“It’s the most entries we’ve had since the five-day tournament replaced the seven-day format about 20 years ago,” head professional from the Pro Shop Evan Droop told the Yarrawonga Chronicle. “Most entries were from throughout Victoria and NSW.”
Many excellent scores were recorded from visitors and locals, and all got through Wednesday’s Mixed Pinehurst unscathed, the day’s best score recorded by B Grade locals Owen Walsh and Joanne Davis who easily won with 69.875 on the Murray Course.
Club captain Stephen Buckley and wife Aileen snuck in A Grade Murray with 72.625, edging out Robert McAuslan and wife Joanne from Keysborough with 72.875.
On the Lake Course, Michael Hedger from Inverleigh Golf Club and Apollo Bay’s Stacey Thomas won A Grade Lake with 71.375 just ahead of locals Sharyn and John Wilson with 72.125.
B Grade Lake winners with a score of 72.5 were Tony Rice and Chez Edwards; Vin and Helen Slattery finished second on 74.25.
Mixed Pinehurst can be tricky event for married couples with partners putting their partners in awkward shots such as right beside a tree or right in a bush. Arguments can happen.
“I felt like hitting him over the head today with all his whinging!” Kaye Skase commented about her husband John of 56 years. “We won it in our first year and haven’t since!”
Seventeenth year tournament participant, Castlemaine’s Megan Carroll, has had two holes-in-one elsewhere and nearly made it three in Tuesday’s stableford event. Her shot on the Lake’s Par 3, 12th hole was just one-foot away.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort President Laurie Bridgeman welcomed the near 100 diners last Wednesday night which included many visitors returning for the big tournament and loving our sunny weather.
For the benefit of visitors, the president outlined changes at the club resort which have occurred since last year. These included the two new three-bedroom, three-bathroom villas with the best views of the golf course, resurfacing of the upper car park, the undercover hitting bays on the driving range and the new, 19 th hole meaning 46 holes overall.
Mr Bridgeman expressed special thanks to course superintendent Chris Burgess and head professional Evan Droop, and their teams, for having the Lake and Murray Courses in tip top condition and organising the large fields; staff for their hospitality.
“I also thank our entertainer Jade Camden who is always popular at these tournaments,” the president said. Such was the case last Wednesday, with Jade playing to a packed dance floor.