With great enthusiasm and a keenness to bring home a trophy 12 men and 17 women from our district headed on Sunday to Shepparton to compete in the first regionally held Country Teams Week.
Under gloomy skies and threatening rain the womens team headed out to Shepparton Golf Course for their 36 holes starting at 8.30 fully dressed in wet weather gear. Our opposition of South Gippsland gave our girls a good test of endurance and skill. Having lost this round 4-3 the team was determined to reverse this result in the afternoon against Ballarat. On off rain prevailed but the determination of the girls not letting this affect them came home with a 4-3 win.
The women had a tough turnaround facing another 18 holes on Tuesday at Hill Tops. After a much needed rest and a good feed, they arrived at Hill tops with a quiet sense of confidence.
The men played 18 holes only on Monday and had a strong win at Shepparton golf course against North Eastern 5.5-1.5 and felt confident they could finish off with the trophy over the next two days. They were to play 36 holes on Tuesday at Hill Tops with a 9.30 tee start.
Unfortunately, the heavens opened and after the first 3 women players had started the course became unplayable and Golf Australia along with Local course authorities decided to suspend all play.
The teams sat around for next hour waiting and hoping to resume. Word came through that Shepparton and Mooroopna were also under water and the final decision to cancel the tournament was made.
This decision was not made lightly and although all were disappointed, and everyone felt for the organisers and the 3 clubs hosting they all accepted this result.
The camaraderie amongst our mens and womens team gives our district a healthy future and all players were keen to put their hand up for next years event to be hosted by West Gippsland.
A big thank you must go to Wendy Tottenham Womens Golf Ops, and Team Mangers Ann Lynch and Greg Bishop for their planning, organisation and support for both teams.
Bring on 2023.
Georgie Sanders
