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28th April 2020
SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters - Coronavirus Update 2

As mentioned in my previous post in March, 2020 regarding the 2020 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters to be held in May and the Covid 19 Pandemic, it is with regret that this year's Tournament has been CANCELLED. The danger to people's health and wellbeing and the closure of many State borders, Function facilities and golf courses left no other option. There will not be a postponement to October, 2020. All Entry moneys to the Tournament will be refunded or alternatively transferred to the 2021 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters from the 16th to 21st of May, 2021, whichever is preferred.

Even the 'Big Fella' couldn't have sorted this one and he told me previously "it's only the weather you can't control".

Stay Healthy and Stay at Home. Looking forward to next year's 2021 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters already.
19th March 2020
SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters - Coronavirus Update

To all those who have already entered the 2020 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters and all those planning too or still making up their mind, the current situation with regard to the Coronavirus is that the Tournament will still be going ahead as planned albeit it with some changes involved particularly with regard to the Social Programme, at this point in time. This is a fluid situation.

I am closely monitoring all decisions/directions regarding planned events during these unprecedented times and will continue to update and advise on the future of the 2020 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters based on Federal and State Government requirements and decisions. Health and safety is of an utmost priority.

A final decision as to whether to proceed or not will be made on the 17th of April, 2020 the day that the Tournament Entries close. Should a decision to cancel the event be made all moneys paid will be refunded in full. If you are planning to enter but have been waiting on a decision re: this situation it would be greatly appreciated if you could send your entries in so I have a better idea of the numbers I am dealing with as if the Tournament is cancelled you will receive a full refund. The other possible option may be to postpone the event until early/mid October, 2020 and that is open for discussion and your feedback would be appreciated.

I will continue to update over the next month but please everyone stay cautious and take on board all information provided through the official sources to remain safe and healthy.
19/01/2016
The 2016 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters Entry forms are hot off the press, being picked up today and will be out in the mail over the next couple of days. The 4 page brochure and Entry form will be available on the website under Tournaments on Monday 25th of January, 2016. You will notice on the 4th page of the brochure a list of golf tours from March, 2016 until June, 2017. The mixed trip to Tassie from 16th - 25th of March, 2016 has 6 spots left so if you are interested in joining the tour please make contact as soon as possible. We are staying in Hobart at the Old Woolstore Apartments, the Country Club Casino in Launceston and Barnbougle Dunes/Lost Farm in Bridport and are playing Royal Hobart, The Tasmanian, Launceston, Launceston Country Club, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm. We are also visiting Mona - Museum of Old and New Art, Moorilla wine tasting, Moo Brew beer tasting, Salamanca markets, Jansz Winery and Pipers Brook. In September, 2016 from the 9th - 24th we are back to Ireland to play golf at Royal County Down, Ardglass, Doonbeg, Lahinch, Tralee, Waterville, Old Head (twice) and Portmarnock, staying at Slieve Donard, Donald Trump's Doonbeg Hotel, Balgarry House, Butler Arms Hotel, Old Head, Old School House Hotel and Portmarnock. There will be lots of sightseeing on the way including Belfast, Dublin, the ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone. In March 2017 it is back to Queenstown, New Zealand and then in June, 2017 we off to the sunshine of Cairns and Port Douglas. There will be more information on all the trips posted in the Tours section of the website on Monday 25th of January. If you are interested in any of the trips and would like a full itinerary please email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au
 
1/06/2015
It is now just over a week since the finish of the 2015 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters and what a week it was. Registrations at the Mildura Workingman's Club on Sunday 17th followed by the Opening Cocktail Party at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club where old friendships were renewed and new friendships were made. There was a special presentation to four (4) of the Tournament's long standing sponsors. Trentham Estate Winery, Bridgestone Golf and Sunraysia Daily for 23 years of sponsorship and the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club for 20 years. The golf tournament commenced on Monday 18th at Riverside Golf Club with a BBQ and Trivia night to follow. Tuesday 19th saw a 4BBB played at Mildura Golf Resort by some and others headed to Trentham Estate for a gourmet BBQ. That night is was social lawn bowls at Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club. Wednesday 20th was the second round of the tournament and little did we know what was in store for us that day. Great excitement mid morning when Mark Alvey from Mildura Golf Resort holed out on the 181m par 3 15th to win a $10,000 Harley Davidson XG500 Street Bike courtesy of Quick-Fix Harley Mildura after some "divine intervention". Thinking that was the "hole in one" for the tournament what a huge suprise it was when there was a second "hole in one" on the 125 metre 8th in the afternoon by Peter Wight from Tocumwal. For his ace he won a Honda Jazz courtesy of Auto Synergy Mildura. That evening, amid great celebrations of an amazing day, there was a Country Roast dinner and Comedy night for all to enjoy. Thursday 21st saw another social round of golf, this time a 4 person Ambrose at Coomealla Golf Club and for those looking for a break from golf there was a luncheon river cruise with Wentworth River Cruises. Thursday evening was an Italian night at the Pizza Cafe at the Grand with some great background music from Gary and Steve from "the Recliners". The final round of golf for the tournament was held on Friday 22nd at Coomealla Golf Club followed by the Presentation Dinner at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in the Auditorium that evening. The winner of the Mens A Grade Scratch was Mark Corridan (Euroa) 78-74-82 (234), the winner of the Ladies A Grade Scratch was Sue Laird (Commonwealth) 78-80-83 (241), Mens A Grade Stableford winner was Mark Brittain (Long Island), Mens B Grade Stableford winner was Mark Baldwin (Yarrawonga/Mulwala), Mens C Grade Stableford winner was Michael Hafey (Eastern), Ladies A Grade Stableford winner was Rose Alexander (Kiama), B Grade Stableford winner was Wilma Saunders (Gisborne), C Grade Stableford Winner was Susan Mills (Coomealla), Mens Vets (55-64) winner was Robert Cullen (Rosanna), Mens Super Vets (65-) Gordon Bland (Traralgon), Ladies Vets (55-64) Patsy Stamp (Grange) Ladies Super Vets (65-) Lesley McCashney (Amstel). The winner of the teams event was Lynda Saunders, Janet Fumberger, Caroline James and Susan Mills. All the results will be listed on the tournaments page by the end of this week. Preparation for next year's tournament is already underway and the dates are 15th to 20th May, 2016.
 
14/05/2015
Only a couple of days to go now until the 2015 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters. With 230 players and over 40 non playing partners all is set for a great week - even the weather forecast for the week looks sensational with most days in the 20's. There are approximately 60 players playing the event for the first time and many players who have been coming for many years as well. Registrations will take place at the Mildura Workingman's Club, 90 Deakin Avenue, Mildura on Sunday 17th of May, 2015 from 10.30 am until 4 pm. The Opening Cocktail Party will also be held on Sunday 17th at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club in the auditorium from 6 pm until 7.30 pm. Monday the 18th sees the first round of the tournament being played at Riverside Golf Club with 2 shot gun starts, one for the morning play at 7.45 am and one for the afternoon play at 12.15 pm. and the opportunity to win $48,000 in "hole in one" prizes as well as daily trophies in Mens and Ladies A, B & C Grade Stableford. Monday night players and their partners are able to book for a gourmet BBQ and Trivia night to commence after the daily presentations. Tuesday 19th a social golf day, a 4BBB, is being played at Mildura Golf Resort for any of the players in the tournament and again there will be $30,000 in "hole in one" prizes on offer as well as daily trophies. For those who want a break from the golf there is a Gourmet BBQ at Trentham Estate Winery with the band "The Recliners" playing music during the afternoon and on Tuesday evening there will be a social Lawn Bowls competition at Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club. Wednesday 20th is the second day of the tournament which is played at Red Cliffs Golf Club with again the 2 shot gun starts and today there is $58,000 in "hole in one" prizes up for grabs as well as the daily trophies. Wednesday evening sees the opportunity for players and their partners to book and stay on for a Country Roast and Comedy night at Red Cliffs Golf Club. Thursday 21st is again a social golf day for the tournament participants and is an Ambrose in 4's at Coomealla Golf Club and the opportunity again to win $40,000 in "hole in one" prizes and daily trophies. For those wanting a bit more of a tourism experience there is a luncheon river cruise with Wentworth River Cruises in their beautiful new boat where all on board will be able to experience magnificient scenery and the junction of the two rivers where the Murray and the Darling Rivers meet. Thursday evening there will be an "Italian" night with brushetta, antipasto, pasta, pizza, dessert and coffee at the Pizza Cafe in Feast Street for any of the tournament participants and their partners. Friday 22nd sees the final round of the tournament being held at the championship Coomealla Golf Course. Again there will be 2 shot guns as in the previous days and the availability to win $58,000 in "hole in one" prizes. There will be a seeded draw in the Men's A Grade Scratch and also the Ladies A Grade Scratch which will make for exciting golf. Friday evening at the conclusion of the golf the Presentation Dinner will be held at the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club from 7 pm. Enjoy our wonderful region of Sunraysia and always remember "It's nice to meet nice people" and "Memories live longer than Dreams"
 
10/02/2015
Entry forms for the 2015 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters have been out for 3 weeks and the response has been fantastic. The Entry Form and the 4 page Brochure with all the information relating to the Tournament is available in the tournaments section of this webpage. Just print it off, fill it out and either post to P.O. Box 1655, Mildura. Vic. 3502 or scan and email to golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au. Looking forward to catching up with old friends and making many new friends in May. It is only 4 weeks until the Sunraysia Golf Tours golf tour to Queenstown in New Zealand. This is our 8th tour to New Zealand and the 6th trip to beautiful Queenstown. Looking forward to playing golf at Millbrook, Queenstown and Jacks Point, visiting Wanaka, Arrowtown, A.J. Hackett's Bungy Jumping, the Gibbston Winery and Cheese factory, cruising on the old steamship TSS Earnslaw to the Walter Peak Country Farm for dinner in the Colonel's Homestead and even more so attending the final day of the New Zealand Open at The Hills golf course. There are many more golf tours organized for 2015 and 2016 so check them out on the tours section of this website.
 
3/11/2014
Preparation is underway for the 2015 SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters tournament to be held for the 23rd year from 17th to 22nd of May, 2015. The organization of sponsorship and advertising for the event is in full swing. Entry forms will be available at the end of January, 2015. Sunraysia Golf Tours Pty. Ltd. girls trip to Barnbougle Dunes/Lost Farm in Tasmania this month is fully booked and promises to be a great 4 days of golf and socializing. Sunraysia Golf Tours Pty. Ltd. mixed trip to Queenstown NZ in March 2015 is also filling up with only 4 spots remaining. So if you are interested give Kym Doherty a call on 0408310532. At this stage there are plans in place for another trip to Ireland in September, 2015 and a full itinerary and costing will be available at the end of November, 2014. If you are interested in joining Sunraysia Golf Tours Pty. Ltd. on a wonderful 14 day tour of Ireland and its magical golf courses, history and scenery contact Kym Doherty on 0408310532.
 
13/6/2014
Sunraysia Golf Tours Pty. Ltd. is hosting 2 golf tours in the coming months. The first tour is a girls trip to Barnbougle Dunes/Lost Farm in Tasmania from the 17th until the 20th of November, 2014 and the second tour is a mixed trip to Queenstown in New Zealand from the 13th until the 20th of March, 2015. Further a full itinerary or any further information please email Kym Doherty at golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au
 
13th June, 2014
It has been 3 weeks since the SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters and what a wonderful week of golf it was in this our beautiful Sunraysia District. The weather was a perfect, 25 degrees each day, which set up perfect conditions for some great scores on our pristine and pictureque golf courses. It was great excitement at Riverside Golf Club on the first morning of the tournament when Brian Tennant from Hallett Cove in South Australia knocked his tee shot on the 18th to just 1cm. Had the ball dropped into the hole Brian would have won a Honda Jazz motor car sponsored by AutoSynergy Mildura, but it was not to be. At around the same time Jeff Chalmers from Mildura knocked his tee shot on the 4th to 8cm and had that shot gone in the hole he would have won $10,000 sponsored by Fishers Supa IGA and Liquor but sadly this was not be be either. The winner of the Ladies A Grade Scratch Section was Sue Laird from Commonwealth Golf Club. this was her eighth win of this title in eight attempts which is an amazing achievement. The winner of the Mens A Grade Scratch Section was Garth Doherty from Coomealla Golf Club and this was his second winning of this Title having previously won the event in 2002 in the 10th year of the Tournament. It was a very emotional win for Garth who had put a huge amount of pressure on himself to win the Inaugural SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters, named in his father's honour after he lost his brave battle with cancer just 10 months previously.
 
12/5/2014
It is now just under a week until the commencement of the SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters and we are looking forward to welcoming over 220 golfers and the non playing partners to beautiful Sunraysia. The weather forecast for the week looks great with temperatures for the week in the low 20's so all should be good for some great golf and great scores on our lovely courses, Riverside, Red Cliffs, Coomealla and Mildura. Registrations for the tournament will be held at the Mildura Workingman's Club in Deakin Avenue, Mildura from 10.30am until 4.00pm on Sunday 18th of May, 2014. All is set for a great week of golf and socialising.
 
15/3/2014
Entries for the Shane Doherty Memorial Tri-State Masters have been coming in thick and fast over the past 6 weeks and have now we have now received over 150 entrants, so with just one month to go until entries close there is every indication that the Tournament will be booked out. If you haven't entered the event yet and wish to it might be a good idea to complete your entry form (which can be downloaded from the Tournaments section of this website) and either email to golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au or post to P.O. Box 1655, Mildura. Vic. 3502. Anyone looking for accommodation for the tournament should organize this as soon as possible, particularly if you are wanting to arrive in Mildura on Saturday 17th of May as it has just been announced that Mildura is to host Triple J's ONE NIGHT STAND on the 17th and accommodation bookings are becoming tight for that night. All arrangements are in place for a fantastic Tournament to honour the founder of the Tri-State Masters, Shane Doherty.
 
30/1/14
To honour the founder and Tournament Director of the Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters Tournament, Shane Doherty who passed away after a 12 month battle with terminal cancer in July 2013, there has been a name change to tournament and it will now be known as the "SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL" Tri-State Masters. The Tournament Entry Forms have now be posted to all past participants and to over 450 golf clubs around Australia. The entry form will also be available on the website from Sunday evening, so check the tournaments section of the website for all the information. All indications so far are that the Tournament will be booked out this year. The closing date for entries is the 14th of April, 2014 unless booked out earlier.
 
16/7/13
Tim Walker leads the Red Cliffs championship and should record his second win in that event on Saturday before he returns to Alabama to continue his schooling. Ryan Laird is a lad heading in the right direction and we take a look at his journey so far. Steve Darmody was the golf professional at Coomealla Gol Club who enticed me into the golf industry, I caught up with him on the Gold Coast on Monday. This week The Open will be played at Muirfield Golf Club in Scotland, I can't wait. This weeks Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week goes to Tevis Wright at Coomealla. Full stories on all of the above on the 19th hole.
 
11/7/13
Sunraysia District Golf Association in conjunction with the North West Women's Inc announced on Sunday that as from October the new amalgamated association will be known as the Murray Darling Golf Association. A full report of the last playing of the currently named pennant finals is covered in this weeks 19th hole.
 
2/7/13
SUNRAYSIA PENNANT WRAP UP Todays 19th hole all about the five SDGA pennant finals to be played at Coomealla Golf Club on Sunday. Other items including world golf tournaments being played this week on Thursday July 4th.
 
25/6/13
Lots of golf news on local pennant, overseas golf and just golf, golf golf.
 
18/6/13
All the latest news in this weeks edition of the 19th hole on district pennant in Sunraysia. US Open review, mainly on Justing Rose and his gradual rise to fame. Two great Tournaments this week in Munich and Connecticut on the main tours and a look at the best performers locally for the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week.
 
11/6/13
In the 19th hole this week pennant recommences at Merbein and Mildura with a further five weeks to go. In the ladies section A the top two teams Broken Hill and Riverside Green clash at Merbein whilst Coomealla White play Mildura. In men's division one pennant favourites Red Cliffs take on Riverside who knocked off Mildura in the first round. Broken Hill and Mildura meet in another close encounter. The 2013 US Open at the famous Merion Golf Club should be an absolute cracker this week. It is a golf course filled with history including Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, David Graham, Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus. Sunraysia's king of MC's Bill Sauer was recognised in the Queens honours list on Monday and we remember back to some of the times we enjoyed together. Darren "Oscar" Mannix is this week's Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner after a 69 off the stick for 46 points at Riverside.
 
5/6/13
In this weeks 19th hole Riverside cause a boil over against Mildura and Coomealla have no trouble with Broken Hill in the first round of district pennant at Riverside. Riverside golfer Janet Luke wins the 2013 Red Cliffs Open after beginning on 45 less than five years ago. Arguably Australia's best ever golfer Karrie Webb records her 39th victory in the Shoprite LPGA Classic in New York. In a four way tie Pam Turner wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week for her 41 points at Wentworth.
 
15/5/13
This week in the 19th hole we take a look at Saturday's SDGA Lever Blair Seeley 4BBB championship at Riverside where the Stewart boys came marching home. This weekend the 2013 Red Cliffs Open will be the talk of the golfing community in Sunraysia. All of the big names will be playing but a first time winner of a Sunraysia club Open is on the cards. Ryan Laird has been playing most of his golf in Melbourne over the last couple of years but after completing schooling last year he is devoting himself full time to golf this year. The 21st Tri-State Masters is almost here beginning on Sunday. A recent phone call from a good friend regarding the event was most uplifting. Tiger versus Sergio was all the talk last weekend at Sawgrass in the annual Players Championship. Leading with two holes to go the infamous 17th proved to be Sergio's downfall handing Woods his fourth win for the year. Finally Geoff Crozier let his clubs do the talking at Mildura Golf Resort on Sunday to win the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week.
 
8/5/13
In this weeks 19th hole we look at some golf clubs in Sunraysia who aren't playing the team game. The major 4BBB championship for the year is on this Saturday at Riverside and for the first time will include a ladies section. Lots of interest in the Tri-State Masters with $250,000 in cash and prizes on offer for the 19 holes in one throughout the week. Riverside Golf Club are moving forward after a fiery six months. Brett Rumford wins back to back in Europe. Andrew Diwell wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week at Riverside.
 
1/5/13
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole we look at the weekends 2013 Merbein Open where the King of Golf in Sunraysia - Greg Rhodes once again reigned supreme. Up coming top events include the Royal Flying Doctor Service annual Ambrose golf day at Robinvale Golf Club this Saturday May 4th and the SDGA Lever Blair Seeley 4BBB at Riverside Golf Club on May 11th. Other pieces include slow play and who started it and the draws for the 2013 Tri-State Masters have been completed. The Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner this week is Coomealla's Rodney Jarrett who had 45 points at Coomealla on Saturday.
 
24/4/13
In this weeks 19th hole Mildura Golf Resort presents another top class Open tournament where Cameron Stewart took top honours. This week it's Merbeins turn to open its golf course to the districts top golfers. The 21st Tri-State Masters is coming together nicely with 240 entrants from all over Australia. 2010 champion Craig Tung from Coomealla is the low marker off 3 in the men's field and triple past winner Jenny Jeffrey's from Portsea and June Tickell from Trafalgar are the guns in the ladies. This weeks Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner is Mildura stalwart Bev Stone who had +8 at Mildura Golf Resort.
 
17/4/13
In the 19th hole this week we look at the Riverside Open where Sunraysia's best golfers congregated together at the weekend with a familiar result. Adam Scott did what no Australian has done before in the US Masters at Augusta. Tiger Woods made the headlines at Augusta for a different reason this year. The art of club throwing on the golf course is discussed and the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week goes to Gordon Bettess for his performance in the Riverside Open.
 
