On Saturday the strong wind, especially for the afternoon players, and the longer tougher blue course (not set up by Alex “father Christmas” Howson) made scoring difficult compared with earlier in the week. Bryan Miller proved that there is always someone who has a good day no matter what the conditions are like. In a medley (men and women playing the same event) Stableford, Bryan returned 40 points to just beat Robyn Downs 39, Glenn Newton and Sharon Jeffers both on 37 taking the other prizes. Balls down the line went to Ray Coleman, Scott Perry, Peter Baird 36 followed by visitor Tara Anderson-Lane, Terry O’Brien, Mark Jenkin 35; Ian Elders, James Peck, Ray Nicholson 34; Les Nation, Phil Panting, Barbara Nation, Darren Carter, David Cornwall, John Keller 33. Anthony Devine, Fred Andrews and Michael Downs also took home balls for 32 points.
The sharp shooters for nearest the pins went to Phil Panting on the Lewis Homes third, Graham McIntosh and Wilma Saunders on the Tatura Post Office sixth, while Bryan Miller took the A1 Deliveries 14th and the Tatura Engineering ninth and its jackpot to add to his happy day. Robyn Downs also added to her good day and took the ladies’ prize on the ninth.
MIDWEEK: Tuesday saw the start of the Hamish Roberts charge of the week. An eagle on the fifth to set up the round then three birdies to finish gave Roberts 47 points to win ahead of Graham Meneilly, also with a great score of 43 points. Ian LeLievre 42, Scott Perry 40, Matt Miller 40 (which was a 66 scratch score) and Barry Dennis 38 all won balls down the line and Frank Hill won nearest the pin on the ninth.
On Thursday Hamish Roberts like a bolt of lightning struck again with a net score of 63. Runner-up Bob Wildes with 67 also won nearest the pin.
Balls down the line went to Brad Ciavarella and Barry Dennis 70, and a visitor from Gisborne, Michael Allen, 72.
The Hamish Roberts week needs great accolades. Tuesday, playing off a handicap of 10, he shot 10 better than his handicap, then on Thursday playing off nine he shot eight better than his handicap. Started the week playing off 10 with his next game to play off eight.
Along with Hamish, the other great scores from many players reflect the condition of the course and the fact that if you can keep the ball straight there is run to be had and scores that will please.
Matt Langley Electrical Twilight: This event just keeps on attracting players. Thursday’s event was a three-club event and the field was more than the total of the other three mid-week days, which proves the popularity of the Twilight nine-hole format.
Scott Perry won with 29.5 just ahead of Col Saunders 30. To add to the family triumph Wilma Saunders was next on 31.5 and also won nearest the pin. Tanz Dellar also 31.5 was followed by Jake Chessells 33, Trevor Wootton 34, Jack Mark and Michael Mulcahy 34.5, and seven more players won balls down to 35.5
Sunday Fourball Pennant: Hill Top has teams in both the East and West pools of the Goulburn Murray Summer Pennant competition.
Hill Top Blue played Numurkah at Numurkah. The pairings of James Peck and Scott Perry, Michael Mulcahy and John Dellar had 3/2 wins while Col Barlow and Tony Hicks stayed strong to win 1 up. Daniel Maher and Danial Miller lost -5/4 and Jacob Chessells and Jono Kerrins lost -4/3. Overall it was a good 3/2 win to Hill Top over the home team.
Hill Top Red played Ky Valley View at Merrigum and the team match was drawn. Dale McNair and Alex Bell won 1 up, Bryan Miller and Jody Webber won 2/1. Scott Carter and Hamish Roberts lost 1 down, Matt Miller and Brad Ciavarella lost -3/2 and Ty Guiney and Travis Worm squared their match. Two-and-a-half matches to each team.
Coming events: Stroke events are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, and on Sunday there is a special Bushfire Appeal Day with a nine-hole golf event plus entertainment, food, auction and the like. This is a great chance to raise money for a good cause.