Ross McFarlane Barwon Valley won his second State Veteran Title at Port Fairy with two rounds of 78 winning from Ken McNamara by 2 shots.

In other events played in conjunction with the Championship Robert Grant Devil Bend had the best nett score over 36 holes of 146. Division 1 Stableford was won by Brian Farly Traralgon with 42 points and Division 2 by George Locke Morwell with 41 points.

On Day 1 the four Ball was won by Des Campbell and Earl Lansdown with 46 points.

By George Thorne

Each Association District may enter two teams of three players in the event, with the total of the three players stableford scores to count over the two days. One hundred and six players from eighteen of the twenty-one districts of the Association, assembled at the Castlemaine Golf Club on Monday the 12th and Tuesday the 13th of September, to compete for the honour of taking the Teams Trophy back to their district.

The golf course was in excellent condition, a credit to the curator and the many members who donate their time to assist him throughout the year. The meals and the hospitality, supplied in the club house by the Castlemaine members was enjoyed and appreciated by all who attended the event over the two days.

Teams Event Winners: were Paul Campbell, Stewart Ley and Ian Shelton from Melbourne 2 team with a total of 217 stableford points from Glenelg 2, 210 points, West Gippsland 1 and North Eastern 1 with 208 points.

Winner of the thirty six holes individual event,was Ian Shelton with 80 points representing Melbourne 2.

Individual day one winner was John Hutchison with 41 points from Eastern Suburbs 1, on a C/B from Kevin Steart from Ballarat 2.

Individual day two winner was Alan Bellamy from Mornington with 41 points.

On the Monday a large number of the ladies attending the event, took the opportunity to travel to the Bendigo Art Gallery, to view the White Wedding Dress exhibition, featuring 200 years of wedding fashions, which they all enjoyed.

Ladies golf event at Castlemaine was won by Fay Moulton 37 points from Kaye Gibblet on 36.

By George Thorne

The Kara Kara District staged a most successful event for the seventy six players from all over Victoria. The condition of the golf course was a credit to members who volunteered their time to prepare the course and for providing the hospitality that was extended to the players and their partners.

The continuing light rain during Monday and heavy rain over night was reflected in the scores of the championships.

After the eighteen holes two players were tied for the Championship on 80, Peter Kelly from Donald and the defending 2010 Champion Bill Black (left) from Rutherglen, Bill went on to win the 2011 Championship at the first playoff hole.

The Alf Jones Memorial Trophy for players over seventy was won by Con Jenkins from Jeparit with 89/25/65.

Other results:
Div 1 winner: N. Latter 70 net. R/up C. Vearing 71 net c/b.

Div 2 winner: R. Sewell 70 net. R/up I. O'Shea 71 net c/b.

Div 3 winner: C. Jenkins 65 net. R/up J. Dwyer 69 net c/b.

With scores of 74 and 75 149 Richard Haddrick Glenelg Secretary and Jeff Klar Treasurer won the VVGA Four Ball Championship on the lovely Heywood Golf Course. This was an excellent score in wet conditions.

Evergreen Veteran Kevin “B” Wilson (15) and partner John Addicoat (21) had the remarkable score of nett 120 comprising of two 60’s to easily win the best Nett. The tournament was a great success and a credit to the Heywood Club and energetic members.

Chris Elliott from Eastern Golf Club won the coveted Cranbourne Golf Club Cup with a fine score of 76 edging out Victoria Golf Club veteran and two times winner of the event Bill Simpson by one stroke. It was Elliotts first success in the prestige tournament conducted by the Cranbourne Club for the past 27 years. Veteran golfers are very grateful to the Club for its ongoing support.

A grade nett was won by Ian Tait Kingswood off 11 with nett 67. B grade by Bob Tschudin Box Hill 14 with nett 66 and C grade by Bruce Faulkner 20 with 71 nett.

Below (left - right): Ian Tait, Bob Tschudin, Bruce Faulkiner.

Wangaratta Golf Club hosted the 28th VVGA State Championship on October 4th and 5th 2011.The 36 hole stroke Championship was won by Clifton Springs golfer Ross McFarlane for the second time. Ross with a great score of 153 won from 2009 winner Ken McNamara on 161.

Events conducted in conjunction with the championship were a four ball on Day 1 and single stableford on Day 2. The scoring was the highlight of the tournament and it seemed appropriate that the event was played in Ned Kelly country. Seriously there were some outstanding rounds played first the 4 ball which was won by Phil Chapman and John Richardson South Gippsland with 49 points on a count back from Kevin Hall and Darryl Shields from Traralgon. 46points was the ball cut off. As if this was not enough the round of the year was played by evergreen Yarram golfer Merv Zapelli who amassed a cricket score in the Div 2 stableford of 47 points . Keeping the Traralgon flag flying was the mercurial Barry Muir with 45 points to win Div 1 Stableford.

The 22nd Annual Veteran teams Championship was played at the fabulous Yarram Golf Course on September 13 and 14 September. Each of the 21 Districts in Victoria may enter two teams of 3 players and the winning team is the one with the best aggregate score over 36 holes of stableford play.

West Gippsland No 1 represented by Traralgon veterans Kevin O’Brien, Kel and Brian Jones with a great score of 216 won from East Gippsland on 207 thus retaining their title.

