The weekly members draw has soared back to $8000 this Friday night.

Yep, it’s your big chance to book a big holiday just in time for winter; or make that final home payment; or shout the family to dinner, TEN TIMES!
Whatever it is that takes your fancy, this is the freedom to do it.

Just make sure you’re a member by Thursday at noon, then be here in the clubhouse for the draw on Friday night.
If your name is drawn and you’re here, you are officially in business!

Be sure to book in the bistro, kick back for the music around the clubhouse and savour the pizza specials, all while riding around on our courtesy bus.
See you then!

The Portarlington Golf Club is now receiving applications for grants from its annual Community Contribution Fund.

Not-for-profit community and sporting organisations within the Northern Bellarine and City of Greater Geelong are invited to apply for a PGCCCF grant of up to $12,000.

Guidelines regarding the PGCCCF are available HERE or through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. via email.

Applications - completed on the attached FORM only - close on Monday, April 29; the successful applicant(s) will be advised on Friday, May 3.

Please contact PGC chief executive Michael Phillips at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you require additional Information.

The Portarlington Golf Club has given more than $145,000 in charitable support in the past four financial years, including more than $40,000 specifically via its Community Contribution Fund.

There’s already a close bond between the Portarlington Golf Club and the town’s footy and netball club.

This year, it has become even tighter.

The two clubs have strengthened their financial and social ties, with the golf club one of the Demons’ executive partners.

But taking it more than another step further, three of those in red and blue this weekend for the start of the 2024 BFL season are golf club employees.

And in recruit Stephen Heppel’s case, it’s actually his new job as a bartender at the golf club that has enabled him to become a Demon.

“I’m really grateful the two clubs have such a great relationship because otherwise I couldn’t be here,” said Heppel, a former premiership player for North Launceston in the Tasmanian state league who has made his way to Port via St Albans in the Essendon District Football League.

“I’m pumped to get out there and represent the town … I haven’t been this excited about a footy season for a few years now and there is definitely a real buzz about the town.”

The dynamic greenskeeping duo of Matt Fromholtz and Sam Beeston also feel the support around both clubs.

“It’s always great to have the (golfing) members talk about footy, everyone’s getting a bit excited, I reckon,” Fromholtz said.

“And one of the best things is that we’ve got a lot of young talent as well, coming through from the (premiership) under-18s last year. There’s some real quality from those guys in the three practice games we’ve played, starting in the midfield in the senior squad and dominating.”

Beeston, whose spot in the seniors is potentially in jeopardy given the influx of talent, was equally upbeat regardless of the selectors’ views.

“Change is on its way, you can feel it. We’ve got some good players coming in and we’ve kept a few from the past couple of years, too,” he said.

“It’s just great to have everyone around town talking about it again … and great for the golf club to be part of helping out the way it has.”

Golf club chief executive Michael Phillips said the partnership between the clubs was important for all around town.

“We have a lot of long-term members who would love to see the footy and netball clubs do well, obviously,” he said.

“But I think some people forget how good it would be for the entire town to get behind the club when things start to turn around as we are confident they will very soon.

“If we at the golf club can play our part in making the footy and netball clubs hum along, then it’s a win for the whole Port community.”

Samantha McCarthy has an enormous streak of community spirit coursing through her veins.

When she’s not living in Portarlington and working here at the golf club, she spends time in Ballarat with friends and family and also volunteers her time at Foodbank in Yarraville.

But in February, Sam took her giving attitude to a whole new level.
Not only did she give up the luscious locks she’d been cultivating almost throughout her 19 years, she did it in the name of the World’s Greatest Shave (WGS) to help those suffering through leukaemia.
“I wanted to shave my hair because I hadn’t done it before, but I wanted to do it for a cause,” she said.

“I’d rather do it to help people than for nothing.”

And that she most certainly has.

Not only has Sam raised more than $1200 – and still counting – for WGS, she kept a remarkable eight ponytales from her big adventure and packed them off to help those enduing the fight of their lives. “They were all plaited, the shortest was 25cm and the longest 38cm.

The form player of the 2024 PGA Legends Tour just got even hotter.

Queenslander Chris Taylor saluted in a tight Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am at Portarlington on Tuesday, fending off a host of challengers for a one-shot victory.

His four-under-par 68 edged out five players – Michael Isherwood, Euan Walters, Ben Jackson, David Miles and tournament drawcard Peter Lonard – on 69 in the first event on Australian soil for the 2024 season.

Highly fancied trio Terry Price, Peter Fowler and Lucien Tinkler were among another group at 70, while the popular Mark Allen and 2023 order of merit champion Andre Stolz – the day’s unluckiest player – were in another band at 71.

The win, already Taylor’s third in the nine events of the 2024 season, looked anything but likely after he started on Portarlington’s 18^th hole and was yet to hit a green in regulation by the time he stood on the sixth tee.

But a white-hot putter kept the Hervey Bay pro in the hunt and when the long game clicked into gear, he rolled in five birdies in seven holes from the seventh to charge clear.

And even as his playing partners fell victim to the mid-course hospitality tents, Taylor – third at Portarlington last year – kept his cool with only the one bogey on the tough par-4 15^th.

“It’s one of those courses that you can score really well on, but there are a few holes out there that can really bring you back to earth quickly, so I was glad to miss out on that damage with my short game today,” said Taylor, who paid tribute to the groundstaff for the immaculate greens.

“We had a great day in our team, I stayed away from the bar out there and my putter behaved, so it was great.

