NAGAMBIE GOLF CLUB By DAVID LOVE The 2025 Nagambie Golf Club Championships kicked off with a strong field of 41 competitors vying across A, B, and C grade net divisions as well as the scratch championship. Blessed with magnificent weather, the course nonetheless challenged players to tough it out all day. Steve Donnison claimed the prestigious Frank Zanelli Memorial and monthly medal with an impressive back-to-back victory. Donnison’s gritty performance saw him post an 86-13-73, edging out the field by a single stroke. Runner up was the flamboyant Des Phelan, who shot 90-16-74. Some have questioned whether Phelan’s daring style will carry him through the three round championship, but only time will tell. Third place was taken by Ryan Ezard with 84-9-74, marking his first year competing in the A grade after winning B and C grades in previous years. In the scratch leaderboard, Michael Roberts leads with a tidy 78, one stroke ahead of Michael Sloan, and four strokes clear of 13 time champion Jeremy Ezard. In net standings, Steve Donnison tops A grade (73), Des Phelan leads B grade (74), and Hugh Lawrence heads C grade (77). Nearest the pin honours were hard fought with Hugh Lawrence showing finesse on the third, Steve Donnison on the eighth, Dean Brown on the 13th, and Michael Sloan narrowly missing at the 16th. Next week will see the second round of the 2025 championships, with David Love on office duty and Tom Baldwin managing the bar. EUROA GOLF CLUB By RICHARD JOHNSON Under beautiful conditions, the Drummond Golf-sponsored August Monthly Medal drew 21 players to compete on a course playing beautifully after recent rains. Craig Flavell emerged victorious with a net 71 (79-8), just one shot ahead of Kevin Mead (net 72). Flavell also won the putting competition with just 24 putts, highlighting his excellent day on the greens. Nearest the pin prizes were won by Andrew Cullen, Dan Murphy, Dick Farmer, and Dale McIntosh. McIntosh also claimed a Drive and Pitch prize, with additional winners including Emily Flavell and Ed Carracher. The last July Stableford event sponsored by BD Electrics was won by Paddy McCarthy with 35 points. Players are gearing up for a two person Ambrose Stableford on Wednesday and a Stableford competition next Saturday, alongside continuing nine hole Sunday events. AVENEL GOLF CLUB By LYN CARRACHER A bumper field enjoyed sunny winter conditions for the Stroke/Monthly Medal competition, which also served as the first grading round for club championships. Two grades were contested, with a three way countback deciding the A grade winner. Tim Batten took the Men’s Medal with a nett 70 (87 gross), edging out Jed Smith and Shane Black, both of whom rued unfortunate shots. Batten’s victory was well earned after strong efforts around the course and he also won a \$50 Imperial Hotel voucher. Jed Smith was runner up and secured least putts with 21. Shane Black impressed with a personal best nett 70, claiming several prizes including Drive and Pitch on holes seventh and 17th and a birdie hole ball on 14th. Lyn Carracher won the Ladies Monthly Medal with 86-12-74, while Jaz Byers secured B grade with nett 73. Nearest the pin honours were shared by Jed Smith and Campbell Smith. The members draw continues with a $30 jackpot next Friday. Members are reminded to submit entries for upcoming events: the VIC Sandgreen Championships (23-24 August) and the Annual Tournament featuring the Pioneer Park 4BBB Par on 30 August and Men’s Open 18 hole Championship on 31 August. EUROA LADIES GOLF By EMILY FRAVEL Despite wet conditions on Wednesday, 10 ladies competed over nine holes, with Raye Farmer winning the back nine (14 points) and Michelle Thomson taking the front (13 points). Saturday’s Monthly Medal, sponsored by Drummond Golf, attracted 15 players in fine spring weather. Ros Doxey won the Monthly Medal and B grade scratch with a net 77 (104-27). Balls down the line went to Lorraine Ellis, Robin Lied, Grace Eddy, Emily Flavel, Melissa Eddy, Gail Allen, and Sarah Bullen. Sarah also recorded least putts with 27. Nearest the pin prizes went to Melissa Eddy and the club on the eighth, with Drive and Pitch awards going to Robin Lied, Melissa Eddy, and Grace Eddy. STRATHBOGIE GOLF CLUB By KRISTEN MOORE On a glorious day, players enjoyed stroke and monthly medal competitions. Thanks went to members who cleared fallen trees, enabling play on the fifth hole. Ladies Monthly Medal winner was Kerry Hewlett (78), while men’s winner was Phil Fry (71). Line balls were claimed by Nathan Macaulay, Gerard Reynolds, and Anthony Newham. Nearest the pin winners included Macaulay, Fry, and Jim McAlister. The club announced an upcoming fun three person Ambrose event on 16 August, encouraging all players and newcomers to join. NAGAMBIE LADIES GOLF By KARYN THOMSPON Challenging weather kept player numbers down, with only four brave souls competing in the Wednesday 23 July stroke competition. Bev Brown won with 41.5 net and also took nearest the pin on the third. Thursday’s nine hole Stableford saw 26 players compete, with Phil Brown taking the win (20 points) and Robert Van Tilburg runner up (19 points). Hugh Lawrence claimed nearest the pin on the eighth. The following Wednesday, seven players contested Stableford, with Irene Keogh winning all grades at 31 points and Annette Mills topping the nine hole category with 19 points. Bev Brown continued to impress with nearest the pin on the eighth. Irene also won a Seymour Club voucher. Thursday’s ninth hole par competition was won by Shaun Spicer (plus three), with nearest the pin honours going to Terry Wallis and David Sudholz. Good golfing to all players across our region.
