Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club, with Men’s winner Michael Strickett 40 points, runner up Chris Healey 39.

Ladies’ winner was Freddy Lynch, with runner up Julie Martin, while Saturday was a Stableford competition sponsored by Sporte Leisure.

Ladies’ winner was Linda Scells 43 points, runner up Helen Fellows 36 on C/B, while Men’s winner was Gary Kukura 42 points, runner up Marcus Yasso 40 on C/B.

The club’s ladies’ team competed at Home Hill over the weekend and were victorious, bringing home the Division 6 Pennant.

Well done Grace Nott, Joy Hose, Bev Lowcock, Michelle Campbell, Marg Need, Tanya Gaudry.

This weekend it’s everybody’s favourite game, the Monthly Medal, with men up first on Saturday and the ladies will play Sunday.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

Ladies’ Division 6 pennant winners, Grace Nott, Joy Hose, Bev Lowcock, Michelle Campbell, Marg Need, Tanya Gaudry

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A great rollup today of 33 players including five visitors enjoyed Whitsunday Veterans Golf in mid July.

It was also a special day for Albert Pini, who is celebrating his 90th birthday.  

Not only did he win the July Monthly Medal with a fabulous score of 69, he also won the raffle and a nearest the pin.

The runner up was John Oates, 72 on countback, from Wilf Herweg.  

The ladies’ winner was Mandy Patterson with another great score on 68 from Leanne Alexander 70 and Elspeth Scotford on 71.  

Nearest the pins went to Gary Scotford, Albert Pini and Barry Shuwalow and for the ladies, Leanne Alexander, Mandy Patterson, Vickie Wallace and Rehab Hull.  

Least putts went to John Roser and Elspeth Scotford.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

July Monthly Medal Winners Albert Pini and Mandy Patterson

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Whitsunday Golf Club held a single stableford for which 19 players braved the cold and windy conditions in mid July.

Congratulations to the Winners: Men’s A Grade Darren Reynolds followed by Peter Fox; Men’s B Grade Mark McDougall with runner up Benn Ryan.

Ladies’ A Grade was taken out by Tiina Randmae, Ladies’ B Grade winner was Jacqui Wall and runner up Joanne Moynihan.

Longest drives went to Wayne Temby, Tiina Randmae, Linda Wardroper and Benn Ryan. Pin shots were claimed by Peter Fox, Benn Ryan, Robyn Witham and Jason Bourke.

Peter Fox, Tiina Randmae, Mark McDougall and Benn Ryan

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Monday pairs winners were David Evans and John Fry, followed by P. Hamerlink and Phil French. Lucky draws went to Sandra Sommerfeld and Brenda Trannore.

Wednesday ladies’ game was taken out by Jenny Grech, Margaret Goldston and Lois Deguara. Runners up were Narelle Schmidtke, Isla Comelli and Maureen Blucher.

Thursday pairs winners were Tony Allsop and Warren Corbett, followed by Margaret Fogg and Barry Lehmann. The kitty toucher was won by Wayne Trannore, who had a resting toucher. Great bowl Wayne. Green vouchers went to John Stronach and Max Rose.

Friday pairs best card went to Vic Gaudion and Col Carey, who took out the $75 each. Winners’ draw winners were Lois Deguara and Isla Comelli. Fred King and Rob Evans won the losers' draw.

Saturday men’s day winners were Peter Delaney and Alan Cooney, with Mick MacKenzie and P. Hodgson in second spot.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

Action in the mixed pairs club championships last Sunday - Mick Mackenzie bowling

Debbie Mackenzie bowling

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An area record that had been standing for 20 years was broken last weekend, at a North Mackay Athletics club day.

The U11 girls high jump record was broken when Ayla Moon set a new centre record with an impressive jump of 1.28m.

The club is gearing up for its annual team challenge, and you don’t even have to be a member of the athletic club to compete.

The team challenge is a non-traditional day of fun, with modified events in track and field, where athletes compete in pairs for a chance to win overall medals.

The fun kicks off from 9am on 31 July at the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Centre (ARC). Visit North Mackay Athletics on Facebook for more information.

