Rochester Bowls Club
Friday Bowls – August 1
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The winners were Anton Gusak and Denise Gilmore, with runners-up Kaye Barker and Allan Benson.
Drawn Triples to be played on Friday, August 8at 1pm.
Cost is $7 per player, names on the list by noon.
Indoor Bowls
On Monday, July 28, once again, two teams managed to win both of their games.
The winners, by one point, were Anton Gusak, Alan Williams and Helen Moroney.
The close runners-up were Graham Prince and Bert Smolenaars.
Coaching/Skills Session
Marg Knight is offering weekly bowls coaching 10am – noon, commencing this Thursday, August 7.
Bowls are not necessary, with club bowls available for use.
Contact Marg – 0407 093 848.
Leigh Milgate will continue to offer skills sessions at the same time
Season Opening
The opening of the 2025-26 bowls season will take place on September 5, beginning at 4pm.
Hot Water Unit
After much investigation by electricians, the board decided to replace the faulty unit with a new one.
Thanks to Alan Williams for obtaining and installing a suitable replacement.
Bar Roster
A new roster has been drawn up for the 2025-26 season.
Thank you to the many members who said, ‘yes’ when asked if they would like to be included on the roster.
Due to the generosity of many of our club members, this means that each volunteer is only rostered on three times throughout the year.
Hard copies are available in the club foyer.
Tournaments
Please note that the club has several tournaments planned within the coming months.
Tournaments require much organisation and the participation of all club members to make them successful.
If you are able to assist in any way, reach out to members of the tournament committees.
Bar Duty
Monday – Friday 5 – 6.30pm
4 – 8 August: T. Quinlan and R. Feuk.
11 – 15 August: P. Stack and B. Godden.
18 – 22 August: A. Williams and A. Gusak.
Lockington Bowls Club
The club members have been displaying promising pre-season pennant form as they enjoy the excellent conditions on offer, good greens and fine weather.
At Wednesday Scrounge, Steve Peter showed the way on rink one, winning with a majestic 51 points to narrowly beat John van den Bosch on 48 points.
Leon Laffy was next best on 24 while John Andrea tried out the new arm to tally 16 points.
Rink two belonged to Owen ‘Smiley’ McPhee, amassing 42 points to edge out Pos Andrea on 39 points.
Saturday Scrounge brought out the sunshine and the stars to shine.
Five rinks were in operation to accommodate the large number in attendance.
The top score on the day was a magnificent 65 points contributed by Neil Haines to cover the prowess of Pos Andrea 41 and Anthony Westwood on 33 points.
Runnymede visitor Ashley Dobell earned back-to-back victories after a tally of 53 points to lead Steve Pavone on 45 and Steve Peter 44 points.
Left-handed Frank Chugg delighted the crowd with some awesome bowling to score 58 points and keep Anthony Westwood 47 and Rod Fiedler 34 at bay.
Next door, club secretary Leanne McInnes scored a victory with 38 points, closely challenged by Owen McPhee 36, Russell Shawcross 35 and Natlie McLaughlin on 28 points.
Club president John van den Bosch chalked up another win with a tally of 55 points, with Lorraine Appleby showing fine form to score 46 points while Pat Duffy tallied 38.
On the final rink, Peter Egan was in brilliant touch to take home the chocolates after making a return to the green with 53 points, while Terrill Westwood managed 39 points and Elmore visitor Alan Black a lazy 35 points.
Bowlers feasted on the reliable Sausage Rolls and Party Pies kindly supplied by John and Pos Andrea. Thanks all round.
The club ladies had all hands on deck in the wonderful effort catering for the wake of past member Brian Watts on Tuesday.
The service and wake were well attended by family, friends and bowling mates. Condolences to the Watts family.
The club is gearing up for the forthcoming Pennant season and club tournaments.
The first tournament is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, with the Memorial 2 bowl Triples commencing at 1pm.
Rochester Golf Club
Jake Wright didn't look back at his disappointing second championship round and stormed home to shoot a wonderful 68 off the stick to easily win the Men's Championship with a final total of 216.
The next best was Shane Bywaters on 230.
Although not a particularly strong golf performance, Murray Schier held on to win B-grade; his final round of 88 (259) was enough to beat his challengers, Peter Anderson and Shane Connelly, who both struggled to put pressure on the leader, especially over the back nine.
New member Corey Windridge battled his way to take out his first C-grade Championship with scores of 92, 92 and 95, a total of 259.
