Sports notes

While the structure of the competition is built for teams of three, individual entries are welcome.

Entry is $15 per team, per night, which includes playing fees and supper, with prizes for weekly winners on offer every night.

Currently, the competition is full, with 20 teams entered. There are numerous women’s, parent-child and work group teams, adding variety to the level of competition.

Merrigum Bowls Club

We began the post-Christmas competition with a win and two losses.

On Saturday we played Tatura-Hill Top and won by 22 shots, our sevens travelled to Avenel and had a big loss, while on Tuesday we lost to Murchison.

We won two rinks on Saturday, lost one by two shots and the other rink pulled up eight short.

Joe Chant, Glen Denham, Ross Pettifer and Steve Dennis played John Crilly and won by 17 shots.

Merrigum began well and their opponents had trouble with the Merrigum greens, which is also known as the home ground advantage.

All the Merrigum boys had some influence on the game, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.

David Pettifer, Damien Parsons, Neil Gardiner and Rob Pettifer played Ken Parks and won by 14 shots.

Hill Top began well and it took the home team 10 ends to hit the front.

Over the last 11 ends they outscored their opponents by 22 shots to 7 and thoroughly deserved this good win.

It was a win for a good team effort and when they jump away to a positive start they will be a hard team to beat. Well done!

Greg Pell, Alan Dennis, Carmen Quattrocchi and Graeme Hubble played M. Spencer and lost by two shots.

They had a horrible start and at smoko they had only won four ends and were 10 shots adrift.

However, over the last seven ends they only allowed their opposition to win one end, but alas the damage had been done in the early ends and they fell two short of what would have been a great win.

In the last game Peter Warburton, Barry McCrae, Jim Arthur and John Bailey were up against C. Read and were beaten by eight shots.

The scores were level after the sixth end, but from there on the Hill Top combination won nine ends to Merrigum’s six and the home team just couldn’t find an answer to their problems.

This rink is slowly becoming a capable one and I am sure the selectors will be hoping for an improved showing on their next outing.

The overall result gave us 14 points to four.

On Tuesday we travelled to Murchison, but were outplayed on the day and never won a rink.

David Pettifer, Jim Arthur, Noreen Earl and David Francis played Gloria Higgins and lost narrowly by one shot.

The scores were tied up after six ends, but Murchison had gained an eight-shot advantage by the 14th end.

Over the last seven ends Merrigum outscored Murchison by 10-3, but that wasn’t enough to claim the win. A good effort, just a trifle unlucky.

Joe Chant, Neil Gardiner, Carmen Quattrocchi and John Bailey met Wendy Thomson and lost by six shots.

Merrigum began poorly and after nine ends they were 12 shots behind and going backwards.

They picked up their game and in the next seven ends this 12-shot lead had been reduced to two shots.

They then went back to sleep and lost the last four ends.

The problem with this rink is their inability to put bowls into the head where they can be of some use; much practice is needed in this area.

In the final game, Greg Pell, Barry McCrae, Steve Dennis and Tracy Clark drew Geoff Higgins and lost by eight shots.

They also began poorly and were 14 shots behind after the ninth end.

You just can’t give this sort of start and hope to win.

To their credit they beat their opposition over the last ends, but the damage had been already done.

On Saturday, the sevens drove to Avenel and lost by 39 shots.

Kelly Parsons, Toby Parsons, Tracy Clark and Jenny Dennis played C. Kemp and lost by four shots.

They too had a poor start and had fallen nine shots behind after nine ends.

So after that point Merrigum won 12 shots to Avenel’s seven, but they had too big of a hurdle to clear to give them the win.

This effort is very encouraging, as three of these players are first-year players.

In the good old days they would have been playing “bankers” for two or three years, but in this day and age if you have a uniform and have paid your subs you are straight into action.

In the last game, David Francis, Jennie Pell, Liam Parsons and Will McCrae played H. Delgovd and lost by 35 shots.

These four players are all first-year players and I only hope they are not going to become discouraged by this sort of a loss.

Congratulations to Greg Pell who beat Joe Chant by a single shot in the club championship.

This is Greg’s first win and I am sure it is only the start of many more.

Well done.

Board meeting on this Wednesday at 6.30pm.

