In picture perfect conditions, on a course in great condition, the Romsey team of Jenny Hartley, Sophie Banon and Darlene Baker were runners up to Marysville in the 2024 Strathbogie Bowl.

RGC Runners Up, Jenny Hartley, Darlene Baker & Sophie Bannon 

Although there was a chill in the air as golfers teed off there was not a breath of wind and when the sun finally burst through the clouds, the day was perfect for golf.   There was very little run on the course but the fairways provided plenty of perfect, grass covered, lies from which to hit.  Discussions ensued over lunch about the pace of the greens with some suggesting they were fast others finding them “just right”.  Daily results were;
1st; Robert McDonald  (15) – 34 pts
2nd; Ron Cole  (33)  – 33 pts
3rd ;David Jones (20) – 31  pts

NTPs; 1st – Darlene Baker , 15th – Robert McDonald

It was a grey, drizzly morning as teams arrived at Lancefield for the 2024 DDGA Midweek Pennant finals.  The course was in top condition and the greens, even a little wet, were fast and true.

Division 1 – Kilmore D Trentham/Seymour – 3.5/1.5

Division 2 – Romsey D DDGA Vets – Walkover.

2024 Division 2 Champions

Jenny Hartley, Elaine Scanlon (C), Steve Wilkins, Darlene Baker, Beryl Cole, Hugh Williams, absent – Kevin Dunn.

After a week of wonderful, sunny autumn days the weather turned late on Friday, ~15 minutes of heavy rain and a steep drop in temperature.  The final round of the 2024 club championships, men and women playing together, began on an almost sunny, mostly cloudless sky with a top temperature of 12C.  Conditions were  made a little more challenging by a gusting wind from the SW.  Cold air and soft fairways took distance off every shot.  While some of the grades looked to be sewn up the conditions had all leaders looking over their shoulders and those in 2nd and 3rd feeling positive.  The early holes were greatly affected by the wind and the heavy overnight dew.  As the day warmed the greens became quicker.  In A grade an ordinary front nine followed by a par back nine was enough to take out the championship.  In B Grade a very ordinary 1st hole followed by a steady round was good enough and in C Grade a far better back nine was enough to grab a win.  On a good day to be out on the course the day’s results were;

1st; Mitch Atlas – 79/6/73 C/B

2nd; Mal Mottram – 80/7/73

3rd; John Freestone – 103/28/75

NTPs – 15th – Toby Clement, 16th – Scott Williams

2024 Club Championship Results

Club Champions;  Dylan Harris –  239  & Darlene Baker – 278

A Grade Nett;             Dylan Harris & Lorraine Robb

B Grade Stroke;        Davey Kenney –  268    Nett;         Davey Kenney

C Grade Stroke;        Anthony Lakey  – 300  Nett;          John Freestone

Dylan Harris, ’24 RGC Men’s Champion with ’23 Champion Mick Squire

’24 Mitchell Family Shield – A Grade Nett, Marg Mitchell with Dylan Harris

Karen Clement with Darlene Baker, ’24 RGC Women’s Champion.

’24 Women’s Nett – Life Member Helene Newnham with Lorraine Robb

Past Captain & Club Champion Andrew Clement with ’24 RGC B Grade Champion Davey Kenney

’24 Peter Scanlon Shield – B Grade Nett, Peter Scanlon with Davey Kenney

 ’24 RGC C Grade Champion Anthony Lakey with past Captain &

Club Champion Andrew Clement.

 ’24 John Jeffrey Shield – C Grade Nett, John Freestone with RGC Captain Mal Mottram

’24 Senior Cup winner John Freestone with past Captain & Club Champion Andrew Clement.

