Devilbend Golf Club has won the 2012 Victorian Country Teams Championship played at the Leongatha Golf Club in South Gippsland over the weekend of October 13th and 14th.
The three-man team of Allan Findlay,Gary Hanson and Greg Wilson returned a three-round score of 279 stableford points to win by just two points from Midlands who finished on 277. Belvoir Park #1 Golf Club finished third, a further 16 points away on 261.
After a cool and breezy Saturday cleared to more pleasant Sunday with warm and sunny conditions in the picturesque Gippsland pastoral land, it was consistent performances across all three rounds that led to Devilbend taking out the title.
On the attractive, tree-lined and gently undulating Leongatha layout where accuracy from the tee is essential, the final round saw nine-marker Gary Hanson lead the way with 35 points who was well supported by Greg Wilson who chimed in with 32 points. Hanson had helped set the platform on the opening day with rounds of 35 and 32 points that significantly contributed to the team taking out the prestigious event.
Best individual honours for the weekend was superbly won by Denis Cooper of Belvoir Park. Playing from a handicap of 13, Cooper returned a stellar 104 points, highlighted by an opening round of 38 points.
Devilbend’s Gary Hanson took out the trophy for the best 36-hole tally from Saturday’s opening two rounds with scores of 35 and 32 for a total of 67 from a handicap of nine. To cap off a great Championship, the winner of the 18-hole stableford score for Sunday’s final round was Cardinia Beaconhills David French with 33 points.
In presenting the trophies, Golf Victoria President John Hobday paid tribute to the Leongatha Golf Club for the superb manner in which the club hosted the event. “Leongatha is yet another fine example of the tremendous golf clubs that we have in country Victoria. Golf Victoria is extremely grateful to the club for staging the event,” he commented. “The presentation of the course, efficient conduct of the event, catering provided by the club’s women volunteers and the hospitality extended to all players and officials has been outstanding.”
The Victorian Men’s Country Teams Championship commenced in 1976 at the Horsham Golf Club as the premier men’s club team competition for Country District Golf Associations and affiliated Country Clubs. Attracting players on a wide range of handicaps from all parts of the State, the event is held in a different part of Country Victoria each year.
The 2013 event will be played over the weekend of October 12th – 13th at the Nhill Golf Club in the Wimmera District.
Click here for the final Team and individual scores from the 2012 Victorian Country Teams Championship