Rochester Bowls Club
Social Bowls
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
On Friday, April 10 – bowlers from Vermont South attended the Rochester Bowls Club, where they enjoyed two games of bowls with our own members.
Teams of two or three, with a mixture of both clubs making up the teams, enjoyed both bowls and lunch.
Congratulations to both Ray Sangster and Kaye Barker who were in winning teams.
60 and over
There were six teams who managed to win all three games out at Lockington on Wednesday.
Ivan Hicks’ team from Echuca came in winners, with Bill Weston’s team from Tongala coming runners-up.
Next Wednesday, April 15 is the last 60 and overs match for the season and will be hosted by Stanhope.
100 up ladies final
Congratulations to both Kaye Barker and Joan Limbrick who played off in the final on Wednesday, April 8.
Kaye was the eventual winner, rounding off a very successful season.
Bar attendants
There will be a memorial held at the clubhouse on Monday, April 20, for Andree Blackman.
We require a couple of members to man the bar from 12.45pm.
Please ring Alan Williams 0417 109 998
Greens open
Please note that now that the bowls season is winding up, the greens are open for practice each day of the week (unless a ‘Green Closed’ sign is displayed on a particular green.)
Presentation
Friday, May 8, gathering from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner, $30 per head.
Names on the list in the foyer by May 1 please.
Extraordinary meeting
All members of the Rochester Bowls Club are invited to attend an extraordinary meeting on Monday, May 11 at 4pm.
At this meeting, members will have the opportunity to vote on the adoption of the amended constitution.
The constitution will be made available prior to the meeting.
Members are invited to read through the constitution and become familiar with the document that governs our club.
AGM
Please note the change of date - Monday, May 25 at 4 pm.
This will ensure the prior ratification of the constitution.
Board minutes
A reminder, that the minutes from the most recent Board meeting are always available for members to read, in the club foyer.
Bar duty
Mon – Thurs 5 – 6.30pm
13 - 16 April: G. Houlihan and B. Smolenaars.
19 – 22 April: B. Hetherington and volunteer.
27 – 30 April: H. Wilson and G. Chambers.
Lockington Bowls Club
The club celebrated our annual presentation evening on Sunday, attracting a large crowd of members and supporters.
Club president John van den Bosch and lady president Margaret Dowie welcomed all present and thanked all members for their support during the past 2025-26 bowls season, as well as the very generous sponsors throughout the year.
Margaret Dowie proceeded to make the presentation of the ladies awards for the year of bowls.
Club Champion: Leanne McInnes. Runner-Up: Sue Harris. B-Grade champion: Kym Ray. R/up: Terrill Westwood. 100 Up champion: Terrill Westwood. R/Up: Leanne McInnes.
John van den Bosch then presented the trophies for the men’s section.
Club Champion: Dave Thomas. Runner-Up: Lloyd Buchanan. B-Grade Champion: Ashley Dobell. R/Up: Jeff Carnie. 100 Up Champion: Ashley Dobell. R/Up: Rod Fiedler. Presidents Trophy 21 Up Champion: Kym Ray. R/Up: Ray Hanson.
The award for the best pennant player of the year, voted by the opposition, resulted with Cindy Felmingham winning the award ahead of Kym Ray (2nd) from Steve Peter in third place.
The club held the popular C.M.S. Open Fours on Saturday with 80 bowlers in attendance.
Clubs represented included Cohuna Golf, Echuca, Elmore, Pyramid Hill, Kerang Golf, Gunbower, Rochester, Rich River, Tongala, Rushworth plus several Lockington members.
At the end of the three games of ten ends there were only two undefeated teams.
The Cohuna Golf rink comprising Kaye Holmes, Ian Howard, Rhonda Ballard and Frank Ton (s) were victorious on the day amassing 82 points to win ahead of the Stanhope four including John Patterson, Peter Myers, Barry “Wopper” Williams, Greg Fitzpatrick (s) on 78 points.
The Best Last Game winning team was Brooke Coghill, Ros Keech, Robert Clayton, Francis Keech (s) +21 shots.
John van den Bosch thanked the sponsors, kitchen staff, Greens staff, Barman Steve Peter and all other members involved, especially Cindy Felmingham on the exceptional effort in organising the field and umpires Phillip Cunnington and Steve Peter.
During the past week the club held the weekly 60 and Over competition attracting 88 bowlers to enjoy the day.
The final week of 60 and Over will be played at Stanhope this week.
The following Wednesday, the Lockington Bowls Club will hold a Soup and Pie two bowl triples starting at 11am.
One game of 12 ends before lunch then two games of 10 ends.
Contact Brian Kinnane or Shane Felmingham for entries.
Local members enjoyed success at various district clubs.
A team comprising Terrill Westwood, Lorraine Appleby, Margaret Dowie and skipper Pos Andrea won the Elmore Harvest Fours and survived the late showers.
The next day Andrea, Westwood and Cindy Felmingham (s) were Runners Up in the Hilltop Bowling Clubs 2 bowl Triples event.
Congratulations to all bowlers.
Best of bowling to all local bowlers playing in the State Championships at Bendigo East Bowling Club later in April.
Rochester Golf Club
Last Saturday, the men were using the new Golf Australia club scoring system on their phones for the first time.
Although there were a few hiccups, most golfers adjusted fairly well.
David Gebbie not only handled the new scoring system and the unusually cooler weather to win the overall day and the first monthly medal with a fine 85-17-68.
Greg Watkins finally found some well-earned form to finish 2nd on 91-21-70 on a countback from the unlucky Troy McInnes with 87 (70), followed by David Harris and Robert Vise.
In the tricky, windy conditions, only Andy Purdy took out a nearest-the-pin with his nice 2nd shot to the 18th hole.
Wednesday 9-hole social golf was played over the front nine.
Des Hocking had one of those days, hitting great shots from difficult situations and nearly holing out on the 3rd hole for an easy tap-in birdie and winning with 22 points.
Robert Vise was next best on 21, followed by Bruce Bryant and Murray Schier, both on 19 points.
Next Friday, our Ladies Opening Day will be played with visitors from the Lockington Golf Club in a 2 Person Ambrose event.
One of our major men's trophy days is the 2026 4BBB Match Play title.
The top teams after Saturday's Par round will advance to the next stage. On duty is Shane Bywaters.
Reminder, the very popular Tradies Ambrose Day is scheduled for Friday, April 24, with the course being in great condition after all the hard work completed by our volunteers.
A good field is expected on the day.
Lockington Golf Club
April 10
9 hole Ambrose drop off - there was a good turn out for the ladies who had their first Friday hit for the season, with visitors from Rochester and Mitiamo joining in the fun before enjoying a delicious bring and share lunch.
Winners were Elizabeth McGauchie (Mitiamo), with Locky locals Jenny Holt and Sue Harris who combined really well to score 42-13.5-28.5 for a clear-cut winning margin.
Runners-up were the Rochester pair of Natalie Dinardi-Peixoto and Louise Williams who teamed up with Locky’s Fiona Newton to finish up with 44-13-31.
Nearest the pins: 3rd – Sue Harris; 7th – Louise Williams.
April 11
4-person Ambrose – Saturday’s official Opening Day for the 2026 season was boosted with visitors from Mitiamo and Valley View, plus some social golfers enjoying a hit.
In a day of super scores, the winning team of Ash Portwine, Neil Maddison, JD Wright and Jason Wakefield won the Lockington Foodworks Supermarket Player of the Day vouchers with a great score of 63-8.75-54.25 to win by just 1/8 of a shot.
Runners-up were Mitiamo visitor Paul Condliffe with Locky golfers Simon Portwine, Daryl Squires and Grant Humbert with a 9-under par 61-6.625-54.375.
Next best was Will Hardess, Terry Thomas, Trav Mancer and Nick Jones on 65-8.375-56.625.
Nearest the pins: 3rd – Sue Harris, Trav Mancer; 16th – Sue Harris (3 in 2 days), Neil Maddison; 2nd shot 18th for the 6-pack smack – Terry Thomas. Long Drive 1st: Stuart Newton (0-18); Will Hardess (19-47); Fiona Newton (ladies).
Upcoming events: Saturday, April 18 – Stableford – Privilege Cup – 11am assembly, 11.30 shotgun start. Duty: Grant Humbert, Darren Carnie.
Saturday, May 9 – Centenary Celebration – 4-person ambrose, 11am hit off; special afternoon tea 2.30pm.
RSVPs, enquiries and entries to Darren Carnie 0428 862 292.