15/4/13
Entries for the 2013 Tri-State Masters closed today but we will take up to ten more people until Friday. 230 entries from 80 different golf clubs with 80 new players entering for the first time. We are very excited about our tournament this year. It should be one of the very best Tri-State Masters ever.
 
10/4/13
The first open tournament of the season hits off this Saturday at Riverside Golf Club. All the usual suspects will be on show vying for first bragging rights of the year. Greg Rhodes will be teeing it up in search of his 21st Riverside Open title and Marg Lampard is hoping to go back to back for the ladies. At Riverside the brew is getting thicker after the Secretary Manager claimed to have no confidence in the committee, also claiming that the members didn't either in a newspaper article in the Sunraysia Daily last week. The US Masters begins tomorrow night with Tiger all the rage. We have four Aussies in the field this year, here's hoping one of them gets to wear the green jacket. The Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week goes to the wily Roger Walder at Merbein who shot nine better than his handicap of 11 on Saturday. All this and more in the 19th hole.
 
3/4/13
Mildura golfer Cameron Stewart fired a 65 at Coomealla on Saturday recording the lowest round in the district so far this year. Stewart is in peak form for the up coming Opens at Riverside and Mildura. After 35 years as a member of Coomealla and years of membership at four other district clubs a view on the current situation at Riverside Golf Club is expressed. The movie The Bucket List was a great show and we ask the question - what would your bucket list be? The Tri-State Masters closing entry date is only twelve days away so get your entry in soon if you wish to be included in the field. The Mildura Pacing Cup golf day at the Mildura Golf Resort is on April 12th. The game is an ambrose in fours. The Sunraysia Golf Range H O G clinics round two will commence on Tuesday April 16. The first round of eight week clinics were very popular with more than 100 people participating in their handicap groups for men, women and children in separate sections. This weeks Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner was Robin Hubble at Mildura Golf Resort who won from Geoff Sayers at Coomealla and Dennis Cavanagh at Mildura. All these stories and more in the 19th hole.
 
27/3/13
Riverside Golf Club will convene a special committee meeting tomorrow (Thursday) night to try and get all of their committee on the same track. Since the November AGM and even well before, that has not been the case. This weekend there will be a plethora of golf on Sunraysia's seven district golf courses. Tiger Woods has regained his position of number one player in the world after he won his seventh Bay Hill Championship on Monday. This was also his 77th win on the US PGA Tour equalling the most wins on tour with Sam Snead. Sergio Garcia, playing in the same event scaled a tree and from fifteen feet of the ground hit a back handed shot out onto the fairway, bringing the vast crowd to its feet in an eruption of applause. This weeks Sunraysia Golf Rang House of Golf Round of the Week goes to Andrew Tregeagle for his 84/62 in the Monthly Medal at Coomealla on Saturday. All these stories and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole
 
19/3/13
The Riverside Open kicks off the Sunraysia "Open" season next month and it is hoped that a full committee will still be in place to run the event. Tomoroow to major fund raising charity events will be conducted at Coomealla and Mildura Golf Clubs. The pity is that they are both running against one another on the same day. Rory McIlroy and Stacy Lewis are the two world number one's on world golf but how long is that likely to last? More ladies are being invited to enter the 21st annual Tri-State Masters. On April 12th the 2013 MILDURA PACING CUP golf day will be held at the Mildura Golf Resort with all golfers invited to play and meet the trainers, drivers and owners of all the top contestants in this year's annual Pacing Cup. Riverside's David Stephens is the winner of this weeks Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week.
 
12/3/13
Mildura Golf Resort is flying at the moment with all sections of the facility reporting an increase in participation this year. Red Cliffs Golf Club will conduct their annual Concert on the Course this Friday night which will be another great opportunity for locals to dance the night away on the 18th green. The Coomealla golf course is in spectacular condition with four new greens midway through their replacement phase. Greg Norman has been announced as the national coach of the Chinese national golf team to contest the 2016 Brazil Olympics. Two men playing golf together discuss getting new dentures and the ramifications of such action. Tom Crouch is this weeks Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner after a superb round at the Mildura Golf Resort.
 
5/3/13
In this weeks 19th hole we applaud the Sunraysia District Golf Association's moves to increase the number of participants at all of the local Opens this year. Thirteen year old Matt Bottomley was announced the 2012 Medallist of the year recently and is carrying on his good form. The 2013 Tri-State Masters has attracted entries from 69 different golf clubs so far this year with entries closing in five weeks time. More ladies have entered to play in the tournament than at this time last year. Geoff Ogilvy came in from the cold in the Honda Classic on the US PGA Tour last week with a runner up finish. Local chiropractor Gerald Power recorded a mammoth 49 stableford points at Barnbougle Dunes on our annual golf tour last week. The House of Golf Sunraysia Golf Range will conduct a demo night on Thursday from 3pm til 8pm with all of the leading golf brands. Graeme McGaffin from Merbein and David Stephens from Riverside were dual winners of the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week. All this and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
19/2/13
In the 19th hole this week we look at local junior Ryan Laird qualifying for this weeks Victorian Open. The Golf Victorian qualifying 4BBB event at Mildura Golf Resort on Sunday. The 2013 Tri-State Masters filling up quickly due to magazine advertising. Australian Ladies Open at Royal Canberra a fantastic tournament. Interesting story of the temporary golf rules at the Richmond Golf Club in England during war time 1940. Merbein's Nich Cavallo is this weeks Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner.
 
12/2/13
News about the proposed amalgamation of the Sunraysia District Golf Association and the North West Women's Golf. Brandt Snedeker number four in the world and moving up. Roco Mediate takes on the "fat bellies" and wins. Victorian Open for both the men and the women at 13th Beach next week. Variety Bash ambrose to be played at Red Cliffs Golf Club this year. Fred Pelda's 59 net wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week. All in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
1/2/13
The entry form for the 2013 Sunraysia Golf Tours can now be accessed on the Tournaments page. Players may elect to play in the am field which hits off at 7-45 or the pm shot gun start at 12-15. As the pm time slot is always more popular than the am hit off a ballot may be rquired and some players may get a mixture, obviously factors such as early entry and years of playing will influence the draw
 
2/1/13
No golf being played other than social. Next week will be a belter temperature wise, so Sunraysia's golf courses will be bare. We have apartments at Moonah Links on the Mornington Peninsula just waiting for you at almost half normal price. Give us a call if you are interested.
 
17/12/12
Coomealla defeated Wentworth to win their third Summer Pennant in four years. Greg Rhodes and Ashley Whitehouse finish equal in the Player of the Year for 2012. Sue Laird won the equivalent accolade in womens golf in Sunraysia. Daniel Popovic played outstandingly to win the Australian PGA at Coolum on the weekend. Rory McIlroy was the outstanding player in world golf in 2012, even in the eyes of the Americans. Gary Fumberger and Hayden Flett both recoded 10 better than handicap to win the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. Moe news in this weeks edition of the 18th hole.
 
13/12/12
I have been on the sick list for two weeks but am back on deck firing on all clynders and looking forward to golf on Saturday at Coomealla. The PGA at Coolum today was terrific. Geoff Ogilvy looks the goods from Marc Leishman.
 
28/11/12
Riverside Golf Club created history last week when it elected Lorraine Fisher President of the club for 2012/13. This is seen to be a great step forward for the club which has been side tracked with internal squabbles over the last two years. The Sunraysia Junior Team competed in the Victorian Junior Country Championship at Kyneton at the weekend. Whilst the overall results weren't spectacular, first year player Blake Myers stood out coming in second in the overall net section of the tournament. Rory McIlroy put on another world class performance in Dubai at the Weekend clearly illustrating once again why he is the world number 1. Long time golfer Hookey McGlashan is our Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week winner with a +10 at Mildura Golf Resort on Saturday. All these stories and more in the 19th hole.
 
21/11/12
Sunraysia golf will be a brand new organisation next year after Monday nights Sunraysia District Golf Associations AGM. Summer pennant hit off at Mildura on Sunday and will continue until the final on December 16. The Race to Dubai reaches its climax in Dubai this week with Rory McIlroy the man to beat. Movember is the theme at the Sunraysia Golf Range this week. Mildura and Riverside met in a close clash at Riverside recently to play off for the Mallee Root trophy which Mildura secured by the narrowest of margins. Colm Gallagher lives in Portaferry Northern Ireland and flew out here to attend a party on Sunday. It was a wonderful surprise and something that I am really grateful for to the folk who went on our last two Ireland golf tours. Josh Flemming recorded 45 points wish was good enough to secure him the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. All this and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
14/11/12
The 2012 Coomealla Golf Championships turned out to be a real schemozzle with disqualifications, playoffs and all sorts of shenanogans. Ashley Whitehoude accepted the trophy after winning a three hole playoff with Greg Rhodes. Cameron Stewart was disqualified for sighning an incorrect score card. Had he not, he would have won by six strokes! Local golf legend is featured in Golf Victoria this month in an excellent article by Trevor Grant. With club AGM's coming up this month a piece on club committtees points out a few home truths. The Australian Masters is on this week at Kingston Heath and looks to be between the two imports Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter who is the reigning champion. Adam Scoot would be a chance if he could putt, hopefully he can this week. Mildura junior golfer wins our Sunraysia Golfer of the Week with a round of 86/59. She has got a big future if she can continue to improve at her current level.
 
30/10/12
In this weeks 19th hole the Sunraysia District Golf Association announces amalgamation between the SDGA and the North West Womens Inc a distinct possibility in 2013. This would mean that men's and women's peennant would be played in conjunction and other golf events would join together. This is exciting news for Sunraysia Golf. Rory and Tiger had a game in China with the world number one knocking off the number two by one shot. It was a casual affair with the two yaking away together around the course giving television viewers an insight to what pro golfers talk to one another about between shots. The HSBS Champions tournament will be played at Mission Hills in China this week with 14 Americans, 10 Aussies and 7 South Africans on dispaly in the 78 man field. The Sunraysia Golf Range will host a demo/fitting night tomorrow night with Mizuno, Callaway, Nike, Adams and Tour Edge Exotics plying their wares for all Sunraysia golfers to see and have a hit with. Michael Cook had a great round of 47 points to win the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the week. Plans for the 21st Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters are coming together well with lots of interest from new players who haven't experienced the tournament before but have heard about it from friends. Our quarterly newsletter will be posted out next week so let us know if you would like to receive one.
 
16/10/12
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole Steve Wilmann wins his sixth Riverside club championship and Peter McGaffin goes back to back at Merbein. Marg Lampard cleans up in the Nell Smithett tournament at Horsham capping a watershed year for her. Beau Van Pelt wins the inaugural Perth International tournament over compatriot Jason Dufner at Lake Karinup. Nine players vie for the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week on 66 net, with perenial runner up Darren Biddle getting the nod in a photo finish.
 
16/10/12
In this weeks 19th hole Riverside club and Merbein club championships get under way with last years top competetors fighting it out again. The 100 year celebrations went off extremely well at the Mildura Golf Resort at the weekend.We take a look at all of the golf going on around the world including the feat of Phelps dropping a putt from 153 feet. Robbie Stewart wins the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week with a crushing +10 at Red Cliffs Golf Club. All in this weks 19th hole.
 
9/10/12
This week in the 19th hole we take a look at Sunraysia's performance at Melbourne Country Week. Coomealla left hander David King wins South Australian LH championship and will contest the National Championship over 72 holes at Toowoomba in Queensland. The Ryder Cup at Medinah in Chicago was the best golf ever, showcasing everything that id so great about golf. Lots of golf still to be played in the US, Europe and Australian golf tours this year. Mildura Golf Resort will celebrate it's Centenary this weekend. Moonah Links is a great golfing holiday destination where we can organise play and stay packages from two peo0ple to large groups. Lots of great scores this week to choose the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week from.
 
26/9/12
Lots of golf news this week with Greg Rhodes doing what he does best in winning another Coomealla Open by eight shots. Sunraysia are heading off to Melbourne Country Week this weekend with aspirations of bringing home the division on title for the first time ever. It won't be easy but nothing worthwhile ever is. The FED EX Cup was decided at Eastlake Golf Club at the weekend with a surprise winner in Brandt Snedeker. This weekend the greatest golf show on earth takes place at Medinah Golf Club in Chicago for the playing of the Ryder Cup. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week was clear cut with Red Cliffs Marg Stanbrook breaking her handicap by nine strokes. More golf in the 19th hole.
 
19/9/12
Coomealla Open this weekend with all of the the cream entered. Greg Rhodes is always the man to beat with more than 200 victories behind him in Sunraysia golf already at 53 years of age. Ash Whitehouse is his biggest threat but there are two or three others that are pressing hard. Great weekend of golf coming up in Boston for the last playoff in the FED EX Cup. Woods looks timed to the minute and it is difficult to see Rory win four events in a short time against such quality opposition. Wouldn't it be great if he did? The ladies British Open at Royal Liverpool provided compelling viewing where Jiyai Shin absolutely blew them away in the wind and rain. Lots more golfing news in the 19th hole.
 
12/9/12
Ross Percy from Cobram Barooga is six shots clear going into the last round of the 2012 Coomealla Seniors Championship today. Percy is a former club champion at Coomealla and knows the course well. Matt Lynch won the Wentworth Club Championship for the sixth time on Saturday in what could be the clubs last ever championship. Next week a meeting will decide the future of the club that has been beset with financial and membership problems for some time. Wentworth 12 year old Matt Bottomley is the only junior at Wentworth but has just competed in the State Primary Schools Championship at Kooringal Golf Club in Melbourne. He is well on the way to fine golfing career. Rory, Rory, Rory McIlroy has won over the Yanks after three wins in four starts on the lucurative US PGA Tour. Everyting is hotting up for the last play off in the FEDEX Cup at Eastlake Golf Club in Boston which carries a $10 mil US bonus to the winner, then the 2012 Ryder Cup the following week. The Coomealla Open will be the last Open championship of the year in Sunraysia Golf and the club is promoting it as an onofficial Champion of Champion event witin the tournament. New golfer Ilker Deli broke 100 for the first time shooting 49 points to be the Sunraysia Golf Tours winner of the Round of the Week. All in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
5/9/12
Rhodes the magnificent soared yet again at Mildura Golf Resort on Saturday winning the club championship for an 18th time. Ashley Whitehouse came at him with everything he had to make up a four shot defecit with a blistering 69 but Rhodes hung on with a gutsy 71 to prevail once again. Brad Steer is the new Red Cliffs Golf club champion after overcoming six time champion Justin McHee on the back nine on Saturday. The NWWG Country Team didn't fare too well in Melbourne but enjoyed the whole experience and will be better for it next year. Lots more local golf news in the 19th hole including news on upcoming golf tours to Tasmania, New Zealand, Perth and Ireland.
 
29/8/12
Lots of golf news this week. In hospital last week, so I missed the boat. Greg Rhodes and Ashley Whitehouse will fight it out for another club championship title at Mildura Golf Resort on Saturday. Rhodes is four in front but in a championship - head to head, anything can happen. At Red Cliffs, six time champion Justin McPhee is facing a new challenger in Brad Steer who is only two behind coming into the last round. This will be another exciting finish. Overseas, the FEDEX Cup in the US and the Race to Dubai in Europe is getting towards the pointy end. Only one month until the Ryder Cup which will be like a football match atmosphere in the States this year. Any ladies looking for a great golfing break away, here is your chance. Kym is hosting her second annual ladies only short tour to Barnbougle Dunes/ Lost Farm from November 12-18. Only a few seats left, so be quick if you are interested. Call her on 0408 310 532. Tom Vadjla wins the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week for his 72/62 at Riverside Golf Club last week. Full reports in the 19th hole.
 
15/8/12
Cameron Stewart is the Sunraysia District Golf Association champion for 2012 after two gutsy rounds on the toughest golf course on the Murray. After the championship the 2012 Country Week team to represnt Sunraysia was announced with no surprise inclusions. Rory McIlroy stamped himself as the current world number one and golfs latest superstar. Coomealla's Graeme Burrows is this weeks Sunraysia Golf Round of the week. Thanks to all who have emailed, tested or rang to pass on their good wishes and support after my recent illness. More news in the 19th hole
 
18/7/12
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole we report on a venue change for the 2012 Wentworth Open. The Broken Hill Outback Open is on this weekend with Wentworth's Phil lawn having a crack at the title. The big stories in golf this week are all about The Open at Royal Ltham & St Annes. This is THE golf event of the year with 13 Aussies teeing it up. Our Book of the Week has to be "Somewhere in Ireland a village is missing an idiot by former Irish professional David Feherty. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week goes to new Wentworth President Jim Jacobs. Expanded stories in the 19th hole.
 
13/7/12
News has come to hand that Golf Australia is planning to introduce another ammendment to the slope handicapping system in Australia. A full explanation can be seen in the 19th hole.
 
12/7/12
OUR THIRD GOLF TO IRELAND TAKES OFF ON SEPTEMBER 7. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A LADY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER LADY TO TWIN SHARE WITH ON THE TOUR. WE ALSO HAVE A MAN WHO IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS ALSO HOPING TO TWIN SHARE WITH A MAN. OUR TICKETING WILL BE FINALISED EARLY NEXT WEEK WHICH IS THE DEADLINE FOR BOOKINGS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT KYM ON 0408 310 532 OR ME (SHANE) on 0419 208 337 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
 
11/7/12
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole Mildura climb back onto the winners list in division one pennant for the first time in five years. Mildura scraped over the line against Coomealla in the final match at the 37th hole. Mildura's Dora Stewart won the Riverside ladies Open in a playoff with home club champion Marg Lampard. It was Stewart's second Open victory this year after winning at Coomealla in May. Andrew Kinnersly is the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week winner after recording a fine 44 points at Coomealla.
 
4/7/12
In this weeks 19th hole we take a look at the finalists in all four grades of SDGA pennant to be played over 36 holes at Riverside Golf Club on Friday. It's all Tiger, Tiger, Tiger in the old US of A after his 74th win on the PGA Tour at Congressional on Sunday. Royal Portrush played host to the fist Irish Open to be conducted in Northern Ireland in 59 years, where a Welshman hoisted the trophy. Sally Jones won back to back club championships at Red Cliffs Golf Club last week, on Saturday the club will dedicate the day to farewell Tim Walker who leaves for the US next month. In a three way tie Graeme Adair wins this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. All in the 19th hole.
 
27/6/12
This week in the 19th hole Red Cliffs Golf Club look to be only one step away from pulling off a rags to riches story of the decade in the Sunraysia District Golf Association's division one pennant. Sue Laird stamps herself as Sunraysia's top ladies golfer in 2012. Marg Lampard wins Riversides's club championship for the second year running to become the picturesque club's "Queen of the Greens". A golfing widows diary is revealed. Mildura Golf Resort's Denis McGlaughlin is this weeks winner of the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. It's all in the 19th hole!
 
20/6/12
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole Coomealla have re-established themselves as the team to beat in SDGA division one pennant. Marg Lampard looks set to go back to back in the Riverside ladies 2012 club championship. It all happens at the US Open, we take a look at who won and other snippets of fun at the Olympic Golf Club at the weekend. Another golf story about death and free beer. Sandi Briggs is the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week winner this week.
 
13/6/12
In this weeks 19th hole we look at round 3 of SDGAmen's pennant at Mildura Golf Resort. Red Cliffs face a do or die match against Mildura with most pundits suggesting that Mildura will be too strong. Ladies club championships are under way at five Sunraysia golf clubs with Riverside providing the most interest. Five ladies are separated by only three strokes going into tomorrows second round. Is slow play a problem at your club? If the answer is no, then your club is in a minority. There are ways to fix it if everyone takes note. Who will win the US Open. We suggest it will come down to Adam Scott, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald or Matt Kuchar. Whoever wins it should be about one third of the 13 under par that Rory had last year at Congressional. Steve Zmarzly from Riverside wins this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week.
 
