A strong southerly wind gusting up to 55km made for a challenging day for our golfers in the first round of the 2026 Club Championships as two players gave themselves early space in the race for the club champion title and Debonair David Collins picked up another Monthly Medal shirt.
David took out the November medal with a round of 88-16-72 in a countback from Miles Gould who posted a score of 84-12-72.
On a day where it was all about minimizing the number of double bogeys on your card the highlight of David’s round was a birdie three on the par four first hole as he played the front nine in 43 strokes.
In B grade Jeff “Cobba” Carnie finished his round with a score of 99-23-76 as he took home the winner’s trophy in a countback from Alan Hausler with 98-22-76.
In a third countback Wendy Cox won the ladies’ event with 97-23-74 from Judy Greer with 102-28-74.
Back to the main event and Matt Jean and Daryl Harrison have set the early pace with rounds of 79 off the stick as they chase their first Valley View Club Champion Title.
Front nine birdies on the fourth and eight holes from Matt were given back with double bogeys on the ninth and 14th holes while Daryl birdied the par five fifth and minimized the double bogey damage on his to card to just one on the 13th.
They have given themselves an early four shot buffer from their nearest challengers in Dylan Gallivan, Gary Cleary and Shane Bywaters who all shot rounds of 83 off the stick.
Last year’s winner in Brett Radley and three-time champion Miles Gould have their work cut out after rounds of 84.
Early leaders in the handicap grade events are:
A Grade
David Collins (Nett 72)
Miles Gould (72)
Daryl Harrison (73)
Dylan Gallivan (75)
B Grade
Jeff Carnie (Nett 76)
Alan Hausler (76) … unavailable for round 2
Les Hall (77)
Geoff Strachan (77)
Best Gross Score balls went to Matt Jean and Daryl Harrison in A grade, Ian Brown (96) in B grade and Tracey Wade (96).
Ball comp winners on the day were Daryl Harrison with (Nett 73), Dylan Gallivan (75), Julie Neale (75), Tracey Wade (76), Gary Cleary (76), Alex Kydd (77), the very patient Lawrie Casey (77) and Geoff Strachan (77).
On the par three holes Nearest the Pin trophies were won by Mick Coyne (A grade 3rd), Matt Jean (A grade 12th and First Tea Voucher on 15th) while the second shot balls were won by Alan Hausler on the 9th and that man Matt Jean on the 13th.
A big thanks to Lincoln Ferrari and the Team at Drummond Golf Shepparton who were this week’s sponsor and very generously will back up as sponsor for the final round as well.
Scoop
Melbourne Cup Day & Wednesday Golf:
Golfers enjoyed a 4BBB Stableford event on Melbourne Cup day.
In the men’s competition, Matthew and Robert Bradbury were winners on a count back from Mark Poulton and Tommy Ladhams when both teams finished with 43 points.
Balls down the line went to David Gebbie and Shane Bywaters with 42 points and Peter and Tom Mangan with 39 points.
A highlight of the Day was Matt Jean’s Eagle on the 445 metre Par 5 8th.
Nearest the pins went to Walles Cheong on the 3rd, Paul Pappin on the12th and Steve Usher on the 15th.
In the Women’s event, Wendy Cox and Leanne Busch were clear winners on 44 points, followed by runners up Von Morris and Helen Emery on 40 points. Lynne Canavan was nearest the pin on the 15th.
The Women’s event on Wednesday was Stableford.
Judy Greer was the winner with 36 points followed by runner up Lynne Canavan on 34 points. Tracey Wade was nearest the pin on the 15th and Von Morris won the Firstea voucher on the 3rd.