Thursday night teas begin again this week.

Please bring a salad.

– Young Joe

Merrigum Golf Club

Merrigum golfers played a Canadian on Saturday.

A few of the regulars were missing; however, the numbers were more than made up for by a few returning members challenging themselves with a format of the game that is usually reserved for mixed events.

It can be a difficult game in that once the drives are out of the way, you are only playing alternate shots.

The lack of continuity makes it harder than playing your own game and seems to be particularly noticeable on and around the greens.

Plenty of practice is holding Bruce Brown and Tommy Ladhams in good stead, as they won the event with a round of 78-11-67.

Playing their own game, both may well have had a better score than they finished with, but on a day when we thought a winning score might have been in the low 60s, their effort proved good enough.

One of the highlights of their round came on the last hole they played, where Bruce almost holed his tee shot on the par three ninth where he had a hole-in-one just a couple of weeks ago, leaving Tommy with a tap-in birdie he couldn’t possibly miss.

Jeff Parry teamed with visitor Peter Blekis for a score of 93-25-68, which put them in the runners-up position.

Nearest the pins were won by obviously Bruce Brown on the ninth, Trent Coldwell with a good shot on the jackpot 12th and Geoff Kirk on the 14th.

Fortunately for Kirky, his driving off the tee was better than his driving of his cart.

It was a case of should’ve gone to that well known spectacle brand when he tried to squeeze his cart through an opening between two other carts which was just wide enough for half his cart, removing the president’s bumper in the process.

He later drove into a sand bin, which would have tested his seat belt anchor points.

Tommy Ladhams has had a good week, winning twilight with a very good one-over-par score of 38-6-32 in tricky windy conditions.

It was his second win for this twilight season.

Bill Bray was runner-up for the fourth time this twilight competition with a score of 40-5-35.

He also took both nearest the pins: the jackpot ninth and the 14th.

James Campbell won least putts with 14 on a countback from Tommy and the two-point cut was 40.

Pennant this week was at Valley View where Merrigum-Rushworth had a 3-2 win over Shepparton.

Winners were Tony Geisler and Ian Rathjen 4-3, Ash Sanders and Geoff Kirk also 4-3, and Robert Geisler and Dennis Hardie 3-2.

The win puts Merrigum-Rushworth in second place on the ladder and a win at Shepparton over Nagambie in two weeks’ time will have the combined team play in the finals.

This Saturday’s event is stroke for the Privilege Cup and a place in the next Tiger Cup play-off.

This is the penultimate opportunity to earn a spot in the play-off.

GVVGA

The Goulburn Valley Veteran Golfers Association started its 2025 program at Kyabram Parkland Golf Club on Monday, January 19 for a 4BBB event. The early assembly time of 8.30am still attracted a field of 91 players. The temperature through play crept from 23.5°C towards 32°C as the gentle breeze dropped from 15 to 9km/h. The greens were, as always, in magnificent condition. Thank you, ladies of Ky Parklands, for your table service, excellent luncheon and refreshing ice-cream and fruit.

Winners in the 4BBB event were Lockington stalwarts Kevin Humbert and Jeff Carnie, with 44 stableford points. Runner-up pairing from Merrigum, on 43 points, was Bruce Brown and Greg Hall. The third-placed team was a local combination comprising of Barry Williams and Tom McConchie; who wound up on top of a gaggle of teams on 42 points.

Only one marker was employed in the nearest-the-pin contest on the 143m 18th hole with Wayne Pitts, of Deniliquin, claiming the prize in A-grade.

Ball rundown included: Mick Stevens and Robert Frame, Howard Teasdale and Robert Smith, Barry Baldi and John Mortimer, Garry Baker and John Penna, Phil Steers and Graham Scott, Tony Papallo and Maurice Webb, Max Ryder and John Phillips, Russell Begg and Norm Purtill, Laurie Radley and Lindsay Tatterson, Bill Murphy and Phil Cooper, Alan Hausler and John McHale, Garry Reese and Mark Thorpe, Mike Prater and Leo Hartup.