6/6/12
In this weeks 19th hole we applaud Red clifs division one ladies pennant on their third consecutive pennant win against Riverside at the Mildura Golf Resort. Men's pennant hit off in Broken Hill at the weekend with Mildura and Coomealla looking favoured to make the final in division one. The man on everyone's lips in the US is Tiger Woods after his come from behind win at the Memorial on Jack's golf course. Eightysix year old Riverside golfer Brad Giddings is this weeks winner of the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week.
 
30/5/12
In this weeks 19th hole Ashley Whitehouse wins the 2012 Robinvale Open after winning the Red Cliffs open last week. District pennant commences at Broken Hill this weekend with all of the districts big names competiting. Lots of fun and games in the 20th Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters. Luke Donald returns to the number one ranking in world golf after his win in the PGA at Wentworth in London. Red Cliffs golfer Jill Eylles posted this weeks Sunrayssia Golf Tours Round of the Week.
 
26/5/12
All Tri-State Masters stableford scores are listed on the tournaments page.
 
25/5/12
Sue Laird confirmed her title as the queen of the Tri-State Masters, winning her sixth title on the trot. Laird won by 20 shots from Portsea's Jenny Jeffreys in a convining display on three very different golf courses. Riverside golfer Steve Spooner turned back the clock in winning his second title in four years. Spooner came from two stokes behind overnight leader Bob Weber from Victor Harbor to win by five strokes. More news on the Tri-State Masters in the 19th Hole.
 
22/5/12
In this weeks 19th hole we take a peek at the Red Cliffs open where Ashley Whitehouse played brilliantly to be the 2012 Red Cliff Golf Club open champion. After strong performances in the first three district opens at Riverside, Mildura and Merbein he finally secured his first title in 2012. The 2012 Robinvale open is on this Sunday and Whitehouse and Greg Rhodes are the men to beat. The Tri-State Masters is in full swing and we look at the factors that have influenced the formation of many of the social events and the whole determination of the week. This week the Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week goes to Coomealla's Jason Williams who obliterated the field on Monday in the first round of the Tri-State Masters with 45 points.
 
16/5/12
In this weeks 19th hole we reflect on play in the SDGA 4BBB Lever Blair-Seeley at Riverside on Saturday, where Tim Peterson holed out on the last hole to give him and partner Leigh Fuller a one shot victory. This week district golfers will tee it up in the 2012 Red Cliffs Open. Greg Rhodes is always the man to beat at any tournament he contests in Sunraysia and so it is this weekend. Mildura, Red Cliffs, Riverside and Coomealla are all set to host days of the 20th Tri-State Masters commencing on Monday. Matt Kuchar was too good for his opponents in the "fifth major" at TPC Sawgrass in the Players Championship. Former president of the Sunraysia District Golf Association Greg Chandler had a day in the sun at Mildura on Saturday to take out this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week.
 
2/5/12
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole we take a peek at the new upgraded coomealla golf course where much work has taken place in the last twelve months. The time honoured Sunraysia District Golf Association's Lever Blair-Seeley 4BBB championship will be played at Riverside Golf Club this Saturday. With only ten days until the Sunraysia Golf Tours 2012 Tri-State Masters the call is going out for volunteers to act as scrutineers on the twenty par 3 holes over the five days. With $204,000 in prizes and cash on offer two independent scrutineers are required for each par 3. It presents an ideal opportunity for people to become involved in what is going to be a very exciting week.
 
7-5-12
The registration for the 2012 Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters will now be held at the Mildura Workingman's Club on Sunday May 20th from 11am until 4pm. The registration venue has been transferred from the Sunraysia Golf Range House of Golf facility due to the large field that has entered the tournament this year. The change will mean that people traveling from away will be able to have lunch at the club and maybe a few cooling soft or harder refresments after their long drives. The House of Golf is located at 347 Ontario Avenue and is open from 9am til 6pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and through til 9pm from Tuesday til Friday. Garth Doherty is available for lessons and also provides an excellent club repair service. The House of Golf has the best range of golfing products in North West Victoria and is licensed from 4pm on school days and all day at the weekend. The phone number for bookings or enquiries is 03 50 229440. Garth and his team are looking forward to welcoming all visiting golfers for the 20th annual Tri-State masters.
 
1/5/12
Greg Rhodes bounced back to his best in the 2012 Merbein Open at the weekend. It took 42 holes to decide a winner after Coomealla club mate Tim Peterson took the champ to a six hole sudden death playoff. Peterson had played brilliantly on the second nine on Saturday shooting three birdies and an eagle only to come up short on the extended 42nd hole on Sunday. Former AFL footballer Bruce Lindner is the pre post favourite for the 2012 Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters later this month. Lindner is the current club champion at Links Lady Bay where he rotates his golf between Kooyonga and the bay resort. All this and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
25/4/12
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole we take a look at the Mildura Golf Resort Open where Red Cliffs stalwart Justin McPhee was too consistent for his rivals. This week it is Merbein's turn to host district players in their Open tournament. Holes in one are a rare feat for some but not for others. The 2012 Tri-State Masters golf tournament is offering $210,000 in hole in one prizes, which is an Australian amateur golf tournament record and it is being done in Sunraysia! The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week came down to a five way tie but Mildura's Steven Fumberger got the nod after his great performance in the first round of Mildura's open on Saturday. All this and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
18/4/12
In this week's 19th hole Red Cliffs Tim Walker wins the first Open of the year at Riverside Golf Club from Coomealla's Sean Baumgurtel. Walker will now defend his 2011 Mildura Open title this weekend at the Mildura Golf Resort. Coomealla's Marg Baird won the Wentworth Ladies Open yesterday from Riverside's Fiona Turlan. We take a look at the world rankings in both the men's and women's categories and the top 10 so far in Sunraysia. We also feature a little yarn about giving up beer, golf, fishing and women and the effect that can have. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week this week goes to Aaron Lucchesi after a 45 point round at the Mildura Golf Resort. All in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
11/04/12
In the 19th hole this week we take a look at local golf and golf in Georgia. The Riverside Open announces the official beginning of the golf season in Sunraysia golf. These days with all of the new equipment available and the practice facilities on hand for people to work on their skills over the summer, the time has come to put it all on the table. Greg Rhodes is always the "man" in local golf, beat him and you usually win the tournament. Maybe though, this will be the year that someone else says "it's time to step up and be the one". The US Masters finished on a high note when bustling Bubba broke through with pure brilliance and maybe, a touch of luck to win his first major. Locally, North Melbourne supporter James Hancock blew them away at Mildura to win the Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week. All in the 19th hole.
 
4/4/12
In this weeks 19th hole we take a look at the local golf season which has just begun. The US Masters begins on Friday, who will win? The annual Mildura Pacing Cup golf day will be held at Riverside golf Club on Friday April 13. Entries for the 2012 20th Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State masters close on Friday April 13. We look at the ethical dilemma faced when two cheats meet on a golf course. The Sunraysia Round of the Week was a tie between two Riverside golfers. All in this weeks 19th hole.
 
28/3/12
This week in the 19th hole we look back on the last two week on our 7th golf tour to New Zealand where the highlights came on a daily basis. New Zealand is a beautiful place to go for a golfing holiday. We are already planning our 8th golf tour there next year. A shorter tour of 8 days 7 nights just to Queenstown and further tours in 2013 to Tasmania - Barnbougle Dunes/Lost Farm and tours to Perth Western Australia and Ireland.
 
13/3/12
Mildura Golf Resort has seen some tough times in the last ten years but all indications point to the club being back on top in Sunraysia golf. The club conducted its junior open last wekend and more than 40 juniors enjoyed the course and Sunraysia's famous weather. After unseasonal rains, local golf courses are enjoying their best ever condition, delighting locals and visitors alike. Shepparton golfer Jarrod Lyle has had a relapse of the leukaemia that he suffered as a teenager. It has been a real topsy turvey year for Lyle who has been in peak form on the US PGA Tour, got married and had a baby and now this major setback. Justin Rose won in Miami on Sunday but it just another chapter in an action packed year with Rory, Tiger and Bubba grabbing most of the headlines. All these stories and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
6/3/12
This week in the 19th hole we take a look at the new project at Mildura Golf Resort. Resort style living on course has come to Mildura with the brand new Fairways Mildura development at the Mildura Golf Resort. Two New Zealanders from Masterton on the North Island will play in the Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State masters for the seventh time. Paul Wright takes out the Coomealla Stableford Shootout after being runner up twice before. The Sunraysia Sports Acadamey is calling for applications for the 2012 golf program. Rory McIlroy, number one in the world at 22. A big demonstration night will be held tomorrow at the Sunraysia Golf Range from 3pm - 8pm with all of the big brand names in golf attending including Taylor Made, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Cleveland, Adams, Nike, Tour Edge and Exotic's. Mildura's Bill Forrester is the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week winner.
 
29/2/12
The 2012 Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters is up to eighty per cent of capacity with five weeks still to go before the official closing date for entries. The tournament entry allocation is sure to be full well before that time. Local junior golfers contested the Central District Junior Championship at the weekend with Red Cliffs scratch marker Tim Walker finishing third with rounds of 73-73. The Sunraysia Academy of Sport is calling for applications for their 2012 junior progam. This will be a wlcome addittion to the jnior coaching already provided by district golf coaches.
 
22/2/12
The Mildura Masters charity golf day is set to hit off on Thursday March 15 at the Mildura Golf Resort. The event which first began in 1991 has raised over $60,000 for district charities and is a great day on Sunraysia's golfing calendar. The 2012 36 hole Mildura Junior Open will be contested on March 12-13 this year. Age groups from u/18 down to u/12 will be catered for. The low markers will also compete for the Geoff Ogilvy qualifying event. Sunraysia Golf Tours are taking tours to New Zealand, Barnbougle Dunes and Ireland this year. The Accenture World Matchplay commences is Arizona tomorrow with world number one Luke Donald lining up against a formidable foe in Ernie Els. Australia has six representatives with Jason Day and Adam Scott seeded seven and eight. The Sunraysia Golf Range recently celebrated their fifth birthday and the range is going from strength to strength. Bidding for the job of designing the Olymic venue for golf in the 2016 Olympics has reached it's climax with the top three contenders being Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Peter Thomson. Each party has enlisted the services of a female golfer to give their bids a female perspective on the project. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week goes to Mildura junior Shay Toma who shot a 69 off the stick for 44 stable ford points at Mildura Golf Resort on Sunday. Read about these stories in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
14/2/12
Tri-State masters entries are well up on the past few years with entries coming in from New Zealand and every State in Australia. Local golfers have been turning on top class performances in recent weeks reflecting the great condition of Sunraysia's beautiful golf courses. Jessica Korda wins the Aussie Open at Royal Melbourne at 18 years of age. Phil Mickelson wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am for the fourth time setting up a delicious countdown to the US Masters in April. Peter Senior was caught short once again on the Champions Tour losing a playoff to former US Open winner Corey Pavin. The first Round of the Week winner for 2012 saw a tie between David Watts and Darren Biddle. These stories and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
7/2/12
Coomealla golfers Craig Tung and Sue Laird have both entered the 2012 Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters with ambitions of defending their 2011 titles. Entries for the tournament have come from golfers from 48 golf clubs around Australia. Coomealla have won the 2011 Sunraysia District Golf Association Summer Pennant after a closely contested final at Red Cliffs on Sunday. American golfer Kyle Stanley bounced back to win in Arizona in the Phoenix Open on Sunday. Stanley blew a six stroke lead last week but watched compatriot Spencer Levin surrender the same margin on Sunday. In Qatar, 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie from Scotland was too superior for his rivals easily winning from Australia's Jason Day and Sweden's Paul Hanson. All this news and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
30/1/12
Entries for the 20th Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters have been pouring in after only ten days since they were released to golfers around Australia. Local golfers Greg Rhodes and Tom Holmes have been scorching around the local Sunraysia golf courses in January. Robert Rock and Brandr Snedeker were surprise winners in Abu Dhabi and California at the weekend. The Golf Australia magazine has published it's top 100 ranked Australian Golf Courses. What do you think? More news in the 19th hole.
 
19/1/12
The entry form and brochure are now posted on the tournaments section. Entry forms can be downloaded and sent to us. The reaction to the tournament this year so far has been fantastic. We are so excited about our 20th Tri-State Masters and can't wait for May 20. Get your entry in soon to secure a place in the field. Who knows, you just might win a new Honda Jazz or a relaxing five night holiday on Adventure Houseboats, regarded as the best on the Mighty Murray.
 
13/1/12
The entry forms for the 2012 20th Annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters are now completed and will be send to people on the Sunraysia Golf Tours data base on Monday 16th January. Over $200,000 worth of door prizes, competition prizes and Hole in One prizes will be on offer. An Adventure Houseboat holiday for up to eight people will drawn for the lucky door prize winner. There are stay and play packages to great golf resorts such as the Barwon Heads Golf Club, Tocumwal Golf Club and the Country Club Tasmania casino in Launceston and the Mildura Golf club Resort.Quest Apartments Mildura are partnering with us again and will provide a six night holiday in Mildura for four people for the 2013 Tri-State Masters. Bridgestone Golf has been the official golf brand of the tournament since its inception in 1993 and are great supporters again this year. Local media outlets PRIME Television and Sunraysia Daily newspaper are also strong sponsors and supporters of the Tri-State Masters. The Hole in One prizes are without doubt the best ever offered in an Australian amateur golf tournament,due to the changes in the amateur rules by the R & A on January 1st. Three Honda Jazzz motor vehicles from Auto Synergy Mildura, $10,000 worth of electrical equipment from Jack Abell Mildura, $10,000 worth of floor coverings from Choices Max Miller Mildura, $10,000 spa from Cookes Pools & Spas Mildura, $10,000 worth of furniture from Tilley's Furniture Mildura, a Yamaha motorised buggy, $10,000 cash from Hotondo Homes Mildura, $10,000 cash from the Vines Retirement Village Mildura and $10,000 cash from Murray River Salt add up to $130,000 worth of Hole in One prizes! Then there is the competition prizes from House of Golf Mildura, Bridgestone Golf and Champion Sports including Bushnell rangefinders and Yes putters. Trentham Estate Winery who have been partnering sponsors since 1993 have produced two wines to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the the Tri-State Masters including a 2010 Shiraz and a 2011 Chardonnay. The opening Cocktail Party and the closing Presentation Dinner will both be held in the auditorium of the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club who have been a major sponsoring partner since 1995. The 2012 Tri-State Masters is going to be a fantastic event for all involved and is expected to be booked out in record time this year. For entries phone 03 50 246799 or Email golf@sunraysia golftours.com.au.
 
24/12/11
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. WE HOPE YOUR LAST 12 MONTHS HAS BEEN GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THAT 2012 IS EVEN BETTER. NEVER FORGET THAT "IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO MEET NICE PEOPLE AND THAT MEMORIES LIVE LONGER THAN DREAMS" from all of us at SUNRAYSIA GOLF TOURS
 
21/12/11
In this weeks 19th hole Sunraysia will host its most lucrative golf tournament ever held next year with the Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters. $50,000 worth of door prizes and competition trophies with a further $100,000 worth of Hole in One prizes on offer. Ian Poulter shows the value of the "flat stick" in the Australian Masters last week. Five former winners of Mildura Golf Week's Murray Valley Championship excel in the Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Club. We also take a look at the world golf scene and what happened in Sunraysia golf in 2011. The last winner for the year of the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week is Ray Cottle who fired off a net 60 at Riverside Golf Club last week. All in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
14/12/11
Riverside are raging red hot favourites to win the 2011 Sunraysia District Golf Association's Summer Pennant final against Coomealla at Red Cliffs Golf Club on Sunday. The Crown Lager Social Golf Club was launched by Golf Australia recently for casual social golfers. Luke Donald has been the most consistent golfer in the world this year. Accordingly he has won the honour of becoming the number one ranked golfer in the world and has won the most money this year on both the US and European Golf Tours, becoming the first player ever to achieve that feat. The Australian Masters hits off at Victoria Golf Club tomorrow, will it be Donald, Poulter, Mannasero or one of our Australian boys to hoist the trophy on Sunday? Christmas, family and golf make a perfect trifecta and allow time at the end of the year to reflect on how lucky we are. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week goes to Wentworth's Steve Lyall for his score of 49 stableford points! Read all these stories in the 19th hole.
 
8/12/11
Local boys Ryan Laird Coomealla and Tim Walker Red Cliffs will contest the Port Phillip Amateur at Commonwealth and Kingston Heath Golf Clubs this weekend. The top 32 players after the 72 hole event will then qualify for the 2011 Victorian Amateur Championship with a knockout matchplay series culminating in the final at Kingston Heath on Wednesday. Former district champion Jake Laubsch who now resides in Adelaide will also contest the event.
 
6/12/11
Trentham Estate master winemaker Anthony Murphy has produced two excellent wines to be offered exclusively to the participants of the 20th Anniversary Tri-State Masters golf tournament next May. An excellent deep red 2010 Shiraz is sure to be a big hit with all lovers of quality red wine and 2011 Chardonnay will delight the palates of those who enjoy a delicate soft white wine.
 
7/12/11
Gary Fumberger took seven mates and played 54 holes on three different Sunraysia golf courses to raise money for prostate cancer recently. Riverside are the team to beat for the 2011 SDGA Summer Pennant. $150,000 in door prizes, hole in one prizes, nearest the pin prizes and trophies will be on offer in the 2012 Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters in May next year. Entries have already started coming in. Tiger Woods is all the rage again after his win on Sunday. The European Golf Tour's seasons Race To Dubai culminates this week in Dubai with Luke Donald the man to beat. Riverside's Tony Scullino is this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours winner of the Round of the Week. Go to the 19th hole to read about all these golf stories.
 
30/11/11
Ryan Laird was the outstanding junior at Heathcote Golf Club at the weekend in the 2011 Victorian Country Regions Championship. An 82 on Saturday left him well off the pace but he followed up with a three under par 68 on Sunday. Riverside and Robinvale are favourites to play off for the 2011 Sunraysia District Golf Association Summer Pennant after two strong wins in the first two rounds. District number two golfer Cameron Stewart has lifted his handicap to +2 after a blistering 68 at Coomealla Golf Club on Saturday. Greg Chalmers is fast becoming one of the BIG names in Australian golf after his win in the PGA at Coolum on Sunday. Chris Thomas is the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week winner after an outstanding 66 off the stick at Riverside Golf Club on Saturday. All the golf news is in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
23/11/11
Summer pennant hit off at Robinvale on Sunday and reigning pennant holders Merbein were knocked well and truly off their perch by Riverside. Sunraysia's Junior team will contest division one of the Victorian Country Regions Championship at Heathcote this weekend after winning both the scratch and handicap sections of division two last year. The Presidents Cup was sensational last week, even though we came second. The Australian PGA this week at Coolum showcases that tournaments best ever field. The ladies Australian Open at Royal Melbourne in February will now be a sanctioned event on the LPGA schedule which should attract all the big names in world ladies golf. George Mason from Riverside wins this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. Go to the 19th hole to see more news in the world of golf.
 
16/11/11
Sunraysia's champion golfer Greg Rhodes came from two strokes behind to win the Coomealla Golf Club championship on Sunday from Cameron Stewart. With five holes to play the pair were locked together but two vital mistakes cost Stewart two shots as Rhodes remained rock solid to win once again. Sunraysia District Golf Association Summer Pennant hits off at Robinvale Golf Club this Sunday. Robinvale were runners up to Merbein Golf Club last year and will be looking to go one better. All the Presidents men will assemble at Royal Melbourne Golf Club tomorrow for the biggest golf event Australia has ever seen. Geoff Ogilvy and Nick Watney could be the top points winners for their respective teams.
 
