Hocking claims club championship

LAST Wednesday, Lucindale Golf Club ladies played in the semi-finals of the Elders Club Championships.

Unfortunately, top qualifier in A Grade player Michelle Justin was unwell and forfeited to Karena Higgins.

Nicole Hocking was in excellent form to win 4/3 against consistent Leanne Graetz.

In B Grade, Shylie Yelland beat Judy James 7/5 and Rosie Legoe beat Kerry Gilkes 3/2.

In C Grade Handicap Match Play, Fionna McInnes had a bye and Kylie Grundy won against Annie Haynes 5/4 – clever Kylie finished the match in style with a ferret.

The remaining 12 players not involved on the day played a Stableford competition.

Karen Gould won with a fantastic score of 38 stableford points on a countback from president Vanessa Stone, who incidentally had two wipeouts.

NTP on the 16th green was Julie Wilks, Rachel Smith on the 3rd & Rosie Legoe on the 12th.

Elders Club Championships finals were played on Sunday and it was wonderful that Elders representative Nathan McCarthy was able to present the prizes.

He stated it was a privilege for Elders to sponsor this annual event which will continue well into the future.

The club members are very grateful to Elders for their enormous support at the Lucindale Country Club since 2005.

Nicole Hocking claimed the club championships and was presented with the GW Harrison Trophy.

Nicole beat Karena Higgins 3/1 in a tightly contested match played with great sportsmanship.

Cheryl Fitzgerald said it was a privilege to referee and mentioned the gap in score was no more than two after 25 holes.

She said the drives from both players were so enormous she needed new glasses and both players were worthy of being champions.

On Saturday, Nicole was recognised for playing her 400th game for Lucindale Netball Club – what a huge weekend of achievement.

The B Grade champion was Shylie Yelland who played consistently well to beat Rosie Legoe on the 37th hole.

Jacki Baker refereed the game and mentioned Shylie’s impeccable play went from tee to green with only five drives missing the 37 fairways.

It was a great result for Shylie in her 10th year playing golf at Lucindale.

C Grade champion Fionna McInnes played well to beat Kylie Grundy, 12/10 in a 27-hole handicap match.

Referee Petrina Smith praised Kylie for playing her heart out but couldn’t take a trick as Fionna was on fire from the start.

Kylie had moments of brilliance, but Fionna’s consistently steady game was the winning formula.

Full credit to the club’s ladies captain Fionna McInnes and committee who organised a very successful championship.

Congratulations also to Michelle Justin who was top qualifier in the championships to win the Alambie Park Trophy for the 2 best nett scores (173).

Kylie Grundy was thrilled to win the Norah Limbert Memorial Salver which is donated by Mrs B Gilkes.

The club members are indebted to greenkeeper Don Thiele who along with Todd and Geoff Smith plus Gary Menz, who have nurtured and presented our course immaculately considering the dry conditions.

Thank you also to the referees and caddies who willingly offered great support on the day.