Wayne Redaway (pictured left) from The Heritage played 13 rounds in 2011 and received votes in 9.

His total of 45 points enabled him to win the Melbourne District title of Golfer of the Year.

From left: John Heathcote with the Malcolm Macpherson Plate, Malcolm Macpherson and Wes Taylor.

HEATHCOTE WINS MELBOURNE DISTRICT VETERANS CHAMPIONSHIP

By Richard Froebel

John Heathcote from Settlers Run was the decisive winner of the 2011MDVGA Annual Championship. His solid back nine of 38 at Keysborough GC was enough to have him finish 5 shots clear of his nearest rivals Michael Taylor (Croydon) and Ralph Richards (Gisborne).

The Scratch Championship is played for the Malcolm Macpherson Plate and is conducted over two rounds at different courses. This year the magnificent Kingston Heath was used for Round 1, where the field was reduced to the top 8 plus ties.

Keysborough was presented in its usual superb condition for the final round and after a top front nine of 39 (2 over), Michael Taylor briefly took the lead by one. There was no change until the 13th where John sank a vital long putt to save his par and draw level.

The 14th hole was where John really stamped his authority on the Championship. A difficult Par 4 at the best of times, he played the perfect drive and followed it up with an approach from 150m to within 2m of the pin. His birdie putt never looked like missing and he opened up a two shot lead.

The long Par 3, 15th was the clincher with John capitalising on his advantage with a solid par to Michael’s double. With only three holes remaining and a four shot lead, John only needed to stay out of trouble. He did so and with rounds of 85 and 79 he was declared the MDVGA Champion for 2011.

In the Handicap Bowl event, Wes Taylor from Spring Valley was the deserved winner. Like the Championship, this annual event is played over 36 holes and after the first 18 at The Heath, Wes trailed by just 1 with 38 Stableford points.

David Schrieber was unable to repeat his great first round heroics but the ever reliable Membership Secretary, Bill Rhoden (36-36), Paul Davies (35-37) and Les Dickson (34-38) all gave themselves a shot at the title. In the end, Wes produced a quality 36 points to claim victory by 2 shots.

Congratulations to both winners. The Championship and Handicap Bowl events are scheduled for Commonwealth in June and Kingswood in September next year.

118 keen Melbourne veteran golfers played at Southern Golf Club on 21st November.

A grade was won by Geoff East off 10 from Sanctuary Lakes with 40 points B grade by Bill Rhoden from Woodlands off 19 with 38 and C grade by Paul Davies (22) from Long Island with 39 points.

Pictured from left: Bill Rhoden, Paul Davies and Geoff East.

Melbourne Districts Len Symons a member at Riversdale Golf Club had the pleasure of having a hole in one at the 3rd hole on his 69th Birthday.

Here he is celebrating with a new hole in one tie and the special ball.on the balcony at Riversdale.

Len is Treasurer of the Melbourne District and has been instrumental in the development of the District using his great skills from the banking industry to introduce modern technology and organization that enhances the efficiency of the District. Well done Len.

Tony Gardiner (25) and John Nicholls (36) had an amazing 51 points to win the four ball event at Latrobe Golf Club. Melbourne committeemen John Anstey (20) and Max Vine (17) from Kingswood had a great score of 47 points to be runners up.

Pictured from left: Tony Gardiner and John Nicholls, John Anstey and Max Vine

I am pleased to report that MDVGA member, Chris Elliot from Eastern GC won the overall Nett section with a great score of 212 for the three rounds.

Playing off a 9 handicap he is a regular competitor in Melbourne Vets events and opened in spectacular form with scores of 78 - 76 off the stick to lead the Nett section by 3 going into the final round. Despite his less impressive final day score of 85/76, he hung on to win by just a single shot from Paul Fink of Hidden valley.

Chris won the Cranbourne Vets Cup back in February when he fired a very solid 76 off the stick. Part of his prize was paid entry into the Senior and he used it to full advantage.

Congratulations go to Chris( pictured below with the Cranbourne Cup) on his very prestigious victory against a very high quality field.

Melbourne District conducted the 28th Annual General Meeting of the Association after golf at Cranbourne Golf Club on 19th September.

The game a four ball best ball sponsored by Parmaker was won by Gary Lyman (pictured left) 18 and Tony Poole (pictured left) 26 from Keysborough Golf club with the sensational score of 51 stableford points.

Peter Drummond pictured below qualified for Honorary Membership of the Melbourne District after completing 20 years membership .Peter was also acknowledged for his 14 years of service on the Committee . He was presented with a certificate and responded accordingly.

Melbourne District have honoured their first Life Member and founder of the District by playing for the Bill Edgar Memorial trophy each year. The event has been so well supported that it now takes place over two weeks to cater for the number of veterans who wish to participate Bill was a legend in Victorian and Australian Amateur golf and won the Commonwealth Club Championship on 19 occasions.

Commonwealth have named a room in his memory and the photo left shows Bill looking over the many people who visit and enjoy the hospitality of his room.

Below are the winners of The Bill Edgar Trophy Day 1 left; Arun Chauhan Kingswood 39 points and Day 2 Tony Poole; Keysborough 40 points.

119 Veterans played at The Hacker sponsored event at Kew on May 16thi Hacker Magazine reports on Veteran golf in each issue and the Veterans are most grateful to Garry Kennedy for his support.

RESUTS

HACKER TROPHY Geoff East ( 9) Sanctuary Lakes 40 Points

A GRADE Frank Martel (8) Northern 40 Points

B GRADE Paul Warmington (16) Rosanna 40 Points

C GRADE John Trionfi (32) Rosanna 39 Points

Below, starting from left heading clockwise, Geoff East, Frsnk Martel, John Trionfi and Paul Warmington

106 golfers braved the heat wave to play at the well presented Northern Course. Melbourne District are playing events in 3 grades this year and winners at Northern were A grade Robert Hodson 11 from Medway with 42 points B grade was won by Ewin Kilpatrick 17 from Rosanna 40 points and C grade by Bruce Ayres 22 from Heritage. Below Robert Hodson Bruce Ayres and Ewin Kilpatrick

Below (left to right): Robert Hodson, Bruce Ayres, Ewin Kilpatrick.