Last week of spring and then into summer which could not come faster as the bowls this week have demonstrated.

Tuesday afternoon Social Bowls saw inexperienced Mark Mawson at skipper with Liz McManus at lead and Tess Walker at second playing brilliant bowls to run away with the money whilst newly joined player John Burnett take home the prestigious Health Hub award.

Wednesday afternoon Jackpot bowls superbly run by Merve Stewart and Rick Galea, saw them team together with John Askew to take home the money whilst Marjorie Hughes took home the prestigious Health Hub award.

Saturday morning Scroungers has only one more week to go and had a great field in hot pursuit of the prizes on offer and first round winners were Andy McDougall, Eric Barnard and Rick Galea proceed to the final and it was Rick who proved too strong again to go home with his second victory of this season with a fabulous display, whilst Russell Jackson took home the B Division prize money. Next weekend will see the finals take place all welcome for the final round and then the finals will take place.

Sunday morning saw 14 new bowlers come to try out brilliantly organised by Margo Stanley. Our club super coach who has organised lessons for anyone interested on Monday's and Thursday's at 4pm till 5pm which is free all welcome.

Sunday afternoon Social Bowls well organised by Jill Spencer another tireless worker at the club and it was the team ably led by Graham Cowling with Mario De Martini at lead and the much improved Arthur McManus whose competitive nature holds no bounds and they won a thrilling last end match against Tony Kelly's team with Paul Osborne at lead back to best form and Mark Mawson at second and the very popular winner of the Health Hub award was Jill Spencer herself.

It also must be mentioned that Fiona Greener has worked tirelessly this weekend keeping refreshments cold with wonderful thoughtful service and commitment.

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Wednesday afternoons winners John Askew, Merve Stewart, and Rick Galea. Photo supplied

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Mick's Computer Services had a great afternoon of bowls on Saturday when they had their Staff Christmas Party at the club. Enjoying a game of barefoot bowls along with a lot of fun in a social setting.

This week there has been a change of leader board in the Social Participation Trophy which has been sitting at just a one-point difference between first and second place for a number of weeks. In social bowls on Wednesday, Bruce Uhe, Sandy Daffara, and Philip Brown defeated Arthur Griffith, Sandy Daffara and Barry Zillmann 31 - 13. Warren Wilson and Heather Brown had a tight contest with the score being 20 all after the 20th end but scored that extra point to defeat Alan Pershouse and John Fielding 22- 20. On Sunday John Burnett and Warren Wilson defeated Arthur Griffith and Mike Harrison 19 - 15 in a game of pairs. Sandy Daffara, Peter Lawton, and Philip Brown defeated Bruce Uhe, Peter Lawton, and Heather Brown 17 - 13.

With the year drawing to a close, current standings in the Social Participation Trophy - are Philip Brown on 150 points, Heather Brown 149, Bruce Uhe 120, Alen Sanderson 113, Sandy Daffara 105, John Anderson 97, Mike Harrison 94, Arthur Griffith 66, John Burnett 62.

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Tuesday winners were Bron Tolcher and Irene Laird defeated Shirley Jones and Robyn Stitt.

Lyndi Suann and Evan Jones defeated Deb Retchless and Alby Vigar. The jackpot didn’t go off.

Competitions results: On Saturday the club mixed competition was completed. In the morning the final of the Mixed Triples was won by Laurie Land, Penny Warren and Allan Rolfe who defeated Tracey Roach, Lloyd White and Jason Wright. In the afternoon the final of the Mixed Pairs could not have been any closer with an extra end being played and the last bowl deciding the game. The winners were Fely Duncan and Jason Wright who defeated Penny Warren and Allan Rolfe.  

On Sunday our Bowls Section AGM’s took place with new executives ready to take over the reins for another year. Congratulations to our members who took on new positions.

After a great lunch, 18 players were out on the green for social bowls. Winners for the afternoon were Laurie Land, Lyn Danvers, and Geoff Danvers defeated Toni Bowen, Peter Warren, and Pat Tracey. Sue Shearing, Shirley Jones, and Penny Warren defeated Teresa Willshire, Jim Quod, and Sugar Brunker. Deb Retchless, Robyn Stitt, and Alby Vigar defeated Gwenda Lydom, Irene Laird, and Graeme Read.  

