Yearly Archives: 2017

After a hot, dry week the thunderstorm on Friday evening was just what was needed to return the course to its best; the fairways were in top nick and the greens putted very true.  Many hours on the mowers during the week saw the rough well trimmed and unless a shot ended up many metres from the fairway little time was lost looking for a ball.  The Little Corellas had returned but the club’s efforts to move them along saw only about a dozen birds in the Park.  If the large flock can be deterred from taking up residence then this might be the first summer in many years where multiple greens are not ripped apart by these birds.  It was a strange round with quite a few players having horror early holes and thinking themselves out of contention only to play the remainder very well and be right back in the mix.  Four players fought it out over the final few holes and it was the veteran in the group who edged them all to pick up the November Medal.  On a hot, sticky, day with intermittent NW wind the results were;

Winner & November Medallist;  Hugh Drummond – 93/22/71 from Scott Williams – 92/19/73, Rob Rea – 91/18/73 & Mal Mottram – 85/12/73

NTPs; 15th – Jim Patton & 16th – Mal Mottram

Least Putts; Les Gaunt – 25

The 2017 Kilmore Tournament was played in very warm and humid conditions. Thankfully there was cloud cover that made it slightly more enjoyable.  A lot of good work had been done on the course but like Romsey the mowers were struggling to keep all the rough and the carry mown. Players who kept out of the rough enjoyed a very good round others, who strayed off the fairway had a tougher day.

Both RGC representatives had a pleasant day with Lorraine Robb recording a nett 76 and Wendy Gosden a nett 81.

The weather forecast for a hot and humid 33C with midday thunderstorms saw a number of players withdraw from the Goonawarra G. C.  Jo Nesbitt Memorial Tournament. However, the weather gods had other plans and players enjoyed 12 holes with a gentle, cooling breeze before the sun broke through and made the last six holes quite hot and humid.
Goonawarra is in the middle of their club championships at the moment and consequently the course was in tip top condition; the fairways were perfectly mown and the greens very, very slick.  Firmly struck putts that didn’t hit the hole were liable to roll well beyond, making for a very nervous return putt.
Romsey Golf Club was represented by Jenny Hartley and Darlene Baker.   Both players managed the course well and avoided ALL the bunkers which was quite a feat.  The RGC reps performed extremely well wining two awards.

A Grade Handicap; Darlene Baker – 96/23/73.
C Grade Stroke; Jenny Hartley – 102/33/69.

Play began on the third  30C+ day of the week.  The heat would test the endurance of some of the golfers so it was decided to reduce the amount of time out in the sun by playing in pairs.  The course had held up well with good cover on all fairways and the few greens that had been showing signs of heat stress had recovered well with new growth coming through.  The greens were quite fast, seeing some players putt well passed the cup.  Playing in pairs made for a brisk round with everyone back in the rooms by 1.15 pm.  On a very warm morning the results were;
Winner;  Elaine Scanlon – 109/32/77 from Darlene Baker – 99/21/78 & Lorraine Robb – 114/34/80
9 Holes Comp; Leila Beasley
Men’s Comp; Bruce Robb – 106/34/72
Least Putts; Hugh Williams – 24
NTP; 1st – Bruce Robb, 3rd – Darlene Baker

Four Romsey golfers participated in the 2017 Lancefield Tournament; Lorraine Robb, Elaine Scanlon Wendy Gosden and Darlene Baker.  The course was in very good condition, with the greens true although some thought a little slow.  The warm weather made players really appreciate the well stocked eskies, some ice or a slice of watermelon made the round more enjoyable.  All RGC players acquitted themselves well, enjoying the day’s golf and the wonderful lunch that followed the event.  The tournament was won by Helen Dennett, Darlene Baker won the B Grade Scratch event with 94 off the stick.

DDGA Player of the Year points; Darlene – 5 points, Chris Doherty  -4, Jill Banon – 3, Helen Young – 2 and Robyn Gallasch – 1.