The winners of the GMCU-sponsored club champions of 2024 were presented with their championship shirts. A-grade (<11 handicap) champion is Peter Jeffery of Cosgrove GC; B-grade (12-19) champion is Greg Austin, Mooroopna GC; and C-grade champion (20+) Robert Frame, Mooroopna GC. Runner-up in each grade respectively was Graeme Willoughby, Deniliquin; David Fullager, Avenel; and John Phillips, Mooroopna.

The player of the year, sponsored by the Deniliquin Travellers, was Jim Dean of Hill Top who compiled 268 points from his best eight rounds, with John Radeski, Deniliquin, a close second.

Our annual general meeting followed at 1.05pm where we acknowledged the outstanding service of two committee and past executive members in Graham Scott and Joe ‘Raff’ Ludemann, each with 16 or more years of service to veteran golfers.

We will be led in 2025 by president Bill Chilcott, treasurer Jim Dean, secretary Rolf Weber and captain Pooch McHale. Other office bearers and committee members include Geoff Hamill, Neil Hutchins, Graham Scott, Phil Steers, Jack Dell and Bruce Brown. This is still short by about three committee members that we believe is required to maintain an efficient operation throughout the year. So please, if you love veterans’ golf, and are able to commit some time on match days, please come forward to nominate, as the committee has power to fill the casual vacancies.

Our next event is at Euroa Golf Club on Monday, February 10 at our summer assembly time of 8.30am.

Registration for the GV versus Central District challenge on March 3 at Valley View GC is still open at $25 per player. With the field limited to 60 players from each district, registration at the Euroa event is your last chance to play at Valley View.

For information about, and updates to, our 2025 season please refer to the Victorian Veteran Golfers Association website / district information.

60 and over bowls

The Campaspe & District 60 & Over Bowls Group held its Wednesday weekly bowls at Stanhope on a warm day.

Twenty-six teams consisting of 104 bowlers, all competing for a chook.

There were three three-game winners on the day.

Ray Hanson’s team from Lockington were runners up with four bowls in the head.

The Lockington team were Ray Hanson lead, Kevin Humbert second, Leon Laffy third and skipper was Phil Cunnington.

The winners on the day were Neil Dovaston’s team from Echuca, they also had six bowls closer to the jack.

They were Peter Cecil lead, Dennis Smith second, Paul Leach third and Neil Dovaston was their skipper.

Members of both teams received a chook each.

The next 60 & over bowls is at Elmore on January 22 at 10am. Entries to Phil Mace on 0428 290 351 or Allan Gerrish on 0427 461 448.

Good bowling and see you all next week.

Parkland Golf Club

With the course in top condition, good scoring was the order of the day in Saturday’s stableford event at Parkland. Scott McLennan and David Blake provided the best results for the event with 39 points. Scott in the men’s A-grade and David in B-grade. Phil Tucker was runner-up to Scott with 38 points. Peter Barrette was third after the countback. Geoff Berry was runner-up to David with 38 points. Mal Baker was next with 35 points. Youngster Oliver McInnes was the winner of C-grade with 38 points, well clear of Murray Maxwell and Les Mitchell on 34 points, finishing in that order. Nola Arnold was the winner of the women’s A-grade with 35 points. B-grade was won by Pam Spokes with 34 points after a countback from Christine Coleman. Jan Gentle has been on a roll of lateand won C-grade with 31 points. Ball winners were Terrie Giffin, Heather Sleeth, Kathy Bell, Kerrie McCormick, Leonie McMaster Smith, Jason McKenzie, Mick Sullivan, Campbell Patterson, Michael Whitley, Ray Falla, Rob O’Donnell and Mick Crompton. Nearest the pins went to Lynne McLean on the 9th, Mal Baker on the 18th and Graeme Gordon collected the spoils on the 1st.

Although not a milestone birthday, Alan Williams celebrated his birthday with members joining the celebrations in hearty style. Alan recently was elevated to the Hall of Fame for his contribution to the shearing industry.