14/11/11
Auto Synergy Mildura has come on board as a major sponsor of the 2012 20th Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters 54 hole golf tournament on May 21-23-25. As such three Honda Jazz motor cars will be offered up as hole in one prizes on the par 3 6th at Mildura Golf Club Resort, 18th at Riverside Golf Club and the 18th at Coomealla Golf Club. More exciting news on up coming developments regarding great prizes in the weeks to come.
 
9/11/11
It is another Rhodes versus Stewart with Laubsch lurking in the background and Walker clinging to a hope of a late attack in the Coomealla Golf Club championships. Red Cliffs golf club have come up with a great concept for a golf competition. The Australian Open at the Lakes in Sydney, maybe Peter Senior or someone like Rod Pampling might get to raise the Stonehaven Cup this year. It is all building to the biggest golf event in Australian Golf history when the Presidents Cup hits off next week at Royal Melbourne. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week goes to Greg Young of Red Cliffs Golf Club who had 63 net to win the Monthly Medal including a hole in one. All in the 19th Hole.
 
6/11/11
Coomealla Golf Club championships at the half way mark. Australian Open begins on Thursday at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. Only 12 more days to the biggest ever golf event in Australia at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, the Presidents Cup. All this and more in Wednesday's 19th hole. By the way, today I had my third hole in one after aces on Robinvale Golf Club's 9th and Coomealla's 18th.
 
6/11/11
Something very nice happened today at Coomealla Golf Club. I had a hole in one on the 180 metre par 3 11th hole. I will always remember it because it was also my daughter Carmen's birthday.
 
4/11/11
Flyers on our golf tours to New Zealand in March 2012 and Ireland in September 2012 just posted on the tours page. Take a look at the golf courses we are playing. SENSATIONAL. There is also a flyer posted on the tournaments page for the 2012 20th TRI-STATE MASTERS which we believe is going to be our best ever golf tournament in 25 years of tournament organisation. Take a look now.
 
2/11/11
Greg Rhodes looks all set to claim another title at Coomealla Golf Club in the 2011 club championship beginning on Saturday. At 52 years of age Rhodes is playing better than ever before. There will be a lot of young talent chasing him but if he plays anywhere near his best, he wins, Simple as that. November is AGM time at golf clubs and we take a look at things such as dress codes, sponsorship and partnership with clubs and how not to go about asking for them by new committee people. Next Monday my wife Kym will host 16 ladies down to Lost Farm and Barnbougle Dunes. They will have a ball on Australia's number one public access course. Our next sojourn to Tassie after that will be in February. We invite your calls regarding the mini break as it will book out quickly. The R&A and USGA have made some common sense changes to some of the existing golf rules, to commence on January one. Pity they couldn't adopt a clearer common sense approach to the confusing amateur status rules that are clearly quite ridiculous. Two stories of the heart emerged from the last round of the US Nationwide championship on Sunday. Erik Compton was a heart warming piece of golfing history and Aussie James Nitties was a heart breaking episode. Finally Howard Jones had the round of his life to win this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. This and maybe a bit of hit and giggle is all in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
26/10/11
This Week Sunraysia Golf Tours hosted a group of men down to Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm golf courses in Tasmania. These courses are a joy to play and have provided a big attraction for golfers from the mainland. At this time of year all the big time golf tournaments are in Europe and Australasia. Many Americans have journeyed all over the world to continue their seasons where they would normally have stored their clubs in the gararge at this time of year. The R & A have recently announced rule changes for 2012 with common sense looking to be the winner for the average golfer as well as the top liners.
 
18/10/11
Mildura took centre stage at the Melbourne Golf Show last weekend. More than 240 golf companies, clubs and tournaments featured on 40 stands at the Melbourne Showgrounds. The golf industry is waiting with baited anticipation for the Australian golf season to begin at the Australian Open in Sydney next month. The popular view is that the Presidents Cup in particular will boost interest in golf to levels not seen before in this country since Greg Norman too the golf world by storm. Club championships at Riverside, Red Cliffs and Merbein finished on Sunday with Steve Wilmann, Tim Walker and Peter McGaffin all successful. Merbein's Merv Woodhouse in this weeks winner of the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week.
 
11/10/11
Sunraysia golf courses and local attractions will be featured on the 20th Tri-State Masters stand at the 2011 Melbourne Golf Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds this weekend. Club championships at Riverside, Red Cliffs and Merbein at in full swing with some great scores being recorded in the first two rounds. The Heather Bothroyd foursomes was played at Mildura Golf Club on Sunday and Heathers daughter Mandy won for the second time. The Presidents Cup is only five weeks away but already the golfing public of Melbourne/Australia are counting down the days. The Madrid Masters had some great hole in one prizes last week but surely the oddest was the players body weight in ham. Brett Hayes came back to Riverside to play golf after seven years out of the game and produced a blinder to win the Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week. All this and more in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
10/10/11
Sunraysia Golf Tours will exhibit at the 2011 Melbourne Golf Show this weekend at the Melbourne Showgrounds. The stand is called "20th Tri-State Masters" and will display information about the 20th Tri-State Masters and the $50,000 plus in prizes next year, Sunraysia Golf Tours to New Zealand in March and Ireland in September. Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club, Mildura Golf Club Resort, Mildura Tourism, Adventure Houseboats, PS Mundoo, PS Melbourne, PS Rothbury, Trentham Estate and Curlwaa Organe Juice.
 
9/10/11
Sunraysia finished third in Division One at Country Week in Melbourne last Friday. A loss to the strong Ballarat Golf Association and a half with Bendigo on the first day had them with their backs to the wall. Thereafter they won their last three contests against East then South Gippsland and Goulburn Valley. Next year is the crunch year if they are to take that next step and win their first div one title. The team travels the furtherest to Melbourne to compete and is the most under resourced team in the division but against those odds they are only a few shots away from becoming the number one country golf association in the State.
 
5/10/11
Phil Lawn is the new 2011 Wentworth Golf Club champion after storming home in the last nine holes of the championship to force a play off with five times champion Matt Lynch. Tim Walker headed up the Sunraysia assalt on the Victorian Country Championship at Spring Valley and Woodlands Golf Clubs this week. This weekend Riverside, Merbein and Red Cliffs Golf Clubs will all commence their 2011 club championships. David Good wins the Victorian Senior Championship at Beacon Hills Golf Club after an impressive career on the European Senior Tour for the last 10 years. Everything you wanted to know about avioding or overcoming a disaster on the golf course is covered in the Worst-Case Scenario Survival handbook for Golf. The Veterans Golf Classic 2011 will be played at the Mildura Golf Club Resort on Friday and Monday as part of the Seniors Week Festival being celebrated around Victoria. Marty Livingstone wins this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. All in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
27/9/11
After two weeks in Scotland and Ireland we are back in Mildura. In this weeks 19th hole we take a look at Sunraysia's team as it prepares for Melbourne Country Week. Coomealla pair Ron Hunt and John Fletcher are looking forward to contesting the final of the Pacific Golfer Best Ball Challenge next month on the Gold Coast. From top to bottom, Ireland is a golfing heaven as we found out on our recent golf tour to the Emarald Isle. Aaron Baddeley went so close to claiming the biggest prize in US golf. Wentworth's Jean Riley proved to be the girl most likely again when she took out the Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week.
 
6/9/11
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole the girls from North West prove that in division three at Country Teams they are the best, winning for the first time since 1985. Greg Rhodes continues his legacy as a living legend winning his 15th Club Championship at Mildura Golf Club Resort by three strokes from Cameron Stewart. Six Australians remain in contention for the rich FedEx Cup in America. Thomas Bjorn wins two weeks in a row in Europe and is racing to the front in the Race to Dubai. Red hot scores dominated this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week with Wentworth's Mark Lyall in Scorching form in the Club Championships at Wentworth Golf Club.
 
31/8/11
In the 19th hole this week we look at the Sunraysia girls playing against Kara Kara, Wimmera, Northern and West Gippsland at the Country Teams tournament in Melbourne. Cameron Stewart has put himself in contention to win his first club championship at Mildura Golf Club Resort. Only Greg Rhodes stands in his way! The mens and ladies Victorian Open's will be played together at Spring Valley Golf Club this year in a really radical move by Golf Victoria. The big playoffs are under way in the US for the FedEX Cup and it is getting close to the pointy end of the season in Europe for the Race to Dubai. Rod Marsh and his son Dan had a round at Lost Farm next door to Barnbougle Dunes last week with both recording holes in one, except that dad did it on a par 4! Joke of the week involves a lost ball, a bad call and then violence by an outraged misunderstanding wife. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week goes to former St Kilda WAG Debbie Hassall who is married to Alan for her net 62 at Red Cliffs Golf Club on Sunday.
 
25/8/11
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole Greg Rhodes is doing what Greg does best - leading another golf championship. This time it is the 2011 Mildura Golf Club championships where he is gunning for his 15th title. All district eyes will be on Coomealla Golf Club this week for the inaugural qualifying round of the Pacific Golfer Best Ball Challenge. Robinvale was aglow at the weekend for their annual Almond Blossom Festival. Coomealla Golf Club vice president Bernie Sprague hosted his 13th "Weekend at Bernie's" when a group of 36 of his closest golfing friends accompanied him to Cohuna and Barram. Interest is growing in the selections for both teams in the up coming Presidents Cup. Riverside's Marty Scott is this weeks winner of the Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week.
 
17/8/11
In this weeks 19th hole Sue Laird wins the ladies district championship for a second time. Greg Rhodes returns to play in the Mildura Golf Championship after having won that title 14 times before. Robinvale's inaugural Blossom Classic hits off on Saturday with an impressive array of prizes and trophies. The fifth annual Coomealla Senior Open set to attract Victoria's top senior golfers. Riverside Jeff Smith takes out the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week after an impressive 45 stableford points on Saturday.
 
10/8/11
In this weeks 19th hole we take a look at Sunraysia's premier ladies Open tournament where Coomealla's Sue Laird looks past the post at Mildura next Tuesday. The Sunraysia District Golf Association's medley ambrose is on at Coomealla on Sunday. Matt Pascoe is the winner of our "favourite Sunraysia Golf holes" competition, citing Coomealla's par 4 6th as his favourite home club hole and Merbein's par 4 17th as his favourite hole from another district course. Adam Scott ran them off their feet in Ohio last weekend but Lee Westwood is the man to beat in this week's US PGA in Georgia. We will be taking our 7th New Zealand golf tour in March next year and are looking for some nice people to accompany us. After six previous tours to NZ we have chosen six of their best golf courses in both Islands and combined it with some breathtaking scenery and attractions. Wentworth's Gary Stephens wins the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week after a great 64 net at Wentworth last Saturday. All in this week's 19th hole.
 
3/8/11
Kingswood's Anthony Houston leads club mate Ashley Blake by three strokes at the halfway mark of the 64th Murray valley Championship in Mildura Golf Week. Cameron Stewart from Mildura is a further three stokes behind. The Sunraysia team to contest the ladies Melbourne Country Teams has been announced. Tiger Woods is back this week to contest the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at the Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio. Woods has won on this course seven times so it is a perfect course for him to re-commence his ailing career. If he does well in the next two months it will escalate the expectations of him performing well in the Australian Open at the Lakes and thre Presidents Cup at Royal melbourne in November. Big Will Ryan is the top performer in Sunraysia golf this week and has taken out the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. Read all about these stories in the 19th hole.
 
1/8/11
Everything is now in place for our seventh golf tour to New Zealand set down for March 2012. Golf courses on the itinerary include Jacks Point and Milbrook in Queenstown, Kinloch and Waireiki in Taupo and the Carrington Club and Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands. New Zealand is such a wonderful place to visit and play golf on some of the most scenic courses in the world. Contact us on 03 246799 or Email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au for a full itinerary.
 
27/7/11
Greg Rhodes won his 15th Sunraysia District Golf Association championship at Red Cliffs Golf Club on Sunday with rounds of 68-71. Rhodes is not renowned as a great putter but on Saturday his putting was superb as he led overnight by six strokes, eventually winning by ten. The 2011 SDGA Country Week team was announced on Sunday with a couple of surprise inclusions. The North West Women's Country Team will be announced next week. The SDGA made the common sense decision on Monday night to allow any junior who was 17 or under as at the first of January to compete in the SDGA junior championships in September. The Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week goes to David Doering of Merbein Golf Club who had the excellent score of +9. These stories in more detail in the 19th hole.
 
20/7/11
Red Cliffs Golf Club will host the 2011 Sunraysia District Golf Asscoiation 2011 championship this weekend. Red Cliffs junior Tim Walker who was second in the Victorian Junior Championship recently is favoured to win on his home course. Former district champions, Ashley Whitehouse, Justin McPhee and Greg Rhodes will be his main dangers. Northern Ireland'sDarren Clarke is the Open champion this year after an up and down career that has been well documented. We look at his win and where it puts him in world golf. Golf events coming up in our region in August stretch from Broken Hill to Coomealla to Robinvale. We have two spots left on our October men's golf trip to Barnbougle Dunes, Kym's ladies trip there in November is booked out. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week goes to happy super veteran Joe Hunyardi who had 46 points at Merbein Golf Club, read all about it in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
13/7/11
Riverside Golf Club are the 2011 Sunraysia District Golf Association division one and two pennant champions. Both teams began the the day as the underdogs but were successful against the districts two biggest clubs, Coomealla and Mildura. Red Cliffs and Wentworth won divisions three and four against Coomealla and Mildura. Matchplay golf is alive and well in Sunraysia, much to the relief of all concerned. British Open at Royal St Georges this week. No Tiger but plenty of chances with Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell set to pounce, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy our best chances. Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week this week goes to Dave Porter of Wentworth.
 
8/7/11
Red Cliffs junior Tim Walker finished runner up in the Victorian Junior Championship over 72 holes at Yarra Yarra and Northern Golf Clubs this week. Walker shot (67) the lowest round of the tournament but bogeyed three of the last four holes to lose by two shots from Commonwealth's Lucas Herbert.
 
6/7/11
Pennant finals at Red Cliffs on Sunday and Riverside has emerged as the challenger to Coomealla who are going for four pennant wins on the trot. Riverside will have to do everything right but will be buoyed by their performance against a most disappointing Mildura on Sunday. Riverside look too strong in division two with Red Cliffs and Wentworth favoured in the bottom two divisions. All of the club champions have been determined in the ladies club championships with three new champions stepping up this year at Riverside, Red Cliffs and Wentworth. Mildura Golf Club Resort have changed direction by dropping their membership subscrption and including a house credit. The issue of increasing junior numbers has also been addressed and looks to be bearing fruit. The Scottish Open hits off tomorrow night at a new venue, Castle Stuart Golf Links looks to be an absolute gem of a course that will give a great lead in to the players for the following weeks British Open. Two ladies take home the prize for this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week. All in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
29/6/11
coomealla maintained their supremacy in Sunraysia pennant on Sunday, knocking off 2011 pennant favourites Mildura at Coomealla. Mildura now faces Riverside in the semi final this week to try and earn another shot at Coomealla in the final at Red Cliffs on Sunday week. Marg Lampard is the new queen of Riverside after she won her first club championship recently. Erik Compton virtually qualified for the 2012 US PGA Tour on Sunday when he won the Nationwide Tour's Mexico Open. Compton has had two heart transplants and overcome all sorts of setbacks to reach his goal. Yani Tseng is the outstanding lady golfer in the world. In two weeks time she will line up to win her first US Open which would give her the grand slam of ladies golf after she has won the other three world majors. Pablo Larrazabal is from Spain, on Sunday he won the BMW International Open in a five hole play off with compatriot Sergio Garcia. In a three way dead heat Wentworth's Ken King wins the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week after scoring 45 points last week. All this and more in this weeks 19th hole.
 
22/6/11
Wow, what a big week in golf, here in Sunraysia and around the world. In this weeks 19th hole we look at the future of golf in Sunraysia and how it could be managed and improved. Pennant action moves to Coomealla with the top two teams, MIldura and Coomealla fighting it out for a grand final berth. Bryden McPherson became only the second Australian since 1954 to win the British Amateur Championship. Rory McIlroy wins the US Open from our own Jason Day and is hailed as the best player since Tiger Woods. Helen Brice wins the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week from Paul Wright who recently recovered from a serious appendix operation to record his best ever round of 77 at Coomealla. All in this weeks 19th hole.
 
16/6/11
Guinnes Record recorded in Alabama for the most golf holes completed in a week. Moreover it was achieved by a 70 year old pastor who played golf for 16 hours a day and averaged 74.55 per round for 103 rounds! Read more in the 19th hole.
 
16/6/11
In the 19th hole today we feature a story of hope for a couple of young golf pro's who have qualified for their first US Open tomorrow at Congressional Golf Club. Ty Tryon and Christo Greyling played on the same high school golf team and were destined for great PGA careers but things went wrong. Tomorrow they have another chance to hit the big time.
 
15/6/11
In this weeks 19th hole Robinvale play hosts in district pennant on Sunday. Coomealla has another great field in the Holden Scramble. Sue Laird continues on her winning way in the Coomealla and Mildura ladies club championships. The ouzo went down well at the opening ceremony of the 24th Athens Open at Riverside on Sunday. Adam Scott hires Tiger's caddy Steve Williams to carry his bag at the 111th US Open beginning on Thursday. Then there was the story of one hell of a tough golf course. David Inglis trumped everyone in the district when he won the Sunraysia Golf tours Round of the Week.
 
8/6/11
Wentworth Golf Club are facing a huge task to get their club and golf course back on track. Yesterday many of the town's community leaders voiced their support of the club and it's future. Riverside playing at home nearly knocked pennant favourites Mildura off their perch but Mildura were able to scrape a win in the first round of Sunraysia men's pennant. Golf Australia has announced changes to the on going saga of the new slope handicapping system. Trying to find someone who thinks it has been a success so far is difficult. Graeme McDowell was sailing along in his defece of the Wales Open until Saturday's third round, then disaster struck. In a four way tie Merbein's Col Lang is the winner of the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week. Coomealla's Tim Peterson looked an easy winner on Saturday until he had a nine on the par 4 14th. Peterson still went on to record an even par 72! Like Hello. Read all about these stories in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
1/6/11
Red Cliffs won both sections of ladies pennant at Mildura Golf Club Resort on Sunday and Monday. Tim Walker made two Opens for him and four for Red Cliffs when he won at Robinvale on Sunday. Walker won from his team mate Justin McPhee who has also won two opens this year. Mildura will start nominal favourites in division one SDGA men's pennant at Riverside on Sunday. Coomealla's Alan Scorer has taken over as the new team manager for this year's Sunraysia assalt on division one at Melbourne Country Week. Luke Donald took over as the third world number one since April when he won the BMW PGA at Wentworth in England on Sunday. There was a three way tie in the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week with Rodney Poole winning after a flip of the coin. All in this weeks 19th hole.
 
25/5/11
Lots of golf news and views in the 19th hole this week. The last round of ladies pennant will be played at Mildura Golf Club Resort this weekend with Red Cliff favourites to take out Sunday and Monday pennants. Coomealla look to be their only dangers. Justin McPhee wins the Red Cliffs Open and Sunraysia white wash the Riverland in the Doherty/McInnes Cup. The Tri-State Masters was quite special this year with some people returning after after periods of absence. Next year will be the 20th Tri-State Masters beginning on the 20th May 2012. Ian Poulter wins the Volvo World matchplay in Spain. Bookings for the Scotland/Ireland Golf Tour will close on June 3rd or before if full. Jeff Kelm from Coomealla Golf Club wins this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week.
 