“The greens looked slow but they rolled out really nicely and on that pure surface, if you get the ball on line, the ball will go in.

“The surrounds and the fairways are second to none, probably the best we play on nearly all year, so there were no excuses with the putter.

“And that’s what I did today – I made 90 per cent of them, but even the ones that I did miss just ran over the edges.

“I didn’t hit it that great, but overall I got away with it.”

Taylor, 52, who won twice in the recent New Zealand swing, had a purple patch last year, winning three events in a row in August-September, including the three-round PNG Senior Open.

“It’s nice to be in a bit of form and make a flying start to the season … hopefully I can keep it going.”

Stolz, along with Price the defending champion, looked set to repeat his 2023 victory when he charged to five under through the generally tougher back nine after starting on the 10^th.

He missed a couple of shortish chances to extend his lead on the third and fourth, but came to grief on the seventh in the most unfortunate of circumstances.

Stolz ripped his approach to the par-4 to kick-in range, but when he leant down to repair his pitch mark next to the hole, realised he’d hit his playing partner’s ball.

The resultant triple-bogey seven dropped him from the hunt.

Of the other main drawcards, Mike Clayton, Nick O’Hern and Mark Tickle each had 75 to share 34^th.

PROFESSIONAL LEADERBOARD

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ALL THE WINNERS

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Sometimes when you run a public event, the promotional path you need to tread is obvious.

But there’s so much going on at the Portarlington Golf Club on February 19-20, it’s too hard to make that choice.

On Tuesday, February 20, the third annual PGA Legends Tour Pro-Am will be played, proudly presented by new sponsor Sheen Panel Service.

The partnership with Sheen, whose Bellarine manager Josh Hewlett represents its shops in Ocean Grove and Drysdale, has enabled what was already an award-winning event to go the next level.

Aside from their physical presence with on-course activations, Sheen’s partnership with the club has permitted the expansion of the Skins Game concept introduced so successfully last year.

Chief executive Michael Phillips said the Skins Game, to be held as a forerunner to the Pro-Am on Monday, February 19, will now be just one of a whole host of entertainment options on the club’s beautifully manicured lawns.

“The Skins Game concept came about last year at the last minute but still proved really popular with some of the top pros playing a few holes around the clubhouse precinct for cash jackpots, including our own resident professional Matt Milne,” Phillips said.

“But this year, with a bit more time to organise things, we really wanted to expand this concept to include something for everyone, whether they’re golf fans or just like chilling outside in a beautiful setting.

“Our staff and partners are co-ordinating a tent village that will be the backdrop to another Skins Game, but mostly a hub of entertainment and fun for all members and visitors.

“We’ll have brilliant food with gourmet barbecue options provided by Doug Unsworth and his team at Parkers Steakhouse and a selection of wood-fired pizzas from our kitchen – all at heavily subsidised prices.

“We’ll have a bar outside, but even better with one of our village tents to provide tastings from our good friends at The Whiskery and another with samples and more from local winemaker Scotchman’s Hill.

“There’ll be live music from one of favourite regulars Craig Sayer, plus really handy information booths from other partners including Kieser and Lifestyle Communities.

“The Portarlington Football and Netball Club will continue to ramp up for its big season ahead with a membership booth flanked by an old-fashioned handball competition.

“We’ll also hold a putting competition on the practice green next to the pro shop, so the whole area around the clubhouse will be a hive of activity.”

The main event will also come with some added bonuses for golfers on hand, with two master classes run by the PGA legends on site.

Defending joint champion Terry Price will host a shot-shaping demo, while there’ll also be a short-game clinic with American Perry Parker for those needing some advice with wedge in hand.

“Then the Skins Game itself should be epic,” Phillips said.

“Matt had a lot of support last year and I’m sure he’ll have a band of hardcore supporters again, but he might just need them going up against Peter Lonard, Peter Fowler and our two defending champions in Andre Stolz and Terry Price.

“Be sure to come along, there really will be something for everyone.

“And then to have the focus of the Aussie golfing community for the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am on Tuesday will make it a great couple of days to be around the club.”

Pro-Am draws released

The draws for Tuesday’s Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am have been completed.

Registration for the AM field starts from 7am near the pro shop, with the event proper to begin at 8am.

Registration for the PM field starts from 11am in the East Wing of the clubhouse, with the event proper to start at 1pm.

Please note that the draws are subject to change and will be updated as soon as possible should that happen.

Thanks, we’re excited to see you all here on Tuesday!

 - AM Field Draw V3
 - PM Field Draw V4

Your chance to join the action

Entries are now open to participate in the 2024 Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am.

If you want a chance to play with and compete against some of the legendary names of Australian golf - including Peter Lonard, Peter Fowler, Nick O’Hern, Mike Clayton and Terry Price – be sure to register while space permits.

It’s only $75 to play in the morning field (8am shotgun start) or $95 to play in the afternoon field (1pm shotgun start).

Entry includes entry into all the day’s on-course events – individual and team events as well as special hole-by-hole competitions during the day – plus two meals (before and after) for each field.

A presentation ceremony will follow the afternoon’s play.

ENTER HERE

Eat, drink and have a ball!

Sometimes when you run a public event, the promotional path you need to tread is obvious.

But there’s so much going on at the Portarlington Golf Club on February 19-20, it’s too hard to make that choice.

On Tuesday, February 20, the third annual PGA Legends Tour Pro-Am will be played, proudly presented by new sponsor Sheen Panel Service.

