The weather was perfect for the 25 members (and 1 guest) who made the trip to the Barossa Valley to contest our return to this course. Having not played there for a few years, it’s great to see the improvements that they have made due to a steady water supply and course care.

This was also the first time we introduced a bit of variety by playing a “Par” competition instead of using the usual Stableford scoring. It seems that everyone coped with this change and no complaints have been received by the committee (so far) !

Surprisingly, only 2 members played to their handicap, most players found it quite challenging.

Results (Par competition):

Winner = Frank Topoljnak with square;

2nd = Sandy Turnbull also with square (on count back);

3rd = Bruce Clark with -1.

NTPs:

2nd 0-21HC: John Mortimer 11.0m, 22+HC: James Prater 15.0m

11th 0-21HC: Nobody, 22+HC: Nobody

13th 0-21HC: Darren Griffiths 4.2m, 22+HC: Frank Topolnjak 10.0m

15th 0-21HC: Marty Goldsworthy 3.0m, 22+HC: Sandy Turnbull 4.5m

Matchplay Competitions:

Group A: Al Macdonald defeated Mat Kennedy 4/3

Group B: Bruce Clark defeated Darren Griffiths 4/2 and Mark Duerden & James Prater drew their match.

Our next game will be at Victor Harbor GC on Sunday 19th April.

John Mortimer & Stu Thomson

35 Members contested this once awesome course which has sadly deteriorated in recent years. Course prep was sporadic with wet greens and fairways, as well as missing tee markers on some tees. And some of the tracks between the greens and tees required 4WD buggies to negotiate !

However some great scores were achieved (with 3 players scoring in 40’s), despite the rough swallowing hundreds of balls.

Sadly, the food in the bar area was very poor quality and it was disappointing to have this served to us take-away style, as if we were in a fish & chip shop ! The committee will be looking for an alternative venue for its AGM next year.

The SAOGA Annual General Meeting was held in the Bar Area after the game, with the existing Committee members being re-elected and Carolyn Kernahan joining the Committee.

Results:

Winner = Ewan McDonald with 41 points;

2nd (on countback) = Marty Goldsworthy with 40 points;

3rd = Kris Rodrigues with 40 points.

The next 6 players were awarded a ball each, down to 32 points.

NTPs:

5th 0-22HC: Kris Rodrigues 6.0m, 23+HC: Ewan McDonald 5.0m

9th 0-22HC: Stu Thomson 1.0m, 23+HC: Carolyn Kernahan 1.5m

12th 0-22HC: Bruce Clark 2.0m, 23+HC: Leon Mulder 3.9m

14th 0-22HC: Marty Goldsworthy 15.0m, 23+HC: Helen Janetzki 20.0m

Matchplay Competitions:

Group A: Al Macdonald defeated Aston Bradbrook 1-Up, Andrew Reid defeated Stu Thomson 2/1

Our next stop is the Sandy Creek course on Sunday 22nd March.

John Mortimer & Stu Thomson ⛳️

A hot round of Golf for the 26 who took on this Challenging South Coast Layout.

With 85 Bunkers and 14 Lakes (mostly dry at present), this course demands respect and any errant shot will be punished.

Mark Duerden matching 2025 winner Marty Goldsworthy’s 45 points with an excellent round of Golf, Richard Wheare and Aston Bradbrook with 40 points each also had great rounds .

Results:

Winner = Mark Duerden with 45 points;

2nd = Richard Wheare with 40 points (on count back);

3rd = Aston Bradbrook with 40 points.

NTPs:

2nd 0-24HC: Nobody, 25+HC: Liza Wedge 3.0m

5th 0-24HC: Graeme Wheare 5.0m, 25+HC: Nobody

7th 0-24HC: John Elliott 0.5m, 25+HC: Nobody

13th 0-24HC: Al Mac 5.8m, 25+HC: Richard Wheare 15.0m

17th 0-24HC: Marty Goldsworthy 7.0m, 25+HC: Jim Stobie 10.0m

Matchplay Competitions:

Group A: Aston Bradbrook defeated Stu Thomson 5/4 & Al Macdonald defeated Andrew Reid 2/1

Group B: No matches

Our next stop is the mighty Mt Compass on Sunday February 22nd (including AGM) – we’d appreciate it if as many of you as possible will join us at this event.

John Mortimer & Stu Thomson⛳️