Victorian Men's, Colts & Boys Country Championships
The Victorian Men’s, Colts & Boys Championships is played over 36 holes stroke and is open to male amateur country golfers. The Country Colts & Boys Championships are played in conjunction with the main Men’s Country Championship title. The Championship commenced in 1924. Following a major review by the Golf Victoria Match Committee, the Championship will be played separately on a weekend in conjunction with the rescheduled Junior Boys Country Regions event.
News & Results
Individual Leaderboards
Note: To view Men's, Boy's & B Division leaderboards click the 'class' drop down at the top right of the leaderboard.
Country Regions Leaderboard
Photo gallery
Overall Results
Colts Results
Boys Results
<image="1" align="left" />
Sunday 26 February – Final Round
An epic finale between Caleb Perry and Clay Nicholls played out at Rosebud Country Club this morning for the Victorian Country Championship title. The duo started the day one shot behind the overnight frontrunners Jason Johnson and Blair Christie but stellar rounds of one under-par from both saw them leapfrog Johnson and Christie to tie at a 36-hole total of two under.
With the title on the line the pair made their way to the 18th hole for a sudden death playoff. Both players hit solid drives down the 378m par four leaving them in strong positions to attack the pin. Both players failed to capitalize with Perry overshooting the green and Nicholls coming up short. Solid greenside chips from both saw them tie the first playoff hole with pars.
On the second playoff hole a slightly wayward drive saw Nicholls partially blocked out by some overhanging trees meaning that his approach shot finished to the left of the green. Perry bombed his drive straight down the middle and then hit a great shot to about 15 feet for birdie. Nicholls left his chip shot about 8 feet short of the hole so it was over to Perry for his birdie attempt. His putt narrowly missed before Nicholls' putt shaved the hole leaving him to make bogey. 17-year-old Warrnambool member Perry was left with an easy tap in to secure victory in the Men’s section as well as the Junior.
Liam Reaper walked home with the Colts title after the National member signed for rounds of 73 and 78 to place nine shots ahead of his nearest competitor.
With several districts in the running for the Junior Country Regions it was destine to be an enthralling finish. Sleeping with the lead last night and with the pressure of defending their 2016 title, South Western district held their nerve for victory this morning by warding off Western district buy just three shots. Caleb Perry fought hard for his Western team but solid performances across the board from the South Western district, especially from Harry Smith, proved pivotal. Goulburn Valley also successful defended last year’s handicap title with yet another today with a team tally of 882. The 9-man team finished four shots ahead of East Gippsland.
A big thank you must be extended to the Rosebud Country Club for their hospitality and support. Also, thanks must be passed on to the 118 competitors as well as the districts and their team managers for the continued support.
<image="2" align="left" />
<image="3" align="left" />
Saturday 25 February – Opening Round
The opening round to the Victorian Men's, Colts & Boys Country Championships and Victorian Junior Country Regions was played today at the Rosebud County Club. A bumper field of 118 competitors from across the state assembled under the clear skies this afternoon in chase for the 2017 titles.
The National’s Jason Johnson and Blair Christie fired stellar rounds of two under-par 70 on the South course today to be tied for the lead in the Men’s Country Championship. Christie, a member of Rich River is also leading the charge in the boys title at the halfway mark.
The pair are closely followed by Caleb Perry and Clay Nicholls after the two recorded rounds of one under-par 71 to sit a mere shot back come tomorrow mornings final round.
In addition to the individual titles, seven districts competed in the Victorian Junior Country Regions. The teams based competition sees the best 6 stroke scores from a group of 9 count towards a team’s tally.
After capturing the honours in 2016, South Western district have hit the ground running and are looking to defend their title. The team tallied a total of 466 today with Lachlan Bassett guiding his troops with a round of 75. However, the title won’t be a walk in the park, Western district are placed just two shots back on 488. In the nett section, Goulburn Valley are six shots clear after the group scored 437 this afternoon.
A multi tee start will begin at 8am tomorrow morning in what is forecast to be another perfect golfing day.