The Downs and South Western Ladies Golf Association held their 2011 District Championship at the St George Club on 9^th to 11^th August.

120 women golfers converged on St George for an 18 hole Foursomes Championship and 36 holes of the Single Championship which was played in three divisions.

The golfers were challenged by the interesting course layout with long par 4’s, demanding par 3’s and for many players the additional test of sand greens. The rigorous process of preparing your own putting track with a smooth path to the hole and raking the green again for the group following behind put a different complexion on the game for those golfers used to playing on grass greens.

Both the Open and District Closed Championships were won by Samantha Foley from Inglewood Golf Club with a gross score of 151. Samantha is a junior golfer who plays off a handicap of 3. This is a second major success for Samantha who won the Queensland Country Championship in May this year.

Kathryn Webster from Cunnamulla won the Bronze 1 Division Championship with 166 gross and the Bronze 2 Champion was Nancy Parker from Oakey with 186 gross.

The District Veterans’ Champion is Pam White from the Toowoomba Golf Club with a gross score of 159. Kym Webster from St George won the Club Champion of Champions whilst Ruby Gamble from Cunnamulla and Kathy Beck of Roma won the Silver and Bronze Divisions of the Veterans’ Champion of Champions.

Margaret Richards (City Golf Club) and Carmel Macdermott (Toowoomba) are the 2011 Foursomes Champions.

The St George Golf Club members, both women and men, volunteered tirelessly for four days to present a very professional event. The course which was completely under water in January was in tremendous condition, entirely due to the effort of members and their friends.

The 2011 D&SW Federation fourball competition was held at Jandowae on Monday 5 June. The course was in excellent condition and the 34 participating players had perfect weather, with sunshine and a light breeze.

The overall winning pair was Cheryl Francis and Jenny Bradford, City GC, with 55 points; Division 1 was won by Laurie Didsman and Margaret Grant, Gatton GC, with 42 points; Division 2 was won by last year's defending champions, Barbara Mann and Jean Payne, City GC, with 51 points.

Congratulations to all the winners and the players for attending this event, which will be held at Wallangarra Golf Club in 2012.

The Queensland Country Women’s Golf Championships concluded at Rydges Golf Course at Yeppoon with Downs and South Western players figuring keenly amongst the hierarchy. Approx 400 women golfers from all country districts in Queensland competed in the event

Tops of them all was young Samantha Foley one of our junior players from Inglewood, now a Warwick member. She took out both the Championship and Silver net on a count back from local players. A first round score of 79 was followed by a superb par round of 72 on a very difficult course to give Samantha the title.

Other Downs and South Western players gave good showings to make the Top 10 in various Divisions.

Margaret Richards from the City Golf Club was the best of the Silver Division players with a 9^th in both the gross and net events, edging out many local low markers. Margaret is one of the District’s consistent Meg Nunn representatives,

Leigh Ann Geddes (also from the City Golf Club was up there in Silver Division net event and finished 7^th overall.. Leigh Ann combined with Aliecia Freeman also from the City Golf Club to be 9^th in the Foursomes Division 2 Gross.

Another player from City, Kerri Wheeler showed them how it was done in Bronze 1 Division 1 by finishing 5th in the gross event and 9Th in the net event. Kerri also combined with Nanette Ford from the Toowoomba Golf Club to finish 6^th in the Foursomes Division 2 gross event.

Other achievements were all from the City Golf Club. Noela Hazzard came 6th in Bronze 1 Division 2 net event, Del Webster was 10^th in the Bronze 2 Stableford event

Glenda Murray and Masifili Lyons finished 6^th in the gross and 4^th in the net in Foursomes Division 1

Congratulations to all players from associated clubs in the Downs and South Western District, who travelled to Yeppoon to compete at these Championships-

GORGEOUS GOLF GIRLS AT ST GEORGE

May 19th, 2011

It was a day of fun and frivolity as a pack of pink clad women teed off at the St George Golf Club for the annual L’Oreal Paris Breast Cancer Golf Day.

The two ball Ambrose competition in April, teams golfers and non-golfers together and soon had the wildlife ducking for cover.

Around 50 women hit the fairways and straight away the non-golfers began hitting birds, trees and the rough.

The nine hole Ambrose competition was won by Marilyn Reichstein and birthday girl Sally Dowling. Runners up were Cathy Carson and Virginia Jamieson.

The Don Bradman Award for a cricket score effort on course went to Karen Beardmore and Brenda Cameron.

Booby Prizes of hot pink cardboard bras filled with two pink golf balls were handed out thick and fast celebrating the loudest giggle to the biggest one-putt wonder.

There were cheers as organiser, Bindy Mace, announced it was their biggest fundraiser to date, collecting more than $ 1,500.