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

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Club Mixed Fours winners: Wayne Crowhurst Lloyd Wilson Tracey Roach Kennedy Whitton

‍Club Mixed Triples winners: Allan Rolfe Penny Warren Laurie Land

Club Mixed Pairs winners: Jason Wright and Fely Duncan. Photos supplied

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On Wednesday, men and ladies played a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club. Ladies’ winner was Viv Clark 39pts, runner up on a countback Robyn Slade 36pts. Men’s winner on a countback was John Lawson 41pts, runner up Rodney Wells 41pts.

On Friday, members celebrated the end of their season with their presentation night. Congratulations to all the winners, especially Robyn Slade and Jeff Day who took out the Golfer of the year trophies for the weekend competitions. Thank you to Jim and Debbie Bullemor for their continued sponsorship of the Golfer of the year trophy.

Wednesday Golfers of the year were Jeremy Chrzanowski ajd David Roberts – joint winners for the men. Ladies winner Leanne Swan.

Men’s double Matchplay champions David Insch and Dylan Nott, runners up Geoff Fellows and Greg Carlyon. Men’s single Matchplay champion was Dylan Nott, runner up Marcus Yasso. Ladies double Matchplay champions Claire and Meg Garrod, runners up Bev Lowcock and Tanya Gaudry. Ladies single Matchplay champion Meg Garrod, runner up Bev Lowcock. Well done everyone.

On Saturday, we played a single stableford event for the Frank and Gloria Bidgood Memorial. 105 players took to the course, which was a great turnout. Thank you to the Bidgood family for continuing to sponsor this event and great to see Frank and Kurt Bidgood and Kyjel and Kade Spencer continuing the golfing legacy. Ladies’ winner was Julie Mawson 37pts, runner up on a countback Leanne Swan 34pts. Men’s winner Joshua Fraser 43pts, runner up Jeff Jackson 39pts.

This weekend is a single stroke event for the December monthly medals.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott.

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Matchplay champions – David Insch, Dylan Nott, Tanya Gaudry, Bev Lowcock, Claire and Meg Garrod

Golfers of the year – Jeff Day, Sponsors Jim & Debbie Bullemor, Robyn Slade

Frank and Gloria Bidgood winners – L-R Frank and Kurt Bidgood, Kyjel Spencer, Jeff Jackson, Joshua Fraser, Julie Mawson, Leanne Swan, Kade Spencer. Photos supplied

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The stableford held on November 21 was won by Len Booroff with 40 points from Brad Fleet on 38 with Lyn Muller the leading lady on 38 beating Leanne Alexander by 3. Pins went to Elise Hodgson, Brad Fleet and Chris Pham.

Lyn Muller edged out Vickie Wallace to take Wednesday's event with 39 points. Pins went to Lyn Muller, Pam Harrison x2, and Tiina Randmae.

Wayne Temby and Ron Jamieson had a great Thursday to win the pairs event on a count back from Nicola Apruzzese and Terry Handford on 46 points.

Pins went to Barry Shuwalow, Conrad Werner, Brad Fleet and Chris Pham.

Jack Pirlo won Friday's Met run with 22 points by two shots from Sam Deicke who took out the pin shot.

Steve Hickey won the MBW A division on Saturday with 41 points from Rob Stanley, while Phillip Luckett took out the B division with 41 points from Brett Bauer.

Pins went to Laurie Dakin, Jesse Leveque, Len Booroff and Anna Winterbourn. Toni Clauss won the ladies' MBW stableford with 39 points from Noelene Spurway who also won a ladies pin shot along with Anna Winterbourn.

Sunday's competition winner was Wilf Herweg on 40 points from Christopher Bartlett, with the leading ladies being Nicole Cooper and Jacqueline Wall. Pins went to Jon Miller,  Kev Cooper, Tiina Randmae, Sam Blake, Anna Winterbourn and Jacqueline Wall.

Contributed by Rod Wecker

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Conditions were steamy with the occasional nuisance shower, but play wasn’t interrupted at all. Although the field was smaller than usual with only 17 players, Christmas festivities and Handiskins kept a few of the regulars away, there was, as always, a very amicable competitive spirit in play.

LADIES All GRADES:

Winner: Jacqui Wall with 36 points

Runner-up: Anna Winterbourn with 34

Longest Drive: Elise Hodgson (A) - just on the outer perimeter and Pam Casey (B).