The partnership with Sheen, whose Bellarine manager Josh Hewlett represents its shops in Ocean Grove and Drysdale, has enabled what was already an award-winning event to go the next level.

Aside from their physical presence with on-course activations, Sheen’s partnership with the club has permitted the expansion of the Skins Game concept introduced so successfully last year.

Chief executive Michael Phillips said the Skins Game, to be held as a forerunner to the Pro-Am on Monday, February 19, will now be just one of a whole host of entertainment options on the club’s beautifully manicured lawns.

“The Skins Game concept came about last year at the last minute but still proved really popular with some of the top pros playing a few holes around the clubhouse precinct for cash jackpots, including our own resident professional Matt Milne,” Phillips said.

“But this year, with a bit more time to organise things, we really wanted to expand this concept to include something for everyone, whether they’re golf fans or just like chilling outside in a beautiful setting.

“Our staff and partners are co-ordinating a tent village that will be the backdrop to another Skins Game, but mostly a hub of entertainment and fun for all members and visitors.

“We’ll have brilliant food with gourmet barbecue options provided by Doug Unsworth and his team at Parkers Steakhouse and a selection of wood-fired pizzas from our kitchen – all at heavily subsidised prices.

“We’ll have a bar outside, but even better with one of our village tents to provide tastings from our good friends at The Whiskery and another with samples and more from local winemaker Scotchman’s Hill.

“There’ll be live music from one of favourite regulars Craig Sayer, plus really handy information booths from other partners including Kieser and Lifestyle Communities.

“The Portarlington Football and Netball Club will continue to ramp up for its big season ahead with a membership booth flanked by an old-fashioned handball competition.

“We’ll also hold a putting competition on the practice green next to the pro shop, so the whole area around the clubhouse will be a hive of activity.”

The main event will also come with some added bonuses for golfers on hand, with two master classes run by the PGA legends on site.

Defending joint champion Terry Price will host a shot-shaping demo, while there’ll also be a short-game clinic with American Perry Parker for those needing some advice with wedge in hand.

“Then the Skins Game itself should be epic,” Phillips said.

“Matt had a lot of support last year and I’m sure he’ll have a band of hardcore supporters again, but he might just need them going up against Peter Lonard, Peter Fowler and our two defending champions in Andre Stolz and Terry Price.

“Be sure to come along, there really will be something for everyone.

“And then to have the focus of the Aussie golfing community for the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am on Tuesday will make it a great couple of days to be around the club.”

Immense generosity.
That’s the overwhelming sentiment on so many levels after the Portarlington Golf Club was central to raising more than $21,000 for the Cancer Council in this week’s “Longest Day in Golf”.
With donations still rolling in to congratulate all the players who toiled their way through – in some cases – more than 12 hours of golf, the count at time of writing was $21,200.
“It’s an extraordinary response and that’s genuinely an amazing number,” chief executive Michael Phillips said.
“There was an amazing vibe around the course throughout the day – I know some loonies, just kidding, I mean players, were away at first light at 5.40am.
“And from that point on until after 7pm, there was just an immense spirit of commitment, teamwork and generosity which made that amazing donation possible.”
Leading the way for Port – as he has for four years now – was the indefatigable Trung Truong, who looked like the Pied Piper at times out on course.
Trung was joined by several of his great mates for the majority of his day - including Darren Hellmann, who played all 72 holes with the event’s spiritual leader. Gary Stafford also walked the whole 72, playing the majority of the way.
But Trung’s tribe was intermittently joined by dozens of spectators, caddies and a whole swag of players who chimed in for nine, 18 or some times many more holes to be part of the atmosphere.
Trung and Darren, accompanied home by the bagpipes of long-time member Bill Ogilvie, were responsible for raising $4245 of the overall total.
“It’s just great to have so many people supporting the cause – amazing to have so many people walking around with me as we go,” Trung said.

It has been a week of tear-jerking generosity from the members of the Portarlington Golf Club.

Following three Christmas "break-up" rounds of golf - two for the men on Tuesday and one for the women on Wednesday - there were meals and parties where the festive spirit shone through in spectacular fashion.

The raffles raised an extraordinary $1810 - a figure that will be raised to $2000 by another club donation in addition to the meals and raffle prizes already contributed.

That cash will be sent to Food Assist 3223, whose president Prue Drever was emotional when addressing the women's function.

In addition to the financial aid, there was not enough space in the club bus to transport all the donated food and children's Christmas presents to the charity's Newcombe St headquarters.

"I'm totally overwhelmed," Drever said.

"Thank you isn't adequate to all the members who were so generous.

"It's the most amazing gift to us to pass on to others - it was truly unbelievable and so moving, I couldn't help but cry to see it all."

Drever addressed the function and attempted to explain the desperate "plight" of so many in our community who rely on donated food and other necessities to make ends meet in their lives.

"If you don't need food relief, it's hard to understand it," she said.

"So it's part of my job to put it out there and have people understand that it's such a real and massive issue.

"That's why it's so amazing to see this level of generosity from the golf club.

"It's an amazing array of donations and gifts ... and I was pleasantly surprised even more by the quality and thoughts put into the gifts for the children.

"You should have seen all the faces (at the hall) when we dropped in a bus full of stuff - everyone was just blown away and so grateful to you all."

Club chief executive Michael Phillips said it was great to continue the club's involvement with Food Assist 3223, which also received a $7000 donation earlier this year from its Community Contribution Fund.

