Echuca Bowls Club
Thursday’s Men’s Jackpot Pairs, sponsored by Moama Bowling Club, attracted 20 teams.
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At the end of the day, only three teams were undefeated, starting with Steve Morgan/Daniel Vella (+2), runners-up Jim Ferrier/Eddie Blampied (+8) and the winners were the Shepparton team of L and G Wakenshaw (+12).
The jackpot of $40 was shared by two teams, who won $10 each.
Friday Scroungers, sponsored by Echuca Workers, were won by Laurie Quinn from Col Delamere.
Monday’s social bowls were washed out unfortunately.
Entries are filling fast for the ever-popular Spiers Family Memorial Fours, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9 followed by the hugely popular Joyce Thorn Memorial Ladies Pairs on September 12 and 13.
Entries on the sheet provided or to Rhonda Gallagher on 0448 400 051.
Mini Bingo last week again did not have a winner so jackpots to $2676 tonight (Friday), while Chongy was the lucky, or unlucky member who missed out on $40. That jackpots to $50 tonight at drinks between 4 and 6pm.
Don’t forget the AGM on Sunday at 2pm.
Forty members are required to form a quorum and with many members already on their way up north it is essential that everyone available attends please.
Moama RSL
Indoor Bowls- Monday, May 18
21 players played three games of nine ends.
The winners on 35 points were Ken Hopper (skip), Margaret Meulenkamp (3rd) and Jean Shelley (lead).
The runners-up with 35 points were Peter Broom (skip), Dawn Beer (3rd) and Colin Hicks (lead).
Third place with 35 points were Pam Kerr (Skip), Liz Portwine (3rd), Elle Morgan (2nd) and Isobel Wallis (Lead).
Mathoura Bowls Club
Cadell County 2 Bowl Triples-Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10
Sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Tongala.
Weather and numbers of teams (24) made for full greens which is a great sight for any club.
It was good to see some old friends and some new faces at the club, thank you for your entries.
We played three games on Saturday and two games on Sunday and as usual we had a few with three games won, so Sunday was needed to decide the winner and placings.
Our winning team was Gary Beckham, Gary Cionforti and Neville Bowland- 100 points/39 shots.
Runners-up Russel Shawcross and his team from Lockington- 100 points/31 shots.
Third place went to Geoff Peterson and his team- 80 points/21 shots.
Highest winning margins- Ivan Hicks game 4 with + 19 shots and Phil Cooper game 5 +20 shots.
Congratulations to all the prize winners.
I want to extend my thanks to the players that filled in for us, Wally, Ian and Lisa as well as bar staff, bistro staff and also Martine, she is a wiz.
Our next tournament is the Gulpa Creek Open Fours on Saturday and Sunday June 13 and 14.
Saturday 10am start and Sunday 9.30am start.
Contact the Club 5880 3200 or Lindsay Vallance 0408 361 271 for entries.
Could all Mathoura Bowlers who are going to attend Stevie's funeral on Friday, please wear Mathoura Bowls attire to honour our fellow clubman and teammate.
May the greens be fast and true where he is playing now.
Good bowling to all.
Rochester Bowls Club
Friday afternoon bowls
Our latest bowls initiative commenced on Friday, with 24 bowlers enjoying glorious conditions.
Extra thanks to Matt Wallis, our greens keeper, for ensuring that two greens were rolled in the event that they were both needed.
Thanks also to our four organisers who have kindly offered to organise this event each Friday during the winter months: Alan Williams, Janis Tamburini, Kaye Barker, and Dave Murray. Their time and talents are much appreciated.
Friday’s format of two games of eight ends, 2x4x2, was taken out by John Weeks and Kevin Hall with the most shots up.
There were three teams who managed to win both games.
Please note that:
- Names on the list in the foyer by 12pm.
- First three weeks — drawn pairs, week four – own partner.
- First prize — $5 drinks voucher.
- $5 entry.
Please note that all entries need to be entered on the sheet in the foyer, no later than 12pm on the day of play, ensuring that the organisers have sufficient time to organise the teams and format.