The money goes to the St George Branch of the Breast Cancer Association of Queensland to support their newly appointed regional Breast Care Nurse Sellina Bate.

The 2011 Match Play Championships were held on 4th and 5th April. 46 golfers from 17 clubs across the District enjoyed fine conditions for the 2 days of play at the Pittsworth Golf Club.

The 2011 Match Play Champion os Marie Cook from Wallangarra who defeated Pam White (Toowooomba) 3/2. Marie had a tough route to the final with a 27 hole battle in the semi-final against Margie Richards from the City Golf Club. Margie was a very strong player in Silver Division taking her opponents over three matches to 14 additional holes before the winners were decided. As a result of this terrific effort, the committee awarded Margie a special prize of a photo frame

In Bronze 1 Iris Thompson (Jandowae) defeated Pam Skene (Cecil Plains) 1 up. Congratulations go to Pam for this succes in the first District Match Play Championship she has ever entered. The Bronze 2 winner was Beryl Goodwill (Millmerran) who defeated Ann Woodruffe(City) 2/1. There were also some very close matches in Bronze 2 with Monica Walton from City taking Gloria Moore (Clifton) to 23rd hole to win her match

The Stanthorpe Golf Club has had to postpone their Women's Open Golf Carnival scheduled for 22nd and 23rd March 2011. This event will now be combined with the Men's Open on 24th and 25th September 2011 and there will be separate competitions for both men and women players. Golfers are welcome to play in both event days or just on either day. The Stanthorpe High Street Motor Inn is sponsoring the event and accommodation packages are available from the motel

The Wandoan Golf Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a weekend of golf in June.

The celebrations commence with Happy Hour at the Golf Club on Friday 17th June from 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm.

The golf commences on Saturday18th June, with a 9 hole two person mbrose. Please have your names in by 1.00 pm. As an alternative to golf you can just browse the memorabilia in the Club House and catch up with some of the members from the early days. Lunch and afternoon tea will also be available at the Club. In the evening a Smorgasbord Dinner will be served.

On Sunday is the Wandoan Golf Club Carnival. There are two events that day, a two person ambrose in the morning followed by an 18 hole stroke event in the afternoon.. Please have your names in by 8.15 am.

The committee welcomes everyone to attend and would like to see many visitors from the District and surrounding clubs.

For further information phone Pam on 07 4627 5094 or Kathy on 07 4627 4260

The District Executive Challenge was played at Oakey on 28th February in extremely hot conditions. The Executive Challenge is a three person team aggregate stablefordevent with all three scores counting. The competing teams were Borneo Barracks, Cecil Plains, Chinchilla, Clifton, City, Dalby, Gatton, Goombungee, Millmerrran, Jandowae, Oakey, Pittsworth, Stanthorpe, Toowoomba and Warwick. Two District teams also competed.

The Chinchilla team was the winner on the day with 130 points, helped by a magnificent 50 points scored by Margaret Hayward, Glora Scott contributed 39 points and Catyhy Merker 41. The runners up were the Gatton team comprising Margaret Crane (46 pts), Carol Blake (34 pts) and Laurie Didsman (42 pts).

Thanks to all those Clubs who had teams competing in this event

The Downs and South Western District team used their local knowledge to full advantage when they turned the tables on both the Gold Coast Junior and Senior Teams on Sunday 20th February. They overcame a first round defeat to win the both tje Junior and Senior Shields at the Toowoomba Golf Club.

Young Lori Ryan from City celebrated her first match play game with an impressive 6/5 win. She was called into the team after Inglewood player Samantha Foley was unable to play woing to illness. Tyanna Cox (Crows Nest)used the experience she gained at the Coast to defeat Karis Davidson 4/2, after being square after 9 holes. Paige Large (Gatt0n) won the testing par 3 18th to square her match against ANZ Masters Junior Winner, Michelle Gunawan. Dalby's Keely Buckley proved too good for Dee Dee Russell winning 3/2. Leading Downns and South Western junior, Zoe Field, returned from state junior training to post a good 3/1/ win over fellow state representative, Jaimee Duggan.

The senior ladies were put to the test and finally managed to outplay their Gold Coast opponents 4 matches to 1.

FULL JUNIOR RESULTS

Lori Ryan (34) def Maddison Coster(10) 6/5

Tyanna Cox (23) def Karis Davidson (6) 4/2

Paige Large (19) squared Michelle Gunawan (4)

Keely Buckly (5) def Dee Dee Russell (2) 3/2

Zoe Field (3) def Jaimee Dougan (2) 3/1

The first round of the Inter District Match Play between Downs and South Western and Gold Coast Districts was played at Coolangatta Tweed on 6^th December.