"It's hard to think of a more appropriate organisation for us to support within our community because it helps so many people," Phillips said.

"So on behalf of all of our extremely generous members, I wanted to thank Prue and her team for all the work they do to ease a genuine issue in our community.

"And I want to thank the members themselves for being so giving, especially at this time of the year."

Any donated toys not given to chidren immediately by Drever and her team will be sent to Pastor Jake at the Drysdale Community Church where they'll be distributed in time for Christmas.

But it wasn't all serious stuff through the week, particularly with the women's break-up party evolving into a singalong with a jukebox turned karaoke machine.

Captain Jenny Edmanson, who herself turned in a wonderful Abba duet with songbird staff member Lucy Jones, said everyone had a great time to celebrate the festive season.

"There was some great singing - not by me, for the record - and a heap of dancing, too, which was fantastic.

"It was a great way to celebrate the year and do something good for our community all at the same time."

If Food Assist 3223 was a “normal” business, its owners would be thrilled.

Cyclic, almost exponential expansion, a great community reputation and waves of good will are all part of why Food Assist 3223 has rapidly become an integral part of Portarlington and surrounds.

But it’s not a “normal” business.

It’s a food bank that operates to support disadvantage people within our community and – sadly – that clientele is expanding rapidly.

Rather than shy from the logistical problems that such growing demand places on limited resources, let alone its purely volunteer staff, the committee of Food Assist 3223 is doing its utmost to stay ahead of the curve.

And just like a meal for one of its clients, the key thing for that committee is to find security in being able to plan and build a future.

Which is precisely where the Portarlington Golf Club and its Community Contribution Fund enters the conversation.

President Prue Drever and her team did the maths and figured that a $3500 grant would provide the base required to provide food for the remainder of 2023, particularly through the high-demand winter months.

But so compelling and important was the case they presented, the Portarlington Golf Club broke with tradition and doubled the request, sending $7000 to what chief executive Michael Phillips described as “an incredibly important organisation to the wellbeing and comradeship of our entire community”.

“We’re not in the habit of giving more money than is requested, but the work Food Assist 3223 does around Port, Indented Head and St Leonards is nothing short of remarkable and they deserve our full support,” Phillips said.

“So we’re proud and delighted to be able to play a small part in helping Prue’s team continue to deliver a service we collectively wish wasn’t needed, but that has become critical to so many in our neighbourhood.”

Drever said her committee and volunteers were overjoyed by news of the grant.

“We just want to say a really huge `thank you’ to the golf club and its members for the support – to get double what we asked for is not at all what we expected, but it’s an enormous boost for us all,” she said.

“It’s a huge thing for us because it gives us security. We’re entirely run by volunteers and get no government funding, so we rely exclusively on community support and the generosity of people around town.

“So a grant of this size enables us to not only provide food for so many people, but to actually think about planning for what’s 12 months ahead. It also means we can focus on the core job rather than running around and trying to fund everything as we go.

“This is like winning Tattslotto for us – it takes that worry away, enables us to feed extra people and also for things we have to pay for that going up like they are for everyone, like power and heating bills. It’s amazing and we’re so grateful.”

More than 40 volunteers staff the Food Assist 3223 programs, based at the St Andrew’s Uniting Church Hall in Newcombe Street.

According to a Foodbank Australia Hunger Report, more than 2 million households experienced “severe food insecurity” in 2022. Sadly, that figure is mirrored in our own community and in the year to date, the number of visits to Food Assist 3223 is up a staggering 43 per cent.

Drever said many people in need still don’t reach out “because of the stigma still attached to asking for help”.

“It’s terrible, but with the way the economy is these days and with the cost of everything in life really just soaring, we really need to `normalise’ asking for help because so many people genuinely need it through absolutely no fault of their own,” she said.

“But some people are ashamed and really hate asking for that help, so we ask that people realise it’s OK and that we have some really friendly and wonderful volunteers who make no judgement on anyone at all. They’re here to help and know that it’s just a part of life these days, as different as it is.”

The Portarlington Golf Club has given charitable support of more than $125,000 in the past four financial years, including more than $30,000 specifically via its Community Contribution Fund.

The CCF was established to support not-for-profit community or sporting organisations to make positive improvements that will, in turn, benefit the wider community.

Phillips said the club considered many factors when allocating funds, including the potential for increased engagement of volunteers, community and participants.

“The golf club sees itself as a community leader and that it’s our duty to assist other clubs and community groups whenever we can,” he said.

“Our success as a club in the community is partly measured by the success of everybody else within the community.

“We feel we have a significant role to play in that space and are very fortunate to have a business model that allows us to support groups who don’t necessarily have access to the funds that we do.

“It’s hard to think of a more important and worthy recipient than Food Assist 3223 and we ask that all who can help them out do so whenever they can, especially with the volunteer support on which it relies.”

Food Assist 3223 president Prue Drever surveys the St Andrews Uniting Church Hall.

Volunteer Rhonda helps out a shopper with her selection of fresh fruit.

What the Peninsula Little Athletics Club lacks in profile it more than compensates by way of achievement.

The club, currently comprising 55 junior athletes, competes in events run by the Geelong Little Athletics Centre from October to March each year.

And the club has a proud history of punching well above its weight in competitions, something not lost on president Kirsty Brown.

“Our club has won the best club in Geelong in 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and again in 2022-23 … with outstanding performances by our athletes,” Kirsty beamed.

