<image="1" align="right" />
168 players, from 73 different clubs, gathered at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club today in support of the renamed ‘VGF Paul Rak Memorial Trophy Day’ in honour of the late Paul Rak AOM who passed away in September 2015.
First played in 1988, the Victorian Golf Foundation Annual Golf Day was played at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club each year to raise funds for the Educational and Golf Development of talented Victorian Junior Golfers and junior golf development projects and initiatives undertaken within Victoria.
After discussions with The Royal Melbourne Golf Club a special initiative to name the event after Paul was agreed. Paul was highly regarded in the golfing community for his outstanding commitment to golf in Victoria and for his contribution at both The Royal Melbourne Golf Club (CEO for 8 years) and Kingston Heath Golf Club (GM for 14 years). The overall best score will have their names engraved on the newly formed perpetual trophy, which is to be permanently displayed here at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
While clear skies and sunshine basked the fairways of the West course, it was strong gusty winds that made the going a tough challenge. In the morning field it was Dean Jennings (Ballarat) & Peter Sproules (Skipton) who produced the best men’s four-ball score with a total of 43 points. This fine score gave them the honour of becoming the first recipients of the Paul Rak Memorial Trophy.
Runners Up’s (on a countback) in the morning field were Midlands pair Andrew Jackson & Scott Romeril who had 41 points.
Given the small number of Women pairs, a combined Mixed & Women’s section was introduced with Michelle Ahern & William Hutchings (Cranbourne) claiming this honour with an outstanding score of 39 points. Runner’s Up were Susan Dawson (Mornington) & Brad Burton (Peninsula-Kingswood) who had 34 four ball stableford points.
The afternoon field, all of which were men’s pairs, had similar tough conditions with near Gale force winds. Justin Wellman (Keysborough) & Hamish Rogers (Windaroo Lakes) won the field with a score of 42 points. Runners Up, on a countback, were Eastwood members David Spicer & Tim Cameron who carded 40 points.
Thanks to all involved at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for hosting the prestigious event.