Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort’s 2019 five-day May tournament last week proved another big success with players from four states and some interesting speeches.
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“Nine-hundred rounds of golf will have been played by the end of the week,” club president Gil Cunningham said at the mid-week well-attended dinner last Wednesday.
“Welcome everyone. It’s just great to see familiar faces again, with Graeme and Margaret Grant from Trafalgar back here for their 67th tournament (May and September tournaments) and to see people here for the first time.”
The president praised course superintendent Chris Burgess and his team for having the two 18-hole Lake and Murray Courses in “something better than fantastic condition”.
“Evan Droop (Pro Shop) and his team do a wonderful job each and every year, and I thank my fellow directors as your starters,” Mr Cunningham told the 120 diners.
He then introduced the club’s CEO Greg Ferguson to May tournament players. “Thank you for your support,” Mr Ferguson told attendees. Thank you to our staff who will provide you with a terrific food and beverage experience.”
Club staff did exactly that, with a delicious three-course meal which included big hunks of chicken and steak. Glenn Starr provided good entertainment.
Because of some cart trouble on the course, men’s captain Darrell Lynch added his praise, referring to the Pro Shop’s head Evan as “a very versatile man with a very versatile team”.
Mixed Pinehurst runners-up and winners made interesting speeches. “I’m under direction not to say too much, so I’ll stay calm and thank our playing partners and all those involved in the running of the tournament,” club life member Graeme Ferguson said. “But Rhonice did play well.”
B Grade joint winner on the Murray Course Nick Moraitis, however, did not hold back. “I played exceptionally well,” the former club president told the big audience.
“I had to have words early with Glenda after she put her tee shot into the water to play with the ducks (gee, that would have been karma from previous Pinehurst outings, Nick).
“I continued to play exceptionally well and after my talk with Glenda, she did play exceptionally well.”
The necessity for each hole to be played well by at least one player was emphasised by A Grade Murray winner Ruth Mackie.
Ruth said if she or partner, men’s vice-captain Peter Warner stumbled, the other always played strongly.
The pair combined perfectly to achieve the best overall day’s score of 66.875 out of the event’s 78 pairs of partners.
North East District Golf Association President Tom Leitch’s chipping on the course was spot on and he chipped in at the microphone as the evening’s formal part was drawing to a close.
“Congratulations on just a wonderful tournament you put on here,” the A Grade Murray Course runner-up with lady captain Julie Kirchin told all.