O’Brien, Deb McCormack, and Pat Howard toiled hard on the lawn, however Euroa’s Lyndall Bigland Faye Mollison, Di Ellis, Ruth Nolan, and Mary Dewis won the day 6/48 to 0/15.
Mansfield faced Moglonemby who could not complete all the sets when a player became unwell.
Mansfield’s Michelle Pigdon, Keira McDonagh, Sophie Yencken and Clare Beecham won 4/39 to 2/19.
Benalla welcomed Terip and mainstay Cindy Hayes in her first match of the season.
She combined strongly with Bec Lyttle, Phoebe McDermid and Benalla’s Maureen Jewell.
After a lengthy and tight contest, Terip took the major points, winning 6/48 to 0/26.
Euroa moved into top spot on the ladder, equal with Benalla on 27 points, Terip stepped up into third on 25 points followed by Seven Creeks on 22.
Wappan and Creighton’s Creek are on 16 points, Mansfield 15, Moglonemby 12 and Delatite yet to score.
The Euroa winter tennis competition draw can be found at play.tennis.com.au/mansfieldtennisassociation/Competitions/Euroawinter.