Golf
25 April, 2025
A very busy golf course
THREE days of golf at the Warracknabeal Golf Club for the annual Easter Tournament where good numbers played each day and was enjoyed by all.
Friday was the individual stableford event sponsored by long time supporters of the club being Warrack Home Timber and Hardware. A big thank you to these sponsors.
Twenty six men and nine ladies competed with the winner in the mens event being recently joined member Caleb Powell (hcp 25) with a great 39 stableford points. Well done Caleb on your first individual win.
Runner-up was Brett Allott (28) with 38 points. Third place was won on a countback by AJ McKenzie (14) on 36 points.
Good scores and losers on the countback were Mick Marchment and Ash Purdue (both 36).
Ladies winner was Portland visitor Barb Bibby (23) with 35 points from runner-up Janice Midgley (21) with 31 points. Julie Burke (Portland) 27 hc had a score of 30 points to be third placegetter.
Nearest the pin fifth hole were Nathan McLean and Janice Midgley, seventh hole was Ryan McKenzie and Marilyn Garner and on the 13th hole was Ash Purdue and Barb Bibby.
Ash Purdue had an eagle (two under par) on the 15th hole par five.
Saturday’s event was played by 27 men and three ladies. This was a stableford event also which was sponsored by club president David Stewart. Thank you Pres from all the club members.
A Grade winner was Ross Laycock (11) on 38 points. Richard Bett (16) was runner-up with 36 points B Grade winner was David Flannery (21) with 36 points. Runner-up was Brian Scott (25) with 35 points.
Other good scores were Ron Thouliss and Kevin Jess (Geelong) both on 35 points John Barbetti had 34 points.
Ladies winner (back-to-back) was again Barb Bibby (22) with a very good 38 points. Runner-up was Julie Burke (27) with 36 points.
Nearest the pin second shot ninth hole was Russell Blandthorn, on the fifth hole was David Krelle, on the seventh hole was David Flannery and Barb Bibby and on the 13th hole was Brenton Cheney.
Monday’s 4BBB (any combination) sponsored by Drummond Golf Ballarat, who are welcome annual sponsors for several local events.
Winners were Mary Massey and Kaye Picken with 42 stableford points winning on a countback from Dennis Murphy and David Baxter. Third placegetters were John Barbetti and Derek Picken on 40 points.
Nearest the pin fifth hole was Ryan McKenzie and Casey Phelan, on the seventh hole was Mick Marchment and Barb Bibby and on the 13th hole was Ryan McKenzie and Barb Bibby.
Players from this event came from Portland, Warracknabeal, Natimuk, Toolondo, Jeparit, Sheep Hills, Minyip and Coloundra.
A massive thank to all who helped in any way whether it be bar work, office work, catering, lending golf carts etc. Thank you.
Reading my own notes, I noticed that Barb Bibby was a six time winner from Portland. Congratulations and hope you come back.
Last Thursday’s Palace Hotel Meal Run was won by David Baxter (19) with a very good round of golf with 41 stableford points. Runner-up was Ron Thouliss (15) on 36 points.
Front nine holes was shared between David Baxter, Ron Thouliss, Gary Krahe and Terry Sanders, all on 18 points. David Baxter was the clear winner on the back nine holes with an amazing 23 points (41 off the stick).
Sixteen competed in this event.
This Saturday’s mens event is a stableford event sponsored by Terry Sanders and Kym Stepney.
Naylor and Atkin win 4BBB
That’s right, we now have another Atkin winning trophies at golf.
No, the event wasn’t a mixed fourball, it was two men, and yes, Graham Atkin partnered consistent Bernie Naylor to take out the Matt Richardson sponsored event played on April 12.
In a net stroke event, 32 men and six ladies played on the day. Thanks Richo for your continued sponsorship.
Bernie and Graham had a net score of 62, winning by one shot only from Ryan McKenzie and Caleb Powell with net 63.
Other good scores were from David baxter and Ash Purdue on 65 net and Mick Marchment and John Peters on 66 net.
The ladies event last Saturday was won by Kaye Picken (hcp 29) on 35 points. Runner-up was Leonie Atkin (12) with 33 points.
Nearest the pin second shot ninth hole was Dennis Murphy. Closest on the fifth hole was Casey Phelan, on the seventh hole was Bernie and Marlene Naylor and on the 13th hole was Dean Gunn.
The Thursday Palace Hotel Meal Run was won on the front nine holes by Mick Cheney with an excellent 22 points followed by Jacob Purdue on 20 points.
The back nine holes was won by Dennis Murphy on 19 points from runner-up Caleb Powell on 18 points. Overall winner for the 18 holes was Jacob Purdue with 37 points.
Nearest the pin 13th hole was Dennis Murphy.
Pennant has commenced for the 2025 season with the club having a bye in round one.
Round two was against the Jeparit Golf Club with a win going to WGC three wins to one.
Ryan McKenzie won one up, Dean Gunn won three holes up, two to play and Ryan Smith won 5/4. Brenton Cheney lost his match 6/5.
Brenton is now team manager for the club as he has taken over from Jake Jess. Jake has held that position form many years and the club and players have been very grateful for his support and organisational skills.
Jake also has gained the respect of all players who played under his leadership. The club is sure that Brenton can fulfill this role in this same manner as Jake has done previously.
Joke of the week
If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the police officer’s credibility .....
Q: “Officer --- did you see my client fleeing the scene?”
A: “No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away.”
Q: “Officer -- who provided this description?”
A: “The officer who responded to the scene.”
Q: “A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?”
A: “Yes, sir. With my life.”
Q: “With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?”
A: “Yes sir, we do!”
Q: “And do you have a locker in the room?”
A: “Yes, sir, ... I do.”
Q: “And do you have a lock on your locker?”
A: “Yes, sir.”
Q: “Now, ... why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?”
A: “You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room.”