MEN’S A GRADE:

Winner: Chris Bartlett with 39 points

Runner-up: Darrren Reynolds with 33

Longest Drive: Darrren Reynolds

MEN’S B GRADE:

Winner: Wilf Herweg with 40 points

Runner-up: Leigh Jones with 37

Longest Drive: Peter Fox

NTPs:

For the ladies: Penny Wardroper and Jacqui Wall

For the men: Jason Bourke, Leigh Jones, and Clay Coles

NAGAs: the honours went to Ron Jamieson and Elise Hodgson, Elise couldn’t make the presentation so it went to Pam Casey, a drink courtesy of Aaron and Tracy Watts.

NEXT WEEK: will be the Dec MM/least putts in conjunction with the 2023 Medal of Medals, get your names in early for the last competition of the 2023, so we can play in a block between 7 and 8 am.

Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae.

‍Chris Bartlett, Pam Casey, Wilf Herweg and Jacqui Wall. Photo supplied

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The Whitsunday Running Club had an amazing season this year!

Local runners were able to test their skills against competitors from all over Australia and overseas in the three major events that the club organised, namely: the North Queensland Cross Championship in March, North Queensland Marathon Championship in July, and the Whitsunday Trail Festival in September.

Members of the club travelled extensively throughout Australia and the World to showcase their colours and market the Whitsundays. Six of the members took part in the Medoc Marathon in France, one in the half marathon in Lisbon, Portugal, one in the Mont-Blanc Ultra Trail through France, Italy and Switzerland and two in the Maybank Bali marathon. Several members also ran in parkruns in Wales, Scotland, and England.

In Australia they competed in the ‘last one standing’ Dead Cow Gully near Brisbane and the Coast to Mount Kosciusko, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and many more.

The highlight of the year was the Athletics North Queensland Awards night where the achievements of the club were recognised by Athletics North Queensland (Queensland Athletics representatives in the north).

Mark McConkey was given a ‘Merit Award’ in recognition of his outstanding services to the sport of athletics in North Queensland. Mark is a founding member of the Whitsunday Running Club and has continuously served on the committee and coached athletes over the past eleven years.

The Whitsunday Running Club (Club of the year), Aimee Sulzberger (Recreational Runner of the Year) and Liv Compton (Recreational Runner of the Year) were all finalists in their categories.

Aimee won the Recreational Runner of the Year trophy in recognition of her wins in the 10km and 6km North Queensland Cross Country Championships, gold in the Airlie Beach Marathon Festival 10km, gold in the Whitsunday Trail Festival 10.5km and gold in the Townsville Marathon Festival.

Tim McQuoid-Mason, President of the Whitsunday Running Club said: “The running talent in the Whitsundays has developed over the past few years into a formidable pool of runners capable of competing against the best in Queensland, Australia and the World, they are all fantastic ambassadors for the Whitsundays!”

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Whitsunday Running Club President Tim McQuoid-Mason, Aimee, Mark, Karen Maddock, Liv, Rebecca Hadley, Michael Hadley and Ella Maddock at the Athletics NQ Awards

Aimee, Tim and Mark at the Athletics NQ Awards

Aimee Award at the Athletics NQ Awards

Mark Award at the Athletics NQ Awards. Photos supplied

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Whitsunday Touch has rounded off the 2023 season, with a massive celebration earlier this week.

The overall winning teams are:

A Grade - GET Touch

B Grade - Whitmonday Eagles

C Grade - Flametree Flames

Family Grade - Untouchables

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The weekly 9-hole stableford saw Scott Morrissey in first place with 24 pts, second with 22 pts Jane Muller and third David Wallace on 21 pts. We also had a couple of holes in one this week Jane Muller on hole 5 and Glenn Rees on hole 8.

Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Tim Walton take the win with 23 pts, second place with 19 pts Alan Clinch and third place with 18 pt c/b Gary Goddard.

Sundays 4 ball better ball was a great turn out, a top effort for our winners Glenn Rees and Rob Lodders with a 48.75 NETT, second place saw Edwina Pettiford and Troy Pettiford with 48.75 NETT and third place with a 50.5 NETT was Alan Clinch and David Wallace.

Nearest the pin was Troy Pettiford and Dom Lipski.

This Sunday 26th Nov will be our monthly medal and second match play qualifier, tee off 8am – 10am. Hope to see you all there.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green.

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Gary Goddard. Photo supplied

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Thirty Whitsunday players competed in a stroke competition which was also Round 2 of the Club championships for those who were eligible. It was warm and steamy out there as the course did not get the coastal sea breezes - they’re a hardy lot who know how to stay fresh on the course. Scoring indicated the state of the course with lots of run on the fairways and some very accurate (and some very lucky) putts on the greens.