“This was an amazing achievement considering we are one of the smallest of the eight affiliated clubs.”

Naturally, with this success comes trophies.

But for a club based in a tiny shed on the edge of the Drysdale Primary School oval, space is at a premium and there is nowhere to show off all the silverware which is currently shoe-horned into suitcases and out of sight.

So the club has asked for – and received – funding courtesy of the Portarlington Golf Club’s Community Contribution Fund.

The $450 request will provide a new trophy cabinet that can show off the club’s proud past.

“We want to display the large trophies we have won,” Kirsty said.

“We can then showcase our achievements to our membership and generate that pride in our club, which is something we’d like to promote.

“Our role as a committee is to recruit young athletes and provide training for them to able to compete. When the kids can see that they can succeed at our club, it will help inspire future generations.”

Golf club chief executive Michael Phillips was delighted to provide funding for the project.

“It might only be a modest request, but it absolutely ticks the boxes for us to help out a young and motivated cross-section of our community,” Phillips said.

“Their club has a great track record and showing off that success will foster the next wave of kids to come through and participate.

“Kirsty told us that the club’s membership based doubled just last year, so it’s obvious that there’s a lot of interest in athletics for kids in our community and this is just playing our small part in what that could become in years ahead.”

The Portarlington Golf Club has given charitable support of more than $125,000 in the past four financial years, including more than $30,000 specifically via its Community Contribution Fund.

The CCF was established to support not-for-profit community or sporting organisations to make positive improvements that will, in turn, benefit the wider community.

The powerhouse of Australian sport has always been in its grass roots.

A sports-crazed country that punches way above its weight always requires its public heroes – just like our Southern Stars currently doing battle in the Women’s Ashes in England.

But to get to that point, all those women took their first step on a far less conspicuous cricketing stage.

The surge in interest in women’s sport has underlined the need for more resources to be made available to girls and young women – and the Wallington Cricket Club is, if you’ll pardon the pun, getting on the front foot.
The Wallabies have become the most recent beneficiary of the Portarlington Golf Club Community Contribution Fund as they seek to provide a place to play for so many budding Bellarine cricketers.

In the past three years, the number of girls playing junior cricket at Wallington has gone from zero to a phenomenal 32. In the past two years, the number of senior women has gone from zero to 26.

“We’re thrilled to see so many girls and women want to play cricket and that they see us as an accessible club where they can learn to play safely and without judgement and to be themselves irrespective of their background,” Wallington CC president Marc Occhipinti said.

“But from nothing to where we are now in such a hurry – plus the expectation of many more women and girls in the near future – has put a strain on our existing resources.
“Not to mention the requirements for additional skills and facilities to ensure we’re doing all we can to encourage them to be their best in the future.”
To that end, Portarlington Golf club has granted the Wallington women’s division $3500.

The club has already appointed a women’s coach and women’s co-ordinator for the upcoming season and will also use the funding to help cover the costs of equipment and the provision of “come and try” days before summer arrives to attract even more newcomers.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Portarlington Golf Club for helping make these ideas realities for girls and women who’ve wanted to give cricket a go but never been able to take the step until now,” Occhipinti said.

Golf club chief executive Michael Phillips is eager to see more young women engaged in sport.
“Like our sport, it’s really about removing all barriers for prospective new players, so we’re excited to play our part in helping Wallington Cricket Club push that goal along,” Phillips said.

“Who knows – the next Ellyse Perry could be at Wallington for the first time this summer!”
The Portarlington Golf Club has given charitable support of more than $125,000 in the past four financial years, including more than $30,000 specifically via its Community Contribution Fund.

The CCF was established to support not-for-profit community or sporting organisations to make positive improvements that will, in turn, benefit the wider community.

Simone Sewell, Allison Bell and Danielle Walker joked on Thursday about winning a prestigious team event such as the June Gillivour Salver.

As relative newcomers to competitive golf, the team from The Sands laughed off the prospect.

“We said that would never happen to us, not one of these events,” Allison recalled.

So the trio visited Portarlington on Friday, played well individually, yet still thought the time-honoured silver salver was out of their reach, not even tallying their scores in the team stableford format because “we just didn’t think we had enough”, Simone said.

But sure enough, as they savoured their post-round lunch, their names were called as champions – and their shock was plain for all to see.

“I just can’t believe it – we’ve only been playing properly for a year and a half,” Simone said.

“We’re very shocked. I’m probably not sure why, because we all had nice rounds, but it’s just a huge surprise, really. It’s made a nice day really fantastic.”

Simone anchored the team with 34 points and Allison, who grew up in Portarlington, contributed 26 to the cause.

But as is always the case on reflection, the team was able to pinpoint the moment that made the magic possible – a birdie on the long third hole by Danielle en route to her tally of 28.

“It was my last hole and, as it turned out, they were the points that got us over the line … even though I had no idea at the time,” she beamed.

Their 88 points relegated two Portarlington teams to the lower rungs of the podium with Jen Edmanson, Joy Francis and Shauna Gray runners-up with 86.

But after Portarlington captain Angela Royal explained the remarkable achievements of June Gillivour to the 20 competing teams from around the SWGA, it was almost poetic that Allison and her team had their breakthrough win.

“It was actually June who introduced me to the game back in the day. I remember her showing me what to do one time and opening my eyes to golf … so it’s amazing to win her trophy.”

