Weekly Report April 23

YMGCR BOWLS CLUB

Last week was our 2023 Iron Jack Mixed Pairs Tournament.  The event started out on Monday night with a large crowd gathering for the draw.  This year a member from each team had to shoot a rabbit which contained their team number (hats off to Garry and Claire Sanders for coming up with these novel and fun ideas).  Tuesday started with a welcome from Club CEO Peter Savy and with all the formalities done, it was time to hit the greens.

Clear skies, warm weather, NO WIND and fast greens greeted a very strong field of 28 teams with players from 24 different clubs from all parts of the state.  We had a world champion, Australian champs and State title holders.

After the first day we had 4 three game winners.  In the mix were Greg Green and Laureen Smith who sat third, and Anne Miles and her partner Ian Brimblecombe who were fourth.

Once again, the bowling gods were on our side as the weather was perfect, and after another great day of bowls there were no undefeated teams, but Green/Smith had moved into second.

Going into the last day all games were critical as we only had 2 games for the day.  We still had plenty of teams in the mix, and so it proved as positions in the prize money constantly changed.

After 8 games we had our clear winners in Wayne and Janis Parks from Inverloch.  In a fantastic display of bowls over the 3 days, they won 7 games and dropped the 8th game by 1 on the last end. Second went to Matt Robertson (Bendigo South) and Di Hands (Shepperton Park) who won 6 games.  Third also with 6 games were locals Greg Green and Laureen Smith.  Fourth went to Anne Miles and Ian Brimblecombe (Wangaratta).  Fifth was Nino Vishovic (Brighton) and Judy Nadella (Deer Park).  Sixth was the combination Allan Bartlett (Corowa RSL) and Kaz Hughes (Corowa Civic).  Seventh was Peter Gould and Julie Simic (Sale), eighth was Phil and Sue Hodge (Tocumwal), ninth was Tony Buckingham (Malvern) and Carol Fair (Kiewa) and tenth with 5 wins went to local pair Ian Woods (Yarrawonga) and Sue Middleton (Tungamah).

Best preformed day winners were Day 1 Garry and Claire Sanders (YMGCR), Day 2 Roy and Kellie Jackson (Moama) and Day 3 Brain Hogg (Tallygaroopna) and Kerri Leask (Benalla).

The club would like to thank our major sponsors, Iron Jack, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort and Central Murray Credit Union.  Without their generous support it would be impossible to run the event.  Thanks, must also go to the local businesses that supported the fantastic raffles, Bloom Chemists, IGA, Nagle Butchers, Woolworths and Rod and Racial Willett and the Shepperton Bowls Shop.

A very successful 3-day Tournament that showcased our magnificent club.  Visitors commented about the spectacular surroundings, our fantastic greens and a special mention must go to our caterers who produced 3 quality meals.

Thanks must go to one of the best greenkeepers in the state Warrick Henderson.  He just keeps producing simply the best greens year after year.  Thanks to Ray Irvine with his band of helpers who put the scores up after every game, and to Marie Morffew and Rhonda Irvine for running the raffle. Special thanks must go to Garry and Claire Sanders who pulled all of this together, and we hope it only gets bigger and better like it was pre Covid.

Friday Social Bowls had a field of 24 players and the winners were Gary Presnell and Frank Lieberg.  Runners up were Neville Coleman and Carolyn Boston.

On Saturday Scott Widdison, Les Spencer, Micky Vaughan and Ken Widdison represented the O&M in the Men’s State Fours.  They got a crack team from Bundoora and went down 14 to 13 in an extra end.

This Wednesday we have got Claire Sanders, Laureen Smith, Anne Miles and Kylie Whitehead in the State Ladies Fours.

 

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