Rochester and district sports notes

Two games of eight ends were played, with three pairs winning both of their games.

Overall winners were Anton Gusak and Elaine Hall on +12, with Rob Clayton and Brooke Coghill close behind with +11 and Dave Murray and Yvonne Smolenaars on +5.

Thanks again to Dave Murray and Alan Williams who organised the bowls event for the afternoon.

Friday social bowls

Friday social bowls is set to commence on Friday, September 11.

Indoor bowls

The team consisting of Dave Murray, Bert Smolenaars, and Helen Moroney were the winners on Monday, August 24.

We welcomed Helen back from her holiday – she obviously didn’t lose any of her bowling skills while she was off enjoying herself.

Next Monday, August 31 will be the last indoor bowling session for this season.

Bowlers are reminded to bring a small plate to share over a drink and a bit of banter.

Once again, bowls will kick off at 7pm, with a 6.45pm arrival.

Pennant training

Training begins this Thursday, September 3 at 10am for those who are available.

If you plan to play pennant this season, you are encouraged to attend.

There are a few pennant players who are unavailable at that particular time due to work or prior commitments.

Some of those players are already discussing the possibility of gathering at a mutually agreeable time to train together – their commitment is commendable.

Coaching

Marg Knight is offering coaching for new bowlers, commencing this Thursday, September 3 at 10am.

If you know someone that might benefit from some coaching, please encourage them to contact Marg on 0407 093 848.

Season opening and footy tipping presentation night

Friday, September 4. I’ve been informed that there will be a game of bowls with a 3-3.30pm start (names on the sheet in foyer) and the footy tipping presentation will follow.

No more details available.

60 and over

The 60 and over competition begins this Wednesday, September 2 at Elmore, beginning at 11am.

Skippers are reminded to enter their teams by the Sunday before play, prior to 6pm – Phil Mace on 0428 290 351 or Alan Gerrish on 0427 461 448.

Anyone who would like a game but is not currently in a team is invited to contact our delegates – Francis Keech on 0477 949 700 or Dave Murray on 0477 520 385.

Bar duty

Monday – Thursday 5 – 6.30pm

7 – 10 - K. Barker and G. Chambers.

14 – 17 - A. Williams and D. Hocking.

21 – 24 - P. Stack and G. Willis.

Lockington Bowls Club

Spring is in the air as we move into the forthcoming pennant season.

Greens are rolling well and the bowlers are appreciating the overall conditions.

Last Wednesday there were three rinks in action and the display of bowling was electric.

On rink one, Terrill Westwood was in brilliant form to amass a staggering 61 points to win against Neil Haines, 41, and Lorraine Appleby, a respectable 38 points.

Rink two provided some excellent bowling with two bowlers tying on 49 points apiece.

Poss Andrea and Steve Peter could not be separated and shared the spoils ahead of Peter Egan on a gallant 41 points.

The final rink belonged to the “master” Ray Hanson, who calmly tallied a lazy 61 points and is showing some pre-season form.

In second place was Rod Fiedler and John Andrea, both locked on 34 points, while Geoff Pilgrim managed a dozen.

The Saturday edition of scrounge provided an absolute magic day of sunshine and true running greens. A great day attracting five rinks to manage the extra numbers.

The close scoring in most games was a treat to watch.

On the T.V. rink, Steve Pavone tallied a fine 48 points to win narrowly from Denise Gilmore, 43, and the luckless Jim Harris on 42.

Next door, the leading left-handed Ashley Dobell scored a total of 56 points and won from Frank Chugg, 43, and Lorraine Appleby, 41.

Rod Fiedler took home the chocolates on rink three with a brilliant 59 points, while Graham Turner managed 40 points and was just ahead of John Fisher, 37.

Fisher was making a comeback after a two-month overseas journey. Welcome home J.F.

Rink four produced some interesting bowling with another tight scoring feature.

Club president John van den Bosch scored a solid 53 points to head club secretary Leanne McInnes, 44 points, and Owen "Smiley" McPhee on 43.