The best 36 hole individual score came from Yarram golfer Ken Morris with 83 points and on Day one Kevin Green from Mallacoota won with 38 . Kevin O’Brien was a great help to his winning team with 43 points.to win the Day 2 prize.

The Veterans voted the event as one of the finest ever staged in the past 27 years and it must be said that the real winner of the event was the Yarram Golf Course, a real gem and a credit to the wonderful voluntary workers who maintain the course and the clubhouse. This combined with the efficient operation led by President David Phelan Captain Danny Dwyer and Secretary and Tournament Director Chris McCallum greatly assisted by Lois Gronow behind the scenes ensured the tournament was a great success. The wonderful Yarram ladies spoilt the Veterans who were most appreciative of the tender loving care great food and drink.

Yarram Golf Club celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2009 and to acknowledge the many pioneers who have made the course what it is today a book was published recounting the history of the club.

Some of the quotes from the book are highlighted in this article. “It takes a lot of effort to start a golf club and a lot of people over the period of 100 years to keep it going and to improve it.”

In 1927 after moving the course from property to property over the past 18 years the club finally sought a new venue in its own right. The club leased a parcel of 108 acres of Government bush for five pounds. The new course was opened for play on June 18th 1932 with 10 holes in play.

In 1935 an 18 hole course was laid out by Augustus Jackson. In 1952 the club purchased the Crown Land outright for 27 pounds. What a great purchase 108 acres of natural, virgin bush on a deep belt of undulating sand with amazing orchids and other wildflowers adding colour among the banksias and other native trees.

“It is a tribute to successive managements that this is still largely the case and Yarram Golf course has a beauty other clubs can only dream about”.

The veterans who took part in this event thoroughly endorse these remarks and most were so impressed they will return to Yarram.

Photos from the event:
Top row: Kevin O,Brien Kevin Green Ken Morris (left), Captain Danny Dwyer and President David Phelan (right) Second row: Kevin O.Brian Kel Jones Brian Jones (left), Lois Gronow (right)
Bottom row: The group.

The Victorian Veteran Golfers Association conducted the 23rd annual Sandscrape Championship at the Bandiana Army Golf Course on August 16th and 17th. A warm up day on Day 1 was delayed by torrential rain that left the course extremely wet and subsequently it played very long.

Fortunately the event was played in fine conditions but with length cut considerably the only player to beak 80 was Bill Black with a fine 78 winning from John Arthur 81. Dave Alger with a magnificent nett 62 won the Alfred Jones trophy for players 70 and over and also the B grade nett on a count back from the unfortunate Geoff O’Brien.

A grade nett was won by Greg Cunningham (Bandiana) with nett 68 on count back from Brian Holcombe (Eaglehawk).

Above: A view of the picturesque Army course at Bandiana from the clubhouse.

Below left: Dave Alger. Below right: Bill Black.

Glenelg District Secretary Richard Haddrick won his first Veteran Country Championship in a narrow victory from the 2009 Champion Ross McFarlane by one stroke . His hole in one on the 15th with a brilliant 6 iron was the shot of the tournament.

Haddrick, McFarlane Berg and Elliot were on 77 after the first round with Cameron and Wight on 78. A 75 to McFarlane 76 in round 2 gave Haddrick the title, the others could not keep up the momentum.

Ron Elliot won the Division 1 nett with 135and Laurie Leydon the Division 2 nett with 137.

Next year the event will be played at Neangar Park on May 2 and 3.

Long term loyal Veteran supporter genial Jimmy Alexander returned after a serious illness and to the delight of Jim and all Veterans won the Section 2 Stableford event with an amazing 43 points. We all wish Jim a return to good health and to share many more VVGA events with us.

A brilliant 45 points from Cobden golfer Brian Grenfell another long term loyal veteran was well received. Brian shot a 4 over 76 in a great exhibition of chipping and putting.

Right: Jim Alexander.
Far right: Brian Grenfell

The 36 hole event was conducted under the auspices of the Corangamite Distict by the Warrnambool Golf Club on 22nd and 23rd March 2010.

With a three under par score of 141 Kevin Johnson and Mick Ray won by 6 strokes from the 2008 and 2009 winners Richard Froebel and Peter Bywaters .This was a remarkable effort as the course whilst in great condition was at its maximum length.

Alan Jubb (19) and Don McDonald (15) with a fine 128 recorded the best nett score. A great effort from past champion Bernie Klein (9) playing with his nephew Kevin Robinson (10) of 130 won the Division 1 nett section. See the story in Country news.

Tournament Director Don Nicholls assisted by his wife Margaret ensured all participants were greeted warmly.

Ian (Lefty) Wright represented the Warrnambool Club and hosted the social events and the major sponsors WHK accounting and financial services represented by Bruce Roberts Chief Executive. Warrnambool City was represented by Councillor Rob Askew. Rob and Bruce assisted at the presentations.

Warrnambool club provided a fine meal on the Monday evening and entertainment by locals Dennis O’Keefe and Dennis Tabman was greatly enjoyed by the audience.

PHOTO GALLERY

Top left: Alan Jubb and Don McDonald. Top right: Rob Askew, Mick Ray, Kevin Johnson and Bruce Roberts.
Bottom left: Entertainers Dennis O’Keefe and Dennis Tabman. Bottom right: Margaret and Don Nicholls.