Sports notes

Trudie Plumb took the top honours in A-grade, finishing her day with 72-20-52 nett, while in B-grade a countback was necessary, with Chris Kelly declared the winner over Sue Turnbull, who was then named runner-up, with both players carding 74-23-51 nett.

In C-grade it was Lyn Eeles the winner, with her score of 89-37-52 nett, followed by Sonia Verlinden as runner up, with 87-30-57 nett.

Ball recipients were Denise Hee 57, L McMaster-Smith 58, Lyn Fraser 58, Faye Roberts 58 and Lyn Berry 58 after a c/b.

Nearest the pin on the first was won by Mary Elliott, with Heather Sleeth grabbing the jackpot with her second shot to be nearest on the 18th.

The best best scratch score for the day was achieved by Trudie Plumb with 72.

The monthly medal was won by Chris Kelly with nett 51 on a c/b from Sue Turnbull with the same score.

The final of the silver spoon was also included in the competition and from those eligible was won by Trudie Plumb with 52 nett.

Weekend

Jacob Cartwright upstaged the rest of the field in Saturday’s stableford event at Parkland. The up-and-coming junior playing off 8 was the winner of the men’s A-grade with 37 points. Runner-up was Aaron Baker with 35 points.

B-grade went to Mal Williams with 36 points while Mark Percy was runner-up with 34 points.

Curtis Walsh on a winning streak won C-grade with 32 points after a countback from Mel Lusher, while Zac McLennan on 31 points was third.

It was winners only for the women, with Faye Glover 36 points winning A-grade.

B-grade went to Pam Spokes 32 points while C-grade went to Jan Gentle, 36 points.

Nearest the pins went to Lindsay Simms on the 18th and Aaron Baker on the 1st.

Ball winners were Denise Hee, Kathy Bell, Bev McLay, David Kuiper, David Cartwright, Jason McKenzie, Mick Sullivan, Scott McLennan and Rick Walsh.

The day’s event was sponsored by Kyabram Bakery.

Wednesday men golfers played a stroke round, with the markers from the plate for the medal event.

Richard Stockdale played consistent golf to win C-grade and claim the medal. Richard carded 71-20-51. Chris Harmer was runner-up with 72-20-52. Vin Sleeth was third with 71-18-53.

Two former Goulburn Valley Country Week players and local members showed their form in A-grade. David Cartwright was the winner with 60-7-53. Matt Jean was runnerup with 60-5-55.

Mark Percy won B-grade with 70-16-54. Mick Sullivan was next with 70-14-56.

Ball winners were Alan Davidson, Cameron Willis, Vaughan Moss, Mal Baker, Paul Price and Paul McInnes.

Nearest the pins went to Paul Price on the 1st and Alan Davidson on the 9th for the Ky Pizza and Pasta voucher. David Cartwright was nearest on the 15th for the Clive Coventry Funeral voucher. Peter Barrette was nearest on the 14th for the voucher from Ray’s Pond. Matt Jean was closest on the 18th for the Brett Cox Electrical voucher.

Bingo: Tomorrow’s Rolling Jackpot is $600 in 52 calls. The Bonus Jackpot is $100 in 53 calls. The Star Flyer Jackpot is $1150.

Coming events: Saturday men’s and women’s multiple stableford. Noon to 12.30pm. Tuesday: women’s stableford. 9.30am to 10am. Wednesday (27th): men’s stableford. 9.30am to 10am.

Valley View Golf Club

Midweek

On Friday, August 8 Valley View hosted 39 players from across the Goulburn Valley in the Swaggers Stableford event.

Division One winners were from Cobram (36 points) while Shepparton and Mooroopna contested a countback (31 points.)

In Division Two, Shepparton took first and second place (35 and 34 points) with Nathalia in third place (33 points).

Last Wednesday we played the Doris Chambers Foursomes and we thank Fringe Factory for sponsoring the event.

Helen Emery and Tracey Wade (32 points) will go to Melbourne to play in a statewide competition later in the year, while Helen Armstrong and Gill Thorsen (29 points) were left to contemplate what might have been.

Weekend

With hail (that never came) forecast it was another winter (size) field for Saturday’s stableford event, with just enough turning out for one grade.