21/5/11
Craig Tung and Sue Laird are the men's and ladies Tri-State Masters champions for 2011. Laird was untroubled to win for the fifth time after breaking clear from Jenny Jeffreys on the back nine at Coomealla yesterday. Jeffreys was 13 shots back at days end but some consolation was being the leading senior lady (over 50) where she collected some excellent trophies. Tung started the day four shots behind John Keogh who birdied the first two holes to move six shots ahead. Keogh bogeyed the fourth and struggled to get off the bogey train. Tung rallied after bogeying the 17th to fall back into a tie with Keogh who had birdied the hole. A par on 18 was enough for Tung to secure his first major tournament win since 1989 when he won the Coomealla Golf Club championship. Keogh picked up the men's Senior title which wasn't the one he really wanted but was nice to win, just the same.
 
20/5/11
Everything is all set for a grand final finish in the 19th Tri-State Masters final round at Coomealla today. Coomealla's John Keogh, Craig Tung and Dave Gardiner will shoot it out with only a few shots separating first from third. In the ladies championship Sue Laird from Coomealla leads Portsea's Jenny Jeffreys by one shot. Laird is going for five in a row, Jeffrey's is going for her fourth title after winning three in a row from 2003-2005.
 
18/5/11
Red Cliffs and Riverside Gold have assumed favouritism in the Sunday and Monday ladies pennant. Mabel Crouch wins Coomealla Open by one shot from Sue Laird.A big boilover in the SDGA's Lever Blair/Seeley Cups at Riverside Golf Club on Saturday with the top two pairs unplaced to the local Riverside combinations. Sue Laird on track for her fifth title in the Tri-State Masters. Coomealla's Craig Tung is only one shot in front of club mate John Keogh with two past champions one shot further back in third and fourth. K J Choi chopped them up in the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Jacksonville Florida. Phil Matotek wins the Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week. All in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
11/5/11
Coomealla are taking all before them in Sunraysia ladies pennant so far this year. Sue Laird wins the Red cliffs ladies Open and picks up her first hole in one along the way. Only four more sleeps to the 19th annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters with people coming from New Zealand and all over Australia to compete. Seve Ballesteros is gone but will never be forgotten. A golfing hero of the highest order who gave European golf the kick start it needed in world golf. The TPC Championship is on this week at TPC Sawgrass in Jacksonville Florida. The Americans regard it as the 5th Major but is it? Robert Allenby finished 2nd last year but Adam Scott won it last in 2004 and could just do it again. Coomealla's Greg Butcher played the round of his life to win the Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week - all in this week's 19th hole.
 
4/5/11
Greg Rhodes was THE man once again on his old stamping ground at Mildura Golf Club Resort in the Merbein Open last weekend. Ladies pennant began on Sunday and Monday and all is not as it could be in ladies golf in Sunraysia at present. Lee Westwood won in Korea sending him back to number one in the world after lending the position to German Martin Kaymer for a few weeks. On the US PGA Tour it was big hitting Bubba Watson who blasted everyone off the golf course. His interviews are sensational viewing, much like most of his golf. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week was a hotly contested affair this week with Riverside's Bev Orford getting the nod with 47 points. Read all about these stories in the 19th hole.
 
27/4/11
In this weeks 19th hole we take a look at the Merbein Open to be played at the Mildura Golf club Resort. Cameron Stewart is due for a bit of luck after being runner up in the first three Opens of the year. North West Women's Golf pennant hits off on Sunday and Monday. Marcus Fraser will defend his title on the European Tour in Korea and twelve Aussies will tee it up in the Zurich Classic in New Orleans on the US PGA Tour. The Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week went to Merbein's Colin Moore who had a nett 59!
 
21/4/11
Tim Walker and Cameron Stewart are the top two players, scoring wise in the first three Sunraysia Open tournaments this year with a scoring average of 71.5. The next Open tournament will be the Merbein Open to be played at the Mildura Golf Club Resort on April 30 - May 1.
 
20/4/11
The Mildura Open tournament provided lots of highs and lows on the weekend. Seventeen year old Red Cliffs junior Tim Walker came from six shots behind to clinch his first major district tournament win. The Sunraysia Golf Range began in 2006 and has since been giving promising junior golfers a chance to work, practice and develop their skills. Kevin Na hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the Texas Open last week. Matteo Manassero won his second European tournament as a 17 year old in winning the Malaysian Open on Sunday. Riverside's Linda Dickson wins this weeks Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week. Read all about it in this weeks edition of the 19th hole.
 
13/4/11
An extra special 19th hole this week. The Mildura Golf Club Resort Open is on this weekend with at least 10 different players expected to feature on the leaderboard. Sort of like last Sunday at Augusta. Our take on the US Masters with a look at Charl Schwartzels preparation. Five, maybe six South Africans now available for selection in the Presidents Cup for our International Team in November at Royal Melbourne. Our Tasmania golf tour culminated at Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm last week and I met a man named Stan. Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week goes to Riverside's Gavin Highdale. Lots of entries coming in for the Tri-State Masters to be held in May on Sunraysia's best golf courses.
 
11/4/11
The US Masters was sensational this year. Adam Scott, Jason Day and Geoff Ogilvy were fantastic but once again someone else was better on the day. All hail South Africa's Charl Schwartzel. Bookings for the Scotland/Ireland golf tour in September will close soon. Eight games of golf at Gleneagles, Troon (2), Templepatrick, Druids Glen, Lahinch, Old Head and Mt Juliet together with top class accommodation meals and attraction with a nice group of golfing people from all over Australia. Couples and singles catered for. All inclusive twin share cost of $7,495 includes air fares, luxury coach, eight (8) games of golf, cooked breakfasts, eleven (110 evening meals and all attractions including Bunratty Castle, Waterford Crystal Tour and so much more. Phone 03 50 246799 or Email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au
 
6/4/11
Justin McPhee led from go to whoa winning the Riverside Open on Sunday from Cameron Stewart and Tim Walker with Greg Rhodes fourth. The 19th Annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters is attracting lots of new visitors to Sunraysia for the May 15 tournament. The US Masters hits off on Friday with defending champion Phil Mickelson is hoping to equal his great rival Tiger Woods total of four wins in this eventat the weekend. Sunraysia Golf Tours third golf tour of Tasmania finishes on Friday after games at Mowbray, Ulverstone, Royal Hobart, Tasman, Tasmania, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm. The Sunraysia Golf Tours Round of the Week was decided on a countback with Andrew Leske taking the prize of a set of laminated Sunraysia Golf Courses placemats.
 
The Riverside Open is the main golfing event in Sunraysia this weekend. Will it be Rhodes continuing his dominance or will one of the young guns step up to the plate? Sunraysia's peak interclub winter A grade pennant is six weeks away but unless the current SDGA committee introduce a new junior elite team then the pennant will be out of Coomealla and Mildura. More news in the 19th hole including the Round of the Week.
 
23/3/11
Lots of golf news this week in the 19th hole. Greg Rhodes wins again at Coomealla, is there anyone who can beat him this year? Karrie Webb is edging closer to being our greatest ever after her second win in two weeks on the LPGA Tour. Tiger Woods going for his seventh win in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill - but is he over the hill? Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin wins the first Sicilian Open. Sunraysia Golf Range-House of Golf kick off their members night tonight with a free $3000 footy tipping competition. Sunraysia Golf Tours Scotland/Ireland Golf Tour in September - only six seats left. Bryn Shaw shoots a net 60 at Wentworth to win the Sunraysia Golf Tours - Round of the Week.
 
16/3/11
In this weeks 19th hole Ryan Laird wins the Mildura Junior Open from Tim Walker. Coomealla Golf Club will host 150 golfers this weekend it it's 2011 Open Championship with Greg Rhodes the perenial favourite. Ireland's Padraig Harrington looks all set to win in the US and England's Chris Wood is a good bet in the inaugural Sicilian Open. Book of the week is One For The Ages which recalls the gripping story of the 1986 US Masters which featured Greg Norman and the then 46 year old Jack Nicklaus.
 
9/3/11
This week in the 19th hole we take a peek at the Coomealla Stableford Shootout where a law enforcement officer was the best shot. Tim Walker is looking to bring home the bacon in the Mildura Junior Open this weekend. The Cadillac tournament at TPC Doral in Florida has the world's best teeing it up this week. The world's best six doesn't include an American but the US scibe are nominating Woods and Mickelson who are playing together for the 26th time to be the men to beat. On the Champions Tour Tom Lehman looks a good bet in the Toshiba Classic in California. The True Story of Titanic Thompson is a great read and we have a look at some of his exploits.
 
2/3/11
Lots of golf news in this weeks 19th hole including who's hot for the Coomealla Golf Club Stableford Shootout on Sunday. Cameron Stewart starts off the 2011 season on scratch. Is Karrie Webb Australia's greatest ever golfer? Englishman Luke Donald breaks his duck in the World Matchplay. Matt Goggin goes off in Panama and Stuart Appleby returns to the Honda Classic which was his first ever win in the United States.
 
25/2/11
The Accenture World Matchplay has been great viewing. Geoff Ogilvy and Jason Day are still live but there is a long way to go. The Nicklaus Dove Mountain golf course is certainly target golf at its best. Miss the fairway and you get more than a prickle in pants! Karrie Webb is just off the pace in the ladies LPGA event in Singapore. Go to the 19th hole for more updates.
 
23/2/11
In this weeks 19th hole Sunraysia's golf courses are slowly drying out. Entries for the 19th annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters are starting to come in from all over Australia. Aaron Baddeley wins back some trust after putting his trust back into an old coach and friend. Former Mildura boy Lars Holden is doing really well in Vietnam and Ogilvy our best chance at Dove Mountain in the Accenture World Matchplay.
 
16/2/11
In this weeks 19th hole we look at Sunraysia's new wet weather players. Ross Percy won the Sands Torquay Seniors Championship for the second year in a row. Alvaro Quiros led the Spainaird inasion home on Dubai and the US Tour moves to the fabulous Riviera Golf Club this week.
 
9/2/11
In this weeks 19th hole the rain in Sunraysia stopped all golf last Saturday. Tri-State Masters entry forms now available and can be downloaded from the tournaments section. The big 3 Westwood, Kaymer and Woods are playing together in Dubai this week. Dustin Johnson is set to win his second Pebble Beach Pro Am in a row. Ladies Australian Open was terrific at Commonwealth.
 
7/2/11
Due to the flash flooding that occurred in Mildura over the weekend we are not able to access the Tri-State Masters entry forms untill next week as our printer's factory was flooded and all of his machinery was damaged. The entry forms will now be posted out on Friday February 18. The entry form will soon be downloaded onto the tournaments section of the website for anyone who wishes to access the information regarding the tournament, social golf, social functions and our recommended accommodation facilities. We apologise for any inconvenience.
 
4/2/11
The rain in Mildura today was incredible. We have had more rain since November than we would normally get in two years. It has been terrible for the farmers but the golf courses are really responding. The green staff will be struggling to keep the growth down.
 
2/2/11
This week in the 19th hole we look at what's happening in the 19th Annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters. Tyler Verbeek and Tom Holmes are set to shoot up the leaderboards in Sunraysia golf this year. The Scotland?Ireland golf tour is getting people excited. Melissa Reid to be the belle of the ball in the Women's Australian Open at Commonwealth Golf Club this week.
 
1/2/11
Our golf tour to Scotland/Ireland departing Friday September 9 is now official. Golfing highlights include Gleneagles,Troon, Templepatrick, Old Head, Druids Glen, Lahinch and Mount Juliet. During the tour we will be staying in Edinburugh, Dundee, Clontarf Castle in Dublin, Geoge Hotel in Limerick and on course at Templepatrick, Druids Glen, Old Head and Mount Juliet. Other highlights include a banquet at Bunratty Castle and a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory as well as a day at St Andrews. Contact us on email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au for a full itinerary.
 
26/1/11
In this weeks 19th hole Greg Rhodes enters last at Riverside but as usual finishes first shooting a four under par toatal of 71-69-140. Wentworth golf club have unearthed two future golfing stars in Aaron and Bryn Shaw. Tiger Woods is back on the PGA Tour this week at Torrey Pins in California. This was the venue where he last won the US Open in a playoff with Rocco Mediate who he is drawn with in the first two rounds.
 
25/1/11
We have just received confirmation that On-Pin GPS Golf Systems have come on board as a sponsor of the 2011 Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters. One lucky man and lady will win a Golf Guru 4 each which includes a road navigation system for your car. The Golf Guru 4 is valued at $480 and is the first golf GPS in the world to come with the additional feature of road navigation.
 
19/1/11
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole we take a look at this weekend's Riverside Summer Open where Ash Whitehouse and Sue Laird will start favourites in their respective sections. The districts top juniors are contesting many of the States junior championships in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Sunraysia men's pennant looks to be in danger of collapsing unless a radical new suggestion to include an elite junior team is adopted. Sunraysia Golf Range teaching professional Garth Doherty took three mates from Coomealla golf club down to see what all the fuss has been about in Tasmania. The boys played Barbougle Dunes and Lost Farm and came back full of praise for the courses, accommodation, meals and service.
 
12/1/11
In the 19th hole this week we look at the tournaments in Sunraysia this week and pose the question - will they be played or will the rain cause cancellation. Local golf teaching professional Garth Doherty rips up the Coomealla course with a blistering 66. Johathon give the rest of the field the "Byrd" in the Tournament of Champions in Hawai
 
5/1/11
In the 19th hole this week we identify some of the local players who have been scoring red hot scores on Sunraysia's golf courses over the holiday break. Sunraysia has lost it's top junior to South Australia but some of the others are stepping up to the mark. Big time golf recommences in Hawai at he Hyandai Tournament of Champions which features 34 players who won on the US PGA Tour last year. Our September 2011 Scotland/Irelanf golf tour has attracted much interest in the last few weeks. Check out our 19th hole for local and international golf news and views.
 
28/12/10
In the 19th hole this week we look at Christmas in Mildura as it dries out after our yearly rainfall fell in just over a month. The first tournament on the US PGA Tour begins next week in Maui Hawai with four Aussies taking part including defending champion Geoff Ogilvy. Finally I take a swipe at the Australian PGA who get it right about as many times as the Australian cricket selectors.
 
21/12/10
A Christmas message in this weeks 19th hole to everyone. Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year from Shane and Kym Doherty at Sunraysia Golf Tours.
 
14/12/10
In this weeks edition of the 19th hole Merbein win the SDGA summer pennant title for the third time in four years. Peter Senior shows the young blokes how to win an Australian PGA title 21 years after his first PGA win in 1989. Greg Rhodes is Sunraysia's premier golfer for 2010 and Peter-Jon Wellington wins the last Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week prize for 2010.
 
9/12/10
Three inches of rain has knocked our phone line out for the last 48 hours! Phone 0408310532 for any information about the 19th annual Tri-State Masters or our March golf tour to Tasmania or September golf tour to Scotland/Ireland or Email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au
 
7/12/10
Only a few seats are still available for our Tasmania Golf Tour from March 27 - April 8. This will be another fantastic tour for all who partake. You don't have to be a good golfer but you do have to be prepared to have lots of fun with like minded people who want to play some golf and have a relaxing holiday with other nice people at the same time. Give us a call or email if you are interested in joining us.
 
7/12/10
This week in the 19th hole we preview the final of the 2010 Sunraysia District Golf Association's summer pennant final between Merbein and Robinvale at Mildura. The all new schedule for the 2011 19th Annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters is released. Geoff Ogilvy becomes Australian golf's favourite son. Lee Westwood wins in South Africa and Graeme McDowll tames the Tiger in his own jungle. The Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week goes to Riverside's Kevin Eastwood after his stellar round of 44 stableford points.
 
3/12/10
After three years of deliberation we have decided that the only way forward for the Tri-State Masters golf tournament is to drop the South Australian leg of the tournament and have all three rounds in the Mildura region. This will mean that the longest distance from Mildura for any round will be to Coomealla golf club in NSW which is only 20 minutes away. We have spoken to many past players in recent weeks who have indicated that they are now looking forward to coming back to play in the tournament because they didn't enjoy the 200 klm round trip to South Australia. The original concept worked well but in order to listen to what people want this decision was the only way to go. We will be writing to everyone on our data base alerting them to the new schedule next week. Anyone who would like to be included on our data base should contact us on Email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au. Let us know what you think.
 
30/11/10
In this weeks 19th hole Merbein and Coomealla share favouritism for the 2010 SDGA summer Pennant title. Greg McCubbin steps down after four years as SDGA President. Adam Scott comes home to defend his 2009 Australian Open title at The Lakes golf club in Sydney. Martin Kaymer finishes number one in Europe but Swede Robert Karlsson wins a play off against an unlucky Ian Poulter in the Dubai World championship. Tiger has one more chance to record a victory in his own Chevron World Challenge in California this week. Riverside newcomer Anthony De Amicis is the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week winner after an excellent +9 last week.
 
23/11/10
In this weeks 19th hole we look at the amalgamation in Victorian golf between the men's and women's organisations. Summer pennant is under way in Sunraysia with eight clubs competing. Peter Senior takes out his first Australian Seniors championship at Royal Perth. Ian Poulter puts on a clinic in the Hong Kong Open but the Race to Dubai this week rests between Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell. In around the clubs it caught our attention that Riverside men were the champions in their Inter Course Challenge with their Mildura counterparts and indeed that the Riverside ladies also won the Mallee Root Challenge between the lady members of each club. Finally in a week of hot weather, hot scores came from all clubs with Merbein's Max Turvey winning the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the week with a sizzling 62 net.
 
16/11/10
Join hosts Shane & Kym Doherty on their 3rd Sunraysia Golf Tour to Tasmania from March 27 - April 8th 2011. 2011 TASMANIA GOLF TOUR "It's Always Nice to Meet nice people and Memories Live Longer Than Dreams" TOUR INCLUDES - Return Air Fares Melbourne - Launceston 12 Nights 4 star Accommodation (Launceston Country Club, Strahan Hilltop Harbourview Motel, Old Woolstore Apartments Hobart, Barnbougle Dunes) 9 Evening Meals - 12 Full Breakfasts 7 Games of Golf at Mowbray, Ulverstone, Royal Hobart, Tasman, Tasmania, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm. Luxury Coach Travel. Attractions Include - Gordon River Cruise, Wilderness Heritage Steam Train from Strahan to Queenstown, Hobart to Port Arthur Catamaran Cruise, Port Arthur Tour, Cascade Brewery Tour. Cost $3,395 per person Twin Share For a full itinerary contact Kym Doherty on 0408310532
 
16/11/10
In this weeks 19th hole Stuart Appleby wins the Australian Masters at Victoria, an event I think is the one he always most wanted to win. Adam Bland was born in Mildura but is known as a South Australian, unlike his dad Ian, he still supports his original team - Collingwood. We look at his sporting childhood beginnings and what lays ahead. Next March we will take our third Sunraysia Golf Tour to Tasmania and we look at the golf courses that we will play in Tassie. Riverside's Al Terrell is our Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the week winner.
 
1O/11/10
This week in the 19th hole we look at Sunraysia's on going golf superstar Greg Rhodes. Another year, another championship title. Rhodes total of 285 would win most club championships around Australia. Tiger Woods is here to defend his J B Were Australian Masters title but three aussies stand in his way. Promotion of Sunraysia's beautiful golf courses outside our region is an on going concern. Will it ever be done and done properly? Riverside's Graeme Sievewright is this week Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner.
 
3/11/10
In this weeks 19th hole Greg Rhodes takes charge in the 2010 Coomealla golf club championships. Jack Tyrrell passes on but leaves an everlasting memory for everyone who met him. Golf equipment counterfeiting and who it can effect you. A new winner in the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week.
 
