Rochester Bowls Club
Friday Social Bowls : 18 bowlers enjoyed playing two bowl triples on Friday, September 12. Winners for the day were Bert Smolenaars, Joan Limbrick and Octavia. The raffle winner was Ian Dennis. The jackpot didn’t go off, it will jackpot for next week. Those wishing to play on Friday, Sept 19 are asked to ring the club office on Friday morning between 8.45am to 9.15am to record your name.
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Bowls: Each Thursday morning from 10am with Marg Knight and Leigh Milgate.
Pennant: There’s a practice match against White Hills planned for Sunday, Sept 21, names on the list, please.
60 and over: No play at Lockington on Wednesday, Sept 10 as play was cancelled. This week’s play will be at Echuca on Wednesday, Sept 17 commencing at 11am.
A, B and C-grade men’s championship: Entries into these events are now being taken, with entry forms now available in the foyer. Current handicaps are also displayed. All men are encouraged to enter their name.
Bar Duty: Monday to Friday 5 to 6.30 pm
15 – 19: K Barker and D Hocking
22 – 26: A Williams and G Chambers
29 – October 3: R Dennis and Octavia
Lockington Bowls Club
The club held the Annual Memorial two-bowl triples on Sunday with the official club opening day.
There was a fine roll up of bowlers to enjoy the excellent conditions on offer. Clubs represented included Elmore, Gunbower, Lockington, Kerang Golf, Moama, Moulamein, Rochester and Tongala.
Club President John van den Bosch welcomed all present and acknowledged the ongoing support from our sponsor in the Moama Bowling Club. This support is greatly appreciated by all bowlers and clubs alike.
On the green, bowlers competed in three games of ten ends and the winners on the day decided on a points system. At the end of the three games, there was only one undefeated team and five two game winners to battle for the spoils.
The winning trio included Russell Shawcross, Kym Ray and Steve Pavone (s) 81 points. After a lengthy countback the Gunbower skipped team by Bill L'Hillier were runners-up on 60 points ahead of third placed local team comprising John Andrea, Anthony Westwood, Pos Andrea (s) with 57 points.
Other two game winners were Carol Pay (Kerang Golf) 55, Francis Keech (Rochester) 53 and Ray Hanson, Sue Harris, Andy Harris (s) 52 points.
It was interesting to note that three of the two game winners lost their last game by one shot. Tournament Secretary Chris Stewart acknowledged the input from all members in the kitchen, bar staff, greens staff - a special effort from Lloyd Buchanan and Ray Hanson plus people who supplied the goodies for afternoon tea.
The club wishes to thank all members for the effort in making themselves available for the Working Bee held on the previous Saturday. Many hands make light work!
This coming Saturday, the club has arranged a practice match against Gunbower to be held at Lockington and fight for the coveted Stirrers Spoon. 1pm. For 1.30pm start. Full colours to be worn. The selectors will name the respective teams during the week.
Birthday congratulations to Lorraine Appleby for her special birthday. The crowd rendered a happy birthday song during the afternoon tea on Sunday.
During the past week, the weather intervened in the running of the Scrunge events and the first round of the Sixty and over competition. That competition will take place at Echuca Bowling Club this Wednesday.
Lockington Golf Club
September 11: Joy Bickford Bowl Rose Bowl Teams Event
Eleven teams contested the Bowl, with players from Elmore, Neangar Park, Marong, Rich River, Quarry Hill, Rochester and Mitiamo. In a close finish, the Bowl was won by the Neangar Park 3 team with a total of 103 points, by three points from Rich River 3, with Rich River two in third with 92.
The Neangar Park team’s performance was a consistent team effort by Helen Leech (39), Renae Boucher (33) and Bernice Campbell (31). The Bowl was first played in 1978, and this year’s victory was the second by Neangar Park, their first win was back in 2010.
Individual results: Division 1 winner – Helen Leech 39; 2nd– Denise Ferrier (Rich River) 36, count back; 3rd– Kirsten Butler (Quarry Hill).
Division two winner – Lauren Coghill (Rochester) 43; 2nd– Renae Boucher 33; 3rd– Sherryn Pedersen (Elmore) 31. Lockington Members Event winner – Fiona Newton, 30.
Ball comp: Division 1: 33 – Cath Kelly (Rich River 3), Louise Rolfe (Rich River 2); 32 – Julie Leahy (Rochester). Division 2: 29 – Lynley Strachan (Mitiamo), Gail Barker (Marong), Barb McCarty (Rochester), Denise Pappin (Elmore).
nearest-the-pins: 7th– Kirsten Butler; 2nd shot 9th– Julie Leahy (great birdie); 16th– Julie Leahy; 17th– Bernice Campbell. Nearest the line: Denise Pappin.
A big thank you to all the workers in the kitchen and all the cooks who provided such a scrumptious feast for golfers to enjoy, with many compliments received. Well done to all who have worked on the course to get it in such good nick.
And a very special thank you to the Bulla Family Dairy for their very generous sponsorship of the day, crucial in making the day such a success.
September 13 – Stableford. Mark Lyons was in super form with a score of 39 points to win the Privilege Cup on a countback from Grant Humbert.