If you are unable to get in to the clubhouse, give one of the organisers a ring or get a member to pop your name down.
All contact details are recorded in our club diary given out at the beginning of the season.
Fingers crossed that the weather is kind to us again next Friday, May 22.
Social bowls
On Friday, May 8, 12 bowlers enjoyed the last day of social bowls for the season.
Four teams of three bowlers played two games against one another, with the eventual winners being Kyle Williams, Gavin Houlihan, and Bert Smolenaars.
Kyle and Gav aren’t usually on the greens on a Friday morning so it was certainly their lucky day.
A huge thank you to the ladies match committee, consisting of Joan Limbrick, Roz Keech, Glenda Bancell, and Bev Hetherington, who have been in attendance at the club office each Friday morning to organise the match play for our bowlers.
Each of these ladies has made a wonderful contribution to the club and their efforts are very much appreciated.
Farewell the Moons
At the recent presentation evening, with so many members in attendance, it was only fitting that we take the opportunity to present a gift and farewell two long standing members – Hedley and Lyn Moon.
Both members have made a significant contribution to the Rochester Bowls Club and the wider community in the time that they have lived in Rochester.
They will be sorely missed as they leave the district and set up home in Shepparton, closer to family. We sincerely wish them well.
Funeral memorial
Thank you to those who set up the dining room and to Graham Willis for running the bar.
A service like this is not only valuable to the community but also a significant financial income for the club.
Indoor bowls
Our first night of indoor bowls for the season was held on Monday, May 18, at 7pm.
Cost is $6 for members. If you require any further information please contact either Judy Murray or Kathy Williams.
Weekend and midweek pennant 2026-27
There are two sheets in the foyer for those who are wishing to play in the upcoming season.
If you plan to play, please put your name down so that selectors have an idea of how many divisions we can enter.
AGM
This meeting is being held on Monday, May 25 at 7pm.
Bar duty
Monday – Thursday 5 – 6.30 pm
18 — 21 May: L. Milgate and R. Feuk.
25 — 28 May: B. Coghill and K. McCormack.
1 — 4 June: G. Willis and A. Gusak.
A new bar roster will be completed within the coming month — if your circumstances have changed and you wish to be withdrawn from the roster or you would like to be added, please contact Alan Williams on 0417 109 998.
Lockington Bowls Club
Well, another week of brilliant sunshine and ideal conditions for bowlers to enjoy our great game.
On Monday evening the club held their annual general meeting with good numbers in attendance.
Club president John van den Bosch welcomed all members and invited Neil Haines to take the chair for the Election of Office-Bearers.
President — John van den Bosch, vice president — Margaret Dowie, junior vice president — Rod Fiedler, secretary — Leanne McInnes, treasurer — Cindy Felmingham, press correspondent — Chris Stewart and auditor — Peter Holman.
The position of tournament is open.
The club president gave his annual report thanking all members for their contribution during the past season.
Cindy Felmingham presented an excellent treasurers report showing the results of a very good year for the club.
Committee: L. McInnes, J. van den Bosch, P. Cunnington, S. Felmingham, K. Maddison, M. Dowie, C. Felmingham, T. Westwood, N. Haines, M. Freeman, D. Gilmore, R. Fiedler, K. Ray, L. Brereton, and L. Appleby.
On Saturday, members played a game of scrounge with three rinks in operation.
Rink one, Phillip Cunnington, won, scoring a healthy 45 points ahead of Frank Chugg, 27, closely followed by Cindy Felmingham, 26.
Rink two belonged to John van den Bosch with a classic 60 points to shade Owen McPhee on 43. Ray Hanson brought up the rear on 37.
It was a very close cliffhanger on the final rink, with only six points separating the three bowlers.
Jim Harris won the chocolates on 47 points ahead of Nat McLaughlin, 43, and Ashley Dobell on 41. A fine day for bowls.
During the season of bowls, the club entertained several new bowlers to the popular barefoot bowls on a Tuesday evening.
