Lockington Bowls Club
Bowlers are enjoying the best of pleasant conditions on the greens at Lockington.
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Fine weather and ideal playing surfaces all add up to a perfect day for bowls.
This was the case last Wednesday when a quality field of high standard bowlers competed in the final game of the three-week series of the soup and pie two-bowl triples.
64 players from local district clubs including Echuca, Elmore, Ky Valley View, Lockington, Moama, Rochester, and Serpentine.
At the completion of the three games, there were three teams undefeated.
On a wins and shots up basis to decide the winners and place getters, a strong Moama trio accepted the trophies comprising Peter Whitlock, Clyde Barrow, Russell Kelly (s), scoring three wins +26 shots ahead of the star-studded Lockington team of Peter "Eggsy" Egan, Ray Hanson, and Jeff Carnie (s), three wins +20 shots.
Third place went to the Lockington/Rich River trio starring Terrill Westwood, Cheryl Cargill, and Pos Andrea (s), three wins +12 shots. Well done.
The best winning score in the last game was collected by the Ky Valley View/Echuca trio of Graeme Topp, Colin Delamere (Echuca), and Tim Buktwo (s), +17 shots.
Special draw for positions: Lead - Kevin Bursill, third - Owen "Smiley" McPhee, and skipper - Ken Burns.
The club thanked all members and bowlers for supporting the series and paid special acknowledgement to Brian Kinnane and Shane Felmingham for the great effort in proposing and organising a successful series, and Cindy Felmingham, Pos Andrea, Margaret Dowie, and Max McInnes for the operation in the kitchen.
Several members attended to the greens; bar operator, Shane Felmingham, and plenty of help around the club.
It is hoped that a similar competition involving other clubs will join in to make it a round-robin series that may be in operation for the next season of bowls.
The club thanked the sponsors: Foodworks - Lockington, O'Connors - Case from Sturt Street, Echuca, and Auto-Barn (Echuca) for supporting the three-week series. Please support our sponsors.
The members enjoyed a Saturday roll for a scrounge game.
The individual rink winners included Phillip Cunnington, an overall game high 79 points on rink one.
Next door, John Fisher collected the chocolates with 57 points, while club champion Leanne McInnes scored a healthy 72 points to win rink three.
Mel Freeman and Cindy Felmingham competed in the state novice championships held in the Shepparton district last week.
The pair played the open pairs at Tallygaroopna and Cindy played the singles at East Shepparton. Results are in the mail.
The club is holding their annual general meeting this week.
Rochester Golf Club
Last Wednesday's 9-hole Stableford event was played over the back nine.
Greg Watkins finally found some good form to win with 20 points on a countback from Steve Harris; Kevin MacCormack and Les Hedington were next best on 19 Stableford points. Harris also won nearest the pin for his nice shot to the 12th hole.
Louise Eeles showed her true form by winning last Friday's ladies Stableford event by scoring a handicap breaking 47 points.
Way back in the pack was Louise Williams with 35 points on a countback from Julie Leahy.
Nearest the pin winners were Leisa Evans (three), Leahy (eight), and Williamson (five and 16).
On Saturday, the men played par in pleasant Autumn weather.
Neil Coghill had a day out, winning with a great score of +5 against par, closely followed by Chris Trewin on a countback from Brendan McCarty, both on +4.
Ball winners were Brent Sweeney +2, new member Andrew Cassin, Jason Cartlidge, Darcy Taylor, Steve Bubb, Andy Purdy, and Chris Eeles, all on +1.
Mike Austin was nearest to the pin on the third, while Purdy cleaned up for his shots to eight (hitting the flag), nine, and 18.
However, the biggest cheer went to Tim Quinlan, as his horse was placed in a big Gold Coast race after he shouted the bar.
Our annual Autumn tournament starts this Thursday (Ladies 4-ball), Friday (Men’s 4-ball), Saturday (2-person Ambrose), and the 2026 open championship over 18 holes on Sunday.
Lockington Golf Club
The Lockington Golf Club celebrated its centenary on Saturday with a wonderful day of golf, reminiscing, and good company.
