The 2016 South Gippland Golf Classic has been run and won. The annual 9-day event which was run for the 27th time, commenced at Yarram on Saturday 13th February and concluded at Foster on Sunday 21st, and again proved to be a most popular event. Entrants came from most Australian states and even overseas (USA and Wales), and played a total of around 1500 rounds of golf over the journey.

Our day of the Classic, the Friday 4-ball event on the 19th, was an outstanding success with a capacity field of 256 players enjoying our course and hospitality. Our thanks go to our hardworking groundstaff who presented the course in great condition, to our clubhouse staff, and to the army of volunteers who ensures the day was a success.

It was great to see so many of our members taking the opportunity to play other courses in the district. Severol of them performed well, none better than Brendan Simon. Brendon teamed well with brother in law Chris Indian in the 4 ball at Yarram to win with 48 points, then followed it up with Chris, Coral Gray and Ben Ferrari-Mela to win the handicap section of the Ambrose event at Korumburra on Sunday 14th. He again teamed up with Chris Indian in our 4 ball event, coming third in A grade. He posted a creditable 32 points at Mirboo North in the B Grade individual stableford on Saturday 20th, and then blitzed the field at Foster the next day with 43 points to win the day and the 2-day classic event. Well done Brendan!

Others to perform well included Mick and Bec Thomas who, along with 2 others, won the scratch section of the Ambrose event at Korumburra. Leroy Sharrock had a very good day at Phillip Island on the Thursday, winning the A grade stableford event with 39 points (72 off the stick). Also a pair of “fill ins” in the form of Libby Seebeck and Julie Howard won the B Grade ladies 4-ball event at Leongatha on Friday 19th. Gerry Mooney was unlucky to miss out on winning the C grade 2-say Classic event, being beaten into second place on count back. Congratulations to all.

After making the presentations on the final day at Foster, the President of the Classic Committee, Trevor Steer announced his retirement from the position. Trevor, a Leongatha life member, has guided the classic committee for the last 11 years and feels that it is now time he devoted more effort to ensuring that Collingwood make the finals this year. We wish him well in that endeavour and thank him for his outstanding contribution to golf in the South Gippsland area!

A good field of 68 players, bolstered by a contingent from Box Hill who were enjoying their second consecutive day of play. Some hot scoring accompanied the hot weather. Ian Nunn set the pace with a blistering 45 points, closely followed by 42 from the in-form Jeff Brewer.

Winners

• A Grade (0-16)   Doug Clemann (11)  36 pts (on count back)
• B Grade (17-21)  Jeff Brewer (17)  42 pts
• C Grade (22 -36)  Ian Nunn (22) 45 pts

NTP’s

• 4^th:  Jeff Brewer 7.1m
• 7^th:  Keith Finney 5.9m
• 14^th:  Denis Wallace 2.3m
• 16th :  Chris McLeod (Box Hill)  1.0m

DTL Balls

• Mike Wrigley 40
• Peter Hartigan 36
• Leroy Sharrock 36
• Bruce Hutton 36
• Bert Borg 35
• Denis Wallace 35
• Frank Thomas 35
• Keith Finney 35
• Keith Godridge 35
• Marilyn Williams 35
• Geoff Maher 34
• Kevin Scott 34
• Fred de Bondt 34
• Ron McCann 34
• Bobby Smith (Box Hill) 34
• Owen Judd (Box Hill) 33
• Peter Waters 33 (on count back)

The SGDGA is continuing with it’s policy of restricting the use of motorized transport during the Men’s pennant season. To this effect, in order to use a cart in pennant, players must firstly have been given permission from the SGDGA to do so.

Players must make application to the Association for either a “Permanent” exemption ( Medical certificate required) or a “Temporary” exemption (Supporting letter from their Club) and be granted permission prior to the season commencing. So far, NO Leongatha players have made application to do so.

Club Members 70 years and over are exempt from making application to use motorized transport.

PLEASE NOTE: Previously approved TEMPORARY applications expired on December 31 2015 and you will need to make fresh application for the 2016 pennant season.

Application forms for the use of Motorized Transport can be downloaded from the Association website:

www.southgippslandgolf.org.au

Click on the ‘Forms & Resources” link.

