FORMER Sanctuary Lakes Director of Golf Darren Eckhardt returned to his home town of Cohuna last week to play in the inaugural Stuart Appleby Cohuna Pro-Am.
Darren and Tocumwal professional Rodney Booth took out the event with their four under the card scores of 68.
Eckhardt, a three-time club champion at Cohuna before he followed a professional calling, told those gathered at the presentations that it was the best win of his career.
But the highlight of the day was the appearance of Stuart Appleby late in the afternoon to present the trophies. It was a pleasant duty for “Apples” as he and Eckhardt grew up together in the Northern Victorian town.
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IF YOU are seeking to get your daughter involved in golf, then the Werribee Park Golf Club may have the answer these school holidays.
The club will conduct a junior girls’ golf school on Monday, 18 September for girls aged from five to 12. The cost is $60.
The day will include lunch, drinks, snacks, prizes and activities including tuition by teaching professionals and on course play. The day runs from 9am to 4.45pm.
Bookings are essential. Call the pro shop on 9742 1754 or the club on 9742 1397.
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THE Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club will conduct a qualifying round of the Master of the Amateurs on 8 October.
The event is open to golfers whose handicap does not exceed 12.
In the qualifying round, the players with the best gross score and the best net score will go on to play in the final at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club in January next year.
Although I am not a great supporter of this particular event, I do believe that it does give low handicap players a chance to play in a tournament-like atmosphere providing they can afford the $130 entrance fee.
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TO CELEBRATE its Centenary, the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of Australia has produced a magnificent book that should be snapped up by any student of the game.
Written by noted Australian sports journalist Jim Webster, it is the most comprehensive book ever compiled on the history of the PGA of Australia and highlights the introduction of many events in professional golf in this country, including the Holden Scramble.
One chapter deals with the 25 most influential people in Australian professional golf and it’s sure to attract a lot of comment.
‘The PGA in Australia: the First 100 Years’ features Greg Norman on the cover kissing the British Open trophy.
It’s on sale at Dymocks and most bookshops and I recommend it to anyone interested in the game.
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WINNERS are Grinners! Medway’s Vicki Carnie played in the Portarlington Carnival of Golf Women’s 27 hole Championship and won the event on a countback with a score of 133.
Joyce Medwin won the C grade net event with her score of 118 ½.
The going must have been tough as the CCR was 77.
I played the course the day before the tournament and thought that it was in superb condition.
Following his hosting of Sew-Eurodrive’s highly successful charity golf day at Sanctuary Lakes last week, well known and respected member Rob Merola took off Sanctuary Lakes’ Saturday competition with a score of 2 up, the best score of the day.
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DATES to remember. Entries are still being taken for the Hoppers Crossing Sports Club golf day at Werribee Park on Friday, 22 September. You can get the details from Darren Hellmann on 0413 607 645.
The Lions Club of Werribee’s Golf Day at Werribee Park on 9 October still has vacancies but they are filling fast. Call Graham Fenton on 0438 097 577.
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IF YOU would like to nominate anyone as the Star Golfer of the Month or have any information about feats on the course or news from your club then contact me on phone/fax 9749 2481, mobile 0409 381 192 or email beggolf@optusnet.com.au.
www.sanctuarylakes.com.au