27/10/10
Jake Laubsch to defend his title in the 2010 Coomealla golf club championships this weekend. Laubsch looks headed to South Australia next year so this tournament could be his swansong as a local. Phil Lawn played immaculatly for his victory in the 2010 Rivertowns Classic at Loxton, Wentworth and Mildura at the weekend. Peter Cox returns home today to catch up with family and friends. Cox who left Mildura in 1971 as a 16 year old to follow his cricketing dream went on to play 307 district games and 12 for Victoria. Neil Bryant is the recipient of the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week. All this and more in this weeks 19th hole.
 
20/10/10
Chris Thomas takes over as the main man at Riverside in this weeks edition of the 19th hole. Coomealla golf club have commenced the qualifying for the fifth annual stableford shoot out which runs until the end of February. The Match is another great book by Mark Frost that is a must read for any golfing enthusiast. The current world rankings are devoid of any Australian names in either the men's or ladies listings. Chris Thomas is this weeks winner of the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the week.
 
13/10/10
In this weeks 19th hole Chris Thomas leads after 36 holes of the 2010 Riverside golf club championships. A state wide Vererans Classic at Mildura Golf Club resort on Thursday and Friday. Merbein legend Alf Sylvia passes away but his legend will live on in Sunraysia forever. Katherine Hull wins in the US and Lee Westwood is set to take over as the number one golfer in the world on October 31. Locally Riverside's Tim Bell wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week just ahead of Coomealla's Graham McLellan who shot the lights out on Saturday with a 71 off the stick for 45 stableford points.
 
5/10/10
In this weeks 19th hole Cohuna's Elissa Orr and Horsham's Jenny McRae lead after day one of the Womens Golf Victoria's Spring Tournament at Coomealla golf club. Day two is at Mildura Golf Club Resort today. Sunraysia record it's best ever performance at Melbourne Country Week in division one. Europe win golfs version of "the greatest show on earth in Wales. Coomealla's Marj Williams is this weeks winner of the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week.
 
29/9/10
In the 19th hole this week we look at Sunraysia's poor start to Country Week. Next weeks Women's Golf Victoria Spring Tournament at Mildura and Coomealla. The Players Championship at Eastlake in the US and what Bobby Jones would think of it. The Ryder Cup which starts on Friday and the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week.
 
22/9/10
Sunraysia hoping to match it with the big guns of country golf in Melbourne next week at the annual Country Week tournament. Report on Sunraysia Golf Tours sixth golf tour to New Zealand from Taupo on the North Island. Mildura's Barney Hubble wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week.
 
15/9/10
In this weeks 19th hole Allan Bullas from Commonwealth golf club in Melbourne storms to victory in the 4th annual Coomealla Senior Championship last week. Everything all set for Robinvale golf club's annual Festival of Golf. Sunraysia's latest golf club is born. Sunraysia District Golf Association president Greg McCubbin wins the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week.
 
8/9/10
in this weeks 19th hole Andrew Stewart finally gets a Stewart name on the Mildura golf club resort club championship board. Justin McPhee in a class of his own at Red Cliffs, Matt Lynch too good at Wentworth. The Coomealla Seniors championship down to Cobram Barooga's Ross Percy and Commonwealth's Allan Bullas. Aussies do well in the US and Jimenez on top in Europe. Former Riverside club president and long time Geelong supporter Duncan Thompson wins the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week.
 
31/8/10
This week in the 19th hole we take a look at the 4th annual Coomealla Seniors Championship beginning next Monday. Three rounds have been completed in the club championships at Mildura, Red cliffs and Wentworth and we look at who is leading, who might win and who should win. The North West Women's Golf representative team competed in Melbourne Country Teams this week but are resigned to staying in division three again next year after being knocked over by bitter rivals Bendigo. Wentworth's Fred Campbell is this week's Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week winner.
 
24/8/10
two Sunraysia junior make the State junior squad. Greggs day at Ouyen another great community success. Phil Matotek 2010 Merbein champion. Mannix, Stewart and Thomas lead their club championships at Red Cliffs, Mildura and Wentworth. Darren Bottomly pars the course at Wentworth to win the SUNRAYSIA GOLF RANGE - ROUND OF THE WEEK. All the news in the 19th hole.
 
17/8/10
Sunraysia wins junior country championship at Kyneton. Tim Walker to represent Victoria at Port McQuarie in the secondry schools Australian championship. Smasher McGaffin takes the lead in the 2010 Merbein golf club championships. District golf fundraiser at Merbein golf club this Friday. Jodene Tuau win Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week. All in the 19th hole.
 
13/8/10
I have been laid up in bed for the last week with a strong bout of the flu. Hence no 19th hole on Wednesday. In next weeks 19th hole we will be reviewing what happened at the Victorian Junior Country Championships at Kyneton. Our Sunraysia team has it's best chance of taking out it's division for a long time. With the last Major being played at Whistling Straits and nine Aussies all in with a chance we will look back on who, what where and when. There will also be our next edition of significant characters in the history of Sunraysia golf as well as the round of the week.
 
3 August 10
Aaron Coates leads after 36 holes in the 2010 Murray Valley Championship. Stuart Appleby tears it up in Seattle. Amalgamation coming to an association near you. Val Fogg emerges from the mist to win the Round of the Week.
 
27 July 10
Jake Laubsch wins Sunraysia championship at 16 years of age. Sunraysia team named to play in Melbourne Country Week with Justin McPhee captain for the sixth year. North West Womens Golf name their team for the up coming Country Teams championship in Melbourne. Sunraysia set to take away it's best jnuior representative team for 20 years to Kyneton for the Victorian Country Junior championships. Bernhard Langer finally wins a British Open, all be it a Senior title. Di Metcalf wins the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week. All in the 19th hole.
 
20 July 10
Sunraysia District Golf Association championships at Mildura Golf club Resort this weekend. Frank Benham is Robinvale Golf Club's Mr Reliable. South Africa claims another golf title at St Andrews. Joy Carr drives a fast game at Wentworth to win this weeks Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week in the 19th hole.
 
13 July 10
Mildura Golf Week faces challenge this year. Wayne Brooks honoured as the "Count" of Wentworth golf club. British Open returns to the home of golf at St Andrews. Seven vie for Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week in this weeks 19th hole.
 
6 July 10
Coomealla win for third year in a row in Sunraysia pennant final. Ian Dickason is Riverside golf club's quiet achiever. Paul Mitchell wins the Sunraysia golf Range Round of the week in this weeks 19th hole
 
23 June 10
Red Cliffs are looking good in Sunraysia District pennant. Noel Pugsley has been the "Godfather" of Mildura Golf Club for 30 years. Graeme McDowell had the luck of the Irish last week in the US Open. Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week winner named in this weeks 19th hole.
 
16 June 10
This week's 19th hole looks at the big weekend of golf on Sunraysia's golf courses. Previews the fourth round of local pennant with a view to the finals on July 4th. Acknowledges the contribution of outgoing Captain at Coomealla Golf Club Alan Scorer. Previews the 110th US Open at Pebble Beach and announces the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the week which goes to a former Captain and President at Coomealla Golf Club. So far we have 25 people confirmed for our 6th Golf Tour to New Zealand in September. One change to the itinerary is that our last round on the tour will now be at the renowned Titirangi Golf Club in Auckland instead of Gulf Harbour who have bought their greens coring program forward. Titirangi is a superb course and will complement our other golfing venues including, Terrace Downs, Kinloch, Wairakei International, Cape Kidnappers and Paraparaumu Beach.Bookings for the tour which departs on September 13 and returns on September 25 close on June 30.
 
9 June 10
Coomealla take control after three rounds of the Sunraysia District Golf Association's winter pennant. Bev Cetinich wins her 9th ladies club championship at Merbein. Sue Laird and Julie McEwan lead at Coomealla and Red Cliffs. Superb golf at the weekend in Wales where Graham McDowell almost certainly assured himself of a berth in October's European Ryder Cup tea. Over at Muirfield in Ohio England's Justin Rose won Jack Nicklaus's tournament and put his name up in big letters for October as well. Riverside's on course commentator Don McMaster wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week.
 
2 June 10
District pennant hit off in Broken Hill at the weekend and Red Cliffs bounced to the top of the ladder on percentage from 2009 pennant champions Coomealla. Ladies championships hit off around Sunraysia this week. This week Wentworth host round three. Tiger returns this week at Muirfield Village for Jack Nicklaus's Memorial Tournament. Marty Scott wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the week with an excellent 64 nett at Riverside Golf Club.
 
26 May 10
The 19th hole reviews the good performances in the Tri-State Masters last week. Cameron Stewart wins the Robinvale Open. Sunraysia District Golf Association men's pennant hits off at Broken Hill on Sunday with Coomealla the defending champions. Jason Day wins in Texas and is hoping to go one better than last year when he was runner up on his home course at Coloniol in Fort worth at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. Ron Gibson wins the Sunraysia Golf Range - Round of the Week after a nett 62 at Wentworth last Saturday. Our sixth New Zealand Golf Tour in September is filling fast.
 
22 May 10
Peter Bywaters from Victor Harbor wins the 2010 Tri-State Masters after 8 years of trying. Coomealla's Sue Laird wins four in a row creating a new Tri-State Masters record. Australia's Jason Day is two shots clear in the Byron Nelson tournament on the US PGA Tour.
 
19 May 10
Tri-State Masters in full swing. Greg Rhodes wins at Red cliffs. Great Scores in the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week. Adam Scott back on the winning list.
 
12 May 10
In the 19th hole this week we look at the Wentworth Open where Jacob Slimmon finally broke through for his first tournament win. Robert Allenby played in the 1990 Victorian Sandgreens Championship just down the road at Ouyen and on Sunday he finished in the same position but won a little bit more. Coomealla's Sue Laird is hoping to win her fourth consecutive Tri-State Masters ladies championship next week whilst Cranborne's Peter Bywaters is the men's favourite. Nine folk will represent New Zealand in the Tri-State Masters - two for the fifth time. Riverside's Margo Adair wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week. Lots of enquiries about our sixth golf tour to New Zealand in September. All this and more in the 19th hole.
 
5 May 10
Lots of golfing news locally and around the world covered in this weeks 19th hole including Ashley Whitehouse's course record at Mildura Golf Club Resort on Sunday. The top 10 scratch and handicap from Mildura and the round of the week. The luck and skill of Irish sensation Rory McIlroy at Quail Hollow. The TPC at Sawgass in Jacksonville regarded by the Yanks as the fifth major. Ishikawa's stunning 58 in Japan and 17 year old Italian super star Matteo Manessero turns pro.
 
28 April 10
Entries will still be accepted up until this Friday for the Tri_State Masters. Greg Rhodes chasing four from four this weekend in the Mildura Open after winning at Coomealla, Riverside and Merbein. Marcus Fraser wins his second European Tour event in Korea. Ewan Porter cleans up on the Nationwide Tour in South Georgia and 12 Aussies make the cut on the main tour event in New Orleans. Six of New Zealands top 10 golf courses included in our September golf tour including Terrace Downs, Paraparaumu Beach, Wairakei International, Kinloch, Cape Kidnappers and Gulf Harbour. Read more news in the 19th Hole.
 
22 APRIL 10
Lots of golf news in the 19th hole this week about local champion winning the Merbein Open for three from three this year. Justin McPhee wins the Renmark Open as Sunraysia loses the Doherty/McInnes Cup to the Riverland Golf Association. Furyk wins the tournament at Hilton Head but Englishman Brian Davis wins lots of admirer's. The 23rd Hackers golf tournament provides lots of laughs for all participants. Only a couple more days to enter the 2010 Triu-State Masters.
 
15 April 10
Our 6th golf tour to New Zealand itinerary is now all finalised. This tour will include the best collection of golf courses so far on any golf tour we have organised in the last 20 years. We are very excited and can't wait till September, contact us if you are interested in joining us. How good at golf you are is not a priority, how interested in having a good time with nice people is. Memories live longer than dreams.
 
14 April 10
This week in the 19th hole we review the Riverside Open where Greg Rhodes won in a three man play off. The US Masters was won by a man in black reminiscent of the old movie cowboy hero's who used to wear white hats. The Merbein Open at Mildura Golf Club is on this week and Sunraysia will take on the Riverland Golf Association in the 15th playing of the Doherty/McInnes Cup. More entries coming in from New Zealand for the 18th Tri-State Masters and Darren Woolfrey wins the Sunraysia Golf Range Round of the Week. Go to the 19th hole for all golf news.
 
7 April 10
The 2010 Riverside Open is on this weekend, Greg Rhodes set for his 20th win in the tounament after winning the Blackwood Open in Adelaide on Monday. Rhodes shot 68-69 to win by three strokes. The other big news this week is the US Masters, will any of Tiger's 90 body guards get in the way? More news in the 19th hole.
 
30 March 10
Lots to talk about in golf in the 19th hole this week. The Stewarts win at Red Cliffs in the Seeley Cup. Ernie wins at Bay Hill in Arnie's tournament. Louis Oosthuizen wins in Spain on the European Tour. Freddy too good on the Seniors circuit. The Korean contingent clean up in the Kia Classic in California on the LPGA Tour. The new handicapping system for Australian golf clubs due to commence on April 9. More entries coming in for the 2010 Tri-State Masters and people starting to get excited about our sixth golf tour to New Zealand.
 
23 March 10
Entries are coming in from all over Australia for the 18th annual Tri-State Masters. 51 year old Greg Rhodes won his 19th Coomealla Open in a playoff on Sunday against a 15 year old from Thaxted Park golf club in Adelaide. We take a look at the top 10 scratch and handicap scores from the Coomealla Open. This Saturday the Sunraysia District Golf Association's Lever Blair-Seeley 4BBBB championship hits off at Red Cliffs. All this and more in the 19th hole.
 
17 March 10
This week marks the official beginning of the local golf club Open season when the 2010 Coomealla Open hits off on Saturday. In the 19th hole we take a look at the main chances. In Florida the "big easy" Ernie Ells jumped back into the winners list and back home at Commonwealth Taiwan's world number six Yani Tseng came home like a whirlwind to blow everyone away including Karrie. Go to the 19th hole for more golfing news.
 
10 March 10
What a great weekend of golf. Locally the Mildura Junior Open and Sunraysia District Junior Championships were contested at Mildura Golf Club with some outstanding golf played by our top juniors including Tim Walker and Ryan Laird. In Queensland Karrie Webb was in superlative form in the Ladies Masters. Carmillo Villegas continued his good form on the US PGA Tour and old favourite Fred Couples won in the seniors. On our family front, Joel Edwin Doherty was born to Garth and Salli today (four weeks early) on what would have been my father Jack's 88th birthday. Joel's big brother Ben will be six tomorrow. Joel is our eighth grandchild and sixth grandson, five of whom will be great North Melbourne supporters! Both Salli and Joel are extremely well. For more golf news go to the 19th hole.
 
4 March 10
The entry form for this years Tri-State Masters is now available online. Download entry form here, or view the tournaments page for more information.
 
1 March 10
We have had a great response after posting out the 2010 Tri-State Masters entry forms last week. Whilst most people come to Mildura for the golfing activities there are a good many who also identify the social program as the weeks highlights. New social events this year include a "putting championship" on the Sunraysia Golf Range 50 metre synthetic green on the Tuesday night that will be lots of fun with some great prizes. The PS Mundoo will be the floating venue for a back to the 60's/70's night on the Thursday night, whilst a "Winemakers Dinner" at Trentham Estate Winery will take place on the Monday night. This was booked out last year and will be popular again. Included in the entry fee are an opening Cocktail Party and closing Presentation Dinner so there is lots of fun at night. This week in the 19th hole we look at junior golf in Mildura, the upcoming Coomealla Open and the US PGA Tour event in Arizona. Go to the 19th hole.
 
22 February 10
The 2010 Tri-State Masters entry forms have now been posted to everyone on our data base. Anyone who isn't on our data base and would like to receive one should contact us. Email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au This week in the 19th hole we take a look at Mildura's hottest golfers over the summer Greg Rhodes and Jake Laubsch who both shot 66 on Saturday then 68 on Sunday. Rhodes at Coomealla and Laubsch at Mildura. The Accenture Matchplay championship is also featured along with my two bob's worth on the Tiger. Go to the 19th hole.
 
8 February 10
After my first week assisting at the Sunraysia Golf Range I feel like I have a new lease on life, golfing wise. I have spent the last 23 years in a golf shop talking golf in all of it's forms. Or so it seemed. Practise or hitting balls wasn't as prominent in those golf discussions as it is now. It is interesting to hear how golfers perceive themselves in practise and how they practise. Great golf on the TV at the weekend. Spains 46 year old Miguel Angel Jimenez outlasted Europe number one Lee Westwood in a three hole playoff in Dubai after Westwood looked favoured to win in both of the first two playoff holes. Sixty year old Tom Watson was only five shots behind shooting 68 in the last round to outscore most players on the last day. Jim Herman won a playoff at Moonah Links in the Nationwide tournament after Chris Kirk missed a putt he really should have got at the 72nd hole. I still can't believe how anyone could shoot 62 as Herman did around Moonah Links. At Riviera in California Steve Stricker kept the Yanks happy with a two shot win over England's Luke Donald. Riviera has been good for Aussies in the past with Elkington and Allenby winning there in the past. We are excited with preparations for this year's Tri-State Masters almost completed. Entry forms will be posted out next week.
 
1 February 10
The Sunraysia Golf Factory retail golf shop closed for business on Saturday. New owners of the business Garth and Salli Doherty decided to relocate the business to the Sunraysia Golf Range in Ontario Avenue in Mildura. The decision makes sense from a business point of view as staffing issues and business costs can now be managed much easily in the one retail facility. Kym and I will assist Garth and Salli at the Range and can we can now have a bit of extra time to ourselves and our family. I began my new "career" at the range today which was quite enjoyable, Kym has been working there part time for the last month. Saturday was a sad day for us but a day that we knew would come eventually. Twenty three years is a long time to spend in one shop and we will always have great memories of the thousands of people we met and hopefully helped with their golf. More on this topic in the 19th hole.
 
21 January 10
Great to see Robert Allenby do so well in Hawai last week coming second. This week the Bob Hope Classic over 90 holes will be contested in California. Victoria's Cameron Percy will line up for his second PGA Tour tournament. On the European Tour the Abu Dhabi hosts the first big tournament of the year. Richard Green is probably our best chance. Locally in Mildura the Riverside Summer Open over 36 holes was played last weekend. A first ever occurred when a "barefoot" champion won the title. Go to the 19th hole for the full story.
 
13 January 10
Preparations for the 18th annual Tri-State Masters are in place and the entry forms almost ready to go to the printers. Everyone on our data base should receive copies by mid Februaryat the latest. We have had emails from Paul Gueorgieff who lives in Wellington NZ and our Mahunga Golf Club friends in Masterton NZ advising of their visits again this year. Paul will be here for the fifth time in six years which we feel is a terrific endorsement of our tournament and Mildura as a golfing holiday destination. Additionally it will be great to host the crew from Mahunga where fourteen of their members have played in the Tri-State Masters since 2006. We first hosted a golf tour to Mildura from Mahunga Golf Club in 1991 and then hosted their group on a golf tour to the Gold Coast in 1993. In 2006 Lance Duckett, that's right I said Duckett, won the tournament with 77-79-76 to become our first international champion. Last year local Riverside/Coomealla golfer Steve Spooner won with scores of 73-83-81 whilst Coomealla's Sue Laird won the ladies section with 81-80-83. Portsea's Jenny Jeffreys was the ladies senior (over 50) champion and Coomealla's Graham McClellan the men's senior champion. This week the 19th Hole recommences after the Christmas break.
 
23 December 09
From all of us at Sunraysia Golf Tours we would like to wish you and your family a verry happy Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year. 2010 is going to be a great year and offer new opportunities for better golf and fun. Always remember that "memories live longer than dreams" and "it is always nice to meet nice people".
 
