News from September 2008

Cohuna and Barham host 330 players in WGV Country Tournament

Tuesday 30 September

Over 330 women have played Round 1 today of the 2008 WGV Country Spring Tournament at Cohuna and Barham Golf Clubs in Victoria's Northern district

A long standing and popular event, the strong field requires two courses to co host the Tournament over its two day duration. Recently crowned Sand Greens Champion Mary Ann Davis from Murray Downs is in the field, but was unable to better Barham raised Linda Pawley, who fired a first round 82 to take the overall lead.

Full Rd 1 Results

Rd 2 Draw - updated 7pm 30 September

Royal Melbourne Hosts FYA Final

Sunday 28 September

Royal Melbourne hosted the 2008 Foundation for Young Australians State Final today with over 130 players from both regional and metroploitan Victoria.

Commonwealth Pair of Richard Cahill(3) and Robyn Parker(14) teamed well to take out the FYA Trophy on a countback with a combined 72 points. Runner Up in the teams event was Sanctuary Lakes Pair of Jordan Cooper(3) and Dawn George(19) with 72 points also.

Kingswood's Peter Morgan had a stellar 41 points from a handicap of 17 to win the Men's individual whilst a 39 points from Sanctuary Lakes Dawn George saw her take home the Women's individual prize.

Oh what a week!

Friday 26 September

Su Hyun Oh has won the 2008 Victorian Junior Championship by defeating fellow Long Island club member Young Jin Chi 2/1 at Metropolitan golf club today. Following the gruelling 36 hole final Oh said, 'I've played enough golf to last me some time now'. The Championship commenced on Monday wtih 60 players teeing up in the first qualifying round. Oh placed 5th after qualifying, shooting rounds of 76 and 82 in tough conditions. She had the toughest matchplay draw of all competitors, having to overcome Australian Women's Open qualifier Bre Elliott from Yarrawonga and two time defending Champion from Heidelberg Grace Lennon.

In other matches, State team member Elissa Orr defeated Angela Dunn from Flinders 3/2 to take out the Under 18 Championship, Jacinta Brideson (Southern) was taken to the 18th by Leongatha golfer Reanna Matthews to win 1 up and Young Min Chi (Long Island) defeated club colleague Tayla Strauss 2up.

Final Results

Left to Right:
Young Min Chi - Champion Under 14
Young Jin Chi - Championship Runner Up
Su Oh - Champion
Jacinta Brideson - Under 16 Champion
Elissa Orr - Under 18 Champion
Reanna Matthews - Under 16 Runner Up
Angela Dunn - Under 18 Runner Up
Tayla Strauss - Under 14 Runner Up

Oh and Chi in Championship Final

Thursday 25 September

Su Hyun Oh and Grace Lennon had a thrilling match this afternoon for a spot in the Championship Final going down the 20th hole where Oh eventually came home winner. Oh will play Young Jin Chi tomorrow at Metropolitan in the 36 hole final tomorrow beginning at 8.00am.

Elissa Orr will be playing Angela Dunn in the Under 18 final tomorrow, while Jacinta Brideson and Reanna Matthews will go head to head in the Under 16 Final. Under 14 girls to advance to the final are Tayla Strauss an Young Min Chi. The first of the age division finals will commence at 12.14 tomorrow.

Lennon, Oh, Poulsen and Chi advance to the Semi Finals of The Victorian Junior Championship.

Wednesday 24 September

Grace Lennon, Su Hyun Oh, Tilly Poulsen and Young Jin Chi will see themselves playing tomorrow in the semi finals of the Victorian Junior Champs after winning their quarter final matches today. Kingston Heath Golf Club hosted day one of of the matchplay knockout which is being held in conjuction with the VGA.

Today's matches, played at Kingston Heath saw Grace Lennon carry on her form with a win against Courtney Gay 6/5. Su Hyun Oh and Breanna Elliott fought it out down the 18th with Oh winning 2up. Tilly Poulsen took down 1st round leader Sienna Lambert 4/3 whilst Young Jin Chi proved too good for Lee Park with a 3/2 victory. Play commences around Midday tomorrow with The semi finals of both the Championship and Age divisions.

