Yearly Archives: 2023

A strong field took to the course for the December Medal, the weather prediction, top of 16C was quite different to the actual afternoon.  Winds from the S/SW of between 25/35Kph and some drizzle over the final nine-holes made for a challenging round.  Again, hard work by Sevi meant that the greens had survived numerous corella attacks and putted fast and true.  The surrounds and fairways remained in their best ever condition.  On a day of differing conditions the results were;

1st; Dean Kohler – 79/15/65

2nd; Mick Nicholls Jnr – 85/15/70

3rd; Craig Sandy – 94/22/72

NTPs; 1st – Steve Wilkins,. 15th – Mick Sadler, 16th – Simon Donovan, Best 2nd shot on the 3rd – Luke Lyons

Least Putts; Dylan Harris – 25

RGC December ’23 Medalist, Dean Kohler

The course, despite the corella damage to some greens and sections of a few fairways was in top condition.  Sevi had again out done himself by repairing and mowing all greens on the morning before the round.  Ron Walker had also spent many hours during the week keeping the rough under control.  The fairways had good cover and the greens were fast and true.  As the teams found their way around the course there were many bird calls and even a few attempts at wedge tail eagle cries; it looked as if scoring was not all that difficult.  The event had two longest drives and while a few players had their names on the cards one player was able to take out both.  One highlight of the round was big hitting Ben Owen breaking the casing on two ProVI balls.

After the round everyone enjoyed a pie, hamburger or snag and onions, Kev Dunn and Lorraine Robb did a top job with the food.  Once the day’s presentations were concluded everyone watched the big screen as the Nov and Dec count of the 2023 Bruce Robb Medal, points up to October had already been circulated. The Robb Medal has points awarded to the top six at each month’s Stableford round and the medal round.  Even with the December Medal still to come the winner and runner-up were well ahead and could not be overtaken.  The 2023 Bruce Robb Medalist was Mal Mottram with 61 pts from Luke Lyons with 37.5pts.  Four players are still in contention for the 3rd spot.  On a still, sunny afternoon the results were;

1st; Luke Lyons/Dylan harris/Chris vanDerVliet – 66/7.83/58.17 C/B

2nd; Mal Mottram/Ben Owen/Sherif Abdel-Sayed – 68/9.83/58.17

NTPs; 1st – Andrew lain, 15th – Mal Mottram & 16th – Scott Williams

Longest Drive 4th & 8th; Dean Kohler.

Best 2nd shot 3rd; Luke Lyons

RGC life member Bruce Robb with 2023 Bruce Robb Medalist

Mal Mottram

The Old Course was used for a nice 12 hole round of Stableford.  The weather was a little chilly with strong, gusty winds.   The greens were quick and rewarded the brave.
Andrew Laing joined the Wednesday contingent and recorded the best round of the day with 20 points,  following close behind was one of our newest members, and showing great potential, Hayley Donovan, with 19 points.
The morning’s results were;
1st    Andrew Laing          20 points
2nd  Hayley Donovan      19 points
3rd   Darlene Baker          18 points

The round began on a clear afternoon with wind around the mid 20Kph from the W.  The final of the John Laing Shield had been halted last week as encroaching darkness and drizzle making the already wet greens unplayable. Play began on the 23rd hole and all of a sudden the shield was decided with  Davey Kenney D Mal Mottram on the 23rd.

The stroke event  drew a good field and, while the fairways and surrounds were in top condition, the  greens had not been cut for a few days so putting took some courage. Despite this there was some excellent scoring.  The day’s results were;

1st Mal Mottram – 76/8/68

2nd; Andrew Clement – 80/10/70

3rd; Mitch Atlas – 78/6/72 C/B Mick Squire 79/7/72

NTPs; 1st – Mal Mottram, 15th – Scott Williams & 16th – Mick Squire

John Laing Shield Final

Davey Kenney (6) D Mal Mottram (0) – 23rd hole.

 2023 John Laing Shield winner Davey Kenney with RGC life member John Laing

Dressed in something Christmassy golfers played “Nth Pole Rules” on the twilight 9 hole course. The rules were made up by Captain Darlene Baker.  A couple of heavy showers of rain and dark skies had players’ concerned that the competition may have to be abandoned but the rain stopped so play began despite the distant rumbling of thunder.  Lots of fun was had and players were pleased that they got back into the clubhouse dry.   The results for the best team gross score were:
1st. Beryl Cole, Hayley Donovan & Leesa Butterworth – 35
2nd. Jenny Hartley & Kath Jekabsons – 38
3rd. Wendy Gosden & Lorraine Robb – 40

A Mystery Stableford event was held with teams of 3 earning points as they made their way around the 18 holes. Scores were selectively added or sometimes multiplied to get the total score for the hole. Randomly all three scores were used or only two. The fun approach was appreciated as the golfing year begins to wind down.
Winners on the day were Wendy Gosden, Robert McDonald and Darlene Baker.

Euroa Golf Club held the last of the Dalhousie Club’s women’s events for the year when they held their Annual Bowl. This was an event postponed from earlier in the year due to rain but this time around the weather was pleasant but a bit windy. The course was in great condition with lovely greens and good fairways.
Romsey sent a team to contest the event; Jenny Hartley, Beryl Cole and Darlene Baker who all enjoyed the day and now look forward to 2024 at all the Dalhousie Clubs

The heavy rain late on Friday and over night saw the fairways a little softer but it had made the greens very receptive to well played approach shots.  A strong northerly wind, 35Kp[h to 45Kph,  blew up making any shot with a  slice or a hook and very dangerous option.  The wind also put paid to any NTPs.  The tough conditions meant that only two players were able to play to or better their handicaps.  The eventual winner had a very mixed front nine before coming home “with a wet sail” to claim the medal.  On a warm, very windy afternoon the results were;

1st & Nov Medalist: Scott Williams –  87/17/70

2nd; Simon Donovan – 82/10/72

3rd; Ben Owen – 103/20/83

Least putts; Scott Williams – 26

November Medalist, Scott Williams

Beryl Cole and Darlene Baker played in the annual Isabel Bett Memorial Trophy at Yea. The course was in excellent condition and the weather near perfect for golf.  Scoring across all grades was extremely good with a winning score of Nett 64, from Mim Page (Marysville) taking out the major trophy.
Congratulations to Beryl who had a beaut score of nett 67 which earnt her the C Grade Nett Trophy and 4 Player of the Year points.

Play began under still, sunny conditions, the course was in excellent condition following on from the very successful Romsey Tournament over the weekend.  Players got good value for well struck drives and low irons and the greens were receptive to well played approach shots.  Daily competition results were:
1st; Jenny Hartley (24) – 38 pts c/b
2nd; Lorraine Robb (48) – 38pts
3rd; Wendy Gosden (32) – 35 pts.