The sun managed to break its way through the clouds on the first day of Winter at Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the 2015 GV Heart Open, presented by First National Real Estate.
Formerly the Open Heart Open, the event, now in it’s 26th year, has opened its doors to all players that have undergone a cardiac surgery or procedure.
The response has been fantastic, highlighted by the event reaching a record breaking capacity field of 100 a month before entries officially closed.
It was a shotgun start on Royal Melbourne’s West course with all participants teeing off at 12.15pm.
Sun showers mid way through the day produced a rainbow over the course as Kevin McDermott shot to the top of the Men’s leader board with 37 points which secured him the overall trophy.
It came down to a count back for the men’s runner up with Fred Debono, Kevin Greenhatch, Gordon Mainsbridge and Graeme Seignior all recording 34 points but it was ultimately Gordon Mainsbridge who was victorious, winning both the Men’s first prize and the Don Lawrence trophy (awarded to the highest scoring Open Heart Surgery Participant).
Mayva Paterson won the Women’s trophy, also on a count-back after finishing with 30 points alongside Dena Lozo. Consolation for Lozo came in the form of the longest drive.
The day concluded with a presentation dinner, which featured guest speakers Diana Heggie (CEO – Heart Foundation), Ray Ellis (CEO – First National Real Estate) and Professor Richard Harper (Emeritus Director – Monash Heart).
During the presentations, First National’s Ray Ellis presented Professor Richard Harper with a $10,000 cheque as a donation to heart research for Monash Heart. A raffle was also conducted during the day, with proceeds donated to the Heart Foundation. We thank all players and guests for their tremendous generosity, raising a total of $1,120 for the Heart Foundation.
Golf Victoria would like to thank Royal Melbourne for their superb hospitality and support. Special mention to the families of the founder’s of the Open Heart Open who were our honorary guests for the evening and received a token of our appreciation (Chris Davie & wife Barbara, Muriel Lawrence, Doug Fox & wife Sue).
The 2016 Golf Victoria Heart Open will be held at the Commonwealth GC on Monday 6 June.
Overall trophy
Kevin McDermott (37 points, Yarra Yarra)
First Place
Women: Mayva Paterson (30 points, Woodlands)
Men: Gordon Mainsbridge (34 points, Portarlington)
Runner-Up
Women: Dena Lozo (30 points, Sandhurst)
Men: Graeme Seignior (34 points, Huntingdale)
Third Place
Women: Anne Slattery (29 points, Commonwealth)
Men: Kevin Greenhatch (34 points, Lakeside)
Don Lawrence trophy (awarded in the honour of The Open Heart Open co-founder Don Lawrence to the best score from an Open Heart participant)
Gordon Mainsbridge (34 points, Portarlington)
NTP (7th hole)
Men: James Webb (Tirhatuan Lakes)
Women: Helen Fraser (Commonwealth)
Longest Drive (1st hole)
Men: Ron Magill (Warragul)
Women: Dena Lozo (Sandhurst)
Click here for full results and photos.