Rochester and district sports notes

Extra thanks to Matt Wallis, our greens keeper, for ensuring that two greens were rolled in the event that they were both needed.

Thanks also to our four organisers who have kindly offered to organise this event each Friday during the winter months: Alan Williams, Janis Tamburini, Kaye Barker, and Dave Murray. Their time and talents are much appreciated.

Friday’s format of two games of eight ends, 2x4x2, was taken out by John Weeks and Kevin Hall with the most shots up.

There were three teams who managed to win both games.

Please note that:

Please note that all entries need to be entered on the sheet in the foyer, no later than 12pm on the day of play, ensuring that the organisers have sufficient time to organise the teams and format.

If you are unable to get in to the clubhouse, give one of the organisers a ring or get a member to pop your name down.

All contact details are recorded in our club diary given out at the beginning of the season.

Fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us again next Friday, May 22.

Social bowls

On Friday, May 8, 12 bowlers enjoyed the last day of social bowls for the season.

Four teams of three bowlers played two games against one another, with the eventual winners being Kyle Williams, Gavin Houlihan, and Bert Smolenaars.

Kyle and Gav aren’t usually on the greens on a Friday morning so it was certainly their lucky day.

A huge thank you to the ladies match committee, consisting of Joan Limbrick, Roz Keech, Glenda Bancell, and Bev Hetherington, who have been in attendance at the club office each Friday morning to organise the match play for our bowlers.

Each of these ladies has made a wonderful contribution to the club and their efforts are very much appreciated.

Farewell the Moons

At the recent presentation evening, with so many members in attendance, it was only fitting that we take the opportunity to present a gift and farewell two long standing members – Hedley and Lyn Moon.

Both members have made a significant contribution to the Rochester Bowls Club and the wider community in the time that they have lived in Rochester.

They will be sorely missed as they leave the district and set up home in Shepparton, closer to family. We sincerely wish them well.

Funeral memorial

Thank you to those who set up the dining room and to Graham Willis for running the bar.

A service like this is not only valuable to the community but also a significant financial income for the club.

Indoor bowls

Our first night of indoor bowls for the season was held on Monday, May 18, at 7pm.

Cost is $6 for members. If you require any further information please contact either Judy Murray or Kathy Williams.

Weekend and midweek pennant 2026-27

There are two sheets in the foyer for those who are wishing to play in the upcoming season.

If you plan to play, please put your name down so that selectors have an idea of how many divisions we can enter.

AGM

This meeting is being held on Monday, May 25 at 7pm.

Bar duty

Monday – Thursday 5 – 6.30 pm

18 — 21 May: L. Milgate and R. Feuk.

25 — 28 May: B. Coghill and K. McCormack.

1 — 4 June: G. Willis and A. Gusak.

A new bar roster will be completed within the coming month — if your circumstances have changed and you wish to be withdrawn from the roster or you would like to be added, please contact Alan Williams on 0417 109 998.

Lockington Bowls Club

Well, another week of brilliant sunshine and ideal conditions for bowlers to enjoy our great game.

On Monday evening the club held their annual general meeting with good numbers in attendance.

Club president John van den Bosch welcomed all members and invited Neil Haines to take the chair for the Election of Office-Bearers.

President — John van den Bosch, vice president — Margaret Dowie, junior vice president — Rod Fiedler, secretary — Leanne McInnes, treasurer — Cindy Felmingham, press correspondent — Chris Stewart and auditor — Peter Holman.

The position of tournament is open.

The club president gave his annual report thanking all members for their contribution during the past season.

Cindy Felmingham presented an excellent treasurers report showing the results of a very good year for the club.

Committee: L. McInnes, J. van den Bosch, P. Cunnington, S. Felmingham, K. Maddison, M. Dowie, C. Felmingham, T. Westwood, N. Haines, M. Freeman, D. Gilmore, R. Fiedler, K. Ray, L. Brereton, and L. Appleby.

On Saturday, members played a game of scrounge with three rinks in operation.

Rink one, Phillip Cunnington, won, scoring a healthy 45 points ahead of Frank Chugg, 27, closely followed by Cindy Felmingham, 26.

Rink two belonged to John van den Bosch with a classic 60 points to shade Owen McPhee on 43. Ray Hanson brought up the rear on 37.

It was a very close cliffhanger on the final rink, with only six points separating the three bowlers.

Jim Harris won the chocolates on 47 points ahead of Nat McLaughlin, 43, and Ashley Dobell on 41. A fine day for bowls.

During the season of bowls, the club entertained several new bowlers to the popular barefoot bowls on a Tuesday evening.

At the close of the series several bowlers stood head and shoulders above the main pack.

The most successful included Jayden D Wright, Ashley Dobell, Jason King, Rod Fiedler, Steve Pavone, Steve McKee, and Peter Eade.

The club thanks all bowlers for making the series such a success. The many helpers in the kitchen, cooks, and bar persons.

There will be social bowls/scrounge on a Wednesday and Saturday afternoon throughout the winter recess. Starting times are 1pm assembly for a 1.30pm start.

Congratulations to Cindy Felmingham and Mel Freeman, who last week competed in the Victorian novice singles titles.

Cindy made it to the top eight and Mel to the top 32. This was a great achievement for our girls.

Rochester Golf Club

Our 2026 annual tournament commenced with the ladies playing a 4BBB Stableford event last Thursday.

With the course in excellent condition, we witnessed some of the highest Stableford scores ever recorded since moving to the new course in 1983.

With three teams on 49 points, and others mid to high 40s, all players complemented the ground staff on their hard work over the last few months.