16 December 09
We are preparing our December newsletter so anyone not on our data base please let us know. Preparations are well under way for the 18th Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters which will be conducted fro May 16th -21. We are exploring a few changes to the format but a lot of our feedback from participants this year voted to leave the format as is. More news and views in the 19th hole.
 
10 December 09
All is going well at the House of Golf Mildura. Some of the deals offered by the House of Golf chain are quite remarkable. After 23 years in the golfing industry I am learning more and more about golf retailing every day. Who said you can't teach and old dog new tricks? Lots happening in the golf world with the Australian PGA at Coolum, Matt Goggin or Greg Chalmers for me. The Dunhill South African Open in South Africa where Ernie should win and the Shark Shootout in the US where my pick is the Poulter/Fisher combination. More golf news in the 19th hole.
 
4 December 09
Our last day of trading of the Sunraysia Golf Factory will be Saturday December 5. As from Monday the shop will become a House of Golf outlet with Garth and Salli Doherty as the new owners. Garth began working for me whilst he was still at school, then at 19 years of age he moved to Melbourne where he worked for 12 months at Bridgestone golf. He then worked for a year or so at the House of Golf in Sandringham and then returned home. After six years with us he and Salli built the Sunraysia Golf Range which commenced operation in November 2006. 18 months ago he introduced the House of Golf brand at the range to local golfers and their business really took off. We will still be involved working in both businesses with Kym working at the range and I will stay on at 152a 9th street.
 
30 November 09
The Australian Open begins on Wednesday at one of my favourite golf courses in Australia-New South Wales.No big names from overseas but it is good to see South African Tim Clark back to defend the title. It will also be interesting to see if John Daly can make a cut in Australia. Stuart Appleby and Adam Scott appear to be etting back to their best and if Greg Chalmers can continue his great form in the Australian Masters he would have to go close.
 
11 November 09
16 year old junior Jake Laubsch wins Coomealla Golf Club Championship at the weekend by one shot from Greg Rhodes. Read the story in the 19th hole. Who will win the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath? I'm tipping Michael Sim, John Senden or maybe even Adam Scott.
 
4 November 09
Go to the 19th hole for the story of the first two rounds of the 2009 Coomealla Golf Club Championship where Sunraysia's number one golfer of the last 30 years leads at 2 under par.
 
28 October 09
Go to the 19th Hole for current local golf news regarding the recent Rivertowns Classic and this weekend's Coomealla Golf Club Championships.
 
5 October 09
Today we commence our closing down sale at our retail shop Sunraysia Golf Factory. The shop opened in May 1987 and provided the catalyst for our golf business which quickly spread to tournaments and golf tours. We have had a good run over that 22/5 years and are now looking forward to taking it a bit easier. More time to work on our annual Tri-State Masters golf tournament in May,take away a few more golf tours and spend more time with our grandchildren.
 
15 September 09
It was great to see Marc Leishman finishing second to Tiger Woods in the US at the weekend. Local champion golfer Greg Rhodes who has played some excellent golfers in Melbourne Country Week including Stuart Appleby, rates Leishman as the best played he has played against. Greg also rates Leishman as one of the nicest young golfers he has met. Hopefully Leishman can kick on further and do well in the next couple of weeks and in the US Masters in April next year. Another young man who lived here in Mildura as a youngster Cameron Percy will also be strutting his stuff on the US PGA Tour next year after qualifying through his great play on the Nationwide Tour.
 
10 September 09
Pat Giles from Goonawarra golf club was the winner of the third annual Coomealla Seniors championship yesterday. Giles had 76 on Monday to be one of the pace but found form with the putter on Tuesday for a 73. Hot on Giles heels were Yarra Yarra's Michael Jackson 75-77 and Cobram Barooga's Ross Percy 79-75. Giles was nervous before play commenced and it showed as he was four over after four holes. He composed himself soon after turning 41 and then parring the back nine for a 77 and a comfortable four stroke victory over Percy. Jackson was a further two strokes behind. Last year there were many complaints that the course was set up too hard for a seniors event but this year there was universal agreement that the course was extremely playable. Mind you, the scores didn't reflect that with only Giles 73 and John Beaumont's 74 yesterday breaking 75 for the week. It once again proves what a great test of golfing skill the Coomealla lay out provides. On Monday the course was set up the easiest for a tournament that I have witnessed in 30 years as a member, yet 75 was the best in. Coomealla really is a great golf course as many people are finding out. $110 membership is unbelieveably great value, surely the best on the Murray.
 
20 August 09
Trentham Estate Winery has been great supporters and a sponsor of our Tri-State Masters golf tournament since it's inception in 1993. It was terrific to learn that they have won another award at the 2009 Inland Tourism Awards recently. This qualifies Trentham Estate as a qualifier in the 2009 New South Wales Tourism Awards later in the year. It also qualifies they for induction in the Inland Tourism Hall of Fame at next years awards in 2010. Congratulations and well done to Trentham Estate. Great wine and lovely people.
 
20 August 09
Kym and I are delighted to announce that we will become grandparents for the 7th and 8th times in the next 8 months. Monica our second child is due to have her fourth child in December after Eden, Flynn and Dash. Our son's wife Salli will have a little brother or sister for Ben in April. Our eldestest daughter Carmen has Brooke and Blake. If they are both boys it will mean another two North Melbourne supporters, if they are girls they will probably follow Carlton as both mothers do.
 
18 August 09
Local champion golfer Greg Rhodes had another weekend out at Coomealla golf club recently. Playing in the monthly medal off the back marks (6250) he shot a 68 off the stick to win the medal with a nett 69. On the Sunday he backed it up with a 71. Not bad going for a 50 year old! Last Sunday in gale force winds 15 marker Jason Hartley shot an amazing 78 off the stick for 45 stableford points, which is unheard of at Coomealla, even in good conditions. More local golf news in the 19th hole.
 
18 August 09
We have been receiving some interesting feedback from this years competitors regarding a questionaire about next year's Tri-State Masters. Most people who have responded so far have indicated that they would prefer the format of the tournament to stay as is. About 40 per cent of the people who played this year have responded so we will now send the message to those who have played in the last five years, but weren't able to this year.
 
5 August 09
260,000 new golfers took up golf in 2008 according to figures released last week. Mildura is a great golfing destination with seven golf courses that measure up quite favourably with other similar regions. Coomealla golf club is regarded by many regular Murray River golf visitors as equal to any of the other 53 golf courses on the Murray. Throw in Mildura, Riverside, Red Cliffs and Wentworth and visitors can play a different course every day. After playing golf in Sunraysia for the last 30 years I can fully endorse a golfing holiday to Mildura is most enjoyable and extremely affordable. A round of golf at the five courses will cost all up $116 for the five rounds. Contact me on 03 50 222923work, 03 50246799AH or Email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au for further information regarding accommodation, restaurants and attractions.
 
28 July 09
It was great to see Nathan Green win the Canadian Open this morning. He has worked really hard for a long time, hopefully he can now take the next big step and become a regulat top 10 performer. It was disappointing to watch Marcus Fraser drop off the top of the leader board in Sweden and then Greg Norman at the British Senior Open. Up until the 71st hole it was a pleasure watching Norman, his swing is still outstanding, just as Tom Watson's has stood the test of time.
 
15 July 09
This week we will be sending all recent players in the Tri-State Masters a note asking them their preference of courses for the 2010 tournament. In recent years there has some concerns expressed by some players about travelling to South Australia for that leg. We will base our schedule on the feedback we get from our questionnaire.
 
2 June 09
All stories on any local can current golf events can be viewed by going to the 19th hole page. In the coming weeks we will feature articles on the Tri-State Masters and where that tournament is heading, local pennant and the US Open which will be contested in New York at Bethpage golf club. Bethpage is a public golf course but very long and very difficult of the black tees.
 
25 May 09
All scores and CCR's for the 2009 Tri-State Masters can viewed by going to the tournaments page then clicking the relevant grades. Further information can be accessed by calling Shane Doherty on 03 50 222923 or 0419 208 337.
 
23 May 09
Steven Spooner from Riverside Golf Club in Mildura is the 2009 Tri-State Masters men's champion after rounds of 73-83-81. Cranbourne's Steven McPherson was the runner-up. Mildura's Sue Laird won the ladies section for the third year in a row after rounds of 81-80-83. Portsea's Jenny Jeffreys was once again the ladies senior champion and Coomealla's Graham McClellan was the men's senior champion. Best aggregate stableford team score of 409 points came from Mornington's Jan Dodman, Di Holdsworth, Gillian Lawrence and Trish Wech. The lucky team's draw for a holiday to New Zealand courtesy of JET SET Mildura was won by Tocumwal's Lindsay and Dianne Bright and Cyril and Wilma Saunders from Gisborne.
 
17 May 09
Entries for the Tri-State Masters will still be taken up until May 1st.
 
24 March 09
Entry forms for this year's Tri-State Masters can be downloaded by going to tournaments. Entrie close on April 17. So far more ladies have entered the tournament than men, which is a first. Thre are only 7 spots left at the winemakers dinner at Trentham Estate so be quick or you may miss out.
 
4 March 09
We have been playing "simulator golf" at Sunraysia Golf Factory over the last few months and it is really catching on. It isn't easy but so far a 3 over par 38 has been the best score for 9 holes. Next month we will be conducting 9 hole stableford competitions with some great prizes. Phone 03 50222923 to book
 
3 March 09
Entries have been coming in for the 17th annual 2009 Tri-State Masters. So far we have entries New Zealand, Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria. First entries received were from the Kenways and Bassetts who were the lucky winners of the trip to New Zealand last year. As an additional part of the tournament a four person 54 hole aggregate stableford is tabulated with trophies going to the best visiting and local teams. All teams then go into a draw for the NZ trip at the presentation dinner. Seven mens and seven ladies sections are contested for the 54 hole event with daily prizes in three grades for both men and ladies. A feature social night this year will be a Winemakers Dinner at Trentham Estate Winery. Master winemaker Anthony Murphy will conduct wine tastings to begin proceedings followed by a delicious three course meal. Everyone attending will be coached to and from the winery.
 
2 January 09
As from this week the weekly 19th hole section will recommence with news on local Sunraysia golf and national and international golf news and views.
 
2 January 09
Happy new year to all and a safe 2009. We are hoping that 2009 will be a better year than last year. Our current focus is on preparing the entry forms for our 17th Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters. The tournament will begin on Sunday May 17 (not 18)and already we have had lots of enquiries, which is great. The courses will again be Coomealla, Berri and Mildura which are all looking good at this stage of the year.
 
11/11/08
Well, it is good to be back on deck after having a knee operation in September and re injuring it last month so I am back where I started. We are busily preparing for the 17th annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters which will be on from Sunday May 18th - Friday May 23rd. We will be writing to everyone on our data base later in the month and sending out the entry forms at the end of January. Our next golf tour is planned for New Zealand (our 6th tour to NZ) from September 27th till October 9th. Contact us if you need any further information.
 
27/8/08
The second annual Coomealla Senior Championship hits of next Monday. All of the State's top senior golfers will be here to contest the tournament on the toughest course on the Mighty Murray. Last year former club champion Ross Percy who now represents Cobram Barooga will start favourite. Chris Tatt from Buningyong looks to be his biggest threat. Tatt represented Australia three times and Victoria six times from 1979 to 85. Sandhurst's David McDonald is the other standout performer and is the top seed in the State rankings so far this year after 12 events. John Beaumont from Mount Gambier should also finish near the lead. Last year Percy won with an aggregate of 227 but with the greens harder and faster this year I will be most surprised if 236 is bettered.
 
4 August 2008 - Moonah Links Tournament
Unfortunately our planned tournament at Moonah Links will have to be put on hold as I am having a knee operation in September that will keep me off the streets for a significant period of time. We are disappointed to postpone but will explore the possibilities of a future event at Moonah Links further down the track. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused.
 
28 July 2008 - Perth Golf Tour
We have just returned home from our Perth WA Golf Tour after having a wonderful time. The golf courses at The Cut, Secret Harbour, Meadow Springs and Joondalup were sensational. Top golfer on the tour was Brian Rouget from Alexandra golf club who played consistently at all six courses. Brian had been with us to New Zealand and visited Vietnam on another golf tour in May. Vince Dichiera was just pipped on the last day at Joondalup after playing well throughout the tour. Best stableford score of the tour came on the last day at Joondalup when Coomealla golfer Bob Smith who has only been playing golf for 18 months had 42 points. Next year we will be hosting our sixth golf tour to New Zealand and will be releasing details of that tour later in the year.
 
16 June 2008 - Moonah Links Tournament
Negotiations are currently being held with Moonah Links Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula. A 36 hole scratch & handicap tournament is planned for the weekend of October 4-5. A special two or three night accommodation package will be available to all players in the tournament. We anticipate being able to announce full details in early July. Watch this space!
 
26 May 2008 - Teams Winners
Top local team in the 2008 Tri-State Masters this year was the Mildura combination of Sue Laird, Tom Gigg, Leigh Fuller and Mabel Crouch with 416 stableford points. Best visiting team was Wayne,Tim and Sharon Bridgman and Graham Smith from Gympie Pines and Croydon Golf Clubs. Both teams win a weekend and golf at the Home of Australian Golf at Moonah Links Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula. Winner of the Week at Sunraysia Resort was Curlewis's Marg Campbell. The lucky draw for three nights accommodation at Sky City Casino Auckland and return air fares to New Zealand coutesy of JET SET Mildura was the Portsea team of Colin & Lyn Bassett and John & Marj Kellaway.
 
26 May 2008 - Tri-State Masters Results
Results and CCR's can be found by going to the tournaments section of the web site and clicking results. Wayne Bridgman from Gympie Pines Golf Club in Queensland came from seven shots behind to edge out Cranbourne's Peter Bywaters by one shot. Bridgman played impeccable golf to record a 73 after earlier rounds of 89-79. Bywaters who was playing in the tournament for the seventh time was then awarded the Senior champion (over 50) title which was some consolation for missing out on the 2008 overall championship. Mildura's Sue Laird went back to back with rounds of 79-79-80 to easily win from Portsea's Jenny Jeffreys who also took home the Senior title for the ladies. Next year the tournament will be conducted from May 17th to May 22nd 2009.
 
17 April 2008 - Tri-State Masters Entry deadline
Entries for the Tri-State Masters will now be accepted up until Sunday April 27. This year we will again host golfers from New Zealand, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. So far 41 first year players have entered the tournament from an assortment of different golf clubs. With 14 individual sections and three teams sections we expect most competitors will win something during their stay in Mildura. Entries forms can be downloaded and either faxed, posted or emailed to us. There has been an excited response to our course changes back to Mildura Golf Club and Berri Golf Club this year. Numbers for the tournament look like being similar to last year at this stage. Phone 03 50 246799 for any further information.
 
3 April 2008 - European holiday
Kym and I have just returned home from our European cruise adventure. We took an APT river cruise from Badapest to Amsterdam over a 15 day period. We had a delightful time stopping off in places such as Vienna, Nuremburg, Wursburg, Cologne, finally finishing up in Amsterdam. For all but three days we awoke to falling snow which covered the landscape for as far as you could see. Prior to leaving, Mildura had gone through a late summer with 12 days in a row around 40degrees and higher. So the snow was a real novelty for us. 120 people went on the cruise from all over Australia with Victorians being in a minority. We met lots of nice people but teamed up with three other couples from WA, SA and NSW whom we shared most meals with. The highlight day for us came early in the cruise when we stopped off at Vienna. After a walking tour of the city sights we hired a horse and carriage and went on a further city sights tour which was wonderful. Then we jumped in a cab and visited the Vienna Golf Club. That night we attended a Mozart concert with 200 other people which was a totally new experience for us. I would have no hesitation in recommending both JET SET Mildura and APT for their first class organisation, attention to detail, professionalism and friendliness with regards to our holiday. We are already looking forward to further holidays through them in future with Canada/Alaska at the top of our wish list.
 
14 March 2008 Tri-State entries filling fast
Entries have been coming in thick and fast for our 16th annual Tri-State Masters 54 hole golf tournament. Almost 90% of the entries received so far have elected to play in the optional ambrose on the Thursday at Mildura before the last round of the championship on Friday. Almost every State will be represented this year with entries coming in again from Wellington and Masterton on New Zealand's North Island. We have had a terrific response to our updated full colour entry form with the painting of Coomealla's par 5 hole on the cover. We have been delighted that some of our past players who haven't played in the tournament for a while have decided to join us again this year. They obviously agree with our motto that "It's always nice to meet nice people and that memories live longer than dreams". Entry forms can be downloaded from the tournaments page of our web site. We have entries from lots of folk who bring their partners even though some of them don't play golf but simply enjoy the social functions. Entries close on April 18.
 
29 February 08 An Evening with Glen Archer
Last night we had "An Evening with Glenn Archer" at the Mildura Workingman's Club. The purpose of the function was to raise money for the North Melbourne Football Club and it was a resounding success. Glenn donated his time and the 130 people in attendance were quite simply stunned at his genuine honest approach and demeanor. Everyone who attended were left in no doubt what a great bloke he is. Glenn will be out on the road with James Brayshaw and Ricky Ponting throughout the year and I would encourage everyone to support their crusade to keep North in Melbourne.
 
17 February 08 Tri-State Early Birds
Everyone on our data base should have their entry forms by now for this year's Tri-State Masters tournament. All people who enter by March 13 will go into a draw for 7 nights accommodation for 4 people (quad share) at either the Sunraysia Resort in Mildura or at Club Yarrawonga or at the Nepean Club in Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula. This would be a great prize to win for someone and would make them very popular with 3 others. An entry form can be downloaded from the tournaments page on our site.
 
11 February 08 Tri-State entry forms
Our new glossy entry forms are being sent out today to 560 Australian golf clubs and to our data base. As an early bird bonus all entries received by March 14 will go into a draw for 7 nights for 4 people at either the SUNRAYSIA RESORT - Mildura, Club Yarrawonga or the Nepean Club in Rosebud. This year we have decided to change the style of our major 54 hole trophies. After playing in several City events on the Gold Coast and Hobart kym and I were delighted to discover that the Tri-State Masters compared quite favourably but we are always trying to improve our event. The ladies winners will be particularly impressed this year. More than $25,000 in trophies will be distributed by weeks end but not everyone can be winners so it is important to us that everyone goes home happy. Golf is what brings us together but it's what happens after that, that makes the difference.
 
23 January 08 16th Tri-State Masters
Last minute alterations are almost completed on the entry forms for this year's 16th annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters. Cost of entry is $189 and includes an opening Cocktail Party, competitor gift pack, 3 rounds of golf in 3 States and a closing Presentation Dinner. Once again there are 14 catergories up for grabs over the 54 holes including overall champions, over 50 scratch champions, A,B,C,stableford champions,55 to 64 stableford champions, 65+ stableford champions. An additional section ($10 per player) is a 4 person aggregate stableford over 54 holes with best local and visiting teams winning 2 nights at Moonah links plus golf. The teams event gives everyone in it something to play for right up to the 54th hole. All 4 person teams entered will then go into a draw for air fares 3 nights at the Sky City Casino in Auckland NZ coutesy of JET SET Mildura.
 