Lennon top qualifier in Junior Champs

Tuesday 23 September

Heidelberg's Grace Lennon has finished top qualifier after a 77 today at Woodlands Golf Club and finishing 1 stroke ahead of Sienna Lambert with a 153 gross 2 day total. Lennon (Loyola College) also won the 2008 Schoolgirls Championship.

With a homeclub advantage, Woodland's Tamara Singham(21) fired a nett 67 to take out the day's nett event whilst Long Island's Tayla Strauss carded two consistent rounds to take the 36 hole nett event.

Play begins at 7.45am tomorrow at Kingston Heath Golf Club with 4 Championship matches. The Age Group Matchplay will commence Thursday afternoon hosted by Kingswood Golf Club.

Sienna storms into lead

Monday 22 September

Cohuna golfer Sienna Lambert has stormed through the 11th, 12th and 13th holes at Commonwealth today to lead the Victorian Junior Championship by one stroke.

Three consecutive birdies contributed to Lambert's one over par 75 in wet and windy conditions. She leads defending Champion Grace Lennon from Heidelberg and Long Island golfer Su Hyon Oh who fired scores of 76.

For live scores click here

Juniors Tee Off at Commonwealth

Monday 22 September

Fifty-nine of Victoria's best junior girl golfers have commenced Round 1 of the 2008 Victorian Junior Championship.

The strong windy conditions has not kept any competitor away from Commonwealth Golf Club this morning, with all players prepared to tackle the challenging weather.

Defending Champion Grace Lennon has commenced her round, aiming to make a hat-trick out of the State Junior Championship. However, she is facing tough competition from Yarrawonga golfer Bre Elliott, and Commonwealth player Elissa Orr. Also keen to make their mark in Victorian golf is Yarra Yarra player Courtney Gay, Tilly Poulsen from Kingston Heath, Young Jin Chi from Long Island and Jacinta Brideson from Southern.

WGV will post all scores on the live leaderboard.

Mildura pair triumph in The 2008 RWH 4BBB State Final

Friday 19th September

Salli Doherty (22) and Jodene Tuau (22) from Mildura combined well together to score 43 points and win The 2008 RWH4BBB State Final held today at Metropolitan Golf Club.

Runner Up in this year's event went to Sunshine(North West Metro) pair Jay Magee (16) and Lorraine Bright (25) with 41 points.

This year's event was again a success in this 3rd year the event has been held. Money raised through entry fees and fundraising activities is directed to the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction unit, which is one of the least glamorous areas of research at the hospital. Our aim is to try and fund a three year scholarship to train another doctor in this area of women's medicine. Click here for full story on RWH4BBB

Metropolitan debuts as women prepare for showdown

Wednesday 17th September

Golf Australia is pleased to announce that the 2009 Women's Australian Open will make its debut at the prestigious Metropolitan Golf Club on Melbourne's world-famous sandbelt from 12-15 February 2009.

Home to seven previous Men's Australian Opens and the 2001 Accenture World Match Play Championship, the stunning Metropolitan club is widely recognised as one of the finest championship courses in the country and is ranked among Australia's top 10.

Chairman and acting CEO of Golf Australia, Anne Lenagan said, "The Metropolitan is a wonderful club with an outstanding golf course, which we are sure players will relish. We are delighted to continue the wonderful Victorian success story that was started at Kingston Heath earlier this year."

Metropolitan Golf Club Captain Bruce Baskett said he was delighted to welcome some of the world's finest women golfers and fans to Metropolitan.

"The Australian Open is the pinnacle of women's golf in Australia and we're excited to be hosting this prestigious championship."

Mr Baskett continued: "We believe our superb course, which is well practised in hosting international golfing championship, will provide a stern challenge for the cream of women's golf."

The announcement coincides with the launch of the striking new Women's Australian Open logo which will feature prominently in the lead up to the championship.

The logo reflects the glamour and elegance of the championship and the dynamic calibre of golf on offer.

Sienna Lambert wins Kookaburra Trophy.

Monday 15 September

Cohuna junior Sienna Lambert has won the 2008 Kookaburra Trophy by one Stroke in challenging conditions at Kooringal Golf Club yesterday. Despite the tough conditions, Sienna was determined to bring the trophy home.

The Kookaburra Trophy has been running for 38 years and since the early 80's has been run in conjunction with the Kooringal Winn Lloyd Trophy. Sienna who travelled all the way from Cohuna to Kooringal Golf Club said, it was well worth the drive and was very pleased with her win. Sienna plays off 4 and had a gross score of 83, one less than Jacinta Brideson from Southern Golf Club who plays off 3.