As it was, two A-graders took the honours, with Peter Mangan getting the better of Pooch McHale with 35 points in a countback.

Mango also picked up the nearest the pin on the third — the only NTP trophy claimed on the day.

It was a good day for the McHale family, with Jan taking out the ladies’ comp with 36 points, finishing two shots clear of runner-up Von Morris, who had 34 points.

Balls in the ball comp went to Alan Hausler with 34 points, Glenn Laity (34), Marie Watt (33) and Daryl Harrison (33).

Mick Coyne won the ball for nearest second shot on the ninth but somehow still managed to fail to score on the hole.

Some good scores on Tuesday, with Billy Ryan taking out A-grade with 38 points from Daryl Harrison with 37.

Alan Hausler also took out B-grade with 38 points, finishing four shots clear of Ron Dixon with 34 points. Haus also won the nearest the pin voucher on the 15th.

Balls in the ball comp went the way of Kevin Bauerle with 36 points, Glenn Laity (34), Mick Gallivan (34) and Peter Mangan (33).

Mick McAuliffe, back from a long holiday, won the A-grade NTP on the 3rd, Kelly Cheong the A-grade NTP on the 12th and Paul Pappin the B-grade NTP on the 12th. Kelly also won the ball for nearest second shot on the ninth.

I was late to last Saturday’s presentation and as a result omitted to acknowledge the event sponsor, so a belated thank you to Terry White Chemmart for its generous support of last week’s comp.

— Scoop

Goulburn Murray District

The Goulburn Murray District Teams event was held at Ky Valley View on Sunday, August 17, where the players competed for trophies dedicated to life members of the district.

For the women, the Gollan Hicks Kelly Shield; and the men, for the Gray Barton Cup.

Thanks to the clubs represented for supporting the district event, which were Cosgrove, Hill Top Tatura, Murchison, Ky Parkland, Ky Valley View, Nathalia and Numurkah with several of those clubs having teams in the men’s and women’s competitions.

At presentations, GMGA president Bev Hutchins welcomed GMGA life members Iris Hicks, Joy Kelly and Mick Keen and then gave thanks to Valley View for hosting the event, to the wonderful sandwich and cake catering team and with special thanks to Helen Emery, who did most of the organising for the club.

In the women’s competition, Nancy Dunn from Nathalia had the best individual score of 36 points and took an NTP, ahead of runner-up Julie Kirchen representing Numurkah with 33 points. The other NTP went to Nola Dalton from Numurkah.

The main event for the women was the Gollan Hicks Kelly trophy and with two of the life members, Iris Hicks and Joy Kelly, in attendance they very capably helped the president with the presentation of the shield and prizes.

For a second year running, the Nathalia team of Nancy Dunn, Sue Lowe, Leesa Barnes and Sonia Verlinden had a convincing win, with an aggregate of 123 points.

Leesa Barnes spoke on behalf of the teams and thanked the organisers, the host club, the presenters and their playing partners.

Runners-up for the GHK Shield were the neighbouring team from Ky Parkland of Kathy Bell, Denise Hee, Chris Kelly and Trudi Plumb with a total of 112 points.

Presentations to the men were next and a countback was required to separate the winners, with Michael Downs from Hill Top and Michael Coyne from Valley View both finishing on 35 points.

It was Michael ‘Local’ Coyne who took first place, with a much better back nine.

NTPs went to Charles Lowe from Parkland and Darryl Harrison from Valley View.

Into the main event, the Gray Barton Cup, where the home club teams made a great stand about their skill and local knowledge.

The Valley View team of Michael Coyne, Daryl Harrison, Graeme Harrison and Mick Pell were the clear winners with 120 points.

Michael Coyne spoke on behalf of the team to thank the organisers and making comment about his sore shoulders carrying the rest of his mates.

Runners-up were the second Valley View team of Paul and Ash Kuiper, Lawrey Casey and Peter Blackmore on 112 points.

Merrigum Golf Club

It was an early start for Merrigum golfers on Saturday, with the annual open 27-hole event sponsored by the Merrigum Lions being played.

It was a cold day, particularly given the 9am hit-off, but there was still a good representation of resilient golfers prepared for the challenge.