Once you have completed the form you need to forward it to the District Secretary, Denis Stanes at 18aHagglethorn Road, Wonthaggi 3995, or by email to southgippslandgolf@bigpond.com

Hi Guys and Gals,

The opening event for 2016 of the South Gippsland District Golf Association will be held at Phillip Island this coming Sunday, 28th February. As usual it is a Mixed Canadian Foursomes format with the following prizes on offer:

– 18 Holes Mixed Canadian Foursomes ‘A’ & ‘B’ Grades (Winners)

– 18 Holes Mixed Canadian Foursomes ‘A’ & ‘B’ Grades (Runners Up)

– 9 Holes Mixed Canadian Foursomes (Out & In) ‘A’ & ‘B’ Grades (inclusive)

– Nearest the Pin events

– Down the line (Ball competition)

ENTRY IS FREE! Entry forms are available from the noticeboard in our clubhouse.

Any entries should be forwarded direct to the tournament manager, Denis Stanes, 18a Hagelthorn Street, Wonthaggi, 3995. Telephone 5672 2787 (Home) or 0419 887 396.

Entries can also be made ‘ONLINE’ at www.southgippslandgolf.org.au (ONLINE ENTRY)

We encourage you find a partner and enter this event.

56 Players

Winners

• A Grade (0-16)   Kevin Castwood (15)  39 pts
• B Grade (17-23)  Dennis Wallace (22)   41 pts
• C Grade (24 -36)  Brian Fennessy (29)  35 pts

NTP’s

• 4^th:  Les Newton 3.4m
• 7^th:  Nil
• 14^th:  Ian Nunn 0.67m
• 16th :  Merv Stubbs 1.0m

DTL Balls

• Neale Gillin 38
• Mick Thomas 38
• Merv Stubbs 37
• Jon Smith  37
• Ray Burton 36
• Jeff Brewer 35
• John Simon 35
• Geoff McDonald 35
• Richard Nelson 34
• George Misson 34
• Peter Walsh 33
• Peter Jaspers 33
• John Hassett 33
• Dave Forbes 33

53 Players

Winners

• A Grade (0-16)   Marty Shaw (13)  +4
• B Grade (17-22)  Alan Kuhne (Meeniyan) (18)   +1 (on count back)
• C Grade (23 -36)  Frank Thomas (26)  +2

NTP’s

• 4^th:  David Forbes 3.3m
• 7^th:  Denis Wallace 2.8m
• 14^th:  Russell Williams 1.4m
• 16th :  Callum McCaughan 3.3m

DTL Balls

• Kevin Rogers (Whittlesea)  +1
• Mike Wrigley +1
• Fred deBondt +1
• Ray Burton  -Square
• Peter Buttinger -Square
• Keith Godridge -Square
• John Eabry  -Square
• Mike Street  -Square
• Jeff Ryan (Whittlesea) -1
• Bruce Cathie -1
• Joe Lowell -1
• Allan Edney -2
• Brian Fennessy -2
• John Dumont (Meeniyan) -2 (on count back)

Russell Williams continued his recent good form by posting another near-par round today to easily win A grade with a great score of 41 points off a handicap of 6. Stuart Harry, spurred on by the good form of his children -Oscar with 37 points, Jessica with36 – showed that the “old man” still has what it takes to see off the youngsters, posting an impressive 39 points to win B Grade. John Fraser also put together a very good round by posting 39 points to win C Grade.

64 Players

Winners

• A Grade:  Russell Williams (6) 41 pts
• B Grade:  Stuart Harry (21) 39 pts
• C Grade:  John Fraser (35)  39 pts

NTP’s

• 4^th:  Fred de Bondt 2.1m
• 7^th:  Russell Williams 2.6m
• 14^th:  Russell Williams 1.0m
• 16th :  Glenn Marsham 1.7m

DTL Balls

• Glenn Marsham  39
• Peter Brownlie  39
• Noel Johnson  36
• Oscar Harry  37
• Rod Hopcraft  35
• Jason Dennerley  35
• Barry Hughes   35
• Peter Walsh  34
• Greg Welsford  34
• Peter Hartigan  34
• Ian Watson  33
• Doug Clemann  33
• Fred deBondt  33
• David Barrack  33
• Peter Stivic  32
• Ross Evans  32