At the close of the series several bowlers stood head and shoulders above the main pack.
The most successful included Jayden D Wright, Ashley Dobell, Jason King, Rod Fiedler, Steve Pavone, Steve McKee, and Peter Eade.
The club thanks all bowlers for making the series such a success. The many helpers in the kitchen, cooks, and bar persons.
There will be social bowls/scrounge on a Wednesday and Saturday afternoon throughout the winter recess. Starting times are 1pm assembly for a 1.30pm start.
Congratulations to Cindy Felmingham and Mel Freeman, who last week competed in the Victorian novice singles titles.
Cindy made it to the top eight and Mel to the top 32. This was a great achievement for our girls.
Rich River Golf Club
May 14- Men's 4BBB East 1st – B Armstrong and J Ridge 47 pts, 2nd – E Grumont and J Mcauley 46 pts, 3rd – I Maddison and C Gniel 46 pts.
May 15- Vets S/Ford , Men - A -G Albert 40 pts, B - D Lavery 37 pts.
Women - A - C Lynch 38 pts, B - R Freestone 42 pts.
May 16- Mens Monthly Medal East, A G Rodgers 70 nett, B - A Tewhata 68 nett, C and Monthly Medal Winner - P Healey 65 nett.
Womens Star Award - S Hepworth - 70 nett.
May 17- Medley S/Ford and Junior S/Ford , A- J Reid 37 pts.
Junior - 1st - O Wallis 39 pts.
May 18- Medley Stroke Max 9 and 18 Hole, 18 Hole - A - T Arthurson 67 nett, B - A Kennaugh 71 nett, 9 Hole A - A Leviston 36 nett.
May-19- Medley S/Ford West - A - T Jones 40 pts, B - S Taylor 42 pts, C - P James 40 pts.
May 20- Womens 4BBB S/Ford East - 1st - P Heywood and M CRaigie 48 pts, 2nd - K Bish and A Velt 45 pts c/b, 3rd - M Wetton and A Kennaugh 45 pts.
Rochester Golf Club
Our 2026 annual tournament commenced with the ladies playing a 4BBB Stableford event last Thursday.
With the course in excellent condition, we witnessed some of the highest Stableford scores ever recorded since moving to the new course in 1983.
With three teams on 49 points, and others mid to high 40s, all players complemented the ground staff on their hard work over the last few months.
After an extensive count-back, sisters Louise Williams and Karen Ballantyne were declared the winners from the unlucky pairing of Debbie Bish and Lynley Strauchan, and Louise Eeles and Fiona Newton, all on 49 points.
Next best and ball winners were Barb McCarty and Jenny Holt (45), Rich River’s Heather Gunsone and Lesley Gray, Julie Leahy and Kerry McLoughlan, and Joy Kennedy and Maureen Connelly, all on 43 points.
Nearest the pin winners were Bernice Campbell (five), Louise Williams (eight), Lynely Strachan (12), and Karen Ballantyne on 16.
Chris Kelly hit the straightest drive down the 10th fairway, while Marcia Spiers won for her long drive on the 15th fairway.
Fridays men's 4BBB saw another good field, with high scoring again a feature of the day's play.
Elmore's Greg Holmberg and Rod Whittle were declared the division one winners on 45 points from the Lockington pairing of Steve Holt and Stuart Newton (44).
The local team of Brendan McCarty and Mike Austin shot a very impressive 48 points to win division two easily.
Vice captain Neil Coghill paired with Lockington's Simon Portwine to run second on a count-back from the following teams, who all scored 45 Stableford points: Dale Anderson (Mitiamo), Mark Hamley (Charlton), Axedale's Russell Anderson and Mick Purdon, Rochester's Les Hedington and Chris Trewin, and Brent Sweeney and Troy McInness.
Greg Holmberg was closest to the pin on three, Neil Coghill (five), Liam Kennan (eight), visitor Ross Stevens (12), and Brent Sweeney on 16.