Local star Jan Cogger was the champion of the A Grade individual section with 34 points, while the day’s best individual score belonged to B Grade champion Karyn Martin, of East Geelong, with 35 points.

Angela paid tribute to all who helped organise and run the day, particularly resident professional Matt Milne for his logistics and sponsorship.

Click Here for the Full Results

Forget Caddy Shack, the Portarlington junior pennant team is golf’s true “Cinderella story”.

From out of nowhere, a bunch of mates who hadn’t played a match of pennant between them just a month ago, are now the Ford Cup champions of the SWGA region, joining the 2010 team for only Port’s second victory in 54 editions of the cup.

The story had its final crazy chapter written on Sunday when Will English took his turn as hero, coming from 4-down with six holes to play to snare the winning point on the final hole with a nett birdie.

Will gave Portarlington its winning third point, the key moment in a spirited yet polite battle with Curlewis, eventually winning 3.5-1.5 on the opponent’s home course.

The team – Will, Cooper McMurrich, Solomon Harvey, Buckley Hickey, Jackson McGrath and Ethan Hughes, who nobly took his turn to sit out in the final in his stride – and their jubilant supporters knew the winning point had been claimed.

But they politely delayed celebrations until Jackson halved the final match in another great finish.

“It’s an enormous achievement by the boys,” said team manager and dual club champ Angela Foott.

“They’ve got a way about them in terms of winning, that’s for sure. But they generally just showed what you can do when you’re having fun out there and enjoying yourself.

“Plus the way they escaped trouble the past few weeks was unbelievable.”

After a wash-out in Round 1 forced Port to share the points with Barwon Valley, there was no wriggle room in a short season.

But a handy win against Clifton Springs was followed by two remarkable comeback wins against 13^th Beach and Geelong to raise the Trevenen Shield last week to advance to face Curlewis in the big dance.

In those matches, Buckley was the hero, twice winning on the 18^th hole having trailed late.

But on Sunday, it was Will’s turn to shine under pressure.

With super caddie Phil Stephens on the bag, Will was in a world of pain trailing promising Curlewis youngster Noah Schammer by four holes with six to play.

But in the blink of an eye, Will won four on the bounce and halved the 17^th to set up a grandstand finish.

Will played the hole masterfully and, getting a shot on handicap over his opponent, found his par enough to nab Port’s third point.

Earlier, Cooper had a great tussle with Max Burn before saluting 2&1 and Solomon impressed in toppling Chelsea Cummins 4&3.

Buckley couldn’t revive his heroics, going down 5&3, but then had the joy of watching his mates do to him what he’d done for them in weeks past.

Jackson had been 3-up against Aidan Burns, who lit up late and charged home. But the Port youngster rose on the last and held firm to halve the match.

Associate professional and coach Max Edmanson, himself a part of a Portarlington Trevenen Shield winning team eight years ago, said the bond his charges had was a key reason for the triumph.

“They had a really good spirit as a team – they became closer during the season and really supported each other,” Edmanson said.

“I’m not sure how they did it each week when they were trailing, but they just found a way to hang in and get the job done.

“The club should be really proud of them – they’ve all got a sense of determination and resilience which is pretty cool.”

Edmanson said the team was already planning on having some more coaching through their summer holidays.

“I think they’re really looking forward to next season already and seeing if they can build from here and maybe do it all again.”

Portarlington Golf Club has won top gong for its Legends Tour pro-am event at the 2022 Victorian Golf Industry awards.

Chief executive Michael Phillips accepted the award on behalf of the club, voted by the PGA of Australia’s Legends Tour pros as the best in the state in its first time on their schedule.

Former Open Championship runner-up Mike Harwood fired a 64 to edge Australian Open champ Peter Fowler by a stroke in February, with both legendary pros raving about the course’s presentation on a day of hot scoring.

“I can actually say that might be my best putting round in my 43 years of playing professional golf,” Harwood said at the time.

“It says a lot about the quality of the greens and when you see some of the other scores, you can tell they were running perfectly.”

The day, presented by naming rights partner Barwon Cleaning Supplies, also featured meals before and after play, activations by sponsors at different points of the course and several competitions within the main event for the 200 professionals and amateurs who took part.

There was also a physio/massage installation for players from club partner Kieser, plus a roving Canadian Club bar that proved a hit on a balmy afternoon for the good-sized crowd that came to watch the heroes of yesteryear.

“We were absolutely thrilled with how it went off on the day,” Phillips said.

“So it was brilliant for us to have that acknowledged with an award voted on by professionals who have seen a lot of golf in a lot of places in their distinguished careers.

“When you think back to when we made the decision to commit to become part of the PGA Legends Tour, it was a bit of a risk with Covid still active in our society.

“But it really showed how much the Port community can unite behind a great event and I’m really proud of what we achieved together.”

Phillips paid tribute to the sponsors, staff and volunteers who brought the event to life.

“I think from the coffee and breakfast we were treated to at dawn right through to the presentations of all the big prizes – and the quirky ones – everyone who came to the club had a great time and that’s precisely what we’re all about.”

In partnership with sister clubs at Curlewis and Lonsdale Links, Portarlington will be a joint host of an even bigger event in 2023 with the three clubs to host a combined 54-hole tournament in mid February.

“We’ll announce more details along with Lonsdale and Curlewis in coming weeks, but we’re really excited about bringing another great event to our Bellarine community,” Phillips said.

“Along with the Vic Open, it really showcases to a wide audience just how world class our neck of the golfing woods has become, not to mention the rest of the wonderful attractions of the Bellarine Peninsula.”