The next best was Bruce Bryant.
The overall winners of the day's event were Wright, whose 68 was only one off the current course record for a net 67, and Troy McInnes on a count-back from Les Headington, both with net 70's.
Next best were Liam Keenan, Chris Trewin and young Zac McIness, all on net 72.
Nearest-the-pin winners on the day were Troy McInnes (3), Wright (9), Chris Eeles (16) and Andrew Purdy for his nice shot on 18.
Karen Taylor won the ladies' event on Friday, her 36 Stableford points enough to beat Leisa Evans on 30 points.
Evans was also nearest on the 3rd, Louise Williams on 8, and Taylor was closest to the 16th.
Our Wednesday, Men's social 9-hole crew are not sure how this happened; however, everything appears above board and checked by the RandA officials present.
Organiser Richard Feuk once again won an extensive countback over the front nine to win from a very unlucky Les Headington, both on 24 Stableford points.
Des Hocking (22) was next best, then followed Alex McQuibban (21), Laurie Radley and Murray Schier, both with 20.
David Gebbie hit a nice shot to the 3rd hole, while Robert Vise was closest to the 8th.
Current lady champion Louise Williams continues to impress by winning the Central Victorian Ladies Sandgreen Championship at Maldon last Sunday in a playoff, defeating Axedales Joy Kennedy.
With this result and the number of her local championships and tournament victories, Williams has proved over the last 10 years that she can rightly claim to be one of the best lady golfers to come out of the Rochester Golf Club. Congratulations Louise.
A reminder that our annual tournament starts in two weeks' time with the Men's and Ladies 4BBB Stableford on Friday, August 15.
Note: Ladies hit off is from 9.30 while the men start at 10.30.
This format has proved popular, so make sure you have your partners and teams ready for the appropriate time (see advertisement in this week's Campaspe News and Riverine Herald).
Lockington Golf Club
August 1 – Stroke
Glorious weather greeted the biggest field in several weeks.
Player of the Day was Jenny Holt with a terrific round of 98-29-69, just ahead of Phyll Macfarlane (112-41-71).
Jenny Holt capped off a good day by also winning the count the putts with only 28, next best Annette Brereton and Phyll Macfarlane both with 30.
August 2 – Stableford
Wonderful weather for golfers, in stark contrast to the previous Saturday’s washout.
The Privilege Cup was up for grabs, and it went to Darren Carnie with 35 points, to make it back-to-back Privilege Cup wins for the Carnie brothers after Jeff won it in July.
Division 1 was won by Darren Carnie ahead of Kevin Humbert and Jeff Carnie, who both scored 33.
Mark Lyons won Division 2 with 32 points from JD Wright on a countback.
Handicap Matchplay Quarter Final: Jeff Carnie defeated Tom Scurrah 5 and 4.
Nearest-the-pins: 3rd – Rick Connors; 2nd shot 5th – Kevin Humbert (A), Ron Dixon (B); 2nd shot 18th for the 6-pack smack – Ash Portwine.
Spike’s Longest Drive on the 14th, sponsored by Hot ‘n’ Cold Plumbing – Stuart Newton (A), Darren Carnie (B), Tom Scurrah (C).
Ron Dixon’s radar was working a treat with another great shot to win the 12 balls in the O’Connors Case Eagles Nest on the 3rd.
It’s the second time he’s won it this year, and remarkably, he’s the only golfer in the club to have won it this season so far.
Captain Grant’s yardstick prize on the 16th continues to defy golfers, however, and has jackpotted to $128.50.
Six Locky golfers travelled to Rushworth on Friday to play in their Annual Tournament fourball.
Simon Portwine and Darren Carnie were the best with a score of 39 points to finish in 4th place.
Their round was highlighted by a fine 25 points on the outward 9 (the other 9 wasn’t quite so good).
August 3 – Kelly Shield
Ten Locky golfers travelled to Pyramid Hill to compete for the Kelly Shield, but it was the home side that won both the men’s and ladies’ Shields.
The Locky ladies finished runners-up, while the men finished in 4th place.
Grant Humbert returned the day’s best scratch score of 76.
Upcoming events
Friday, August 8 – Stroke – Count the putts. Duty: Annette Brereton, Phyll Macfarlane.
Saturday, August 9 – Stroke – Monthly Medal – 5th Qualifying Round Gartside Cup (last chance to qualify). Duty: Trav Mancer, JD Wright.
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