Two pennant titles

Friday, July 30, 2010

SONY DSC SONY DSC The pennant grand finals provided mixed results for Rich River.

Division one suffered a 5-0 loss to Mooroopna.

However despite the score line, the match was closer than the score indicated.

The side played Mooroopna twice during the year and lost both matches heavily.

Division two maintained its unbeaten record to capture the pennant, but not without some anxious moments.

Having beaten Shepparton in its previous encounter, the side was feeling quietly confident.

However, with two matches each and Bryce Lowndes taken to the 19th hole and, when Lowndes' drive found the bunker, it did not look good for Rich River.

However, he rose to the occasion, hitting a 5-iron 145m to within 1m of the pin and rolled the putt in to give Rich River a deserved 3-2 win.

Division four had another great battle with Ky Valley View before winning the pennant, winning both their matches 3/2.

However, this was a match which could easily have gone the other way, with one match being decided on the last hole.

Results, division one: Ben Docking lost 2/1, Aaron Coates lost 4/2, Matt Jean lost one-down, Steven Jones lost two-down, Todd Louttit lost 2/1; division two: Brendan Kelly lost two-down, Bryce Lowndes won on 19th, Sean Slattery won two-up, Glenn Rogers lost 2/1, Rick Robertson won 6/5; division four: John Tomlinson won one-up, Tony Ciavarella lost 3/2, Andrew Johnson won 2/1, Scott Hilton won 2/1, Nick Raftellis lost 2/1.

It was good to see others who played throughout pennant in Brian O'Neill, Lachie Wilson and Col Johnson come and caddy for the team.

The club is appreciative to the members who made themselves available for the pennant season.

Last Tuesday was a four-ball best-ball par event played on the composite one course, with players having to contend with cool conditions.

Winners: Colin Hough and Tony Lawler (+9) 1, on a countback from John Andrea and Stephen Presser 2, on a countback from John Vick and Rick Robertson 3; nearest the pin, eighth: David Hayward, Mark Walsh; 16th: David Kelly, Peter Boek.

There were 120 in the field. Ball cut-off was +7.

Last Thursday was again a four-ball best-ball event, this time stableford, with the best score of the day returned by Jim Bertram in C grade, with 41 points.

Winners: Don Saunders and Harold Wolfe (48 points) 1, on a countback from Mick Griffin and Stan Vote 2, John Melville and Graeme Williams (47) 3; nearest the pin, eighth: George O'Sullivan, Bob Young, Alan Tonkin; 16th: Stewart Mancer, Bruce Richie, Brian Eley.

There were 156 in the field. Ball cut-off was 43 points.

Saturday saw members and guests take part in a stableford event played on the west course.

Winners, A grade: Hamish Pearce (40) 1, Scott Hilton (39) 2, on a countback from John McPhee 3; B grade: Bill Simons (40) 1, Laurie Scott (39) 2, on a countback from Trevor Hay 3; C grade: Jim Bertram (41) 1, Terry Cargill (39) 2, on a countback from Richard Jaworski 3; nearest the pin: Ben Docking (eighth), Hamish Pearce (13th); eagle: Ben Docking (17th); super pin: Rob Southwell; B grade: Peter Retallick (eighth), Alby Missen (13th); C grade: Andrew Johnson (eighth), Barry Dixon (13th).

There were 160 in the field. Ball cut-off was 34 points.

Following the final round for the Roy Vincent trophy, Simon Pearce won the event.

Playing consistent golf through the five rounds, he finished with a total of +19, ahead of Craig Healey (+9) and Alan Williams (+7).

Lockington

The privilege cup was up for grabs at Lockington Golf Club on Saturday and Ray Brereton was successful with an excellent score of +7, highlighted by a terrific last nine of +6.

Brereton was also a clear-cut winner of B grade, with Steve Palling runner-up on +2.

Thanks to a solid inward nine holes of +4, Ash Portwine took the honours in A grade (+4), on a countback from Grant Humbert, with Brett Stone next best (+2).

After three days of fine-tuning his game at Tocumwal, Rick Hasty began brilliantly to be +4 after nine holes, but the second nine was not quite so spectacular.

His final score of +5 was the best in C grade, ahead of Ron Dixon (+3).

Nearest the pin: Grant Humbert (second shot on 18th), Rick Hasty (seventh), Grant Humbert (second shot on 12th).

The first of the handicap matchplay championship quarter-finals has been decided.

Despite having to give nine shots, club president Grant Humbert was too strong for club captain Steve Holt, winning 4/3.

Last Wednesday, the women played a stableford round, with challenging conditions underfoot.

Sherryl Jones returned the day's best score of 33 points to win A grade from Annette Brereton on a countback, while Marg Eade was successful in B grade.

Nearest the pin, A grade: Annette Brereton; B grade: Bev Pentreath.

Footy tipping scoreboard (round 15): Brett Stone (83), Terry Malone (82), Grant Humbert (80), Zeb (80); NAFTA: Mark Lyons (61), Wally (65), Bill McIntyre (65).

Coming events

Tomorrow: Stableford, wedgie trophy. Don Muhleisen and Roy Perks on duty.

A remarkable chapter in the history of the club closed last week, with the death of life member George McMinn.

George was club champion an extraordinary 21 times between 1942 and 1966.

He was club captain for 14 years between 1944 and 1962, and also president in 1955.

George's contribution to the club will not be forgotten and his name will live on in the George McMinn par trophy, which he donated to the club in 2008.