This weekend North Mackay Athletics is hosting its annual team challenge

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Students faced off on the green last Friday as the finals of the Bowls Queensland Secondary Schools Cup took place at Goosies.

Three schools from Mackay and three from Whitsundays were represented by teams of two, with one team from each region to attend state finals in Brisbane in August.

North Mackay Coordinator Ian Beveridge says students showed great commitment to the competition, practicing and competing during school hours and in their own time for months.

“It just shows that bowls does attract the younger generation,” he said.

Skye Duncan and Cleo Mcleod of Mackay Christian College won group one with Corey Stroud and Harry Craig of St Catherine's College coming second.

North Mackay State High School’s Claire O'Loughlin and Drew Lawn were victors in group two, finishing on top of John Barber and Luke Ullrich representing Pioneer State High School.

North Mackay State High beat Mackay Christian College in the finals 10-4.

North Mackay State High will now travel to State Secondary Schools Finals on August 24-25 at Club Pine Rivers in Brisbane along with St Catherine's College from the Whitsundays.

Six schools from Mackay and the Whitsundays took to the green last week for the finals of the Bowls Queensland Secondary Schools Cup. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Ashlee Knight and Lexie Foot guarantee that lawn bowls isn’t an old person’s sport.

“I honestly wouldn’t have thought lawn bowls would be a competitive sport but the more I get into it, the more you see,” said Ashlee.

“I think most people have the view that it’s an old person’s sport but it’s not,” added Lexie.

“The earlier you start with it, the better you can be at it.

“I think we’re both pretty privileged to have picked it up as early as we did.”

Ashlee started playing lawn bowls at age 13 and Lexie at 15 and they have recently been selected to represent Queensland in the under 25 team, taking on New South Wales in Sydney next month.

Both women started playing bowls casually with their families, never expecting their skills to take them this far into the sport.

Now playing regularly at Mackay City Bowls Club where she has previously won A and B grade competitions, Ashlee gets on the green as much as she can, balancing bowls with work and other sport.

She’s previously been selected in Queensland under 18 teams with both tournaments being cancelled due to the pandemic.

“To actually be selected now for the under 25s, I felt really, really good about myself,” she said.

Ashlee’s also had to balance bowls with health issues that took her away from the green for some time, but clearly, it’s barely slowed her down.

“It’s affected me in a way that I can’t play as many games as I wanted to,” she said.

“I had to go away for two months at the start of this year and that pretty much wiped me out of all my games.

“As soon as I got the clearance to come back home, I was out here, straight back to bowls.”

Lexie is a resident bowler at Northern Beaches Bowls Club where just last week she won A grade singles.

“I’m pretty proud of that, it’s generally a pretty big achievement,” she said.

“Last year I did an interview with Bowls Queensland, and they asked, ‘what’s the one thing you want to achieve?’ and that was what I wanted and I did it.”

Their love of bowls started with their families, who they both cite as massive inspirations as well as key individuals at their clubs and in Brisbane.

What brings them back every week is their love of the teamwork and the technicality involved in the sport.

“It’s challenging, every game’s different,” said Lexie.

They both now move on to their next challenge, with training ramping up before travelling to Sydney in August.

“It’s really good, I’m proud to represent Mackay and Northern Beaches,” said Lexie.

“We test ourselves, so we play against each other and sometimes we’ll do drills together,” said Ashlee.

Coming up against old rivals New South Wales, the bowlers say they’re hoping to follow in the Maroons’ footsteps and come away with the win.

“It also puts a bit of added pressure, I guess. We’ve got to back it up,” Lexie laughed.

The excitement of the tournament is heightened by the fact that it will be Ashlee’s first trip to the New South Wales capital.

“I actually can’t wait to fly over Sydney and see the Harbour Bridge,” she laughed.

Queensland take on New South Wales at Taren Point Bowling Club in New South Wales on August 23 and 24.

Ashlee Knight and Lexie Foot have been selected to represent Queensland

Ashlee and Lexie will travel to Sydney for the QLD vs NSW Test Series next month

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Mackay squash dynamo Kayce Hoani-Vincent is a young athlete on a mission.

