Date: July 11, 2017
Author: Golf Victoria

VGF Paul Rak Memorial Trophy Day

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The 2017 Victorian Golf Foundation Paul Rak Memorial Trophy Day was played over the West course of the stunning Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Monday 10 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 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 (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, there were three men’s scores of 44 points with Ben Telley (Commonwealth) & Dan Christie (Riversdale) taking the honours on count-back for the best men’s four-ball score. The score ultimately gave them the honour of being the second recipients of the Paul Rak Memorial Trophy.

Runners Up (on a countback) in the morning field were Woodlands pair Neal Ng & James Carroll with Tony Moore (Great Country) and Andrew Bamber (Keysborough) in third place.

Enjoying the ideal morning conditions, the women’s section saw Yarra Yarra clubmates Megan Rothwell-Jones and Sally Ezerins win the competition with a score of 40 points. Dawn Sleightholm from Devilbend and Susan Dawson from Qantas Club were runners-up with 36pts.

The afternoon field saw men’s and mixed pairs take to the course under gathering cloud and with a moderate northerly breeze making for slightly more difficult scoring as Melbourne’s cool but relatively dry Winter continued.

RACV's Ryan Creevey & Paul Kostoski (The Sands) won the afternoon men’s competition with a fine score of 43 points. The 27 & 14 markers headed out in a blistering 24 points, but could not keep up pace over the back nine trying to chase down the day's best overall score of 44 points falling one point short. Runners-up, on a countback, were Luke Gallant (Northern) & Jed Fraser (Royal Park) who carded 42 points.

In the mixed section, local knowledge proved the difference, with Royal Melbourne pair Tony Rule & Vicki Lloyd winning with a score of 39 points on a countback. Runners-up were Michael & Carolyn Patrick who missed the top prize by the narrowest of margins after also recording 39 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 & photo gallery, click here.

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