Rochester and district sports notes

28 bowlers took the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and participate in two games of eight ends of bowls.

David Murray reported that there were four pairs with a win in both their games.

The eventual winners, with 26 shots up were John Weeks and Bert Smolenaars.

Weeksy is on a roll – two wins in two weeks and the Blues have had two wins in two weeks. Woohoo!

Drawn Pairs will be held again this coming Friday, May 29.

Please note:

Names on the list in the foyer by noon, first three weeks are drawn pairs, week four is own partner.

First Prize is a $5 drinks voucher, $5 entry.

Please note that all entries need to be entered on the sheet in the foyer, no later than noon on the day of play, ensuring that the organisers have sufficient time to organise the teams and format.

If you are unable to get into the clubhouse, give one of the organisers a ring or get a member to pop your name down.

All contact details are recorded in our club diary given out at the beginning of the season.

Indoor bowls

Our first night of Indoor Bowls for the season was a very successful and enjoyable night with lots of laughter and a few good bowls thrown in, for good measure.

There were two teams who managed to win both of their games.

Anton Gusak, Greg Machar and Yvonne Smolenaars managed ten shots up, but the overall winners were Mick Ellis, Betty Gusak and Mal MacRaild with 12 shots up.

Betty has the bragging rights over her husband, Anton, maybe forgoing a night of ‘Home and Away’ was worth it for Bet.

Play will resume next Monday, June 1.

It might be the first day of winter, but the venue will be nice and warm, with great company and some good bowling.

Please be there by 6.45pm so that teams can be entered with play beginning at 7pm.

Cost for members is $6.

Please contact Judy Murray if you require any further information.

Pennant 26-27

There are two sheets in the foyer for those who are wishing to play in the upcoming season.

If you plan to play, please put your name down so that selectors have an idea of how many divisions we can enter.

Bar Duty

Monday – Thursday, 5 – 6.30pm

25 – 28 May: B. Coghill and K. McCormack.

1 – 4 June: G. Willis and A. Gusak.

8 – 12: K. Barker and H. Moon.

A new bar roster will be completed within the coming month.

If your circumstances have changed and you wish to be withdrawn from the roster or you would like to be added, please contact Alan Williams 0417 109 998.

Lockington Bowls Club

The greens are running truly at Lockington.

Both series of the popular Scrounge game were played on the regular Wednesday and Saturday in rather pleasant conditions.

On Wednesday, the leading score was recorded by the evergreen Ray Hanson who produced a solid tally of 50 points and won the chocolates ahead of Owen McPhee 35 and Rod Fielder 34.

On the next door rink Peter "Eggsy" Egan was in sparkling form to score another fifty points to completely outbowl the serious challenges from Andy Harris, 48, and John van den Bosch on 41pts.

Saturday produced some true autumn weather that attracted a quality field to cover the four rinks in operation.

On rink one there was a classic game highlighted with some extraordinary bowling.

The result was a tie between John van den Bosch and John Dowie, both locked on 34 points.

Ray Hanson finished third with 27.

A further tie happened on the next door rink between Mel Freeman 48 points and Ken Burns 48pts.

The pair could not be separated while Owen McPhee finished on 42 points. A close competition.

Lorraine Appleby was in brilliant form to eclipse her opposition with a tally of 61 points and head off Nat Mc Laughlin 42 and Anthony Westwood 37 on rink three.

The final rink belonged to John Fisher scoring 42 points in a close contest and finishing ahead of Leanne McInnes 36, Phillip Cunnington 33 and Terrill Westwood on 28 points.

Social bowls will continue on both Wednesday and Saturday during the winter period, weather permitting.

The club congratulated Cindy Felmingham and Melissa Freeman on their performances in the recent State Novice Championships in the Shepparton District.

A breakdown of their performances included the Open Novice Pairs played at Tallygaroopna where they won two games and lost the other.

The irony of the story is that they defeated the sectional winner after winning both games 21-7.

In the singles championship played at East Shepparton Bowling Club, both members won their individual sections to progress to the first round of the play-offs.