The 15-year-old Mercy College student dreams of one day representing her country at a Commonwealth Games – and if talent and desire is any guide then the super fit schoolgirl is well on track to compete at the 2026 international showcase in Victoria.

Kayce is the number 1 ranked female squash junior in Queensland and a promising pole vaulter in field athletics – two sports entrenched on the Commonwealth Games events calendar.

“Squash and athletics are in my blood,” says the versatile teenager who first picked up a squash racquet at the age of eight.

“I think it would be the ultimate if I was able to represent Australia in either of those sports at a big meet such as the Commonwealth or Olympic Games.”

In four years’ time, the Victorian towns of Bendigo and Ballarat will host the Squash and Athletics events respectively at the 2026 Commonwealth Games – a schedule that inspires young Kayce to chase her dreams.

Kayce can take a giant step towards realising her sporting goals when she participates at the annual Trans Tasman Schools Squash  Tri Series Challenge in Brisbane next month.

She will line up for her beloved Queensland against the best junior squash players from New South Wales and New Zealand from August 22 at the Daisy Hill Squash & Racquet Club complex.

At the end of the Tri Series, Kayce will spearhead an Australian Junior team comprised of Queensland and NSW players when they square off against the Kiwis in a major international challenge on the squash court.

It has proved an eventful career to date for the schoolgirl sensation, who is a product of Mackay’s Squash 52 club.

Ever since she began turning up courtside to watch her elder brother Kyle play, the dedicated Hoani-Vincent has shown an affinity for the game.

By the age of 10 she was competing in State Junior Championships and soon after was winning Northern Region and Queensland State titles before representing the Maroons at national level.

Kayce has held her number one Queensland ranking since 2019 and puts it down to her arduous training schedule and desire to constantly improve.

She balances her Year 10 studies at Mercy College with three days of intense fitness training that includes speed, endurance and strength work plus honing her racquet skills on court.

When Kayce is not devising game tactics or hitting a squash ball, she can be found working on her high jump or the pole vault on the athletics field.

Mackay squash champion Kayce Hoani-Vincent. Picture supplied

Kayce Hoani-Vincent is also a champion pole-vaulter. Photo credit: ANQ

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Whitsunday Sea Eagles teams celebrated AFL Pride Round at home this week with rainbow colours splashed around the ground playing North Mackay Saints.

Pride Round is designed to provide an inclusive environment for the LGBTIQ+ community by creating awareness and celebrating diversity within community football.

AFL want everyone to feel safe and celebrated within the code and Pride Round brings this to the forefront through conversation and celebration across the country.

Sea Eagles Senior Women’s team were kitted out in Pride Round guernseys this week designed by Shirtfront Solutions with guernsey sponsorship assistance from Ray White Whitsunday.

Sea Eagles hope to expand opportunities in coming years to allow other grades further inclusion.

In what was always going to be a tough game for Sea Eagles Senior Men against the top side, the Saints came out firing and continued their lead throughout the match.

Sea Eagles backline worked hard throughout the match keeping the Saints goalless in the second term, however lost 22–85 in the end.

Although looking every bit the part for Pride Round Sea Eagles Senior Women struggled on the field against an ever-tough Saints side losing 13–63.

A great game to watch the Sea Eagles Under 17s went down 53–63 in a tight match up against North Mackay Saints, proving they are able to mix it with the best at the top of the table with their diversely skilled team.

Sea Eagles Under 14s lost 22–49 against the Saints in rough conditions with Seanna Elies and Chloe Bennett leading the way both kicking goals to keep the team in the game.

Sea Eagles Under 12s took home amazing success for the day against a skilled Saints side winning 22–11 in wet windy conditions. Winning the toss, the young Sea Eagles flew with the wind, working hard together to score and stay with the opposition. With coaching staff all on edge in the final term the young Sea Eagles managed to hold on to take out the win.

Whitsunday Sea Eagles play at home July 23 against Bakers Creek Tigers so come and support Sponsor and Volunteer Appreciation Day with Juniors from 9am, Seniors from 1:15pm.