The open championship seemed to be all over after the pre-lunch 18 holes, with Mick Poulton shooting a classy 76-9-67 in the heavy atmosphere, which meant ball carry was much less than we have been used to. He led by four shots at the lunch break.

Mick’s new putter had its first outing on Saturday and was running sizzling hot in the morning, but unfortunately by the afternoon if Mick missed his first putt, then it became a three-putt, which proved costly in the wash-up.

As is the case though, the cream always rises to the top.

Ash Sanders, the reigning club champion, was his usual consistent self, scoring 80 for the first 18 holes and backed it up with 41 for the final nine holes to secure a one-shot victory over Mick, with Ash now adding the Wilson Trophy to his impressive list of achievements in golf at Merrigum.

Mick joins a long list of golfers who have fallen victim to Merrigum’s sumptuous lunch, with the scribe for one never having had a decent last nine in more than 30 years of playing this event.

In B-grade, Andrew Wood had the scratch event pretty well covered from the outset, scoring 83 for the pre-lunch 18 holes and 42 on the final nine to run out a comfortable 10-shot winner.

The winners of the handicap events in A- and B-grade respectively were for 27 holes: Mick Poulton 108.5 and Craig Doherty 118.5 on a countback from Bill Bray; 18 holes: Cory Berghofer 72 and John Fuller 74; 9 holes: Bruce Brown 37.5 and Bernie McGrath 41.

Woody picked up two nearest the pins to go with his B-grade championship, the sixth and the ninth, while Ash Sanders was closest on the 12th.

Simon Doherty won an extended chook shed challenge with 14 points.

This Saturday’s event is par.

KNA

Kyabram Netball Association results from round 13, played on Saturday, August 16.

Nine-and-under Go: Kyabram Astros 10 d St Lukes Sparrows 0. Best-on-court: Matilda G; incentive: Etta H. Kyabram Flames 7 lost to Bourchier Bears 15. Best-on-court: Harlow; incentive: Addison. Kyabram Meteors 2 drew with Numurkah Pink 2. Best-on-court: Eliza H; incentive: Matilda W. Kyabram Lunars 1 lost to Mooroopna Purple 8. Best-on-court: Abby G; incentive: Maya M.

11-and-under: Kyabram Stars 17 drew with Guthrie Blue 17. Best-on-court: Isla D; incentive: Mia B. Kyabram Comets 5 draw with Numurkah Blues 5. Best-on-court: Zoe M; incentive: Skyla S. Kyabram Rockets 14 d Orrvale Thunderbirds 10. Best-on-court: Amelia S; incentive: Layla B.

13-and-under Primary: Kyabram Gold 19 lost to Mooroopna Pink 20. Best-on-court: Belle; incentive: Meila. Kyabram Green lost to Orrvale Diamonds 26. Best-on-court: Sophia; incentive: Lexi D. Kyabram Suns d Euroa 5 12. Best-on-court: Ella M; incentive: Sophie.

13-and-under Secondary: Kyabram Diamonds 17 lost to Euroa 3. Best-on-court: Lydia; incentive: Tilly F. Kyabram Emeralds 30 d Saints Topaz. Best-on-court: Charli; incentive: Isla. Kyabram Opals 5 lost to GVGS 3 27.

Kyabram Pigeon Club

Kyabram Racing Pigeon Club has continued a rapid start to its 2025 season, holding two more events recently.

Following on from its season-opening Quambatook 1 event on August 2, Quambatook 2 was held on August 3.

Only 73 birds were liberated by nine trainers for the second running, down from 290 in the opening race.

Kyabram’s Peter White picked up the win in the event by some margin, his birds hitting an average speed of 882.4 metres per minute.

Echuca’s C. R. and D. Robb were some distance back with 827.92mpm, while Moama’s M. P. Racing placed third.

On August 9, 11 trainers and 200 birds took part in the Sea Lake 1 event, extending the birds’ return journey up to 227km in some cases.

Birds travelled from Sea Lake Airfield, off the Calder Hwy, back to their trainers’ lofts.

Kyabram’s Gary Rayner placed first with 940mpm, while Echuca’s Rod Clarke placed second at 936.95mpm.

Fellow Echuca local Ray Armstrong (930mpm) rounded out the podium.