Wednesday’s stableford event was played in the most humid conditions one can remember. Luca Campanelli was the pick of the group with 42 points to claim the C-grade trophy. Runner-up was Murray Maxwell with a commendable 39 points, with Mel Lusher 37 points third. Phil Plumb won B-grade with 39 points. Ray Coleman was runner-up with 37 points. Mal Baker was third with 36 points. Curator Paul Price carded 38 points to win A-grade. Kayne Crompton, now in the top grade, was second on 37 points. Peter Barrette was next on the same score after a countback from many others. Ball winners were Peter Barrette, Mick Sullivan, James Campbell, Wayne Ferguson, Andrew Phillips and Max Jenkins. Nearest the pins went to Mick Sullivan on the 9th for the voucher from Ky Pizza and Pasta. Fred Roberts was closest on the 15th for the voucher from Clive Coventry Funeral. Wayne Ferguson collected the voucher on the 18th courtesy of Brett Cox Electrical.

Bingo: A lucky bingo player went home with more than a $1000 after the jackpot on Thursday. This week the jackpot will be $400 in 50 calls. The bonus jackpot will be $350 in 53 calls while the Star Flyer will be worth $700.

Coming Events: Saturday: Men’s and Women’s Four Ball Best Ball Stableford. 8am to 8.30am. Sunday: Australia Day. NO GOLF Duty: K.Bell, P. Laidlaw, M. Ross, I. Hogeboom, J. Todd, L. McLean, W. Fulton, J. Cheong-Backway. Monday: Men’s and Women’s Stableford. 8am to 8.30am. Tuesday: Women’s Pinehurst. Draw for Partners. 8:30am to 9am. Wednesday: (29th) Men’s Stableford. 9.30am to 10am.

Women

Possibly due to some players still enjoying holidays while others perhaps were not prepared to play in excessive heat, along with a few sickies, it was a smaller field than normal that turned up for the par event on Tuesday, January 14.

Playing off a handicap of 21 saw Susan Turnbull named the winner of A-grade, completing her day with the overall best score of plus two.

Terry Thomson (27) also put in a good effort, finishing square to win B-grade while new member Sonia Verlinden (30) from Nathalia lead the way to win C-grade with minus one followed by Vanessa Laidlaw (31) as runner-up with minus three.

Ball recipients for the day included Heather Sleeth with square, Faye Glover minus 2, Kathy Bell minus 2 and Trudie Plumb minus 3.

Faye Glover won nearest the pin in the first while Mary Elliott was successful on the 18th with her second shot to win the jackpot.

Kyabram Bowls Club

Kyabram made the rest of the Goulburn Valley very aware of them by beating Shepparton Park at home and taking over fourth spot on the Division 1 Ladder.

Kyabram play East Shepparton at home in Round 11 with a great chance to consolidate their position on the ladder.

Greg Shilling’s and Charlie Boswood’s rinks were the home team’s winners for the day in their 14-4, 82-79 shot victory.

With Darren, Charlie and Henry Boswood available to replace missing players, Kyabram faced Shepparton Park in a vital match on the free-running Kyabram greens. Charlie was the standout for the family. He skipped the rink vacated by the ill Noel Reddrop and played brilliantly. He was well supported by Chris Williams, Ken Risstrom and Chris Preddy. Charlie’s team held the well-credentialed team skipped by Paul Nichols to single figures until the 18th end and won 22-12. Greg Shilling’s team held sway all day over Jeff Boyle, dropping only two ends in the second half of the game in their 28-16 win. Mal Williams team came back from 10-19 down on the 14th end to only go down by a single shot 21-22. Mal began the revival with a lovely trail and a great draw shot to score a five on the 13th end. Rob George’s boys had a tough day against Ray Hill, losing 11-29. Rob Was unlucky to hit with a drive on the 12th end to reduce the count and then watch all the cards fall the wrong way. Five down was an unjust result for such a good bowl. After such a disappointing day Rob’s rink gave the whole Kyabram team a huge lift with a 3 on their last end. It left Mal William’s team 5 up with 2 ends to play. Mal’s team did their part and Kyabram won 14-4 and 82-shots to 79.

Division 3 made short work of the challenge from Mooroopna Golf, winning on all rinks by the huge margin of 101-56. Kyabram are now fourth on the ladder with a trip to Eildon in round 11 that looms as a game that could ensure their place in the four. All four teams played very well and won comfortably. Bob Canute’s team were behind 7 to 13 on the 12th end when they changed gears. They only lost 1 end from there and won 29-16. Bob Mason’s team were also trailing 9-10 on the 12th end. The turnaround from Bob’s team was completed with them winning 24-13. Graham King’s team ran all over their opposition in the second half to record a 26-13 win. Phil Denham’s team were too accomplished for their opponents and won 26-13. This win should see the Division 3 team’s season continue to improve and mark their rise up the ladder.

