The round began under cool, slightly overcast conditions with a  wind, from the S/SW, pushing into the mid 30Kph.  Recent rain and heat had seen tremendous growth across the whole of Romsey Park and, while all fairways had been “trimmed” using the rough mowers, not all had been cut with the fairway mower so a few fairways had cover well  in excess of 30mm.   After the first few holes light drizzle began to fall making for slippery grips and seeing many balls skipping off the greens from less than perfect approach shots.  On a challenging day the results were;

1st; Mick Squire (7) – 37 pts

2nd; Davey Kenney (16) – 36 pts

3rd; Shaun Scales (27) – 35 pts

NTPs; 15th – Crag Sandy, 16th – Mick Squire

Another top summer’s day, wind from the NNE at about 25Kph and a top temperature of ~28C.  Rain and heavy dews during the week meant the fairways had not ben mown so everyone lost a little distance here and there.  The greens had been repaired and the surrounds were again in top condition.  The teams took to the course with gusto and were quickly racking up the pars and even a few birdies but 4B Multiplier can be a cruel game; if one player excels with a four pointer yet the other scores a 1 or wipes the team scores 4 or 0.  In the end only one team scored under 60 pts so a good day on the course.  Special mention to Luke Lyons whose 2nd shot on the par 4, 3rd hole finished just centimetres from the cup.  On a top day to be out on the park the results were;

1st; Simon Donovan (10)/Ben Owen ()19) – 79 pts

2nd; Bob McLennan (14)/Luke Lyons (9) – 68 pts  C/B

3rd; Mitch Atlas (7)/Mick Nicholls Snr (22) – 68 pts

NTPs; 15th Michael McCarten, 16th – John Moody, Best 2nd shot on 3rd – Luke Lyons.

At last, a real summer’s day, temperature in the high 20sC and a wind, moving between N to SW of about 20Kph.  The corellas had again been at work but most damage had been repaired.  The course was in tip top condition as the field took to the tees.  The day saw some astounding golf on one hole, often followed by a less than impressive next hole.  As luck would have it a  few shots found a tree and either bounced deeper into the trees or fell just short of the green.  On a beautiful day to be out on the park the results were;

1st; Ben Owen (20) – 40 pts

2nd; Mitch Atlas (6) – 36 pts

3rd; Simon Austin (18) – 35 pts C/B Andrew Clement (10) & Bob McLennan (14)

NTPs; 1st – Mitch Atlas, 15th – Ben Owen, 16th – Ben Owen, Best 2nd shot 3rd hole – Andrew Clement

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