Championship winners will be revealed at the presentation evening to be held at the Reef Gateway on 9th December.

LADIES A GRADE:

Winner: Anna Winterbourn with nett 69

Runner-up: Tiina Randmae with 71

Longest Drive: Robyn Whitham

LADIES B GRADE:

Winner: Tina Cook with nett 77 on a countback from

Runner-up: Joanne Moynihan

Longest Drive: Joanne Moynihan

Well done, Tina, that will keep you keen, keep on keeping on.

MEN’S A GRADE:

Winner: Darren Reynolds with an excellent nett 67

Runner-up: Jason Whitney, a win on any other day with 69

Longest Drive: Jason Whitney

MEN’S B GRADE

Winner: Ron Jamieson with nett 67 - another excellent score

Runner-up: Peter Fox with 69, same comment, a winning score on any other day

Longest Drive: Paul Nicol

NTPs:

For the ladies: Penny Wardroper, Pam Casey. and Karen Rix

For the men: Darren Reynolds, Mark McDougal, and Wayne Temby

Best dressed: The dress code for the day was men in pink, ladies in blue - the winners were Joanne Moynihan and George Meharry in their unplanned matching gear of “toucan” shirts, featuring both blue and pink - hard to beat.

NAGAs: The honours went to Karen Rix and Wilf Herweg, who received a drink courtesy of Aaron and Tracy Watts. Obviously, you have to be there to enjoy the drink, so Jalen and Elise missed out this time.

RAFFLE: Tiina Randmae was the lucky winner of the raffle prize, a Harry Brown gift card, that’ll be a lovely bottle of gin.

Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae.

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Peter Fox, Joanne Moynihan, Tina Cook, Anna Winterbourn, Ron Jamieson and Tiina Randmae. Photo supplied

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Playing with a handicap of 8, Jayden Lloyd had a sensational 4-under par to blitz Saturday's Hayman Electrical stroke event with a 58 nett.

Chris Pham was second in the A division with 67.

Wayne Fitzgerald with 68 won the B division from Jackson Gray on 68.

Pins went to Jalen Jarvis, Rob Stanley, Mick Hamilton, and Jayden Lloyd.

The ladies section winner was Lyn Muller on 72 from Penny Wardroper on 73 with the pins going to Pauline Redpath and Penny Wardroper.

Tuesday's monthly medal saw Jake Murray with 67 beat Ned Davies by a shot while Leanne Alexander on 70 beat Paula McQuat by two. Pins went to Kev Cooper, Elspeth Scotford, John Grosskreutz and Aaron Prosser.

Diane Chard won Wednesday's Airllywood stableford with 41 from Anna Winterbourn on 38 with the pins going to Tiina Randmae, Diane Chard, Marlene Gray and Paula McQuat.

Matthew Muller edged Steve Stewart to win the A division of Thursday's stableford with Peter Elms on 37 beating Laurie Dakin by three for the B division. Pins went to Gary Scotford, Jesse Leveque, Ryan Wilkes, and Chris Pham.

The Friday Met run saw Karlene Lloyd with 20 points beat Sam Deicke by two while Sam Deicke and Kevin Gosney won the pin shots.

With a net 61, Jack Paroz won Sunday's competition from Tom O'Brien on 67 while Anna Winterbourn with 67 beat Tiina Randmae by two. Pins went to Luke Paroz, Ben Smith, Scott Morrissey, Wayne Temby, and Karen Rix with two pins.

Jon Miller is the 2023 A grade match play champion. Shane Whitney is the B grade champion and Louis Neethling is the C grade match play champion.

Contributed with thanks to Rod Wecker.

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On Wednesday, men and ladies played a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club.  

Ladies’ winner with a great score of 44pts was Tanya Gaudry, runner up Leanne Swan 40pts.  

Men’s winner also with a great score of 43pts was Joshua Fraser, runner up Reg Goldup 40pts.

On Saturday, we played a single stableford sponsored by Roger Vandenberg from Proserpine Pro Shop.  

Ladies’ winner on a countback was Robyn Slade 36pts, 2nd place Helen Russell 36pts, 3rd place Lorraine McArthur 36pts.  

Men’s winner was John Martin 41pts, 2nd on a countback Douglas Power 40pts, 3rd Mark Russell 40pts.  