Division 5 overcame Hilltop’s home ground advantage to take over 4th place on the ladder. They had a 12-4 victory by 8 shots, 61-53. Ray Harrison’s rink led the charge by winning 27-11 over Terry Gale. Division 5 travel to Seymour VRI for a most crucial match that could define their season. Ray Harrison’s team’s dominance was evidenced by them winning 14 of the 21 ends. Garry Salomons, Brian Lindsay and Howard Tonkin made up a very solid team. John Fanning’s side, despite winning 11 ends, could not scrape up enough shots to win. They were just pipped 19-22. Don Cook’s team worked hard all day but couldn’t reel in their opposition. They went down 15-20.

Division 7 had some of their team being overnight tourists and the rest-day visitors for their clash with Eildon. With Kyabram being on top of the ladder and Eildon third, a tight match was anticipated. It worked out that way. Kyabram won 36-35 by the barest of margins to maintain their well-deserved top place on the Division 7 ladder. Murray Boswood’s team kept up their excellent form with a 20-12 victory. Ted Hazelman’s side had a real struggle with “Lofty Layfield”. They lost 16-23 after the dust had settled. A home game against fourth-placed Seymour awaits Division 7 in the 11th round of GV Weekend Pennant.

Midweek

There were mixed results after the Christmas break. Division 1 struggled at Tat/Hill Top, Division 2 had a good win over Shepparton Park, Division 3 also defeated Shepparton Park and Division 5 lost against Tat/Hill Top.

Division 1 found Tat/Hill Top too strong. Each rink had close games but were unable to win. The overall score being Kyabram 52 shots to Tat/Hill top 61. Noel Reddrop’s rink lost 16 shots to 19. Tat/Hill Top had control of the game in the early stages and led 16 shots to 6 after thirteen ends. Noel and his team won the next five ends to close the gap to one shot, 15 to 16. Tat/Hill Top won two of the final three ends for a three-shot win. Mal Williams’ team lost 18 shots to 21. After being down early in the game Mal and his team tied the scores on the tenth end, 7 shots all, and on the 14th end 10 shots all. They held a good lead, 18 shots to 12 on the 18th end and were hoping for a good win. Tat/Hill Top fought back and won the last three ends to win game. Joe Greco and his team lost 18 shots to 21. This was a close game with scores level on the fifth, eighth and 13th ends. Joe and his team took the lead 14 shots to 12 on the 14th end but were only able to win two more ends and Tat Hill/Top finished strongly to win the game.

Division 2 travelled to Shepparton Park and won 59 shots to 51, with two winning rinks. Phil Denham’s rink of Dossie Grills, Rhonda Woodcock and Charlie Boswood won 28 shots to 13. A great start had them leading 9 shots to 4 after five ends. This lead grew to 19 shots to 4 after nine ends. They were able to keep up the pressure by having bowls in the head and limiting the number of shots the opposition was able to win. A great win. Maurie Hateley’s rink won 19 shots to 15. They were down early but fought their way back to level the score on the 13th end, 10 shots all. They were able to maintain this pressure and hold on for a win. Graeme Woodcock’s rink lost 12 shots to 23. They found their opposition too strong and were unable to hold on to shots they had in the head. After being down 5 shots to 14 on the 11th end they closed the gap to 10 shots to 14 on the 13th end. But they were unable to keep going and were limited to winning two more ends for the remainder of the game.

Division 3 had a good win against Shepparton Park at home 62 shots to 46. Darryl Gade’s rink won 24 shots to 9. The score was level 3 shots all after three ends. After this Darryl and his team controlled the game. They won all but six ends for the remainder of the game. A great win. Wayne Chambers’ rink of Dom Perri, Lois Ferguson and Howard Tonkin won, 24 shots to 17. They started slowly and were down 10 shots to 1 after four ends. Wayne rallied his team and they took the lead, 17 shots to 15 on the 13th end. Only allowing their opponents to win two more ends for the rest of the game saw them win a great fightback. Jill Barrett’s team lost 14 shots to 20. This is the game that slipped away from Jill and her team. They led right up until the 14th end where they led 11 shots to 10. Shepp Park took the game away from them over the final ends.

