Zach Murray from Wodonga has been crowned the 85th Victorian Men’s Country Champion following abandoned play on the final round at Riversdale Golf Club today.
A bright sunny morning developed into an extremely windswept afternoon as a threatening storm made its way across the bay. The morning field completed their rounds, but with 9 holes to play in the afternoon the weather took a turn for the worst and play had to be abandoned. Several pine trees were uprooted and branches scattered across the fairways making conditions too dangerous for players to complete their rounds. For that reason, the Tournament Championship Committee reduced the tournament to 18-holes based on scores from round 1 at Settlers Run GC.
Murray’s one under par 71 yesterday at Settlers Run secured him the Country Championship and Junior Championship titles by a mere shot. His card consisted of a solid 15 pars, 2 bogies and 1 birdie. The Championship runner-up was decided on a three-way count-back between Tim Coffey (Traralgon), Andrew Schonewille (Rosebud) and Riley Stevens (Cardinia Beaconhills). The trio were all tied on even par 72, with Coffey’s back nine 36 bettering Schonewille by 1 and Stevens by 2.
Schonewille claimed the Colts Championship title at even par, with Tom Couling (Morwell), Michael Harricks (Chalambar) and Tom Holmes (Mildura) in second, third and fourth places respectively. Stevens was runner-up in the Junior Championship followed by Jack Murdoch (Thirteenth Beach) and Corey Haase (Midlands).
Meanwhile, experienced campaigner Peter Roughana (Dartmoor) claimed the individual stableford title over at Amstel (Ranfurlie) this morning. It was a ‘true challenge’ with consistent blustery weather, but this didn’t worry Roughana who managed to fire 19 points on the front that included a birdie on the toughest hole on the course. Peter came in with 15 for a total of 34 stableford points of his 13 handicap. Runner Up was youngster James Meehan from Lalbert who had 30 points.
Next up on the Country Golf Week agenda are the Country District Teams matches starting tomorrow morning at Victoria and Patterson River Golf Clubs. The 16 Country Districts are divided into three divisions to contest the Shield, Plate and Bowl competitions in round robin matches that conclude on Friday.
Click here for final results.