Melissa Freeman bowled well, but unfortunately lost the next round.

Cindy Felmingham was bowled out in the quarter-final after winning her games 21-16, 21-18, 21-3, and 21-12, only to be defeated 16-21 in her final game. Well done to both bowlers.

Several members have attended local district tournaments with the Russell Shawcross skipped team of Kim Ray, John Whiteside and Ken Main gaining the runners-up trophies in an all-round performance.

Rochester Golf Club

Mike Austin continued on his winning ways, taking out last Wednesday's 9-hole event, which was played over the back nine.

22 Stableford points were just enough to hold off Brendan McCarty and Murray Schier, both on 22 points.

Next best were Bruce Bryant and Steven Bubb (20).

Bubb and President Hicks won last Friday's men's 4-ball at Lockington's Annual Tournament.

Rochester was well represented in all the fields at Lockington's over the weekend.

David Harris had a day out last Saturday, winning the overall Stableford event from the best field this season.

His amazing 45 points was his best score as the popular winner was greeted with a large cheer.

Murray Schier was rehearsing his acceptance speech only to find his score of 41 points was still four points adrift of Harris.

Brendan McCarty is playing solid golf this season, as is vice-captain Neil Goghill.

They both scored 38 points to be next best and Shane Bywaters, Les Hedington, Brent Sweeney, veteran Ap Kuiper, Leigh Hicks, Andrew Purdy and Chris Trewin all scored 35 points.

Bywaters was closest to the 3rd hole, Schier also won a ball for his fine shot to the 8th, David Gebbie made a welcome return after five weeks away to win closest to the 16th, and Purdy was closest to the 18th for his second shot.

Richard Feuk and Bruce Bryant played against each other in the club's singles match play semi-final.

Bryant finally won after a close game, winning 3 and 1 on the 17th.

Lockington Golf Club

The Lockington Golf Club 2026 Annual Tournament concluded on Sunday, four days of good golf, good weather and good company.

Thanks to all the visitors who travelled from near and far, with players from 26 clubs: Anglesea, Bamawm, Belvoir Park, Bendigo, Charlton, Elmore, Goonawarra, Heathcote, Inglewood, Lakeside-Lake Boga, Marong, Mitiamo, Murray Downs, Neangar Park, Pyramid Hill, Quarry Hill, Raywood, Rich River, Rochester, Rushworth, St Arnaud, Sandy Creek (SA), Strathmerton, Valley View, Wedderburn and Westwood Ho (SA).

The club is really grateful for the generous support of many sponsors for their crucial support.

A big thank you to the members involved with the preparation of the course and the scrapes.

Special thanks to all the members for the delicious food provided, as well as all those who worked in the office, the bar and the clubhouse, to make it such a successful event.

Thursday, May 21 – Ladies 4BBB

36 players, visitors from nine clubs.

The Rochester pair of Cate Ward and Janet Sinclair 47 points, c/b from Barbara McCarty (Rochester) and Jenny Holt (runners-up).

Third was another Rochester pair – Julie Leahy and Jenny Major 46.

Fourth was some Quarry Hill visitors having their first hit at Locky: Ann Costello and Leanne Key 45, c/b from Rich River pair Kerrie Main and Michele Mustey.

Ball comp: 44 – Leisa Evans (Rochester) and Annette Brereton; 42 – Lyn Kingston and Cath Kelly (Rich River), Helen Leech and Jenny Penny (Neangar Park), Lynley Strachan and Janine Wiltshire (Mitiamo); 41 – Denise Pappin (Elmore) and Pauline Humbert.

Nearest-the-pins: 3rd – Chris Pearce (Quarry Hill) 8.1m; 7th – Jenny Major; 17th – Leisa Evans (Rochester); 2nd shot 9th – Leisa Evans; 2nd shot 13th – Lynne Delaney (Raywood).

Nearest the line on the 18th: Pauline Humbert (and she got a birdie with a monster putt).

Friday, May 22 – Men’s 4BBB

70 players, visitors from 15 clubs.

