The 29th edition of the Bendigo Bank - Bruce Ware Australian 2 Man Ambrose has been run and won, with scoring by the leaders in testing conditions not too far off the record scores.

Our Platinum naming rights sponsors were Bendigo Bank Harden, our Community Bank who not only put the prizes on but had staff and board members on hand manning their impromptu Hole in One sponsorship for the par 3, 18th on both days.

The ladies were there with wide smiles and helpful advice on the 18th tee watching some impressive approaches to 17 and sharp shooting on 18.

Board Member Ev Shea in her sponsors speech at the end of the weekend, confirmed that Bendigo Bank were on board with the tournament next year and that, being the 30th edition, some special arrangements were already being contemplated.

Exciting news and confidence for our special event was well received amongst the participants and tournament organisers. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Bank that is really making a difference in our community.

Associate sponsors for the weekend were 4 Pines Brewing (by Carlton United) and Yenda Ales (via Coca Cola Amatil) and we thank these guys for their generosity through provision of all the nearest the pin and longest drive trophies.

Cochrane and Hellier Australian Champions

No stranger to the big title, Nick Cochrane and Kris Hellier have blown away the field with a marvellous effort at 61 off the stick both days (10 under) for a combined 20 under par weekend of 122 shots. Considering the wind, the mud storm and the weather that kept on giving these are just out of this world scores.

Runners Up in the Open division were 3 shots back on 125 after very respectable scoring were Mark Buick and Michael Peard.

The A Grade 36 hole nett went to Peter Annetts and Adam Twyford from Cootamundra with 124.5 nett.

Runners Up Nett 36 hole A Grade went to Dave

McGilvray and Josh Read only 0.5 shots back on 125.

In our B Grade Division, our Champions were brothers John and Steven Hollie who shot a very tidy 4 under for the weekend with 70/67 to claim the weekend result.

George Morigiannis and Stephen Williams were 2 shots back for runner up in B Grade with rounds of 68/71 for 139.

B Grade Nett winners for 35 holes were local cunning ambrosers Tom Poole and Mark Parker with 124.5 nett, whilst the runners up were 1 shot back with 125.5, being Ben O'Loughlin and Phil Manwaring.

The veterans Cup for over 50's went to last year's Open Runner UPS Wayne Evans and Gary Cooke who shot a tidy 127 off the stick showing the young bucks how to rock with some condition and style.

Daily Winners

Saturday

A Grade Scratch John Blackman and Joel Hart (63)

A Grade Nett Tom Crockart and Jarryd Clarke (64.75)

B Grade Scratch Peter Elliott and Ron Fuller (69)

B Grade Nett Andrew Jones and Ewan Pollock (63)

Sunday

A Grade Scratch Jackson Fennell and Luke Cincotta (62 c/b)

A Grade Nett Steve Panetta and Matt Stretton (59.75)

B Grade Scratch Mitch Deep and Youthful Clarrie Powers (61)

B Grade Nett Kevin Hoppe and Tam Kennedy (64)

Extra Events

Saturday

Long Drive A Greg Sheaves

Long Drive B Kevin Hoppe

NTP 5th Mike Barlow (1.8m)

NTP 10th Jake Davies (1.38m)

NTP 16th Geoff Byrne (1.33m)

NTP 18th Jarryd Clarke (1.06m)

Sunday

Long Drive A Paul Deep

Long Drive B Ewan Pollock

NTP 5th Joel Hart (1.2m)

NTP 10th Bill Buttriss (0.77m)

NTP 16th Bryan Kelly (1.4m)

NTP 18th Adam Twyford (1.27m)

Thanks Extended

Events like these only enjoy the longevity our tournament has from a unique combination of the employed staff in unison with our team of volunteers.

Our Greenkeeper Ben Glover received praise for the course condition despite the ever present drought and recent course upgrade works.

Our hospitality staff were praised for their broad smiles and helpful attitudes all weekend.

Our volunteers on course assisting Ben, in the BBQ assisting the food preparation and in the event management team were all roundly thanked by all for making the weekend work so well. To Karen Glover in the entries and scheduling section, to Jeanette Elliott for her marshalling and scores/results and to the Dogs Body with a flat thumb, Ron Page, our thanks are extended.

Next Year

It will be our 30th year and by far and away the longest standing National Title of its type, this tournament goes from strength to strength.

Oversubscribed most years and with waiting list, it really pays to respond when the entries go out in the last week of June each time. Our Community Bendigo Bank is back on board and special things are planned - see you there.

This Week

Our Gents will be playing for the Harden Tyre Service trophy in an Individual Stableford whilst our

Ladies too will be playing a Stableford but for a Club Trophy.