On the final rink, Peter "Eggsy" Egan rolled off a match-winning tally of 52 points while Natalie McLaughlin managed a stylish 38 points.

Sharon Smith scored 26 points while Geoff Pilgrim escaped on 24 points, but enjoyed the outing.

The scrounge will take a break on Wednesday as the 60 and over competition resumes at Elmore Bowling Club (on Wednesday), commencing at 11am.

Saturday scrounge will continue until the pennant season begins.

The women will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, September 8 after social bowls.

The club will be visiting the Gunbower Bowling Club on Sunday, September 20 for a practice match starting at 1pm. The selectors require names to formulate teams.

Rochester Golf Club

Correction from last week's 2026 Trimax Victorian Sand Greens Championship, ladies section.

The following are the correct results.

The overall winner, representing the Ballarat Golf Club, was Kristie Kennedy on 82, seven-over 78 for a total of 160, 10 shots clear of Neangers Park's Helen Leech on 85, 85 (170).

Next best was another Neanger Park member, Bernice Campbell, and Stawell's Tania Dingnan, both on 174 over the two days, and Rochester's own Louise Williams (180).

After a busy and successful weekend, normal activities returned, starting with Wednesday 9-hole social golf played over the back nine.

After an extensive countback, Richard Feuk and Chris Eeles couldn't be separated and were declared equal winners on 23 Stableford points.

Robert Vise was runner-up with 22 points and Chris Eeles was nearest the pin on the 12th scrape.

Friday saw a strong field of ladies competing, with the 18-hole group playing par.

Julie Leahy won with a very credible +2 from Cate Ward on +1 against par.

The winner of the 9-hole group was Sally Parker with 17 points, ahead of Karen Niven on 16.

Karen Taylor had a day out, winning nearest the pin for her second shot to the third hole, fifth, and her second shot to the eighth, and not to be outdone by her daughter, Jenny Major was closest to the 16th for her second shot.

On a lovely end-of-winter day, with the course in perfect condition, a good field of 32 players played Stableford last Saturday.

Winner on a great score of 39 points was single-figure handicap player Shane Bywaters.

Runner-up was Murray Schier on 38 points on a countback from Troy McInnes.

Next best and ball winners were the following: Zac McInnes 36, Lee Hicks 35, Brent Sweeney 35, David Harris 34, Bruce Bryant 34.

Schier was closest to the third hole, and Grant Robinson had a tap-in birdie on the fifth, while Steve Bubb was unlucky not to take out the Campaspe News Eagles Nest on the 12th.

Captain Darren White's good season continues, this time in winning the club's 2026 Singles Match Play Championship, defeating another in-form player, Les Hedington, 4/3. Congratulations Darren.

In a 4BBB matchplay semi-final, the dual left-hand big-hitting team of Troy McInnes and Grant Robinson outgunned their older right-handed team of Peter Anderson and Steve Bubb 5/3.

Lockington Golf Club

August 28 – Stableford

New member Angela Bacon made it two wins in a row with her fine score of 33 points, the best on course.

Runner-up Annette Brereton finished with 30 and also won the nearest the pin.

August 29 – Stableford

A good field enjoyed the glorious weather, with some good scores returned.

Steve Holt was best on course with a rock-solid 37 points to win the Locky Foodworks Player of the Day voucher, as well as Division 1 honours.

Simon Portwine won Division 2 with a well-played 36.

Ball comp: Grant Humbert 36, Ian Maddison 35, c/b Stuart Newton.

Nearest the pins: 16th – Ash Portwine; second shot 9th – Grant Humbert, Simon Portwine, Fiona Newton; second shot 18th for the six-pack smack – Grant Humbert.

Spike’s Longest Drive on the 10th, sponsored by Hot ‘n’ Cold Plumbing – Grant Humbert, Simon Portwine, JD Wright.

Grant Humbert’s good round included a chip-in eagle on the fifth.

Neither the Echuca Hip Pocket eagles nest on the third, nor Captain Grant’s yardstick on the 16th was won.

Upcoming events

Entries and enquiries to Pauline Humbert on 0409 038 554 or email lockingtongolfclub@gmail.com