The Carnival of Golf has wrapped up for 2022 – its post-pandemic return hailed a great success.

Portarlington Golf Club chief executive Michael Phillips was delighted with the annual series of events, held for the first time since 2019 because of Covid-19 protocols the past two years.

“I think the Carnival of Golf is one of those things that people really missed … it’s just one of those comfortable and popular events on the calendar that our members and guests all look forward to, so we’re delighted that it returned so smoothly,” Phillips said.

The Carnival attracted more than 800 players across seven days with entries from no fewer than 61 different clubs.

“That’s the thing about the week – it’s not just for us on the Bellarine; it really drives visitation from around Victoria and even interstate,” Phillips said.

“So we’re extremely grateful that we have so much support, not only from the golfing community but also a group of businesses which really have the Bellarine’s best interests at heart.”

At his closing speech, president John Bowman thanked all the sponsors wholeheartedly, urging members and visitors to give their patronage to those who backed the event.

Among them were Bellarine Bayside Coastal Management, Glynn Harvey, Vagg Plumbing, Stockdale & Leggo Bellarine, Lynne Kirby, Easton Insurance and Wonderland RV – a company that provided support for the first time for the 2020 Carnival, but never took it away even though no tournament had been run.

Bowman paid special tribute to Lifestyle Communities: “They put on a couple of great activations in different events this week, with some very generous prize vouchers to our pro shop, not to mention a few free beers and chocolates for players on Thursday afternoon, so it was great to have them involved.”

Bowman also gave his thanks to versatile club staff member Kaelyn Radford, who defied some wild weather at times during the week to provide great pictures for all players to admire after their rounds.

But he saved his highest praise for the work of superintendent Steve Burchett and his grounds crew, “without whom, we wouldn’t have got half the events finished”.

“From day three on Monday right through to Friday, I don’t think we had a day without rain of some description – and those who were here on Monday and particularly Tuesday afternoon know exactly what Steve’s team had to contend with.

“So we were very sorry to have to abandon the women’s Irish fourball on Tuesday afternoon with many women well into their back nines.

“But we had almost 20mm of rain that day and for the course, which is already wet after a soggy winter, to bounce back the way it did with such `TLC ‘ from the boys was amazing.”

Some fantastic golf was played through the week, with some great scoring and worthy winners.

Queenscliff golfer Stewart Drayton’s one-under-par 71 won the men’s Open championship on Saturday to begin the week, with hometown stars Jen Edmanson doing enough to win the women’s Open and Joy Francis winning the nett division comfortably.

Husband and wife David and Fiona Newman teamed wonderfully to win the prestigious Graeme McGregor Memorial on Sunday, played in a mixed fourball format.

Defying some testing conditions, Birregurra’s Steve Preston shot an impressive 79 to win the gross division of the veterans’ championship on Monday.

Former club captain Peter Hahn returned to partner Nick Panagiotdis to victory with 43 stableford points on Tuesday morning’s men’s fourball before vile weather mid-round forced the cancellation of the women’s Irish fourball in the afternoon.

Coleraine’s David Spencer won A Grade with the same 36-point score with which local identity Trung Truong saluted in B Grade in Wednesday’s single stableford event.

An almost capacity field throughout the AM and PM draws of the ambrose event on Thursday were led home by Phil Ward and the Bruce boys – Paul, David and Matthew – in the men’s division with a spectacular score of 54.5.

The women’s title was taken out with an impressive tally of 60.5 by the all Portarlington team of Edmanson, Jen Champion, Jill Barker and Angela Foott.

Then to close the week, another quiet homegrown combination of Matt Marles, Andrew Wootten, Yani Lathouris and Shaun Ward set the course on fire with a stupendous 98 points in the Gentsomes stableford event.

Event Results

Saturday, 27 Aug - Event 1a & 1b Men’s & Women's Open 18-hole Stroke Championship Click Here for Men's Results Click Here for Women's Results
Sunday, 28 Aug - Event 2 Mixed 4BBB Stableford for the Graeme McGregor Memorial Click Here for Results
Monday, 29 Aug - Event 3 Veteran men’s 18-hole Stroke Championship Click Here for Results
Tuesday, 30 Aug - Event 4 Men’s 4BBB Stableford Click Here for Results
Tuesday, 30 Aug - Event 5 Women’s Irish Fourball Stableford Event Cancelled
Wednesday, 31 Aug - Event 6a Men’s Single Stableford Click Here for Results
Wednesday, 31 Aug - Event 6b Women’s Single Stableford Click Here for Results
Thursday, 1 Sept - Event 7a & 7b Men’s & Women's 4-person Ambrose Click Here for Men's Results Click Here for Women's Results
Friday, 2 Sept - Event 8 Men’s and Women’s 4-person Gentsomes Click Here for Results

A diverse range of community enterprises will benefit enormously from the latest Portarlington Golf Club grants.

Chief executive Michael Phillips said the club’s Community Contribution Fund would send almost $14,000 back into four local enterprises that have Portarlington and the Bellarine at heart.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to offer grants to these four bodies, not only because they are individually very deserving, but also because they have even greater communal plans,” Phillips said.

“A great example of this is the incredible group of volunteers at Food Assist 3223 who provide emergency and grocery supplies to those in dire need.

“The $3000 given to Food Assist 3223 will benefit so many people, so we’re absolutely indebted to president Prue Drever and her team for the lifesaving work they’re engaged in with very little recognition.”