Contributed by Whitsunday Sea Eagles

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Senior Sea Eagles’ Women’s player Cleo Dickie

Senior Women pulled on a special kit for the AFL Pride Round

Under 12’s player Tyson Fowler

Images: Cody Fowler‍

The Saturday afternoon social tennis group were stoked when they had the chance of winning a special edition tin of tennis balls direct from Wimbledon!

After an afternoon of superb doubles tennis, the draw was made and David was the winner.

Reminder: if you are keen to get back into tennis, come on down on Saturda, July 23 from 11am to 1pm and have a hit of tennis.

All squads were back out and hitting during the week with everyone a little rusty after a two-week school holiday break.

However, towards the end of their sessions, everyone was firing! Well done to Tuesday early squad with Lucas; Tuesday Early Evening with Hayden B; Wednesday 4pm with Fletcher; 5pm with Lachlan; Thursday with Lacey; Brekky with Brax; and Saturday morning Florence!

It is all happening at Tennis Whitsunday, Social tennis, Fit, Fun Tennis, Court hire and Coaching – check out the Facebook page for more.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

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Thursday afternoon Pickleball was at its best with three courts of phenomenal rallies. Match of the day was between Frank and Stuart taking on the girls, Sheridan and Kate.

This was a "do or die" match; the girls were true warriors, but word has it the guys were the victors - remember there is always next time, girls!

Robyn and Yoko and Jocelyn and Gerry were in fine form, too.

Saturday morning a little bit of rain was not going to stop Pickleball - No Way. Hardy souls - Robyn, Kaz, Stuart, Kate and Frank, danced in and out of the raindrops for a memorable morning of Pickleball.

Would you like to give Pickleball a go? Come on down on Saturday, July 23 from 11am to 1pm and have a crack at this exciting game. We will supply the equipment if you supply the fun.

To finish, here are two whacky pickleball facts: Pickleball has no dress code (within reason); and Pickleball addicts are called "Picklers".

Till next week Paddles Up - 4pm Thursday Afternoon and Saturday Morning 8am

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

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Airlie Beach was host to a rapid weekend as over 460 runners took part in the Tassal Group Airlie Beach Marathon Festival in distances from the colossal 42.2km marathon down to the 1km Kids Run.

The Airlie Beach Sound Stage was the centre of the action, jam-packed with racegoers and spectators, and crammed full of fun and excitement for the two day’s festivities.

The weekend began with the Magic Mile – a hotly contested event of racing on Saturday.

At 6.00am the next day, the toughest of competitors lined up ready for the Airlie Beach Marathon, testing their mettle at the foreshore with their own incredible goals in mind.

The competitors shot off, followed by the half marathon, half marathon relay, 10km fun run, 5km fun run and 5km team challenge.

Winners were grinners as they crossed the finish line at the Airlie Sound Stage, with some familiar faces on the podium.

Justin Gibbs claimed the Open Male Marathon distance with an impressive 3:04:43 seconds, while Lienca Nell took home the top spot in the Women’s Open at a time of 3:43:01.

The Half Marathon’s fastest finishers were Camron Dixon for the Men with a time of 1:18:44, while Emma Hogan claimed the Women’s with a 1:26:28.

It was another successful Marathon Festival under the belt for the Airlie Beach Running Club, especially for the kids who enjoyed their 1km run across the foreshore.

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Airlie was alive with hundreds of runners taking on their distances of choice last weekend

The hugely successful festival coincided with the arrival of a cruise ship, meaning the market stalls dotting the foreshore were busier than ever

Some more than respectable marathon times were clocked in by a string of first-time winners

On Saturday over 100 players took part in the Scramble.

The winners on the day were Izaac Vandenberg, Trish and Ross McNeill, and Nathan Sothmann.

Tuesday’s stableford was won by Brian Smith with 36 points from Heather Luvis, 34, Tim McBride 32 and Peter Lewis 30 on a count back. The pins went to Albert Pini and John Grosskreutz.

