About 1,000 rounds of golf by players from over 50 golf clubs in Victoria, NSW, Qld and SA were played in Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort’s five-day Monday to Friday tournament last week.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
And it was the biggest mid-week Wednesday dinner for several years after the day’s Mixed Pinehurst event.
A total of 150 diners enjoyed the delicious three-course meal and the dance floor was packed to well-known musical entertainer and song writer Maurice Milani.
“It was a magnificent day, lovely meal and congratulations, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort,” Lake Course B Grade joint winner with wife Helen, Vin Slattery, said in his acceptance speech.
The Slatterys’ winning score of 70.125 was a few shots ahead of runners-up, locals John and Joy Lawford who fired a 73.875 result.
B Grade Murray Course winners were Bayview Golf Club’s Robert Fenner and Angela Haynes with a score of 74.25. Bradley Garbutt from Bacchus Marsh and YMGCR’s Pauline Ferguson finished second, on a count-back, with 75.5.
“This is our third or fourth year here. It’s always a wonderful time,” Robert said.
A Grade winner on the Murray Course, Bayview’s Helen Owens, partnered local youngish gun Jake Moore to win with a brilliant score of 68.5.
An injury to Helen’s sister, Marilyn, meant Helen stepping into partnering Jake. Attendees formed the impression that Marilyn won’t get Jake back, at least not for the September 2020 tournament!
Rosebud’s Darren and Karen Naylor weren’t far behind in A Grade with a score of 69.625.
The excellent score of 67.375 comfortably won Lake Course A Grade for locals John Surridge and Glenys Durrant, six strokes clear of Lisa and David White from Bayview with 73.375.
Geoffrey Deppeler’s tee shot six-iron on the Lake Course’s 12th hole went in the hole. It was the Keysborough Golf Club members’ second ace, his first being at his home club.
He threatened to get his latest hole-in-one as he had three Nearest-the- Pins over the first two days of last week’s tournament.
In his welcome speech, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort President Gil Cunningham made a special announcement. “On 12th April 1969, Phillip Droop was appointed as our professional. Phillip started on a retainer of $15 a week.
“What this all means is that Phillip and wife Karen have been members or employees of our club, giving 50 years of service to us. Congratulations!”
Loud applause followed for the highly respected and popular pair whose golf introduction originated via their parents at Eastern and Rosanna Golf Clubs respectively.
Karen and Phillip are the second of four generations of golfers, who love YMGCR and are immensely proud of their grown-up children and grandchildren in the golfing world.
Phillip was head professional for 44 years, Karen is record YMGCR lady club champion with 13 titles and both are Life Members.
Mr Cunningham continued: “I thank the Pro Shop staff who run the tournament smoothly. The course is set up beautifully with a lot of work from course superintendent Chris Burgess and his team.
“I thank myself and other tournament starters (directors Don Presley, Barry Cocks and Andrew Shell, and vice-captain Peter Warner)!”
The president said he was “super impressed” with the performance of CEO Greg Ferguson on improving the club’s financial position which will be formally revealed at the AGM on October 24.
Mr Ferguson, who began in the role on January 14, 2019, said there was a great vibe with the tournament. “Well done to all the organisers and participants.
“The welcome to me by members and visitors from afar has been a real highlight for me,” he said.
Men’s captain Darrell Lynch also acknowledged the great work of the Pro Shop staff. “Without them you don’t have this big September tournament,” he said.
Lady captain Julie Kirchin and men’s vice-captain Peter Warner presented the trophies to winners and runners-up, and NTPs during the superb three-course meal.