The Kookaburra Trophy Nett Score was won by Amanda Mc Coll from Kooringal Golf Club who, off a handicap of 14, had a nett 72.

A Grade Nett was won by Ruby Curtin from Amstel Golf Club, off 13 who defeated ElchoPark's Katharine Bunting on a count back with a nett score of 80.

B Grade Gross winner was taken out by Amanda McColl with a score of 86 and the nett winner was Kylie Alton from MeltonValley who, off 15 had 74 nett.

C Grade Gross winner was won by Strathallan's Gemma Taylor off 27, who hit a gross score of 106, with Sian Zigomanis a Girl's Golf Club member who, off 36 won the nett with a score of 76.

The 9 Hole Rookie event was won by Bianca Findlay from Sunshine Golf Club with a gross score of 44.

For full results click here.

A big thank you to Kooringal Golf Club for hosting the 2008 Kookaburra Trophy and for supporting WGV's junior golf program.

Davis does it by 5

Wednesday 10 September

Murray Downs golfer Mary-Anne Davis has won the 2008 Victorian Sand Greens Championship by five strokes today. In perfect conditions, Davis bettered her Round 1 score by 1 to claim the title for the first time.

Davis said of her win 'I've been playing this event for one hundred years and it is such a thrill to finally win.'

In Division 2, Rhonda Fatone from Inverleigh Golf Club scored rounds of 94 and 86 to take out the trophy for best gross of the 19 to 25 markers. Best nett was won by Sue Holmes who, off a handicap of 22 scored 69 and 71 for a total of 140.

Inglewood golfer Estelle Wilson claimed the honours in Division 3, with rounds of 97 and 101. The best nett score over the two days was won by Kate Wilson from Carrington Park, with rounds of 75 and 71.

The most memorable event of the tournament belonged to 89 year old Kitty Grose from Ballarat Golf Club. Off a handicap of 26, Kitty shot a remarkable 104 and 95 to finish tied in 2nd position. When asked to speak of her longevity, Kitty kept hush but did say she thoroughly enjoyed playing the green fairways of the Boort Golf Club.

For full results click here

Boort Golf Club sponsors Loreal, Boort Newsagency. Loddon Shire, Boundary Bend Management, Boort Medical Practice, Goulburn Murray Water, Commercial Hotel, Dunn Seeds, Richmond Sinnott and Delahunty, Drummond Golf, National AgriBusiness, AL & NF Stringer, Rubicon Systems, Rodwells Boort, Bendigo Bank, Commonwealth Bank and Akrasi Winesare to thank for their support of the event.

The 2009 Victorian Sand Greens Championship will be played at the Grampians Golf Club in Victoria's West.

Boort proves challenging

Tuesday 9 September

The beautifully green Boort Golf Course proved to be more challenging than most expected today. The welcome rain received last week helped Boort present the course immaculately.

Murray Downs golfer Mary-Anne Davis had the round of the day shooting 78 off the stick. The best nett of the day was Janice Chester from Belvoir Park who, off a handicap of 16 had nett 68.

The local council has got on board the event, resurficing the Boort car park and coming out to watch the best Sand Green players in Victoria pit their talents against the course.

For full results click here.

Boort blossoms on Day 1 of Sand Greens

Tuesday 9 September

Frost and a cloudless sky welcomed 150 players to Boort Golf Club this morning for Round 1 of the 2008 Victorian Sand Greens Championship. Defending Champion Helen Leech tees off at 7.30am in an attempt to make it three in a row.

The Victorian Sand Greens was first played in 1975 at Avenel Golf Club. Mrs A Johnston from Cobram Barooga Golf Club has won the event six times, with an amazing five year streak between 1991 and 1995.

NSW takes out Women's Interstate Series

Saturday 6 September

The Victorian State Team has left Pymble Golf Club contemplating what may have been after finishing 5th at the Australian Women's Interstate Series.

With the number 2 and 3 players in Australia, Clare Choi and Stacey Keating in the team, Victoria fought hard all week, but were unable to pull together the performances required to finish at the top of the table.