The concept of this event is to provide a match play learning experience for our junior girls. Each junior girl is accompanied by a senior player who, although playing her own match, provides support and encouragement for the junior and assists with rules and etiquette when needed. The competition is a handicap match play with games to finish at the 18^th.

The Downs and south Western Team comprised Darcy Habgood (Toowoomba), Tyanna Cox (Crows Nest), Paige Large (Gatton), Samantha Foley (Inglewood) and Keely Buckley (Dalby).

The results were:

Darcy Habgood (24) lost to Becky Kay (14) 4/3

Tyanna Cox (24) lost to Maddison Coster (10) 6/4

Paige Large (19) defeated Karis Davidson (6) 2/1

Samantha Foley (6) lost to Michelle Gunawai (4) 3/1

Keely Buckley (5) squared with Deedee Russell (3)

The senior players were Aliecia Freeman, Coral Walton, Laurie Didsman, Iris Thompson and Ronnie Sims.

The final round of this event will be played at the Toowoomba Golf Club on 20^th February.

The Dirranbandi Golf Club is located 600 kms west of Brisbane. The Club recently celebrated its 50^th birthday and held an Open Carnival. Dirranbandi is a 13 hole golf course with sand greens incorporating 4 black soil holes which have been flooded for the beginning of this year.

The District Championships held at Roma Golf Club last week were very enjoyable, with the players enjoying good weather, apart from some wind on Tuesday, and wonderful hospitality.

The 2010 Open Champion is Susan Glasby from Ipswich Golf Club, and she equaled the course record on Wednesday with a 71 gross. The Linda Brittain and Closed Champion is Wendy Morse from Oakey Golf Club with a very creditable 151 gross, and Wendy also had the best nett in Silver division on Wednesday with 65 nett.

Bronze 1 Champion is Donna Mellon, Gatton Golf Club, & Bethel Thompson is the Bronze 2 Champion from City. Bethel also had the overall best nett on Thursday with 57 nett.

District Veterans Assoc. 36 hole gross Champion is Pam White, Toowoomba Golf Club.

Club Champion of Champions 18 gross winner is Marie Cook, Stanthorpe; and nett winner is Iris Thompson, Jandowae.

District Veterans Club Champion of Champions Silver division is Margaret Richards, City Golf Club, and Bronze division is Lois Nissen Toowoomba Golf Club. District senior veterans 36 hole nett winner is Bethel Thompson, City Golf Club.

The Foursomes Champions are Marie Cook & Cate Wilmott; and nett winners are Jenny Bradford & Cheryl Francis.

Congratulations to all the winners in all divisions over the 3 days. A sincere thank you to all the Roma Golf Club committee and workers and volunteers for their input and organization of this event.

Thank you to all the ladies who turn up to play this event every year, and we look forward to meeting old and new again next year at ST GEORGE

Meg Nunn 2010

The Queensland Inter District Teams Match Play Tournament for the Meg Nunn Salver will be underway in Indooroopilly on Sept 6. The D&SW team is Leanne Palmer (5), T'wba Golf Club, Dana Beutel (8) Gatton Golf Club, Jamie Shine (9) T'wba Golf Club, Carmel Macdermott (11) T'wba Golf Club, Margaret Richards (12), City Golf Club, and Pam White (12) T'wba Golf Club, with non-playing captain Margaret Adcock and Adele Roberts Manager. Congratulations to all these girls on their selection, and also the clubs they represent. Good luck to the team and good golf!

2011 Club Committees

Enclosed with this newsletter is a form to update your 2011 committee details. This form goes out to each of you yearly so that the new committee information can be updated on my records. Please understand that the representative nominated by you is the person most likely to attend the general and annual general meeting through the year. I am a little concerned that the information that is sent to nominated club members is not reaching everyone, so please send me as many email addresses as you like, it doesn't matter how many people get information, the more the better!

There are a lot of clubs that I haven't had any update from in a few years, so I would really appreciate time taken to fill out the form and return to me.

I am reminding all clubs that Golf Qld and Golf Australia will both increase their fees for collection in March 2011. These will be:

• Golf Qld $19.00
• Golf Aust 11.55
• D&SW 6.20 (unchanged)
• TOTAL $36.75

Notices will be sent out in February, and payment is due by 31 March 2011.

2010/11 District Committee

• President: Adele Roberts 0419950142
• V/President: Laurie Didsman 0417743392
• V/President: Iris Thompson 0427508665
• Secretary: Jenny Bradford 46304433
• Treasurer: Aliecia Freeman 46987943
• H/cap Manager: Margaret Adcock 46613212

Committee:

• Lola Cuffe 46253082
• Dawn Irwin 46234207
• Ruth Hungerford 46973303
• Nancy Young
• Margaret Richards

Welcome to all the new and old members on our district committee, and we look forward to a good year.

