Peter Bence from Kingswood won the Cranbourne Cup with a great score of 75 from Peter Bywaters Cranbourne 77 and Royce Williams Rosanna. Peter won the A grade nett with 71 and Bill Rhoden (17) Woodlands won B grade with an outstanding score of nett 66 115 players took part and the event was well organized by Richard Froebel.

From left: Peter Bence, Peter Bywaters and Bill Rhoden.

By Malcolm Macpherson

As I was not able to play in the event I had the time to discuss the devastation of the Club due to the unbelievable fires that destroyed the club house and 15000 trees.

The President John Konings (left) was good enough to devote time to the story and here is his concise account of the fire .

“Horsham Golf Club was devastated by a bushfire on Saturday 7th February 2009 which started from a power line which touched the ground some 5 km north of HGC. The fire swept quickly across grassland and seemed to be “aimed straight at HGC” before it moved into Haven area. The fire boundary path was virtually the eastern and western sides of the HGC.

Some 3000 ha of land was burnt in total by the fire, 10 houses destroyed but fortunately there was no loss of life or injuries.

HGC sustained huge damage- the 8 year old clubhouse completely destroyed, 15000 trees and shrubs destroyed which was about 90% of the course vegetation, all the modern grounds equipment and shed, all fences and considerable damage to many trees greens and fairways along with much of the club history and memorabilia.

Now the club is facing the biggest challenge in its 111 year history however HGC board and members have taken up the challenge and in 7 weeks the 15000 trees had been cleared and the course reopened , and in 14 weeks a substantial temporary club house , through the courtesy of the University of Ballarat, had been moved in and was operational.

Club member volunteer hours have been huge, as has the support of local businesses and organizations, along with very generous support of golf clubs all around Australia.

The State Government provided a $100,000 grant early in the fire aftermath, but the Club has also applied for significant funds from the Federal Government and State fire assistance funds. It is now 8 months since the fire and the Club is still waiting on the advise on the success or otherwise of its applications.

HGC has appointed architects to design the replacement clubhouse, but cannot proceed to a construction phase early in 2010 until the funding situation is resolved.

The HGC is much more than the golf to the local community and has provided the facilities for wedding receptions, special occasions, conferences and business meetings. Horsham Golf Course was rated as the 28th best public access course in Australia by the Australian Golf Course Guide.

The Veterans were delighted to be able to play their most prestigious event the State Championship at Horsham and support the club. 136 golfers and 40 ladies attended the two day event and all enjoyed the friendly welcome extended by the Horsham members who made the event so enjoyable.

The fairways and greens were in very good condition but the course was unrecognizable from before and is now a first rate links course and has been made more difficult being exposed to the conditions . John explained that the scores since the fires have increased significantly.

The Veterans scores supported this view.

Well known Veteran golfer Ken McNamara won the State Championship after a play off with his good friend Patrick Phelan both scoring 158. His lovely wife Geraldine had earlier won the ladies event at Stawell.

Ken tested the emotions of older veterans in a wonderful winning speech in which he paid tribute to his late father Leo who was a great friend of many of us . Leo passed away 3 months ago. It was a popular and well deserved win with commiserations to Patrick who will be like St Kilda determined to win next time.

Other results 36 hole nett Ron Campbell 146 Division 1 Stableford Noel Kenna 34 and Division 2 Merv Zapelli 34.

Next Year the event will be held at Wangaratta Golf Club on October 4 and 5.

Below: Patrick Geraldine and Ken at the bar shortly after the play off.

Geelong District conducted the VVGA Teams Championship under the auspices of the VVGA at PortArlington Golf Club on September 14 and 15 in beautiful weather.

19 of the 21 Districts were represented by teams of 3 players playing stableford with the highest aggregate of the three over 36 holes the winner. After the first day Goulburn Valley led by 6 points from West Gippsland but the boys from the West all from Traralgon came home very strongly led by Geoff O’Brien 41 and 37 points backed by Barry Muir 33 and 38 supported by Brian Jones 31 and 35 to total 215 points and win by 8 from Geelong and Goulburn Valley.

Geoff O’Brien had the best 36 hole individual score of 78 and on Day 1 Ken Andrew from Yarrawonga with 39 and Day 2 Barry Muir with 38 took out the honours. Jenny Hogan from Yarrawonga won the ladies event at Lonsdale with 39 points.

Below left: The winners Barry Muir, Geoff O’Brien and Brian Jones. Below right: Ken Andrews.

“Young Veteran” Ross McFarlane bolted to an 8 stroke victory in the 25th VVGA Country Championship which is an exclusive event for Country Veteran Golfers. His score of 72 and 74  146 was the lowest recorded in the 25 year history of the event and left his nearest “older”rivals in awe. Ross has set a standard for others to follow so we can look forward to some hot golf in future Veteran events. Runner up was Allan Jones with 154.

Other results were Stableford Division 1 Barry Muir 40 points Div 2 was won by George Thorne with 33 on a count back. The 36 hole nett stroke was won by John Pola 133 in Div1 and Div2 by Laurie Leyden 139.

On Day 1 a four ball best ball stableford was won by John Kenna and Des Kenna with a great score of 49 points. The Kenna family represented by 5 brothers again supported the event.