Pin Shots to Lisa Raisbeck, Robyn Slade, Tanya Gaudry, Lorrene Bell-Chambers, Mark Tilbrook, Peter Randle, Collin Pett, Kurt Gaudry, Jonnie Smith.

This weekend is a single stableford event for the Frank and Gloria Bidgood Memorial.  There will be NO joker draw this Friday as it is the member’s presentation night.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott.

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John Martin, Robyn Slade, sponsor Roger Vandenberg and Helen Russell. Photo supplied

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On Tuesday, winners were Deb Retchless, Merle Elphinstone, and Allan Rolfe who defeated Bron Tolcher, Irene Laird, and Geoff Danvers. The jackpot didn’t go off.

Competitions results: On Saturday our Club Mixed Fours was played out. Laurie Land, Denise Wallace, Penny Warren, and Allan Rolfe defeated Robyn Stitt, Merle Elphinstone, Isobel Wheeler, and Mark Drummond.

Tracey Roach, Crowie Kennedy, and Whitton Lloyd White defeated Lyn Danvers, Sue Shearing, Peter Hinschen, and Geoff Danvers.

The final was played in the afternoon with a very close finish the last bowl deciding the game. The winners were Tracey Roach, Crowie Kennedy, Whitton Lloyd White defeating Laurie Land, Denise Wallace, Penny Warren, and Allan Rolfe.  

On Sunday Mixed Pairs was played with Penny Warren and Alan Rolfe defeated Lyn Danvers and Goeff Danvers.

On Sunday Steve and Garth from Hervey Bay joined our members in a social game. Winners for afternoon were Robyn Stitt, Penny Warren, and Pat Tracey defeated Lyndi Suann, Irene Laird, and Alby.

Jim and Kennedy defeated Kevin and Steve. Garth’s team defeated Laurie’s team. The jackpot didn’t go off  

Don’t forget our Bowls Section AGM’s are on Sunday Morning at 9am followed by lunch at 12noon and if you are up to it social bowls in the afternoon.

Contributed with thanks from Penny Warren,

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Linda Scells and Bron Tolcher enjoying Social Bowls Sunday. Photo supplied

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On Wednesday we had twelve players enjoying bowls at the new Summertime opening hours of names in by 2.30pm and bowls from 3pm.  

Jim Bownds, Bruce Uhe and Philip Brown defeated John Anderson, Pat Bownds and Mike Harrison 22 – 17.

Lee King, Barry Zillmann, and Heather Brown defeated Arthur Griffith, Mary Hedgelong and Sandy Daffara 28 - 16.

On Friday night the club was opened for an evening of Barefoot Bowls and Proserpine really responded well with 52 bowlers enjoying an evening of bowls and a sausage sizzle.  

Thank you to our club members who made this possible by organising the event, the BBQ, the bowls, and the bar.  

For those who are interested, keep your eye open for the next Friday night event.

On Sunday we had 9 bowlers enjoying an afternoon of bowls.  

Alan Pershouse and Philip Brown defeated Bruce Uhe and Arthur Griffith 35 -9.

Lee King, Sandy Daffara and Heather Brown defeated Mary Hedgelong, Sandy Daffara and Mike Harrison 25 – 22.

In this game the score was 22 all at the end of the 20th end.

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Well summer is almost here and it couldn't come sooner as the quality of bowls at our little club is sizzling.

No bowls again on Tuesday due to no water, however Wednesday afternoon Jackpot Bowls run by Rick Galea, and marvellous Merve Stewart saw new bowler Arthur McManus showing all how much his practice has paid off whom with Shane Spann runaway winners on the day, and it was the Men's Singles champion Alan Pershouse who went home with the prestigious Health Hub award.

Saturday morning Scroungers capably organised by John Askew saw first round winners Margo Stanley, Shaz Harper again showing her skills and Mark Mawson play in the final, but no one could get close to our club coach Margo Stanley with an emphatic victory, whilst Andy McDougall won the B Grade prize.

Sunday afternoon Social Bowls ably organised by Lyn Graham saw skipper Stephen Lawrie, with lead Paul Osborne back to his best and Tony Kelly too good for the rest of the field however it must be stated that the team of Rick Galea at skipper with Robin Brown at Lead and Lyn Graham at second played some extraordinary bowls and all three players could easily have lit the BBQ without using a match because they were on fire too.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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Our team that came fourth at North Mackay against all clubs Manny Isgro, Shane Spann, Ash Warland, and Betty Nicole. Photo supplied

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