Golf Day kicks off cabernet celebrations

PENOLA Golf Course played host to the 8th annual Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day on Friday 3rd October, presented by the Coonawarra Vignerons, together with the Limestone Coast’s SAFM and 90.5 TripleM.

Overcast skies and intermittent drizzle set the scene at Penola Golf Course, delivering overall fine playing conditions that kept fairways soft but greens receptive.

Over 100 players converged on the golf course for the 4 ball Ambrose competition, the biggest day on the golfing calendar for the Penola Golf Club.

Coonawarra Vignerons Events & Marketing Officer Heidi Guyett was pleased with the turn out, which saw a diverse field take to the greens.

“A strong field of 27 teams brought great energy and competition to the course, with a growing number of returning teams along side first-timers. It’s an all-round great day out with Coonawarra wines being showcased throughout the day, and the opportunity for the public to mingle with the who’s who of Coonawarra” Guyett said.

“The event not only attracts teams from the Limestone Coast, but an increasing number of players from outside the region including the Adelaide Metro area and from the neighbouring Western Victoria districts including Ballarat, Warrnambool, Portland and Port Fairy,” Guyett added.

Among the teams in attendance were presenting partners SAFM & TripleM, and event sponsors One Forty One, LV Dohnt, VINPAC international.

Players enjoyed the hospitality of the Coonawarra Vignerons and Penola Golf Club with wines flowing throughout the day.

In a keenly contested field, the Melbourne quartet TAPD — David Chalmers, Paul Furey, Tom Jolly and Ashley Miles — emerged victorious as Coonawarra Golf Day Champion Team 2025, posting a combined winning nett score of 56.125. The winners took home the perpetual red champion jackets and caps, along with an assortment of golfing goods donated by Lakes Caddy Shack, Patrick of Coonawarra experience voucher and a dozen Coonawarra wines between them.

First time Coonawarra Golf Day attendee and Team Captain David Chalmers was delighted with the competition win; the perfect finale to the team’s week long Limestone Coast Golf Adventure, hosted by Naracoorte’s David & Sonja Gooding of Limestone Coast Golf Getaways.

Chalmers praised organisers for the day and for the condition of the course, “What a fabulous event! The hospitality is second to none and the greens are in top condition- a credit to the organisers – Coonawarra Vignerons and the Penola Golf Club.” he said.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed our time exploring the Limestone Coast and winning the golf tournament is the icing on the cake! We will certainly be back to defend our title next year!” Chalmers said.

Runners Up Nett for the 3rd year running, by only the narrowest of margins, playing a combined nett score of 56.575 went to the Redman/Raidis Team comprising of brothers Mike and Dan Redman, Steven Raidis and Craig Douthat.

Results were also tight in the overall stakes with a countback required to determine the winners.

Millicent based team “Benace the Menace” took out the Gross Winner title, with 64 off the stick. The contingent of Andrew Ferguson, John Facey, Ben Gordan and Kym Dodd were happy to accept the award, each receiving an assortment of Coonawarra Wines, Golf Balls and DiGiorgio Family Wines Experience Voucher.

Also with a score of 64 were the DiGiorgio Family Wines Team, comprising of Katie Lewis, Daniel Christian, Garry Von Duve and Bill Burley, who were announced Gross Runners Up.

Individual and novelty prizes added flair to the day’s competition with the winners selecting from an assortment of Coonawarra wines, Parker Estate Draught beer, golf ball packs and hats donated by The Lakes Caddy Shack.

Longest drive prizes for the women were won by Debbie Driscoll on the 2nd and Dion Chandler on the 12th.

Daniel Christian achieved the longest drive for the A Grade men on both the 1st and 15th holes, while the B grade honours went to Tony Hardman on the 1st and Andrew Widdison on the 15th.

Nearest pin prizes were awarded to Peter Ey and Jenny Meade on the 9th and Stacy Fiegert and Angelique Pudlat on the 13th.

A nearest the wine bottle competition was hosted on the 10th and 18th holes with individual winners each taking home a magnum size bottle of Coonawarra Cabernet, donated by Redman Wines, DiGiorgio Family Wines and Katnook Estates. Taking home the magnums on the 10th was Andy Morris and Angela Lane, and on the 18th the wine went to Peppi Pace and Jo Brand.

Organisers of the golf day were thrilled to learn that many out-of-region teams had opted to make a weekend of it in Coonawarra.

“The golf day is ideally situated ahead of the SA Labour Day Long weekend, to entice players to make the most of the extended break, bringing their family and mates along for the ride. It’s exactly what we seek to achieve by planning these event days to tie in with the greater festival program, by gaining room nights, to support Limestone Coast tourism operators and encourage visitation to Coonawarra’s cellar doors” Guyett said.

The successful day lead into the long weekend, the first of three weekends in Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations program. Throughout October an extensive array of food and wine events and tasting experiences showcasing and celebrating Coonawarra’s signature red wine; Cabernet Sauvignon, are taking place.

With spring in full flight, there’s no better time to soak up Coonawarra. Take the time to celebrate, educate + activate your senses all month long, October 2025. Visit the https://coonawarra.org/ccc-october-2025/ to view the full program of events