Local golfers had the opportunity to play with legends of the Australian Seniors tour when Deniliquin Golf Club hosted its 2024 Pro-Am tournament on Tuesday.
While the professionals played for a $12,500 purse in their stroke event, the amateurs enjoyed a more relaxing three-person ambrose competition.
As highlighted by the visiting professionals, the course was in outstanding condition. There was high praise for the efforts of greenkeeper Terry Howe and his team.
Winners were Mark Ritche, John Henderson and Jim Hermiston, from runners-up Vince Kelly, Brendan Kelly and Paul Ranson.
A report on the Legends Pro-Am is on page 20.
It has been a very busy week on the course, with lots of golf in superb spring conditions.
Last Friday evening more than 90 golfers participated in a nine-hole fundraiser, raising money for Vince Kelly’s participation in the Tour de Cure and supporting the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.
More than $4600 was raised from the golf, silent auction and novelty events.
The ambrose event was won by Karen Druitt, Jill Barnett, Colleen Henderson and Wendy McKindlay; runners-up were Shelby Taggert, Andrew McCurdy, Brad Chaplin and Meg Chaplin, and third place was Matt Thomas, Rob Marett, Bella Gubbins and George Gubbins.
Following its success, there could be more Friday twilight events.
There was also plenty of other golfing action over the past week.
Last Thursday was stroke, won by Marg Radeski with net 68 from runner-up Coral Maher 69.
The Radeski family kept up the winning form when captain John Radeski scored 39 points to win Saturday's stableford event, from runner-up Peter Joice 38.
B-grade winner was Mark Thomas 39 from runner-up Norm Purtill 38, and C-grade Colleen Henderson 38 on countback to Ali Ferguson.
On Wednesday Dave Maraldo continued his good form to win A-grade with 42 points from runner-up Phil Hodgkinson 37, and B-grade winner was Graham Gardiner 39 from runner-up Peter Seely 38.
Coming up we have a stroke event tomorrow for monthly medals.
Sunday is the Deniliquin High School’s ‘Face the Tee’, a four-person ambrose with 11am assembly for 11.30am shotgun start.
Entry fee of $30 includes a barbecue lunch. A feature of the day will be the ‘Ball Drop’ for a chance to win $1000.
Next Tuesday is nine hole stableford, Wednesday the usual stableford event, Thursday is stroke and next Saturday is stableford.
Friday Night Fun continues this evening with happy hour from 6pm to 7pm, raffle tickets on sale from 6pm and quality meals available at a reasonable price.
Last week’s results:
Thursday, October 24, stroke:
M Radeski 68, r/u C Maher 69.
Ball comp: P Davis, L Brant, R Lawrence, K Leetham, P Grant, A Ferguson, c/o 75.
NTP: 9th L Brant. Golden hole S Simpson.
Friday October 25, 9 hole Tour de Cure ambrose:
Winners K Druitt, J Barnett, C Henderson and W McKindlay; r/u S Taggert, A McCurdy, B Chaplin and M Chaplin; 3rd Matt Thomas, R Marett, B Gubbins and G Gubbins.
NTP: 5th D Baker (non-handicap) and M Aitken (handicap); 9th G Rothwell, B Gubbins; 11th T Campbell, S Atley. Longest putt: 3rd V Brunker, 18th P Milward.
Saturday, October 26, single stableford:
A-grade J Radeski 39, r/u P Joice 38; B-grade Mark Thomas 39, r/u N Purtill 38; C-grade C Henderson 38, c/b A Ferguson 38.
Ball comp: K Keane, V Kelly, R Phillips, B Bourke, C Thompson, A Jenkin, L Campbell, A Gorsuch, J Henderson, G Willoughby, D Wade, G Stephens, Warren Bull, K Druitt, R Armytage, R Campbell, G Rodda, L Chappell, c/o 33.
NTP: 2nd V Kelly, Warren Bull; 5th G Maddison, C Henderson; 9th L Chappell, J Henderson; 11th G Rodda, J Henderson; 13th V Kelly, R Campbell. Golden hole C Henderson.
Tuesday, October 29, 3-person ambrose in conjunction with Seniors Pro-Am:
Winners M Ritchie, J Henderson, J Hermiston 58.1; r/u V Kelly, B Kelly, P Ranson 59.1.
Ball comp: M Coombs, C Drummond, D Payne; G Baker, J Penna, G Corboy; P Thompson, S Thompson, T Bult; N Boswell, T Howe, N Swainger; L Chappell, S Cowley, L Knuckey; Matt Thomas, J Poka jnr, T Grant, c/b 62.
Wednesday, October 30, single stableford:
A-grade D Maraldo 42, r/u P Hodgkinson 37; B-grade G Gardiner 39, r/u P Seely 38.
Ball comp: F Milward, A Erickson, G Bessell, G Collins, T Maw, P Gatacre, L Chappell, K Maher, T Kew, P Astill, F Conallin, R Landy, D Barling, I Campbell, R Begg, P Joice, c/o 34.
NTP: 9th Matt Thomas, D Barling. Golden hole R Begg.