Division 5 also travelled to Tat/HillTop and struggled to win a rink, going down 48 shots to 64. Geoff Hocking’s rink of Garry Salomons, Brian Lindsay and Murray Tenace had a tussle all day and were able to draw the game 17 shots all. The scores were tied on the sixth, eighth, 13th and 15th ends. After that both teams won ends. Geoff’s team was able to win 2 shots on the last end to tie the game. Murray Boswood’s team lost 16 shots to 19. This was another tight game. Tat/Hill Top would take the lead. Murray and his team would fight back but just could not take the lead. With one shot the difference, 12 shots to 13 on the 16th end, Murray’s team were confident they could take the lead. Losing four shots on the next end put them behind again and they were not able to catch up. Geoff Coad’s team lost 15 shots to 28. With the score tied 7 shots all on the eighth end, Geoff and his teammates were well in the game. Unfortunately, Tat/Hill Top were able to control the game after this and Geoff and his team tried hard but could not win enough ends.

Valley View Golf Club

Scoring was much better in this week’s stableford event, which was dominated by the Browne family, with Steve taking out A-grade with 39 points, but not before he survived a three-way countback that saw Glenn Laity as the runner-up from Lawrey Casey, who finished with a ball in the ball comp.

In B-grade, Steve’s son Corey made it a double for the Browne family with a one-shot win with 38 points, narrowly avoiding what could have been a four-way countback.

As it was Jeff Carnie won the countback for the minor placing with 37 points from Geoff Strachan and Des Partington.

Helen Armstrong had a bit more wriggle room with a four-shot buffer as she took out the ladies’ event with the excellent score of 39 points. Von Morris was the runner-up with 35 points.

Along with the previously mentioned Lawrie Casey, Des Partington and Geoff Strachan, other ball winners on the day were Paul Kuiper with 37 points, Alan Hausler with 36 points and Gordon ‘the Golfer’ Mackay, also with 36 points.

Lawrey Casey (A-grade 3rd), Gordon the Golfer (A-grade 12th), Corey Browne (B-grade 3rd), Paul Dickens (B-grade 12th), Tracey Wade (3rd) and Helen Armstrong (15th) all had success on the par-three holes, taking home nearest the pin trophies.

It was a good week for Jeff Carnie. He took out B-grade on the Tuesday with the day’s best round of 37 points and was a comfortable winner from Alan Hausler with 33 points. Jeff also won the B-grade nearest the pin ball on the third.

Kevin Humbert won A-grade with 35 points from an out-of-luck (countback wise) Peter Noble while David Collins, Kelly Cheong and Gordon the Golfer all won balls with 34 points.

Laurie Radley won the voucher on the 15th for nearest the pin on that hole.

On Sunday, Valley View hosted the second round of the pennant season and made good use of the home ground advantage to post a 4-1 win over Nagambie.

Match scores were as follows:

David Collins & Gordon Mackay Won 4 & 3

Daryl Harrison & Paul Kuiper Won 2 & 1

Peter Blackmore & Lawrie Casey Won 3 & 2

Jonty Sefton & Miles Gould Won 3 & 2

Laurie Radley & Mick Gallivan Lost 5 & 3

Coming up: This Saturday — stableford (again!)

— Scoop

Women

It was Jan McHale’s time to shine at Valley View on Wednesday. Playing well above her handicap, McHale accumulated 39 stableford points to take the win.

After her recent return to golf it was pleasing to see Jenni Bauerle declared the runner-up with 35 points. Once again no-one claimed the nearest the pin on the third.

Raffa bocce

Last year’s winners, the Bendigo Bank, will be back to defend the 2024 title in the Kyabram Bocce Club’s business challenge.

Get your registrations in early, with the competition, which starts on March 26, only open to 12 teams.

Practice/training starts on February 12 at 7pm. Cost is $5. Teams will be drawn at random.

Playing pairs. Two games of 10 ends. Prize-money for winners and runners-up.

Names to be put in before 6pm. Call or text Joe on 0419157605.