Blessed with good weather, golfers hit off at 11am, playing a 4-person Ambrose.
As the day progressed, a number of past players, friends, and families gathered at the clubhouse, sharing good memories and catching up with people not seen for ages.
By the time all the golfers were in, the clubhouse was bursting at the seams with more than 100 people enjoying lots of laughs and fond memories as they looked at the photo slide show and memorabilia collected for the day.
MC Ian Maddison then conducted the event’s formalities with the assistance of presidents Trav Mancer and Jenny Holt.
Golf Australia representative Jayne Smith congratulated the club on this special milestone, acknowledging the efforts of volunteers to keep small country clubs going.
Ian then spoke about the club’s history, with the club having had four different locations over the 100 years: Joyce’s property west of the railway station, then around the Lockington Rec Reserve, then Hendersons at Kotta (the clubhouse there is still standing), and finally at the club’s current home on Middleton Road.
To acknowledge the day, a tree was then planted at the back of the 14th scrape by life members Don Muhleisen and Des Pentreath, and former president John Hewlett.
The crowd then enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea before the birthday cake was cut by life member Mona Hewlett, with assistance from Marg Clee and Marg Knight, 1984 ladies’ president and champion, respectively.
A big thank you to the day’s sponsors: Community Bank (Elmore, Lockington and Rochester), Campaspe Shire, Nichol Trading, Simplot, Saputo, and the Lockington Foodworks Supermarket, their support so very important in making this special day such a great success.
A field of 64 golfers contested the 4-person Ambrose event, with visitors from Shepparton, Bamawm, Rich River, Rochester, Mitiamo, Healesville, Murray Downs, Bendigo, Neangar Park, and Charlton.
The winners of the mixed teams event, with the best nett score of the day were the McMinn siblings – Dianne (Shepparton), Ian (Healesville), and Roger (Bendigo) – who teamed up with local Gary Milligan to finish with the super score of 62-8.125-5-53.875.
In a close finish, they were just half a shot in front of the runners up, Fiona and Stuart Newton and Jenny and Steve Holt, who returned the great score of 66-11.625-54.375.
The men’s event was won by Trav Mancer, Rob Hardess, Will Hardess, and Matt Baulch with a terrific 65-10.125-54.875.
Runners up were Simon Portwine, Grant Humbert, Terry Thomas, and past member Aaron Kirchhofer, who combined well to finish with 62-5.875-56.125.
In a day of great scoring, the next best scores were: 56.125 – Ray and Annette Brereton, Wal Portwine (Rich River), and Jan Clymo; 56.25 – Pauline and Kevin Humbert and Sue and Andrew Harris; 57 – Ian Maddison, Neil Maddison, Lyn Kingston (Rich River), and Cath Kelly (Rich River); 57 – the Bamawm team of Todd Louttit, Neville Vicary, Leon Laffy, and Frank Coonerty.
Nearest the pins: Third – Jenny Holt, Lee Hicks (Rochester); seventh– Cath Kelly, Tony Shawcross; 16th – Lois Carnie (Murray Downs), Will Hardess; 17th– Annette Brereton, Ray Brereton; second shot 18th – Dianne McMinn.
Long drive – Jayne Smith (Neangar Park); Grant Humbert (A), Rob Hardess (B).
Upcoming events
Friday, May 15 – Stroke, count the putts. Duty: Jenny Holt, Fiona Newton.
Saturday, May 16 – Stroke, super Saturday, Gartside Cup first qualifying round, qualifying round handicap matchplay championships, Privilege Cup, monthly medal. Duty: Ian Maddison, Jason Wakefield.
2026 annual tournament events
Thursday, May 21 – Ladies 4BBB (assembly at 9.30am, hit off at 10am).
Friday, May 22 – Men’s 4BBB (hit off at 10.30am – 12pm).
Saturday, May 23 – Mixed American (hit off at 11am – 12pm).
Sunday, May 24 – Men’s 36 Holes Stroke Open Championship (hit off from 7.20am).
Bookings to Grant Humbert on 0428 106 132.