Forthcoming Events

Qld Handicap 4ball regional final will be held at Millmerran on Sunday 29 Aug, for mixed, men & women pairs. Winners and runners up will go to Pelican Waters for the Qld final on Oct 18/19.

The mixed 4somes championship will be played at Toowoomba Golf Club on Monday 1st November, and we look forward to all our regular players, and maybe some new ones as well. This is an 18 hole event and I hope we all have a terrific tournament!

Don't forget to have a PINK DAY again this year, a few clubs used their closing day and raised funds to go towards the Breast Screen Clinic at Toowoomba Hospital. October is the official month for Breast Cancer Awareness, so I hope you all can support this good cause once again.

When forwarding on any funds make cheque payable to:

Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, PO Box 7646, Toowoomba . QLD 4350

District Events

I am reminding clubs that you can apply to the committee to host any of our annual events. We hold the Ex Challenge in late February/early March

• Matchplay Championship in late April if possible,
• Federation 4ball is usually early June; and
• District Championship is always mid August.

It is an opportunity for your club to earn some income, however, we do expect that you only charge the district a nominal fee per player per day, as we run these events ourselves and provide the trophies.

Good Ideas

Your district committee is always ready to hear about and implement some good ideas, so if any of you have some good ideas for future events or systems please pass them along, as we could be missing out.

Lost Property

Ruth Hungerford has a couple of things that were handed in to her at the district ch'ships at Roma: Blood donor badge; and pink ball marker that will need to be identified. Please ring her or myself or contact by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can return them to you.

The 2010 Downs and South Western District Ladies Golf Association District Championships were held at the Roma Golf Club from 24^th to 26^th August 2010. 130 golfers from 32 clubs across the District enjoyed fine conditions for the 3 days of play at the Roma Golf Club.

The Foursomes Championship was played over 18 holes whilst the Singles Championships were 36 hole events over two days.

The 2010 District Champion is Wendy Morse from the Oakey Golf Club with a score of 151 gross. The runner up was Stanthorpe's Marie Cook with 160 gross. Marie also won the Foursomes Championship with her partner Cate Wilmot, also a member of the Stanthorpe Golf Club

The Open Championship was won by Susan Glasby from the Ipswich Golf club who carded 146 gross.

The District Veterans Champion is Pam White from the Toowoomba Golf Club

The winner in Bronze 1 Division was Donna Mellon from the Gatton Golf Club with Kath Devereux from Warwick Golf Club being the runner up. In the Bronze 2 Division Bethel Thompson from the City Golf Club was victorious over Margaret Grant of the Gatton Golf Club.

In the Zone Pennant Final, the home team of Angela Williams, Judy Harland and Dawn Irwin from the Roma Golf Club were the winners with a score of 269.

The event was well managed by the District Committee in conjunction with the Women's Committee from the Roma Golf Club

The team for 2010 Queensland Inter District Match Play Championship for the Meg Nunn Salver was also announced. The team is Leanne Palmer, Carmel Macdermott, Pam White Jamie Shine, all from the Toowoomba Golf Club, Margaret Richards of the City Golf Club and Dana Arndt from Gatton. The event will be played in September at the Indooroopilly Golf Club

Our district committee is very disappointed that this event at Condamine had to be cancelled. Initially we had received 25 nominations, with 5 players in Silver division; however we received some cancellations and ended up with only 3 players in Silver, 14 in Bronze 1, and 4 in Bronze 2.

The very low numbers in Silver and Bronze 2 meant that we could not provide 2 days of golf to these players, with the eventual aim of producing a champion. We have decided not to hold this event this year as it is too late to select future dates etc.

We don't know the reasons behind such small numbers, but we will need to consider the availability of accommodation, hire buggies, and time of the year for this event in the future, as we believe these factors all combined to prevent players from attending this year

Pittsworth Golf Club is the venue for 2011, and we will be discussing the above factors with the committee and volunteers there in preparation for the event.

I look forward to meeting up with everyone at this event in 2011.

Thank you to Clifton Golf Club for hosting a very successful Federation 4Ball on Monday 19 April.

Congratulations to the winners of this event for 2010:

Overall best score: Jean Payne & Barbara Mann with 52 points

Division 1: Glenda Murray & Aliecia Freeman with 48 points

Division 2: Gail Weedon & Hazel Harvey with 51 points

It was a very enjoyable day of golf, with good weather, and the Clifton course was in very good order. This event is being held at Jandowae in 2011, and we look forward to seeing everyone again there.

The first round of the inter-district match play against the Gold Coast district was played Sunday 14 February at City Golf Club, Toowoomba. 5 junior girls and 5 seniors played against the Gold Coast and our district girls won 4 matches and drew 1; whilst the ladies won 3 out of their 5 matches.