16 December 07 Last Sunraysia Golf Show
Sixteen years ago I began hosting a live Golf Show every Sunday morning on our only local radio station then, 3MA. After 625 shows 3MA decided not to open the station on Sunday for any live local content programs. Subsequently I began with new station EasyMix 1467am and completed my 100th show and 725th show today. I have enjoyed every minute of it and am grateful to 3MA and EasyMix 1467am for allowing me that opportunity. But it is time to move on. Next year I am looking forward to a few sleep in's on Sunday mornings for the first time since 1991 and also being able to travel to Melbourne to see my daughter and her family and see North Melbourne play a few games. I will always hold fond memories of interviews with Peter Thomson, Stuart Appleby, Peter Senior, Wayne Grady, Bob Shearer, Ron Barassi, Malcolm Blight, Kevin Sheedy, James Hird, Ricky Ponting and so many other sporting greats. Did you know? " that Memories will always live longer than dreams"
 
15 December 07 - Golf Achiever -Golf Simulator
Four weeks ago we installed a"Golf Achiever" golf simulator at Sunraysia Golf Factory. It has created enormous interest in golf and how it works for the 5000 or so golfers in Sunraysia. Our new motto for club fitting and lessons is "take the guess work out" and lots of Sunraysia people are. A Nearest The Pin competition is running on one of the simulator's par 3 holes (124 metres) and over $2000 worth of prizes are up for grabs. Nearest shot currently is 156cm so someone is sure to knock that off by the close of the competition on December 24. Cost of entry is only $2 per shot and the best five (5) shots will win some great prizes. Phone 03 50 222923 for further details.
 
12 December 07 - Tri-State Masters 2008
Berri Golf Club will be our venue for the South Australian leg of the Tri-State Masters for the first time next year. Berri is one of the few "local" golf courses that hasn't been affected by the lack of rain as they have an excellent supply of "grey" water. Regular Tri-State players will be pleased to play a new course after Loxton and Renmark have been great hosts in the past. Similarly Mildura Golf Club will be our new Victorian hosts next year for the first time since 1977. Mildura's golf course is in great shape as is our New South Wales hosts course Coomealla Golf Club. We feel that we are obligated to play at the courses in the best condition. All three venues have on course accommodation and all Tri-State Masters players will receive an extremely good package that week. Entry forms will be posted in late January. Let us know if you would like to receive one or more. Cost of entry next year is $189 and includes an opening cocktail party, competitor gift pack, three rounds at Coomealla (May 19th)Berri (May 21) and Mildura (May 23) and a closing presentation dinner.
 
3 October 07 - 2008 Golf Tours
We are currently finalising plans for three proposed golf tours for 2008. After the 16th annual Tri-State Masters in May we will head of to Alice Springs-Darwin. Flying into the Alice then training up to Darwin on the Ghan. In July we are looking at taking our 3rd golf tour to Perth WA which is our favourite holiday destination in Australia. The big one will be on September 30 when we fly out on our first golf tour to the US. Kym and I have been to Las Vegas twice with Bridestone Golf and have decided that we want to go back. The planned itinerary is Auckland-San Francisco-Las Vegas and include 2 games in Auckland and Vegas and 1 game in San Francisco. Naturally anyone who wants to extend on in the US or somewhere else would be able to. We will be writing to our data base at the end of the month with full details to determine how much interest there is for each tour and go from there. We have now hosted 15 golf tours and over 400 people and each tour gets better and better. We can't wait for 2008 as it promises to be an exciting year.
 
1 October 07 - NZ Golf Tour
Everyone had a great time on our 5th golf tour to New Zealand. Steve Hind won the Ëllery Award" for the champion golfer of the tour. Steve and Barb were on their 4th tour with us after previous tours to Tasmania, Perth and Scotland/Ireland. Highlights of the NZ tour included our games at Cape Kidnappers, Wairakei and Gulf Harbour. Wairakei was voted the most popular course but it was hard to split them. Once again the dinner cruise on "Pride of Auckland" racing yacht was terrific and the dinner in the Orbit tower revolving restaurant at Sky City -Auckland was sensational. Photographs from the tour will be posted in our tours section soon.
 
15 September 07 - New Zealand Golf Tour
Tomorrow we take off to Christchurch on our fifth golf tour of New Zealand. Ken and Marg Ellery from the Riverside golf club in Mildura will be joining us for the fourth time to NZ and their eighth tour with us overall. I can't wait to play Cape Kidnappers next Saturday as it is rated number 27 in the world. More news about the tour next week.
 
1 September 07 - Draw results
Jason Pope from Merbein/Coomealla golf clubs was the winner of the Prime Television Yamaha motorised cart. Jim Collins from Coomealla/Riverside golf clubs was the winner of the Jack Abell LCD television. The promotion was a great sucess with well over 600 tickets in the barrel and our thanks are extended to Prime TV,Jack Abell and everyone who purchased product from us.
 
3 August 07 - Sun Golf Factory/Prime PROMOTION
Last month Prime Television celebrated 10 years in Mildura. Our shop - Sunraysia Golf Factory was their first client, so jointly we are running a PROMOTION until September 1. Anyone who spends $50 at Sunraysia Golf Factory during this period will receive a ticket in our big draw for a Prime Television Yamaha motorised cart. Second ticket drawn will receive a LG 81cm LCD television courtesy of Jack Abell. We have stayed exclusively with Prime Television since their arrival in Mildura and have been delighted with the results we have been able to continually achieve with exposure on their programs.
 
3 August 07 - Queensland Golf Tour
It was great to get back home and see our family after two weeks in Queensland. What a time we had. The food, service and friendliness of the staff on the Sunlander was first class and really appreciated by our group. In Cairns we played at Paradise which was undoubtedly the hardest test of golf that we encountered of the six courses that we played. A trip to Kuranda on the Sky Rail gondolas was exhilarating and thoroughly enjoyable. We were impressed with the renovations and improvements made at Hartley's Crocodile Farm since we were there last in 2001. Port Douglas was sensational and both golf courses returned the best scores across the board from our group of 23 golfers. Bob Pegrum from Melville Glades Golf Club in Perth was named our champion golfer of the tour and won the Ëllery" award comfortably. I would really recommend Port Douglas as a terrific place to golf and holiday and the Peppers Beach Club as an ideal place to say. Only 6 weeks till New Zealand.
 
24 July 07 - Queensland Golf Tour
Today is day three of our Queensland golf tour. What a delight it is to be in warmer weather playing golf. On Sunday we played at the Glades, nice golf course but the greens were fairly spiked up, obviously a very popular course. Yesterday we played at Robina Woods which is always quite majestic. Unfortunately the scoring wasn't as majestic. Today is a free day but tomorrow we will play at Palm Meadows where we are staying and later that evening we will visit Dracula's Theatre Resaurant. On Thursday we will board the Sunlander (Queenslander Class) and head up to Cairns. Following on from Cairns we will finish our tour at Port Douglas. In September we will take our 5th New Zealand golf tour where we will visit both Islands and play some of the most scenic golf courses on the planet. We still have vanancies for this tour. Next year we looking at taking golf tours to Perth, Tasmania and Alice Spring and Darwin. Let us know if you are interested in any of these destinations.
 
28 May 07 - Tri-State Masters 2007 Scores & Result
Scores, CCR's and results for all three days of the 2007 Tri-State Masters can be found by going to the tournament page and clicking results. All participants should direct their club handicappers to this page.
 
28 May 07 - Robert Dehne hole out
2004 mens champion Robert Dehne (Mildura) holed out on Coomealla's par 3 7th on the opening day of the Tri-State Masters. Dehne finished with a 78 but came back into contention after a fine 74 at Renmark. On Friday a 78 at Red Cliffs left him seven shots behind but his prize of a $300 Precept bag was a great prize for his hole in one shot.
 
28 May 07 - Locals win again in Tri-State Teams co
Last year the Riverside boys cleaned up the JET SET Mildura teams prize of a weekend at the Sky City Casino in Auckland with an aggregate stableford score of 396 points for the 54 holes. This year it was Merbein's turn with Garth Doherty, Simon Gammon, Gavin Hocking and Ashley Whitehouse with a record score of 426 points to win a weekend at Perth's Novotel Hotel. In the Sunraysia Resort visiting teams section Peter Fox, Jeff Balmer, Robert Simpson and Glenys Anderson with 381 won narrowly from Aust/NZ comination of Lance & Graham Duckett, Yvonne Williamson on 380 points. Next year there will be two specific sections for visiting teams and local teams with the major prize going to the best visiting team.
 
26 May 07 - Tri-State Champions
One hundred and eighty five golfers from 69 golf clubs teed it up in this years tournament. Ashley Whitehouse from Mildura Golf Club became the 11th mens champion in 15 years with scores of 77-74-71. Whitehouse started poorly with a 77 at Coomealla to be five shots behind Garth Doherty but edged back to only one shot off the pace after a 74 at Renmark. A closing 71 at Red Cliffs which was matched by runner up Leigh Fuller Coomealla (78-76-71)was enough to get him over the line. Doherty who led for 44 holes was third with scores of 72-76-76. Mildura's Sue Laird easily won the ladies section with scores of 81-82-79 from Portsea's Jenny Jeffrey's 88-83-92. Coomealla's John Keogh 81-77-78 successfully defended his Senior title with a four shot win over Tasmania's Noel Dalwood 81-77-81. Jenny Jeffrey's walked away with her first Senior title from Mornington's Sue Evans.
 
21 April 07 - Tri-State Masters entry
Entries for this years Tri-State Masters can still be forwarded by fax on 03-50247243 or emailed to golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au or mailed to P O box 1655 Mildura 3502. As at Friday April 20, 121 men and 69 ladies have entered the tournament this year. This is 12% down on last year but over 60 Australian golf clubs and 3 New Zealand golf clubs will have represtatives playing in the tournament. There has been much interest in the Teams section of the tournament as the winning team of 4 will receive a weekend at the Novotel in Perth including air fares and accommodation. The best aggregate stableford by a visiting medley team will win six nights at the sensational Sunraysia Resort in Mildura which is regarded as one of Australia's best time share facilities. Phone 03 50 246799 for any information regarding the Tri-State Masters or our golf tours to Queenland in July or New Zealand in September.
 
12 April 07 - Sunraysia Golf Factory Demonstation
Sunraysia Golf Factory will conduct a demonstation day on Thursday April 19th at the Sunraysia Golf Range. Beginning at 4pm till 8pm Australia's top golf companies will showcase their latest equipment. Representatives from Bridgestone/Precept, Callaway, Nike, Taylor Made and Srixon will be on hand to assist and advise on all of their golfing products. Patrons need to purchase a bucket of balls from only $7 and then select the golf clubs they wish to try. The Sunraysia Golf Range is located in Ontario Avenue between 14th and 15th streets. SUNRAYSIA GOLF FACTORY is at 152a 9th street Mildura ph 50222923.
 
12 April 07 - 5/10 year Tri-State Masters awards
This year 23 golfers will receive 10 Year Plates and 18 golfers 5 year badges in recognition of their support of the Tri-State Masters as competitors. Over 40 golfers will have played at least 10 times in the tournament which is fantastic. A further 150+ will have played at least five times. Bill Gray and Peter Fox have joined us from Melbourne every year and will both be playing for the 15th time. This year we have received entries from 58 different golf clubs. So far we have had members from over 150 Australian golf clubs and 12 New Zealand golf clubs compete since the tournament's inception in 1993.
 
11 April 07 - Tri-State Masters Precept petrol dis
Sunraysia Golf Tours in association with Bridgestone/Precept and Easy Fuel will offer 20 CENTS per litre off petrol for any Bridgestone/Precept purchase over $50 at Sunraysia Golf Factory. The offer is only available to competitors in the Tri-State Masters from May 20-26. To make this offer even better Sunraysia Golf Factory will give all Tri-State Masters competitors 20% off all Bridgestone/Precept products from May 20-25. Competitors will also receive 20% off all purchases at Lorraines Ladieswear and Ransoms Store For Men. Other additional offers will also be available to competitors during Tri-State Masters week.
 
5 April 07 - Tri-State Social Functions
This year we have had a great response from entrants to the social functions on offer during the week of the Tri-State Masters. The opening Cocktail Party and closing Presentation Dinner are included in the entry fee but other functions include: A Rock & Roll night on Monday night, Wine & Jazz afternoon on Tuesday, a Night at the Mildura Trots on Wednesday night and a Dinner Dance on the magnificent PS Mundoo on Thursday night. For those who wish to play golf every day a 4BBB stableford is on offer on Tuesday and an ambrose in 4's at Mildura on Thursday. We place much emphasis on the the social side of the week as we want people to have a great time, whether they play well or not.
 
3 April 07 - 2007 Tri-State Masters
Entries have been coming in from all over Australia and New Zealand for this year's tournament in May. We are delighted that Lance Duckett has elected to come back and defend his 2006 title. Lance said at the presentation dinner last year "The Tri-State Masters is the best golf tournament that I have ever played in and I will be back next year". True to his word Lance and his dad will line up on Monday May 21st at Coomealla. Coomealla's David Gardiner is hoping for a third time lucky after being runner up the last two years. Over 100 men have entered so far but only 64 ladies have signed up. Portsea's Jenny Jeffries is nominal favourite at this stage and will looking at clinching her fourth title in five years. There are seven(7) different catorgories of trophies in each gender including Chamion, over 50 scratch champion, over 55 stableford, over 65 stableford and A,B and C grades. Once again there has been lots of interest in the optional "teams" event which is a four person aggregate stableford over the three rounds of the tournament. Last year 393 points won which was an average of 33 points each day by each player. The winning team will receive air fares and two nights accommodation at the Novotel in Perth WA.
 
9 February 07 - Sunraysia Golf Range
Garth and Salli Doherty opened up the Sunraysia Golf Range in November last year and it has been received extremely well by locals and visitors alike. This year we are delighted that the Sunraysia Golf Range is sponsoring the 15th Annual Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters. During the tournament week (May 20-25) all Tri-State Masters competitors will be issued with a 50% off voucher for range balls for the week. The Sunraysia Golf Range is open from 10am to 9pm which will give all players an opportunity to work on their swings. PGA golf professional Mark Bowd is also available for lessons at the range by appointment only.
 
7 February 07 - Tri-State Masters Entry Forms
Entry forms have been sent to everyone on our data base today. 450 golf clubs in Australia and 237 golf clubs in New Zealand will receive them next week. This year again we are delighted to have the support of the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club, PRIME Television, Bridgestone Precept,Trentham Estate, JET Set - Mildura, Sunraysia Golf Range Honda, Subaru,Ransomes Lorraines Ladieswear and the Sunraysia Resort. Cost of entry this year is only $179 which includes 3 rounds of golf at Coomealla, Renmark and Red Cliffs Golf Clubs, Cocktail Party, Presentation Dinner and a competitor gift pack including Trentham Estate Wine, cap, towel and various other goodies. Accommodation packages associated with the tournament are available at a number of facilities and are listed on the entry form which will be posted on the website next week. Details of our 2 golf tours to Queensland in July and New Zealand in September are listed under on the website under Tours. Details are also listed on the back of the Tri-State entry forms.
 
7 January 07 - Tri-State Masters 2007 TEAMS EVENT
Last year JET SET Mildura made available a weekend in Auckland New Zealand for the winning team in the 2006 Tri-State Masters. The team of Dave Gardiner, Steve Spooner, Paul Wright and Greg Butcher really enjoyed their weekend at the Sky City Casino in Auckland. This year JET SET Mildura are offering a weekend at the Novotel in Perth for our winning team. We will also be offering prizes for other catorgories of teams. We will confirm details soon. Cost of entry in the teams event is only $10 per player and people can enter in as many teams as they wish.
 
6 January 07 - 15th Annual Tri-State Masters
Entry forms for this year's 15th annual Tri-State Masters are currently being organised. For the first time since 1997 we will introduce a new golf course into the three State format. Red Cliffs Golf Club will be where we play our third and final leg of the tournament. Red Cliffs will become the third Sunraysia golf club to host the Victorian leg of the event. Mildura Golf Club were our inaugural hosts from 1993 - 1996, then we moved to Riverside Golf Club from 1997 to 2006. After playing at Red Cliffs on New Years day and seeing for ourselves the beautiful condition of the course, Kym and I agreed that it was time for a change. The first leg of the event will once again commence at Coomealla in NSW (20 minutes from Mildura)on Monday May 21 and move to Renmark Sth Aust for second leg on Wednesday May 23rd and finally at Red Cliffs on Friday May 25th. For the first time Merbein Golf Club will host the Tuesday 4BBB stableford and Mildura Golf Club will continue as our Thursday ambrose venue. More details on the social events will follow over the next couple of weeks.
 
27 December 06 - Qld & NZ Golf Tours
After a few computer problems we can now report that everything is organised for our two golf tours to Queensland in July and New Zealand in September. Complete programs for each tour are available by contacting us by Email at golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au
 
12 September 06 - QLD & NZ Golf Tours
Kym and I have spent the last three weeks in New Zealand and on the Gold Coast, Cairns and Port Douglas putting together our 2007 golf tours. We have decided to take a golf tour to Queensland (Gold Coast,Cairns, Port Douglas) in July and one to New Zealand in September (rather than March). More details next week on both tours.
 
3 August 06 - 2007 Tri-State Masters
The 2007 15th annual Tri-State Masters will be conducted from May 20-25 next year. Feed back from this year's tournament has been excellent, particularly from the first year players. The New Zealand contingent (10) reported having a great time and naturally were delighted that their own Lance Duckett was able to capture the mens champion title. Moreover though, it was the social side of the week that was most enjoyable and is what keeps bringing people back to Mildura year after year.
 
26 May 06 - Spooner holes in one
Riverside's Steven Spooner recorded his first hole in one today on Riverside's short par 3 4th. After playing poorly on Monday at Coomealla and Wednesday at Renmark it was enough to kick start a form reversal and he came in with 41 points to win A grade and help his team win a weekend at the Sky City Casino in Auckland New Zealand, courtesy of Mildura Jet Set. Spooner and teamates Greg Butcher, Dave Gardiner and Paul Wright(Coomealla) posted an aggregate stableford points score of 393 averaging 131 per round to win by five points fromPeter Bywaters (Cranbourne) John Reynolds (Mt Barker) and John Miller and John Erlenwein from Churchill Park.
 
26 May 06 - Wallis wins 3rd Tri-State title
In the most dramatic climax to the tournament in 14 years Heidelberg's Jan Wallis clinched her third Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters at Riverside today finishing with 86-86-87. After concluding her round thinking she had won, a celebratory chardonnay was drunk to celebrate the occassion. Some ten minutes later Deniliquin's Denise Hunter handed her card in having made up the five shot deficit she faced at the beginning of her round 82-95-82. A playoff was called and then the fun began. Hunter hit her tee shot on Riverside's par 3 18th just short of the green and watched as Wallis hit into the greenside bunker. Hunter pitched to 10 inches and then Wallis blasted out of the bunker over the green above the hole. A downhill right to left putt of 40 foot was left to stay keep the match going, and she did it. Hunter was stunned, Wallis couldn't believe it and the crowd of 80 onlookers went beserk. Back to the tee where Wallis hit a great tee shot and two putted to victory as Hunter failed regain her composure. Hunter, though disappointed went home with the A grade ladies stableford trophies. 2003-04-05 champion Jenny Jeffreys was third with scores of 92-89-82. Lyn Todd from Deniliquin was B grade champion and Andrea Hall from Churchill Park was the winner of C grade.
 
26 May 06 - Kiwi Wins Tri-State Masters
Lance Duckett from the Wainuiomata Golf Club in Wellington New New Zealand became the first international player to win the Sunraysia Golf Tours Tri-State Masters in fourteen years. Duckett who plays off a four handicap shot 77-79-76 to win by five strokes from Coomealla's Craig Tung who had 79-80-78. Riverside's David Gardiner was third for the second year in a row with 82-80-77 John Keogh from Coomealla was the senior scratch winner and John Reynolds from Mt Barker was the A grade stableford winner. Robert Simpson from The Coast Golf Club was the B grade winner and Kevin Eastwood from Riverside Golf Club was the C grade winner.
 
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