Division one honours went to Grant Humbert, ahead of Ash Portwine and Stuart Newton, who both finished with 37. Mark Lyons was the clear-cut winner of Division 2, ahead of Jeff Carnie (35).
nearest-the-pins: 16th– Ian Maddison; 2nd shot 12th– Grant Humbert (A), Ian Maddison (B); 2nd shot 18th for the 6-pack smack – Grant Humbert.
Spike’s Longest Drive on the 4th, sponsored by Hot ‘n’ Cold Plumbing – Ash Portwine (A), JD Wright (B), Brad Wakefield (C). Neither the O’Connors Case eagle's nest on the 3rd, nor Captain Grant’s yardstick prize on the 16th, was won.
The Handicap Matchplay Championship final between Jeff Carnie and Steve Holt was played on Saturday. Steve began well to be 1-up after 7 holes, before Jeff went on a tear, winning six consecutive holes to surge to a 5-up lead after 13. The 14th was halved and the match was over, victory to Jeff 5 and 4, his first ever honour board gold letter title.
A number of Locky golfers competed in Bamawm’s TJ Malone 4BBB on Friday. Well done to Stuart Newton and Ash Portwine who teamed up to take home the Division one winners’ prizes.
Upcoming events: Tuesday, September – Committee Meeting. Friday, September 18 – three person ambrose, any combination, sponsored by Echuca Mazda and Mitsubishi. Hit off 11am – noon. Enquiries to Darren Carnie 0428 862 292.
Bamawm Golf Club
Friday, September 12
It was a very successful day for our annual TJ Men’s 4BBB with over 20 pairs enjoying the day and many more visitors turning up after golf for a drink around Terry’s Bar.
A-grade winners were Stuart Newton and Ash Portwine with 45 points. Runners-up were Shaun Malone and Ryder Comer on 44 points, on a countback from Grant Humbert and Simon Portwine.
B-grade winners were Adam and Ziva Shawcross with a fantastic score of 53 points, from runners-up Paul Evans and Shane Broucek on 46 points.
NTP 2nd shot 4/13- Adam Shawcross (in the hole)
NTP 7/16- Ash Portwine
NTP 8/17- Kevin Humbert
NTP 2nd shot 9/18- Ash Portwine
Longest Drive Todd Loutitt (0-15), Simon Portwine (16+), Leon Laffy (over 70’s)
Thanks to visitors from Lockington, Mitiamo, Elmore, Rich River, Heathcote and Port Arlington.
Sunday, September 14
Sunday saw a small but quality field compete in a Stableford round.
Winner of the day was Jesses Cuttriss with 33 points from runner-up David Winchcombe on 31 points.
NTP 2nd shot 4/13- Kahl Oliver
NTP 7/16- Kahl Oliver
NTP 8/17- Jesse Cuttriss
Longest Drive Jesse Cuttriss (0-15), David Winchcombe (16+).
Next week is closing day, there will be a 3-Person Ambrose, hit off from 11-12.
Rochester Golf Club
Another good field played golf at Rochester over the past week. Brendan McCarty led the Wednesday 9-hole event by winning with a solid 24 points from recently returned Greg Watkins on a countback from the unlucky David Gebbie, both on 23 Stableford points. Next best was Bruce Bryant (22), Kevin McCormack and Chris Eeles (20), President Hicks was nearest to the 3rd hole.
Louise Eeles found that if you are lucky enough to play with top-quality golf balls, your golf game should improve, according to the logo on the box. Sure enough, Eeles had one of her best days out winning last Friday's Ladies Par for a +3 on a countback from Barbara McCarty, Louise Williams -1 was next best, also taking out nearest-the-pins on 5,8 and 16 and Sam Shotton was closest to the 12th hole. Apparently, the Ladies are now encouraging Eeles to supply balls for the remainder of the season.
31 men competed in last Saturday's Stroke Monthly medal event in perfect conditions, and it was only fitting to see one of the mowing team, Brendan McCarty, once again continue his good form to win with an impressive 80 net 66 to take home the last monthly medal for this season. Brent Sweeney has seen his handicap slowly decrease to run second with a net 68. Grant Robinson (70), Troy McInness and Robert Vise (71), Mark Walsh, David Gebbie, David Fuller, Zac McInness, Shane Connelly, Frank Severino and Leigh Hicks all finished with net 72's and were unlucky not to win balls. McCarty (5), Greg Watkins (16) and Jake Wright (18) to be the nearest to the pin winners on the day.
Shane Connelly and Grant Robinson are the new 2025 Four-Ball Match Play Champions, defeating President Hicks and young up-and-coming golfer, Zac McInness. Although the final score was 4/3, this didn't reflect the tightest of the game. Mike Austin will now go on to play in the Singles Match Play grand final after defeating veteran Ap Kuiper one-up.
The course is in top condition, and the ladies are expecting a good roll up for their annual bowl day on Tuesday, another event that is sure to attract plenty of support. The club's annual MND Charity 4-person Ambrose (proudly sponsored by Rochester's Sports Power) will be played on the Friday before the AFL Grand Final, and please keep in mind the 3-person Rochester Kindergarten fundraiser is scheduled on Sunday, October 4.