Golfers eye summer Riverside challenge
January 6, 2012By VINNIE RODI
GOLFERS from as far away as Broken Hill, the Riverland, Swan Hill, Ouyen, Robinvale and from around Sunraysia will converge on the Riverside Golf Club next weekend, with the Riverside Summer Golf Open to be held on Saturday, January 14, and Sunday, January 15.
TEE TIME: Riverside Golf Club Captain, Winnie Easterbrook, and club stalwart – and current course record holder – Mick Innes, are gearing up for next weekend’s Riverside Summer Golf Open.
The annual event will enter its fourth year in 2012, and Riverside Golf Club Captain, Winnie Easterbrook, said the tournament had fast become one of the more popular events on Sunraysia’s golfing calendar.
“At the time of the event’s inception in 2009, there weren’t any major summer golf events being played in Sunraysia,” he said.
“The majority of golf opens in Sunraysia were all winter-based, and at the time the Riverside Golf Club committee – which was led by Captain Greg McCubbin – felt there was a place on Sunraysia’s golfing calendar for a summer event like this.
“In its first year we had close to 80 entrants – which was a terrific turnout – and over the past three years those numbers have grown to more than 100 participants, with our goal to see 100 to 110 male and female golfers take to the greens next weekend.”
Open to amateur golfers of all ages, the Riverside Summer Golf Open will be played over two grades – with both a men’s and women’s A and B Grade to be on offer.
All grades will be played over two rounds (18 holes per day), with $1700 in prize money to be up for grabs.
This will incorporate daily prizes, competitions, and the event itself, with Winnie saying the invitation was open to all local golfers to take part.
“We’ve already sent out a number of invitations to clubs in Sunraysia, and out of town,” he said. “We’re also encouraging any local golfers interested in taking part to contact the Riverside Golf Club and enter.
“In the past this event has proved a fantastic social outing, with all participants enjoying the warm Mildura weather.”
Last year’s A Grade men’s champion, Greg Rhodes, and his female counterpart, Sue Laird, are expected to return to defend their respective titles, with Winnie saying there were a number of golfers who would challenge the pair this year.
“Both Greg and Sue are fantastic golfers, and will certainly go close to making it back-to-back wins,” he said.
“There are also a number of entrants who will offer a major challenge, including Chris Thomas and Steve Willmann in the men’s division, and Marg Lampard in the women’s.
“All three of these competitors are extremely talented golfers, and are certainly amongst the favourites to win.
“There are also a few out-of-town entrants coming over with huge wraps on them, so the competition is certainly going to be fierce.”
And while taking out their respective grades will be the main goal for all participants, for some of the more experienced golfers, beating the long-standing course record of 66 at Riverside may also be on the cards.
Currently held by passionate golfer – and a regular fixture at the Riverside Golf Club – Mick Innes, the record has lasted the better part of 20 years, with Mick (who will be in attendance helping out during the day), saying he was looking forward to seeing some of the region’s best golfers in action.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I don’t play golf much anymore, but I still enjoy getting out and helping out where I can.”
With a week left until the competition officially gets underway, Winnie is encouraging golfers to express an interest.
“The weather at the moment looks like it’s going to be quite pleasant,” he said. “It would be great to see a large number of entries take part.”
Entry forms for the 2012 Riverside Summer Golf Open are available by visiting the Riverside Golf Club, or by contacting 5023 1560.
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