Another of the eclectic group of grant recipients is the Bellarine Quilters, an organisation that also relies on volunteers to produce quilts for needy groups, particularly throughout winter.

“The Quilters have produced more than 270 quilts in the past 18 months to in turn help groups such as Bethany Family Services, Kinship Carers Bellarine and Southern Cross Kids’ Camp,” Phillips said.

“Recently they’ve made almost 50 quilts and donated them to the Ukrainian Women’s Association Geelong to aid a fundraiser for medical equipment and supplies in their war-torn homeland.

“They’ve had members using their own materials, but their $2000 grant will provide the inner wadding and backing fabrics that come at great expense.”

The Portarlington Pony Club will receive $2850 to install a defibrillator at its Willis St clubrooms.

“Again,” said Phillips, “this is obviously for the members of the club itself, but will be located where anyone who’s using the public reserve around the facility will be able to access that life-saving device.”

The other grant recipient is the Portarlington Football and Netball Club, which will use $6000 to refurbish an existing derelict room and create a rehabilitation gymnasium for footballers and netballers and other club members.

“That gym has obvious benefits to those already involved at the club, but it’s also hoped that by being able to offer first-class facilities, the prospect of attracting and keeping future players to the Demons will become that little bit easier,” Phillips said.

“We all saw the excitement around town on Saturday when the club was buzzing – and that can only be good for the community as a whole if we can have that feeling more often.”

The Portarlington Golf Club made more than $32,000 in donations in the recently ended financial year, while the Community Contribution Fund alone has contributed more than $34,000 to the community since its inception in 2019-20.

“We very much see the club as an integral part of Portarlington and the Bellarine communities, so we’re always happy to play our part in ensuring these neighbourhoods become stronger,” Phillips said.

“We are only as strong as the neighbours within our community.”

When Doug Hill hurt his back gardening in 2017, groundbreaking golf achievements were the furthest thing from his mind.
So bad was Hill’s injury that he opted to become a non-playing member of the Portarlington Golf Club for several months, fearing at age 73 that he would not get back to the sport.
But fast-forward to 2022 and Hill is again full of ambition having achieved one of the sport’s rarest and most treasured feats – “breaking his age”.
Now 77, Hill tore up the front nine last week, notching 25 stableford points off his 11 handicap to eventually win the Thursday competition with 43.
But although he was confident that his sensational score would hold up for the day’s prize, he had no idea of his grand achievement.
Some clever detective work from Max Edmanson and Matt Milne in the pro shop discovered he’d not had a “scratch” on his card, so his 76 off the stick was just enough to create his piece of history.

“I had absolutely no idea I’d broken my age until Matt called me – I was completely shocked,” Hill said.
“I knew I’d played well and had a good (stableford) score, but I don’t pay great attention to my stroke score very often, so I was a bit stunned, to be honest.
“I told my wife (Margaret) and she said, `That’s awesome, send the kids a text and tell them”. My son lives in Switzerland and my daughter is in North Melbourne, so I sent them a screen shot of the results page and let them know.
“It was pretty exciting, actually.”

Hill has been a member at Portarlington since moving to the Bellarine almost 17 years ago, with his handicap having reached a low of nine in that time.
“I only ever played socially before then, mostly tennis with the kids when they were growing up, to be honest,” he said.
“Then when I did my back, I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to keep going, but here we are – I’ve surprised myself, actually.”
Hill credited resident teaching pro Tyson Myers with having sharpened his skills and tightened his swing to be able to reach his career-best score.
“I’ve never even come close to breaking my age before, so the whole game is coming together a little bit,” he said with a grin.
“I get a bit more distance off the tee with Tyson helping me along. I’ve had some lessons with him and bought some new clubs and they’ve been awesome. So it’s been really good improvement since my back (injury).”

Hill began his magical round with a birdie, then had a double-bogey on the fourth and bogey on the long sixth before things really took off.
“I made a birdie on the seventh, then another on the eighth and then another one fell out on the ninth,” he said.
“So I thought, `Really put your head down and concentrate now, you could have a good day’.
“And it turned out to be an excellent day,” said Hill, whose short game is his key weapon.
“I’m not as long as some of the other guys, so I have to make up the points around the green. My shots around the green (are my strength), I try to knock them close and have one putt and that’s my best way to make pars on some of the holes.”
So has the achievement whet Hill’s appetite for more history? You bet it has.
“I’d like to think I can get (my handicap) back down to under 10 again. I’m not sure if I’ll break my age again, Matt says it’s pretty rare, but I hope I can. We’ll see.”
Nobody’s betting against you, Doug!

There’ll be some BIG names heading around our little links in coming weeks with the Barwon Cleaning Supplies Portarlington Legends Pro-Am around the corner on 28 February.

And that trend started today with no less a legend than 1983 Australian Open champion and 1989 runner-up Peter Fowler passing by to do his “homework” on the course.

Fowler, a winner in Europe and Asia and of the World Cup individually and for Australia alongside Wayne Grad in 1989, was taken by the condition of the Portarlington layout.

“It’s in brilliant shape, especially for this time of summer,” Fowler said as he surveyed.

“It’s fantastic to see the care taken to present it like this.”

Entries are still available to play with legends such as Fowler, Peter Senior and Andre Stolz, to name but a few.
Check https://port.golf/2022-pro-am for details.

_{Peter Fowler surveys the 16^th hole.}