LGC Tournament – B Grade Scratch Winner Darlene Baker

Heavy rain over the during the week saw excellent fairways and greens however, the course had softened appreciably and it looked as if the longer hitters were going to gain the advantage.  The round began under clear skies with virtually no wind but the humidity was quite high so the air was a bit thicker than expected.  The Par field made light work of these obstacles with a number of players carding excellent scores.  There were a number of birdies on the Par 5s and a very near miss for an eagle on the Par 4, 3rd.  Conditions for the John Laing Shield Final looked to favour Mick Nicholls Jnr, a consistent, long hitter but the pressure of a matchplay final can change the whole game.  Mick drove well but John’s ability to find the middle of the fairway, his excellent approach shots and a top short game around the greens made up for any lack of distance off the tee.  In the end it the final a bit of a fairy tale ending with 83 year old John Laing taking out the shield named in his honour.  On a steamy, sticky day the results were;

Par Competition;  Jim Patton (21) +5 from Hugh Drummond (22) +4, Mick Nicholls Snr (22) +4, Scott Williams (19) +2, Bruce Robb (34) +1, Rob Rea (18), Bob McLennan (13) & Chris vanDerVliet (25) all Square.

NTPs; 15th – Les Gaunt

John Laing Shield Final

John Laing (13) D Mick Nicholls Jnr (0) – 5/4

Fellow Life Member Peter Scanlon presents the John Laing Shield to 2017 winner, John Laing.

John Laing with 2017 Women’s Singles Knock Out Winner Elaine Scanlon

The Mixed Foursomes round began on the first really warm morning since last summer. The heat and complete lack of a breeze tested players.  The drying out of the fairways saw all players achieve extra distance off the tee but the short game had to be accurate or all gained advantage was lost.  Mixed foursomes made an interesting day for teams with players sharing alternating shots.

Winners; John Freestone (22)/Jan Harver (43) – 39 points from Hugh Williams (25)/Wendy Gosden (33) – 34 points on count back from Bruce Robb (34) Jenny Hartley (30)

The Eastern Golf Club hosted the State Final of the 2017 Silver Spoon.  This event was first played in 1921, until 1925 silver medals were given to each player and a gold medal given to the play-off winner. Today each player receives a silver spoon. Each club plays qualifying rounds with winners proceeding to the State Final. This year over 170 Victorian affiliated clubs participated with 109 of them being represented the final. Play began under warm conditions in Melbourne’s outer North-East however the mercury reaching 31C early in the afternoon.  There was little wind this became a factor for the players. In the afternoon session Darlene Baker was Romsey’s representative with Lorraine Robb as her trusted caddy. Because of the rising humidity and high temperatures Golf Victoria allowed all players to use motorised carts on a course that had very long distances between greens and the next tee.  Green side bunkers abounded but Darlene managed to avoid most of them. There was very dense rough just off the cut surface and players soon learnt to stay on the fairway or resign themselves to the fact that their ball would be lost in the unforgiving rough. In an afternoon field of 38 players Darlene scores 28 pts and was ranked a respectable, equal tenth.

The first really warm day of spring saw a strong field take to the course, there was a steady southerly breeze but it did not effect the players.  Again the fairway were in top nick and the 1st cut of rough was perfect, once golfers strayed a bit further off the fairway finding a ball was a little more challenging.  The two semi finals of the John Laing Shield proved to be hard fought and very close affairs.  The stroke event was equally tight, three players were neck and neck down the final few holes and one loose shot here and a chip-in there made all the difference.  On a beautiful late spring day the results were;

Winner; Anthony Freeman – 93/21/72 from Jim Patton – 95/22/72 & Scott Williams – 91/18/73

NTPs; 1st Kevin Dunn & 15th Jim Patton

John Laing Shield Semi-final results;

John Laing (20) D Bob McLenna (0) – 19th

Mick Nicholls Jnr (0) D Kevin Dunn (5) – 1up

John Laing Shield Final will be;

Mick Nicholls Jnr (0) Vs John Laing (13)

Wendy Gosden and Darlene Baker represented Romsey Golf Club at the 2017 Gisborne Tournament.  While the course was in good condition the greens were still recovering from recent coring and provided more than a few putting challenges.  For the first time this season the weather was quite warm and humid  but undoubtably not the last as summer conditions intensify.   The many bunkers across the course trapped a few unwary players whilst others managed to avoid every one.  Both Wendy and Darlene enjoyed the round and the company of their playing partners. Wendy earned a ball for her score of 33 Stableford points. Darlene played a stroke round with an equivalent score of 32 Stableford points.