On Wednesday the ladies played for Tina Badenhorst’s prizes.

The A grade winners were Leanne Alexander with nett 69, from Tina Badenhorst, 73 on a count back. The B grade was won by Pauline Redpath with 72, from Jacquie Wall on 74.

In the run down were Diane Chards, Elspeth Scotford, Viv Demartini, Lyn Muller and Anna Winterbourn.

Thursday’s Stableford division one winners were Allen Roberts with 38 points on a count back from new member Jacob Nightingale.

The division two winners were Trevor Paroz, 35, from John Wallace 32 on a count back.

In the run down were Roger Vandenberg, 37, Wayne Temby 36, Simon Della Santa and Michael Cragg, 35, Karl Kirkwood 33, Trish McNeill, Bill Woods and Peter Lewis all on 32 completed the rundown.

The pin shots went to Simon Della Santa, John Grosskreutz, Bill Woods and Trish McNeill. Five shared the two-shot pool.

On Sunday the men’s winners were Theunis Venter with 37 points on a countback from Brent Daniels, with Mark McDougal in third place with 36.

The ladies’ winners were Jacqui Wall, 28, on a count back from Tiina Randmae, in third place was Joanne Moynihan, 26.

The place getters were Darren Reynolds, Brian Allen and Cooper Cremor.

The pin shots went to Jason Whitney and Jackie Rayworth on two, who also had hole nine with Peter Fox. Brian Allen took out 13, and Jason Bourke was the only two-shot winner.

Next Saturday will be a single stableford, followed by the Proserpine Open the following weekend.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis

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Wednesday’s competition was a Single stroke event for the July Midweek monthly medals.  

Ladies’ winner on a countback Elona Lynch 70 nett, runner up Lisa Raisbeck 70 nett, while Men’s winner was Glyn Blackbourn 63 nett, runner up Clifford Querro 68 nett.

Saturday’s competition was the Ladies’ and Men’s 27-hole foursomes championships sponsored by Hayman Electrical.  

Men’s winners Adam McGrath and Paul Martin, runners-up Owen Land and Douglas Power.  Nett winners Liam Hillery and Matthew Trenow, runners-up Perry Davis and Clifford Querro.  

Pin shots to Jeff Day and Allan Cooper, Paul Martin, Tim Miller, and Ray Sellen won the Car wash voucher.  

Ladies’ winners Robyn Slade and Claire Garrod, runners-up Penny Stewart and Leanne Swan.  

Nett winners Jo Kukura and Joy Hose, runners-up Elona Lynch & Morag Parker.  Both pin shots were won by Robyn Slade and Claire Garrod.  

This weekend’s competition is a single Stableford event sponsored by Sporte Leisure.

Don’t forget to check the clubs Facebook page for this week’s dinner menu.  Takeaways still available.  Please call the club on 4785 1206 if you wish to book a table or place a takeaway order.  Joker draw is $3400 this week.

Good luck to the B Grade ladies’ pennant team playing in Home Hill this weekend.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Gross winners foursomes

Social bowls on Wednesday was enjoyed by 12 players at Proserpine Bowls Club, with this time of the year always host to interstate visitors escaping the chills of winter.

Carol Smith, Mike Harrison and Bob Preston defeated Mary Hedgelong, Philip Brown and Garry Alexander 21-19; Tom Jessop, Nev Smith and Peter Lawton defeated Arthur Griffith, Lino Micallef and Jim Quod 33-12.

Sunday was host to some close games, with Mike Harrison and Garry Alexander defeating Philip Brown and Lino Micallef 21-16; John Lahney, and Kendall Watts and Bob Preston defeating Warren Wilson, Ken Watts and Barry Zillmann 20-19.

Tom Jessop, Arthur Griffith and Peter Lawton defeated John Anderson, Jim Quod and Heather Brown 21-20, as well.

The club extended best wishes to its Fours Team who will be playing in the Champion of Champion Fours at Souths Suburban next weekend.  

The team of Warren Wilson, Martin Corr, Jonathan Bye and Wayne Handley will represent in the event.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown