Rochester Bowls Club
It might be the ‘off-season’ for lawn bowls but there’s still enough activity at the club to keep everyone connected and enjoying some social interaction.
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There’s social drinks a few nights a week, footy tipping, indoor bowls, and drawn pairs on Friday for all those who have not chosen to venture north to the warmer weather.
Friday afternoon bowls - June 26
After such a miserable and foggy week, the sun finally came out on Friday afternoon, making play for the 12 bowlers a little more pleasant.
It was great to see two of our new club members having some success on the greens.
Congratulations to Kim Wright and Ray Sangster for taking out the overall win with two wins for the day.
Drawn pairs will be held again this coming Friday, July 3, at 1.30pm.
With all the rain predicted this coming week, stay tuned.
Please note that:
- Names on the list in the foyer by 12pm.
- First prize - $5 drinks voucher.
- $5 entry.
Indoor bowls
On Monday night, there were a dozen very happy bowlers making up four teams of three players.
Two teams won both of their games, with Helen Moroney, Bert Smolenaars, and Anton Gusak taking out the overall win with 29 shots up.
The team of Joan Limbrick, Graham Prince, and David Murray came in second, in spite of the fact that they won their first game by 19-1.
They won their second game 16-10, but unfortunately David gave away two lots of four shots in this game. I’m sure he would have laughed off his misfortune.
Indoor bowls is on again on Monday, July 6, beginning at 7pm. Bowlers are asked to be there by 6.45pm.
It was wonderful to welcome a new bowler to the scene who picked up the skill of indoor bowling very quickly – David Burdett.
Membership
Payment for the upcoming bowls season is now due.
Forms can be found in the foyer – both existing and new membership forms.
Bar duty
Monday to Thursday, 5 - 6.30pm
29 June - 2 July - M. Ellis and G. Browne.
6 - 9 July - F. Keech and R. Clayton.
13 - 16 July - J. McCallum and B. Major.
Lockington Bowls Club
In a week of different weather during the past seven days, there was a good roll up of members to challenge the elements at the respective scrounge days.
On Wednesday, the players were confronted by dense fog and slightly slower greens.
On rink one, John Andrea just kept on playing in scintillating form to amass 59 points, and kept at bay the fast finishing Rod Fiedler on 54 points.
Andy Harris brought up the rear on 27 points.
Number two rink produced some exciting bowls from all three players, with only 10 points separating first from third.
Graeme Wood displayed plenty of talent to tally 46 points and finish ahead of Peter Egan on a solid 41 points, while John Dowie was content with 36 points.
The final rink belonged to Pos Andrea, who was in devastating form to score a huge tally of 69 points, completely dominating the rink and scoring a gigantic victory from Ray Hanson, 41, and Bruce Haines, 30 points.
Saturday brought a day of perfect weather with sunshine all day long.
Green pace was a credit to the greenkeepers, and pleasant surroundings all made a fine time to be on the green.
The leading score on the day was registered by Ray Hanson on 63 points, and he exacted revenge on his nemesis in bowls, Pos Andrea, who totalled 42 points, while Graeme Wood managed 30 points.
Next door, Steve Peter rolled out a perfect total of 62 points to win the rink ahead Natalie McLaughlin, who displayed real talent to score 51 points.
Rod Fiedler had a bit of an off day and slaved away for 27 points.
Rink three turned up a tie between John Fisher and John Andrea, both scoring 50 points each, and they could not be separated after a lengthy consideration.
The game of scrounge will continue on Wednesday and Saturday, where all bowlers and new bowlers are welcome at 1.30pm on each day.
Rochester Golf Club
Reigning men's A-grade champion Jake Wright continued his great form over the last few weeks to shoot two-over 73 to easily win another championship.
Wright finished only four-over after his previous rounds of two 72s for a total of 217.
Wright has proven to be up there as one of our best "home-grown" talents; his long hitting and great scrabbling were a delight to watch over the championship.
Former champion and president Leigh Hicks once again showed why you should never write him off, running second and taking out the handicap section in A-grade with net 209.
Neil Coghill won the B-grade section, consistent with scores of 90, 89, and 90 for a total of 269. Paul Evans took out the handicap section with a total of 215.
Popular and hard-working Bruce Bryant was pleased to hold off a new member in Brent Sweeney to win the C-grade for a total of 298; Sweeney won the handicap section in C-grade (229).
One of the best things about playing golf is that age is never a barrier, and, combined with the handicap system and the availability of motorized golf buggies, it gives everyone a chance to enjoy the game and maybe win the day's event.
Bruce Major played alongside three veterans whose average age was close to 90.
Major's great score of 85 for net 64 won the day's event from the A-grade, and new member Andrew Cassin, shooting his best score since joining the club, 74 (67), showed what is possible in this great game.
Next best and ball winners were: Captain Darren White (68), David Gebbie and Brent Sweeney (70), Zac McInness, Leigh Hicks, and Jake Wright, all on net 71.
Steve Bubb was jubilant after his sensational shot to the 200-metre long par three, third hole, but not after three putts.
He was one of the nearest the pin winners, sharing honours with Shane Connelly (ninth), Major on the 16th, and young Zac McInness for his second shot to the 18th.
Leisa Evans won the ladies event for the third consecutive week.
Richard Feuk organised last Wednesday's 9-hole Stableford, with aggregate mystery partners over the front nine.
Bruce Bryant was happy to draw in-form golfer Les Hedington, the duo totalling 45 points from Chris Trewin and David Gebbie (43). Hedington was closest to the third hole.
Many hours of volunteer work over the last few months, including double-cutting all fairways, continuous cutting the rough to a set V.G.A height, removal and trimming of trees, re-sanding and oiling scrapes, and general maintenance, has seen the course in superb condition.
It is all in preparation for the club to hold two major events, starting with the District Sandgreens on August 2 and the important Victorian Sandgreens Championship over the weekend of the August 23 and 24.
Lockington Golf Club
Friday, June 26 – Stroke
The fourth and final round of the club championships began in foggy conditions before clearing to a lovely winter afternoon.
Last contested in 2022, the club championships were played in a different format this year, the title awarded to the best three nett scores out of the four rounds.
Going into the final round, Jenny Holt and Sue Harris were the joint leaders by just one shot from Annette Brereton.
Playing some great golf on her second nine (11 shots better than the first nine), Sue Harris finished with a nett 76 for a three-round total of 217, winning by five shots from Jenny Holt (222), with Annette Brereton (223) in third place.
The Annie Stewart Perpetual Putting Championship was also up for grabs, with Sue Harris (57) leading by just one from Annette Brereton (58) going into the last round.
Holding her nerve, Sue finished with 30 putts in the last round for a three-round total of 87 and victory by two from Annette (89), with Jenny Holt (96) in third place.
Player of the day: Sue Harris, 105-29-76.
Count the putts: Sue Harris, 30.
Good to see Sue Eade playing another nine holes to get her handicap.
Saturday, June 27 – Par
Seven days after winning the B-grade championship, Andrew Harris kept the Harris household’s good form going with another win, his best-on-course score of +2 winning the Locky Foodworks Player of the Day voucher.
Tom Scurrah played well to finish +1 ahead of Jeff Carnie (+1) and Stuart Newton (square).
Nearest the pins: 16th – Tom Scurrah; second shot on 12th – Stuart Newton, Trav Mancer; second shot on 18th for the six-pack smack – Ian Maddison.
Spike’s Longest Drive on the 10th, sponsored by Hot ‘n’ Cold Plumbing – Jason Wakefield, Trav Mancer, and Tom Scurrah.
Neither the Eagles Nest on the third, nor Captain Grant’s yardstick on the 16th was won.
Handicap matchplay first round results: Stuart Newton defeated Trav Mancer four and two; Steve Holt defeated Ron Dixon five and three; Jeff Carnie defeated Ian Maddison four and three; the red-hot Tony Brooke defeated Jason Wakefield two-up, with Jason gallant in defeat, having to give 25 shots.