Replacing Brad Orr isn’t the easiest task, even among the ranks which Shepparton Golf possesses the calibre of.
That said, Kris Ferguson has stepped up and taken the helm as Golf’s new senior coach ahead of the next Goulburn Valley Playing Area Allan Matheson Shield campaign.
Ferguson has given the better part of a decade to the Golfers after first tasting a raft of success across town at Shepparton Park in the early 2010s, accomplishing more than his share as an individual to boot.
Jumping ship to Golf in 2018 heralded a burgeoning trophy cabinet, which has only further enhanced the club’s stature as one of regional Victoria’s premier bowls destinations.
No pressure, though, right?
“I’m up for the challenge and it’s a great club here,” Ferguson said.
“All the boys are on board and it’s looking good.
“I’m rapt to get the backing of the board; it’s a great honour as this has been quite a successful club for a very long time.
“It’s something new and different for me and I just hope to keep all of that going.”
This is hardly any kind of left-field choice, of course.
Always close with his predecessor, Ferguson said he was in no way surprised by the vacancy and had held discussions with Orr about the situation at Golf ahead of time.
“We knew ‘Orry’ was going for the last couple of months and that’s his decision, which nobody begrudges,” Ferguson said.
“I thought I’d have a crack once the opportunity came up.
“Once it arose, I figured that there’s no time like the present and there’s been a lot of positive feedback, which is what you want.”
Looking to future matters, there remains the difficult task of stopping competitive rival Tallygaroopna, which ran the table during the second half of last season to take the Matheson Shield in all-conquering fashion.
“We did our best on the day, but credit to Tally; they were too good then,” Ferguson said.
“We hope to regroup and go again and we’ll make some plans over the next month and go from there.
“I’m just getting my head around it all now, but if we’re able to recruit a few so be it, but if not, it gives people from the twos a chance to step up and fill those roles.
“There’s a lot of talent at the club, so things will get put into place.”