Division 1 winners were the Rochester pair of Lee Hicks and Stephen Bubb 44 points, c/b Paul Kuiper (Valley View) and Kevin Humbert (runners-up).

Division 2 winners were the Pyramid Hill pair of Caleb Smith and Wayne Maxted 47; runners-up the Elmore pair of Max Williams and Greg Holmberg 46, c/b Neil and Ian Maddison.

Ball comp: Division 1: 43 – Steve Holt and Stuart Newton, Matt Miles (Mitiamo) and David Vanstone (Inglewood).

Division 2: 45 – Gordon McKay (Valley View) and Jeff Carnie, Brad and Jason Wakefield; 44 – Col Harvey (Rochester) and Darren Carnie; 42 – Tony Mullins (Pyramid Hill) and Andy Freemantle.

Nearest the pins: 3rd – Dave Campbell (Neangar Park) 3.8m; 7th – Darren Carnie (close enough to get the birdie putt); 16th – Kev Bauerle (Valley View); 17th – Brad Spence (Bendigo); 2nd shot 18th – Col Harvey.

Long Drive on the 14th: A-grade – Mat Dennis (Mitiamo); B-grade – Graeme Smith (Wedderburn); C-grade – Blake Humbert (Westwood Ho).

Eagle on the 5th: Grant Humbert.

Saturday, May 23- Mixed American

22 players, visitors from seven clubs.

Scratch winners were the Heathcote pair of Tristen Wearne and David Clouston 75.

Nett winners: Cath Kelly (Rich River) and Ian Maddison 78-18.5-59.5.

Nett runners-up: Fiona and Stuart Newton 88-26-62, c/b Sue and Andrew Harris (identical score of 88-26-62).

Nearest the pins: 3rd – Deanne Free (Lakeside – Lake Boga), Ian Maddison 1.75m (best over the tournament); 7th – Jeanette Naylor (Pyramid Hill), David Clouston; 16th – Mandy Ackland (Lake Boga – Lakeside), David Clouston; 17th – Mandy Ackland, David Clouston (3 for the day); 2nd shot 18th – Tristen Wearne.

Sunday, May 24–Men–36 Holes–Stroke–Open Championship

59 players, visitors from 12 clubs, a quality field that included 23 single figure handicappers.

A-grade 36 Holes Scratch and winner of the SJ Windridge Perpetual Trophy: Jake Wright 70-71-141, in a successful defence of his title.

36 Holes nett: Matt Miles 71-68=139. 18 Holes Nett (AM): Steve Jones (Rich River) 68+1=69, c/b Brett Stone.

18 Holes Nett (PM): Lachy Brook (Bendigo) 71-4-67.

B-grade 36 Holes Scratch: Brad Duncan (Mitiamo) 73-76=149; 36 Holes Nett: Rod Whittle (Elmore) 71-69=140, c/b Luke Price (Elmore).

18 Holes Nett (AM): Brad Duncan 73-8=65.

18 Holes Nett (PM): Luke Price 76-8=68.

C Grade 36 Holes Scratch: Jake Price 83-80=163; 36 Holes Nett: Will Hardess 71-66=137, c/b Neil Maddison.

18 Holes Nett (AM): Neil Maddison 81-16=65.

18 Holes Nett (PM): Will Hardess 85-19=66.

Veterans Event: Neil Maddison 65-72=137.

LGC Members Best 18 nett score: Neil Maddison 81-16=65. Ball comp (next best 36 nett scores): 140 - Corey Windridge (Rochester), 141 – Adam Gould (Mitiamo), 142 – Ash Kuiper (Valley View), 143 – Sam Newth (Bamawm), 144 – Mark Scholes (Rich River), Zac McInnes (Rochester).

Nearest-the-pins: 3rd – Ron Dixon (3.5m); 7th – Darren White (Rochester), 16th – Anthony Tanner (Elmore) – hit the flag; 17th – Mark Scholes; 2nd shot 18th – JD Wright.

Long Drive: A-grade – Grant Humbert; B-grade – Brett Duncan; C-grade – Dale Anderson (Mitiamo).