John Kennedy was straightest down the 10th with big-hitting Bamawm's Todd Louttit, who hit a massive drive down the 15th, which won A-grade, while Nathan Joyner hit the longest in B-grade.
In perfect autumn weather, another good field played in Saturday's two-person Ambrose event.
President Leigh Hicks, paired with his young nephew Cory Windridge, won with the best gross score, shooting two under 69.
Handicap winners were Chris Eeles and Shane Connelly, 70 net 63, while Friday's winning pair of Brendan McCarty and Mike Austin were runners up on 64.25.
The following teams were the next best and won balls: Todd Louttit and Matt Hoare, the husband and wife team of Paul and Leisa Evans, sisters-in-law Louise Williams and Barb McCarty, Troy McInness and Grant Robinson, and Zac McInness and Darcy Pump.
Nice to see Winnie Lavery winning for her shot on the fifth, Shane Bywaters was closest to the eighth and president Leigh Hicks was the other nearest the pin winner for his shot on the 16th.
Louise Williams won the ladies' straightest drive on the 10th fairway, while Peter Anderson wasn't the longest; at least it was the closest to the line for the men's winner.
Leisa Evans hit a great drive down the 15th to easily win the ladies' longest drive; once again, Tod Louttitt won the men's event.
"Rain, rain, go away, come back another day."
Even Monday would have been fine, such is the way of playing outdoor sports.
Although everyone needed the much-anticipated rain, including all the country golf courses and our farming friends, but unfortunately, the inclement weather caused the committee to postpone our open championship last Sunday to a new date in the near future.
However, all events were up on previous years, and with these nice rains, the course will be in excellent condition for the rest of the 2026 season.
Lockington Golf Club
May 15 — Stroke
The ladies played the first round of their club championships (nett), with the day’s best score of 98-28-70 returned by Jenny Holt, who won the Lockington Foodworks player of the day voucher.
In a competitive finish, Sue Harris was next best with nett 71, followed by Annette Brereton (72).
Sue Harris was in sparkling form with the putter with the day’s best of only 27 putts, ahead of Fiona Newton and Sally Edwards, who both had 31.
May 16 — Stroke
Tom Scurrah had a day out with a super score of 90-27-63 to sweep the pool, winning the Privilege Cup, monthly medal, the Lockington Foodworks player of the day voucher, and division two honours, and capped it off by winning the 12 balls in the Eagles Nest with a terrific shot on the third.
Next best scores were a distant five shots back — Trav Mancer and Kevin Humbert both on 68, followed by Steve Holt (69).
Best scratch scores: Division one – Grant Humbert, 71; Division two – Ray Brereton, 85.
Nearest the pins: Seventh – Kevin Humbert; Second shot on 12 – Grant Humbert (eagle), Ray Brereton; Second shot on the 18th for the six-pack smack – Grant Humbert.
Spike’s longest drive on the eighth, sponsored by Hot ‘n’ Cold Plumbing – Trav Mancer, Jeff Carnie, and Tom Scurrah (what a day!).
Gartside Cup qualifers: Tom Scurrah, Trav Mancer, and Kevin Humbert. Standby – Steve Holt.
Over the last week, Lockington golfers enjoyed the excellent conditions at Rochester’s annual tournament events.
In the ladies’ 4BBB, Fiona Newton and partner finished third on a count-back (great score of 49 points).
In the men’s 4BBB, Stuart Newton and Steve Holt were division one runners up, while Simon Portwine and Rochester partner Neil Coghill were division two runners up.
Golfers are warmly invited to the club’s 2026 annual tournament, which commences with the ladies 4BBB on Thursday, May 21 (assembly at 9.30am for 10am hit off), followed by the men’s 4BBB on Friday, May 22 (hit off at 10.30am – 12pm).
Next is the mixed American on Saturday, May 23 (hit off at 11am – 12pm), and the tournament will conclude with the men’s 36 holes stroke open championship on Sunday, May 24 (hit off from 7.20am). Bookings to Grant Humbert on 0428 106 132.
There will also be an 18 holes event in the afternoon for anyone interested.