Victoria however did not come home empty handed. The Victorian Men's Team fought off home state NSW to claim the Australian Men's Interstate Series. Led by National Squad member Matt Griffin the Men's team, coached by VIS Head Coach Marty Joyce went through the Series undefeated. Congratulations!

For full results of both the Women's, Men's and Colt's Interstate Series click here.

Hat-trick for Mornington Peninsula

Wednesday 3 September

Mornington Peninsula has won their 3rd consecutive Country Teams Title in Division 1 today after finishing the 2008 event with a 6/1 win over Ballarat at Patterson River Country Club.

Meanwhile, South Western was too good in Division 2 with a 5/2 win today over East Gippsland. Play at Victoria Golf Club saw Bendigo victorious and moving back up to Division 2 for next year after their win today in the last round.

Click here for full results

Country Teams' Match set for thilling finish

Wednesday 3 September

The Final Round of The 2008 Country Teams gets underway today with Divisions 1 and 2 playing at Patterson River Country Club whilst Division 3 will be playing at Victoria Golf Club.

Division 1 sees Mornington Peninsula in good shape being undefeated and will play Ballarat District today. Although Mornington Peninsula is tied with North Eastern District on game points, North Eastern have the bye today and had lost against Mornington Peninsula yesterday morning giving Mornington Penisula the advantage.

In Division 2, South Western and South Gippsland districts will be fighting it out for the top spot. Both districts have 4 game points, however South Western is in front by half a match. South Western will play East Gippsland today whilst South Gippsland will be taking on Dalhousie. This looks to be a very close and exciting day!

Bendigo and West Gippsland Districts round out the top spots in Division 3 both sitting on 6 game points. With West Gippsland having the bye, Bendigo District looks like the favourite taking on North Western today. However, if North Western pull off the win today things could be very interesting.

Victorian girls take WA to the wire

Wednesday 3 September

In the second round of the Australian Women's Interstate Series, Victoria and Western Australia were hard to split as the foursomes went down the wire.

Clare Choi and Stacey Keating squared with Jessica Speechley and Whitney Hillier while WA's Nicole Montgomery and Bronwyn Speechley defeated Grace Lennon and Stephanie Brennan 5&4.

In the afternoon singles matches, Elissa Orr from Barham had a convincing win over Jade Panos, whilst newly crowned Canadian Amateur Champion Stacey Keating secured the second win of the afternoon defeating Whitney Hillier, 1 Up.

Victoria takes on Tasmania in today's third round.

For all the latest news and for live scoring click here.

Victoria goes down to SA

Tuesday 2 September

The Victorian State Team narrowly lost its opening round of the 2008 Interstate Series to South Australia yesterday.

In the match of the day, Huntingdale golfer Clare Choi lost to Australia's number one amateur Stephanie Na, 2 down. The two youngest players of the team, Grace Lennon and Elissa Orr did the job, winning 5&4 and 4&3 respectively.

For full results click here..

Country Teams' Gets Underway

Monday 1 September, 2008

Players, managers, caddies and supporters have commenced the 2009 Country Teams' Matches today across Melbourne's sandbelt.

Played annually, the best players from each regional District are selected to play off against other districts in the three day round robin match play event.

For all the latest news and results click here

WGV Launches new website

Monday 1 September, 2008

Thanks to a Victorian State Governments State Sporting Association Support Grant (SSASG) received in July 2007, WGV has been working hard over the past 12 months to develop a new site, membership database and tournament management system.

It has been an exciting year for WGV as we have researched and developed this site to -

Improve communications with members and the broader golf community
Improve communications with clubs
Increase administration productivity and efficiency
Improve the quality andeffectiveness of WGV Tournaments and Events
Allow members to enter WGV Tournaments and Events online

We are keen to hear what you think about our new website so please email info@womensgolf.org.au if you have any feedback or suggestions.

Victoria ready to go at Pymble

Monday 1 September, 2008

The Final Round of The 2008 Country Teams gets underway today with Divisions 1 and 2 playing at Patterson River Country Club whilst Division 3 will be playing at Victoria Golf Club.

The Victorian State Team tees up against South Australia today in Round 1 of the Australian Women's Interstate Series at Pymble Golf Club. The Team arrived in Sydney on Saturday morning and having played a practice round yesterday are set to battle out against the other States in an attempt to bring the Gladys Hay Trophy back to Victoria.

You can follow all the action by visiting Golf Australia.