2024 Inductees into the RGC Hall of Fame – Andrew Clement, Bob McLennan & Kevin Dunn

RGC President with RGC Hall of Fame inductee, Andrew Clement

2023 President’s & Captains’ Award – “For Conspicuous Service” – Mitch Atlas

The weather has been perfect for golf on Wednesdays of late and the stableford competition was held in sunny and calm conditions. The run on the fairways has been considerably shortened from previous weeks and the greens were very receptive to the high approach shots.  Daily competition results were;
1st; Robert McDonald (15) – 34 pts
2nd; Anthony Lakey (20) – 32 pts
3rd; Steve Wilkins(14) – 31 pts c/b Darlene Baker (18)
NTP 15th. Steve Wilkins

With almost 30mm of rain falling over Thursday and Friday nights the course was soft; “Mark, Lift, Clean & Replace” was in play across the general area.  Despite the overcast, misty start to the day the afternoon was sunny and warmish, shorts were common sights.  Soft fairways, coolish air and an inconsistent S/SE wind made the course play longer forcing all golfers to carefully consider their choice of club.  With past champions, Mottram, Squire and Clement unable to play the club championship  was up for grabs and a number of younger players were in for the contest.  B Grade and C Grade were also close with only a few shots separating all place getters.  On another top afternoon to be out on the park the results were;

1st; Ben Owen – 89/15/74  C/B

2nd; John Freestone – 102/28/74

3rd; Dylan Harris – 82/6/75 C/B Dean Kohler (9)

NTPs; 15th -Dylan Harris

2nd Rd 2024 Club Championships

A Grade; Stroke – Dylan Harris; 75, 82 – 157           Nett – Dylan Harris; 157/14/143

B Grade; Stroke – Davey Kenney; 86, 92 – 178       Nett – Ben Owen; 181/30/151, Davey Kenney; 178/26/152, Andrew Laing; 190/38/152

C Grade Stroke – Anthony Lakey; 98, 102 – 200          Nett – John Freestone; 208/56/152, Zac Scales; 225/72/153

The second round of the Women’s Club Championships was played in perfect autumn conditions on a course that was also in great nick. The Club welcomed to visitors David Jones from Gisborne Golf Club and Gary Johnston from Alexdale Golf Club.  The daily comp was closely contested with some great scores returned.  The day’s results were
1st.       Darlene Baker           87/19/68    (Par 71 for women)
2nd.     Robert McDonald     84/16/68   (Par 70 for men)
3rd.      Derek Jones              83/13/70

All DDGA Sunday Pennant finals were being played at Strathbogie G. C.  The RGC Vs LGC final teed off at 11.00, the temperature was slowly climbing towards the predicted top of 18C and there was a gentle breeze from the S/SE.   Both teams had lost only one match so a close encounter was expected.  For the first time in many years the RGC team had remained unchanged throughout the season; they will only get stronger after the experiences of 2024.

Our team had played Strathbogie so knew that blasting the driver off every tee was not really the way to play many holes.  Congrats to Luke Lyon for his first scratch win, 4/3 and to Mitch Atlas who squared his match.

After a strong season to get to the final sadly it was not our day going down 3.5/1.5

Congrats to Lancefield who will most likely move back to Division 1 Scratch in 2025.

RGC 2024 Scratch Team; Dylan Harris, Mal Mottram, Mick Squire (C),

Mitch Atlas & Luke Lyons

The 2024 Club Championships began on a cool, clear day with a steady breeze  from the S/SW.  Early mowing of the greens  had removed the heavy overnight dew so everyone had to choose their own line to the cup.  Despite the course being in excellent nick and the generally good weather conditions only one player was able to break their handicap.  It was great to welcome back past member Jim Patton (89/15/74), down from Rich River for a round.  On a top day to be out on the park the results were;

1st; Dylan Harris – 75/7/68

2nd; Davey Kenney – 86/13/73 C/B over the back 6

3rd; Andrew Laing – 92/19/73

NTP; 15th – Simon Donovan, 16th – Dean Kohler

2024 Club Championship Results after Rd 1.

A Grade; Stroke – Dylan Harris – 75           Nett – Dylan Harris – 75/7/68

B Grade; Stroke – Davey Kenney – 86       Nett – Andrew Laing – 92/19/73, Davey Kenney – 86/13/73

C Grade Stroke – Anthony Lakey – 98          Nett – Anthony Lakey – 98/23/75