The first round of the DDGA midweek pennant saw the RGC mixed team taking on Lancefield at Yea.  Recent rain had softened the course and the colder air meant all shots lost distance.

Mixed team – 3/2 Loss, Darlene Baker – W2Up, Steve Wilkins – L2Dn, Hugh Williams – L1Dn, Jenny Hartley – L2/1 & Elaine Scanlon – W3/2

After a deal of rain over Friday night and during Saturday most courses had softened considerably meaning  less run on the fairways, the much cooler air also took distance off most shots.  Scratch was taking on Seymour at Whittlesey while Handicap were taking on Hidden Valley at Hidden Valley.  A long course with plenty of water and traditionally fast greens.  On a cool, overcast afternoon the results were;

Scratch; 3/2Loss, Mick Squire – L1Dn, Dylan Harris – W6/5, Luke Lyons – L2Dn, Mitch Atlas – L4/3 & Dean Kohler – W3Up

Handicap; 3/2 Loss, Davey Kenney – W7/6, Mal Mottram – W2Up, Nathan Moroney – L2Dn, Zac Scales – L2Dn & Scott Williams – L4/3

The handicap team will now play Broadford in their final on Sun May 4th at Woodend

With around 35mm of rain falling over Friday night and intermittent drizzle through much of the round conditions were difficult.  Virtually no run and plenty of mud on the ball, any areas where the corellas had been “digging” were getting close to sloppy so “mark, lift, clean & replace” was given.  Throughout the afternoon a gentle breeze, moving around  between S and SW kept the drizzle either on the players’ backs or in their faces. However, despite the challenging conditions, there were some excellent scores.  On a cool, damp afternoon the results were;

2024/25 Medal of Medalists;  Davey Kenney – 84/12/72

1st & April Medalist; Toby Clement – 84/15/69 C/B

2nd;  Shaun Scales – 93/24/69

3rd; Scott Williams – 87/17/70

NTPs; 1st – Nathan Moroni, 15th – Scott Williams, 16th – Simon Donovan.  Least Putts – Andrew Clement –  28 C/B Mick Squire

2024/25 Medal off Medalists – Davey Kenney

April 2025 Medalist, Toby Clement

A top autumn day saw a very good sized field tee up for the club’s  Stableford competition and the women’s April Medal.  Sadly, the corellas had again attacked a number of greens, relief was given. Roll on the colder weather when these birds fly Nth. The monthly medal is a running competition so the winner will not be known until after Saturday’s round.  On a top day to be out on the park the results were;

1st; David Jones – (16) 41 pts

2nd; Rob McDonald – (14) – 39 pts

3rd; Mitch Thomas (18) 36 pts.

April Medal results;

1st; Kath Jekabsons – 102/30/72,

2nd; Darlene Baker – 91/17/74,

3rd; Elaine Scanlon 106/31/75

2024/25 Medal of Medalists – Darlene Baker – 91/17/74,

NTPs;  1st – Hugh Williams, 3rd – Rob McDonald, 15th – David Jones, 16th -Rob McDonald

1st; Hugh Williams (17) 36pts. C/B

2nd; Darren Blay (29) 36pts

3rd; Chris Manktelow (29) 35pts C/B Lis Manktelow (26)

NTPs; 1st – David Jones, 3rd – Hugh Williams

A warm, clear day with a N wind pushing into the low 30sKph.  Scratch had a bye and were hosting while the handicap team were taking on Kilmore at Broadford.  The Broadford course, like almost all courses at the moment, was quite dry and the club had moved to tee-up in an effort to protect the grass on the fairways.  Greens and surrounds were in top condition.

Handicap – W4/1; Scott Williams – W5/4, John Freestone – W3/2, Zac Scales – W6/5, Davey Kenney – L4/3, Steve Hehir – W3/2. Another top effort that sees the team, with one round to go, into the final at Woodend on May 4th.

The good, mid autumn, weather  brought out a strong field for the club’s Stableford round.  The day also saw the final of the club’s oldest board event, the Algie Mitchell Shield.  Considering the ongoing lack of rain the course was in excellent condition  with most greens responding well to the volunteers’ repair efforts; the corellas will move on soon, we hope.  Despite the generally benign condition many players found scoring very difficult and only four players were able to equal or better their handicaps.  The Algie Mitchell Shield final was all square after the front nine but thing got tougher on the back nine;  On another top day to be out on the park the results were;

1st; Jarrod Beswick (22) – 42pts

2nd; Dean Kohler (8) – 37pts

3rd; Simon Donovan (8) – 36pts C/B Mick Squire (5)

NTPs; 15th – Luke Lyons, 16th – Mick Nicholls Snr, D&P 3rd – Mick Squire, Longest Drive 4th – Mick Squire

Algie Mitchell Shield Final

Davey Kenney (0) D Scott Williams (4) – 3/2

2025 Algie Mitchell Shield Winner, Davey Kenney

1st; Ron Cole – 101/33/68

2nd; David Jones – 87/16/71

3rd; Lis Manktelow – 100/26/74

NTPs; 3rd – Hugh Williams, Least Putts; Kath Jekabsons – 27

Winner of the Silver Spoon; Lis Manktelow – 100/26/74

A cooler day for round 3 but there was a little sun later in the afternoon.  Scratch was taking on Woodend at Trentham, Woodend have been a powerful club for many years so the match was going to be tough. Handicap was taking on Broadford at Woodend, a tight course that heavily penalises errant shots.

Scratch – L4/1; Mick Squire – W2/1, Dylan Harris – L4/3, Dean Kohler – L4/3, Mitch Atlas – L4/3 & Simon Donovan –L4/3.   We knew this was always  going to be tough, Woodend have been a top club for many years. 

Handicap – W3/2; Mal Mottram –W 2/1, Zac Scales – L7/5, Steve Hehir –W2Up, Scott Williams – W1Up & John Freestone – L2/1.  Top effort by Handcap captain Scott Williamas to “seal the deal” with an ace on the 2nd, his 16th hole for the day.   Another good result, well done Scottie and the team.

Scott Williams, HIO – Woodend Hole 2

A top day for golf, some southerly wind early but very quickly the weather settled down and players enjoyed a wonderful mid autumn afternoon.  We welcomed the young (12 & 10) Young brothers who were playing a round before tomorrow;’s DDGA Junior Tournament.  The field moved quickly throughout he course, aided by some excellent fairways and most greens and all surrounds being in top condition.  The semi-finals of the Algie Mitchell Shield were also played, one a very close affair the other not so tight.  On an enjoyable afternoon to be out on the course the results were;

1st; J Beswick – 96/30/66

2nd; Mick Squire – 73/6/67

3rd; Luke Lyons – 77/6/71

NTPs; 1st – Keith Hocking, 15th –  Mick Squire, 16th – Andrew Clement, Longest Drive 5th – Mick Squire, D&P 3rd – Mick Squire

Semi-finals of the Algie Mitchell Shield

Scott Williams (12) D Luke Lyons (0) – 1Up (played on Friday)

Davey Kenney (8) D Dylan Harris (0) – 4/2

The final of the Algie Mitchell Shield will be;

Scott Williams (4) Vs Davey Kenney (0)