<image="1" align="right" />
The 2018 Victorian Golf Foundation Paul Rak Memorial Trophy Day was played over the West course of the stunning Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Monday 2 July in cool but sunny conditions. 168 players from over 70 different clubs, gathered in support of this annual golf day renamed in honour of the late Paul Rak OAM 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 (General Manager for 14 years). The overall best score will have their names engraved on the newly formed perpetual trophy, which is to be permanently displayed at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
Under clear skies and with Winter sunshine making for pleasant conditions, players from all parts of Victoria and interstate found the majestic West course a tough challenge in the four-ball stableford competition. In the morning field, Peter Farrell (Eastwood) and Brett Angove (Mt. Derrimut) posted the best four-ball score of 44 points.
Runners Up in the morning field were Steven Argiris (RACV Cape Schank) and Brett Tyrell (Medway) with 42 points, winning a countback from GSM Golf Club pair Nicholas Callanan and Marcus Lorkin who finished in third position.
Enjoying the ideal morning conditions, the women’s section saw Paul Rak’s sister Julie Gray (Commonwealth) and coach Sienna Voglis (PGA) win the competition with a score of 42 points. 2017 winners from Yarra Yarra Golf Club Megan Rothwell-Jones and Sally Ezerins finished in second place, one point behind the leaders.
The afternoon field saw men’s and mixed pairs take to the course, and while the temperature began to drop right after they made it to their tees, it proved to not have an effect on lowering the scores.
Bacchus Marsh's Adam Attard & Victor Czapp won the afternoon men’s competition with a fine score of 45 points. The score ultimately gave them the honour of being the second recipients of the Paul Rak Memorial Trophy. Runners-up were Jarrod and Adam Wallace (both GenYGolf) who carded 44 points.
In the mixed section, local knowledge proved the difference, with Royal Melbourne pair Tony Rule & Fiona Langford winning with a fantastic score of 41 points. Rule pointed out in his speech that there would be roughly 80 years worth of course knowledge shared between the pair. Runners-up were Box Hill pair Margaret Myers and Richard Hopper who missed the top prize by 4 points, finishing the day on 37 points.
Golf Victoria’s extends its sincere thanks to all at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for hosting the prestigious event.
To view full results & information, click here.