Goulburn Valley Veteran Golfers
Benalla Golf Club was the host on Monday, May 18, when the North East Zone of the Victorian Veteran Golfers Association contested the Intra-zone challenge.
The three districts of North East, Dalhousie and Goulburn Valley compete for the Ralph Sneyd trophy in remembrance of the work that Ralph (late of Wangaratta) did to promote the sport for veteran golfers, including the role of president of the VVGA in 1993 and 1994.
All districts had a full team of 36 players, and the individual scores and team scores were respectable, reflecting the excellent condition of the fairways and greens.
We were fortunate that the rain fell earlier in the morning, and the occasional misty conditions provided plenty of time to close the umbrella.
Although the temperature only reached 16 °C, there was no wind chill factor, so most players were comfortable in T-shirts.
The best individual stableford score for the Goulburn Valley, and equal best overall (39), was carded by Phillip Cooper, Kyabram Parkland.
Runner-up was decided on countback where Philip Steers, Shepparton, edged out Dennis Koik, Mooroopna, with 38 pts.
Down the line balls for GV were awarded to: Peter Oddy, Deniliquin; Bernard O’Hare, Nathalia; Howard Cooper, Cosgrove; John Radeski, Deniliquin; Mick McAuliffe, Valley View; Graeme Willoughby, Deniliquin; Daniel Wade, Deniliquin; Gary Eden, Merrigum; Frank Broucek, Bowen Qld; Lindsay Tatterson, Parkland and Bill Murphy, Mooroopna.
Nearest-the-pin was contested on three greens: Hole 3 at 190 metres, Hole 8 at 123 m, and Hole 13 at 135m.
North East representatives collected all three men’s prizes, with Frank Clifford, Corowa. Glenn O’Connell, Bright, and Paul Norris, Mansfield.
The ladies contested on the 8th tee where Dalhousie’s Vicki Clements, Yea, collected the prize.
The cumulative total of the best 30 scores from players in each district saw Dalhousie on 994, Goulburn Valley on 978, and North East on 949.
Dalhousie has achieved back-to-back wins to take their total to six wins, but trail the GV and NE with 15 and 14 wins respectively.
Next year the event is hosted by GV, where we last won at Shepparton GC in 2021.
All players were most appreciative of the hospitality offered by Benalla Golf Club, both in the clubhouse and the pro-shop, with a very fine luncheon enjoyed by all.
Our next regular event is sponsored by Rushworth Community Bank at Kyabram Valley View Golf Club on Monday, June 1, 9.30am assembly for 10am tee.
Echuca Moama Croquet Club
Monday, May 18
Another great round up of 21 members played today.
The winner was John Alstin with three games plus 12, followed very closely by Sharon Wholf and Lyn Keillor on three games plus 10 equal second.
One hoop in one was scored by Sid Gomez and two jump shots to John Alstin and one each to Jan Tracy, Lyn Keillor and Johnny Tarrant.
The AGM was held today, and all positions were filled by the existing members, unchallenged.
Friday, May 15
Eighteen members turned up to play and what a beautiful day it was.
As a result, we had four members all winning their three games with the winner on the day being Lyn Keillor with 3+13 followed very closely by Peter van der Zande, Jan Tracy and Sid Gomez.
There was a total of 12 Jump Shots, five for John Alstin, four for Lyn Keillor , two for Jan Tracy and one for Peter van der Zande.
One hoop in one for the day was scored by Jill Graham. Well done everyone.
Rich River Croquet Club
Golf Croquet – Thursday, May 14
Thirteen members played handicap singles croquet this morning, with only one player winning all three games.
The win went to Steve Potter scoring three games +10 hoops.
The runner-up was Jay Grant scoring two games +2 hoops.
Well done to both players.
Helen Brierley was in fine form and made two hoops-in-one.
Tuesday, May 19
It was a lovely morning for playing singles croquet with 14 members hitting it off.
The win went to Helen Brierley the only person to be successful in all three games, with the runner-up being Jay Grant.
Congratulations to both players.