After an extensive count-back, sisters Louise Williams and Karen Ballantyne were declared the winners from the unlucky pairing of Debbie Bish and Lynley Strauchan, and Louise Eeles and Fiona Newton, all on 49 points.

Next best and ball winners were Barb McCarty and Jenny Holt (45), Rich River’s Heather Gunsone and Lesley Gray, Julie Leahy and Kerry McLoughlan, and Joy Kennedy and Maureen Connelly, all on 43 points.

Nearest the pin winners were Bernice Campbell (five), Louise Williams (eight), Lynely Strachan (12), and Karen Ballantyne on 16.

Chris Kelly hit the straightest drive down the 10th fairway, while Marcia Spiers won for her long drive on the 15th fairway.

Fridays men's 4BBB saw another good field, with high scoring again a feature of the day's play.

Elmore's Greg Holmberg and Rod Whittle were declared the division one winners on 45 points from the Lockington pairing of Steve Holt and Stuart Newton (44).

The local team of Brendan McCarty and Mike Austin shot a very impressive 48 points to win division two easily.

Vice captain Neil Coghill paired with Lockington's Simon Portwine to run second on a count-back from the following teams, who all scored 45 Stableford points: Dale Anderson (Mitiamo), Mark Hamley (Charlton), Axedale's Russell Anderson and Mick Purdon, Rochester's Les Hedington and Chris Trewin, and Brent Sweeney and Troy McInness.

Greg Holmberg was closest to the pin on three, Neil Coghill (five), Liam Kennan (eight), visitor Ross Stevens (12), and Brent Sweeney on 16.

John Kennedy was straightest down the 10th with big-hitting Bamawm's Todd Louttit, who hit a massive drive down the 15th, which won A-grade, while Nathan Joyner hit the longest in B-grade.

In perfect autumn weather, another good field played in Saturday's two-person Ambrose event.

President Leigh Hicks, paired with his young nephew Cory Windridge, won with the best gross score, shooting two under 69.

Handicap winners were Chris Eeles and Shane Connelly, 70 net 63, while Friday's winning pair of Brendan McCarty and Mike Austin were runners up on 64.25.

The following teams were the next best and won balls: Todd Louttit and Matt Hoare, the husband and wife team of Paul and Leisa Evans, sisters-in-law Louise Williams and Barb McCarty, Troy McInness and Grant Robinson, and Zac McInness and Darcy Pump.

Nice to see Winnie Lavery winning for her shot on the fifth, Shane Bywaters was closest to the eighth and president Leigh Hicks was the other nearest the pin winner for his shot on the 16th.

Louise Williams won the ladies' straightest drive on the 10th fairway, while Peter Anderson wasn't the longest; at least it was the closest to the line for the men's winner.

Leisa Evans hit a great drive down the 15th to easily win the ladies' longest drive; once again, Tod Louttitt won the men's event.

"Rain, rain, go away, come back another day."

Even Monday would have been fine, such is the way of playing outdoor sports.

Although everyone needed the much-anticipated rain, including all the country golf courses and our farming friends, but unfortunately, the inclement weather caused the committee to postpone our open championship last Sunday to a new date in the near future.

However, all events were up on previous years, and with these nice rains, the course will be in excellent condition for the rest of the 2026 season.

Lockington Golf Club

May 15 — Stroke

The ladies played the first round of their club championships (nett), with the day’s best score of 98-28-70 returned by Jenny Holt, who won the Lockington Foodworks player of the day voucher.

In a competitive finish, Sue Harris was next best with nett 71, followed by Annette Brereton (72).

Sue Harris was in sparkling form with the putter with the day’s best of only 27 putts, ahead of Fiona Newton and Sally Edwards, who both had 31.

May 16 — Stroke

Tom Scurrah had a day out with a super score of 90-27-63 to sweep the pool, winning the Privilege Cup, monthly medal, the Lockington Foodworks player of the day voucher, and division two honours, and capped it off by winning the 12 balls in the Eagles Nest with a terrific shot on the third.

Next best scores were a distant five shots back — Trav Mancer and Kevin Humbert both on 68, followed by Steve Holt (69).

Best scratch scores: Division one – Grant Humbert, 71; Division two – Ray Brereton, 85.

Nearest the pins: Seventh – Kevin Humbert; Second shot on 12 – Grant Humbert (eagle), Ray Brereton; Second shot on the 18th for the six-pack smack – Grant Humbert.

Spike’s longest drive on the eighth, sponsored by Hot ‘n’ Cold Plumbing – Trav Mancer, Jeff Carnie, and Tom Scurrah (what a day!).

Gartside Cup qualifers: Tom Scurrah, Trav Mancer, and Kevin Humbert. Standby – Steve Holt.

Over the last week, Lockington golfers enjoyed the excellent conditions at Rochester’s annual tournament events.

In the ladies’ 4BBB, Fiona Newton and partner finished third on a count-back (great score of 49 points).

In the men’s 4BBB, Stuart Newton and Steve Holt were division one runners up, while Simon Portwine and Rochester partner Neil Coghill were division two runners up.

Golfers are warmly invited to the club’s 2026 annual tournament, which commences with the ladies 4BBB on Thursday, May 21 (assembly at 9.30am for 10am hit off), followed by the men’s 4BBB on Friday, May 22 (hit off at 10.30am – 12pm).

Next is the mixed American on Saturday, May 23 (hit off at 11am – 12pm), and the tournament will conclude with the men’s 36 holes stroke open championship on Sunday, May 24 (hit off from 7.20am). Bookings to Grant Humbert on 0428 106 132.

There will also be an 18 holes event in the afternoon for anyone interested.