Leigh & Bailey fight it out

On July 4, 54 South East golfers played in the Lucindale Ladies Open Day.

Organiers were thrilled to have Janina Morrison, secretary of SE District Ladies Golf, and Lady Patroness, Issie Carracher present and playing.

Thanks to greenskeeper Don Thiele for once again presenting the course so well considering the dry and frosty conditions of late.

The morning before this event, the district had a record breaking -3C and so the match committee wisely delayed play for half an hour.

All players were alerted of changes and grateful for the near perfect weather conditions, little wind and sunshine.

Unfortunately, the fine weather didn’t positively influence the scores – not one played to or below their handicap.

Once again, we’re indebted to Malcolm Collins and his team at Naracoorte Toyota for their generous support – it’s now the 15th consecutive year of sponsorship and the club is grateful to the Toyota team and it was wonderful to have Toyota representatives Alicia & Mel, available to present all prizes.

The Koch family also presented a minor sponsorship. For the past 10 years, they have generously sponsored the Yakka Challenge however this no longer exists and so, wanting to continue thier support, came on board this major tournament.

Congratulations to A Grade Gross winner, Sharon Leigh (Bordertown) who had 90 off the stick, winning on a countback from Kirsty Bailey (Millicent).

A Grade nett winner was Karena Higgins (Lucindale) with 74, Jacki Baker was Nett Runner up on 75 and Michelle Justin (Lucindale) 76. Our Ladies Captain, Rachel Smith won A Grade longest drive and Claire Mossop was A Grade NTP winner.

B Grade gross winner was the ever-consistent Cheryl Fitzgerald with 35 stableford points, she also was Veteran’s winner.

Runner up was Rosie Legoe on 34 and she had the longest drive in B Grade and Rebecca Shanks (Millicent) was NTP recipient.

Third, fourth and fifth all had 30 points and were respectively Fran Guy (Bordertown), Issie Carracher (Lucindale) and Debbie Tincknell (Millicent).

C Grade was also a stableford competition and was won by Lucindale vice captain Fionna McInnes on 30 points on a countback from Jenny Gilkes (Robe).

On her first hole played, Jenny hit 60m to hole her ball and score a birdie, showing she felt comfortable playing at her former club.

Third, fourth and fifth winners with 26 points respectively were Karen Gould (Lucindale), Shannon Higgins (Lucindale) and Karen Drabsch (Keith).

Shannon won C Grade longest drive and it was also the longest in all three grades.

Marilyn Bellinger (Beachport) won NTP in C Grade.

The teams event was won a Lucindale trio, Cheryl Fitzgerald, Karena Higgiand Nicole Hocking.

Congratulations to captain, Rachel Smith and her match committee for organising a successful day and thanks to the ladies and men who made themselves available to help in the kitchen, bar and score cards that had multiple countbacks.

This hospitality continues at the Lucindale Golf Tournament to be held July 19-21.

Rabobank are sponsoring a Mixed Pinehurst Championship and a stableford for players without partners on Friday, July 19, with an 11.30am hit off.

On Saturday, a Men’s and a Ladies 4 Ball Better Ball Stableford also hits off at 11.30am.

Hage Tractors & Implements & CASE IH are sponsoring these events as well as the Men’s 18 Hole Championship on Sunday.

The lady’s competition next week is a stableford competition kindly sponsored by Wild Game Wines. It’s also the 2nd round of the President’s Trophy and 2nd Stableford round of Olympics.