23 June - HRDGA v NDGA - Stonebridge

30 June - Singleton Open

7 July - Murrurundi Open sponsored by Green Ginger Wine.

14 July - District 2 Man Ambrose Championship at The Vintage.

21 July - District playoff - GNSW Mens Fourball - Royal Patto

28 July Merriwa Open

4 August - District Masters Championship - Cypress Lakes

11 August - Denman Open

Want a 2013 pocket fixture list? Keep up to date with a wallet size includes all District events & Club Open Days.

Click here to download.

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The 2013 District two man ambrose championship has, this year been kindly hosted by The Vintage club and will be held on Sunday 14 July, 2013.

Entries will be restricted to golfers who are affiliated with the Hunter River DGA. This is your opportunity to test yourself on one of the better layouts in our District, so get your entries in early. The field will be limited to 140.

Entries close on Monday 8 July, 2013. Players are reminded that personal carts are not allowed on the course, but can be hired from the proshop for $15.00 per player. The $20 entry fee MUST be paid by cash only.

Click here for the entry form & conditions.

Sickness & Injury List

District golfers will be saddened to hear that Muswellbrook & St. George stalwart Gary Mears is in hospital due to a serious illness and will have to undergo further treatment.

Gary has been a leading golfer in the District since his junior days and continues to maintain form even though he has reached the senior ranks. We look forward to his return.

In the meantime your prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery would be appreciated by his family.

On a lighter note our Vice President Ross Banks is out of golf for a 6 month period, after he strained a ligament in his index finger, caused by removing a sock!!

HRDGA vs NEWCASTLE DGA

The District has selected the team to beat Newcastle in our annual match for the PR West Shield, to be played at Stonebridge on Sunday 23 June, 2013.

The match will commence and spectators are most welcome. Come out and support our team and view some spectacular golf.

To view the team click here.

MIXED AMBROSE CHAMPIONSHIP

The District Mixed Ambrose Championship was hosted by Kurri, on Sunday 19 May, 2013. A quality field of 68 players participated, including some bright young talent from the lady member ranks.

The result was a close fought affair, with the countback required to split the top three teams. The winning team from Kurri was Troy & Anthony Lucas, who teamed up with Sue Ford & Tricia Wyper. It would be highly unusual for a winning team at Kurri not to feature the Wyper name.

Click here to view the full report.

PENNANT DINNER

Ninety winners, grinners & losers attended a fantastic evening at the Kurri Golf Club on Saturday 25 May, 2013, to toast the 2103 winning pennant teams.

Thanks to Scott Driffield from the Maitland Club and Committeeman Pat Rigby for supplying a copy of the photos they took.

At the current moment we are experiencing technical difficulties in uploading the photos. Photos will be available when the problem is resolved. Any suggestions will be gladly received.

ARTIE MOLLETT SHIELD RETURNS TO HUNTER

The coveted Artie Mollett Shield returned to the Hunter District, when the youthful rep side were victorious in the annual inter district match against the Central Coast on Sunday 28 April, 2013.

In a nail biting finish, the team got up by the barest margin possible, a single match (9½ - 8½). District Captain Dave Parkinson's decision to stick with his youth policy paid dividends for he second occasion. The last being the Country Championsips in 2012.

For the match report click here.

The 2013 pennant series have been finalised and the Maitland Club has set a record in winning four out of five finals in the one year. A check of pennant history reveals that previously Cessnock had won 3 grades in 1956, after the introduction of the Bercini Cup (C Grade) in 1952. In 1995 the Senior & Junior divisions, were introduced and on 5 occasions since then two clubs have won 3 grades - Kurri in 1995 and Maitland in 1996, 2001 & 2004.

In A grade Maitland fought back from a mid round slump to sneak home over The Vintage by 4 matches to 3.

Click here to read the full report.

On Sunday 7 April, Maitland set a record for wins over the grades, when B grade overpowered defending holders Paterson, convincingly by 3 - 0 to take the Pogonoski Cup.

Click here to read the full report.

The most exciting match was the C grade final, between Maitland & Paterson. With two games concluded it was 1 apiece. After a moment controversy on the final green, the final match moved to the 19th, where Maitland clinched the final.

Click here to read the full report.

In the senior division, Paterson, caused the upset of the season, when they overcame, at luxury odds, to defeat red hot favourites, defending champions The Vintage 2 -1, to win the Frame Cup.

Click here to read the full report.

Juniors also had a tough match against The Vintage but held on to scrape home 3 1/2 matches to 1 1/2.

Click here to read the full report.

The district junior side travelled to Moree over the weekend to defend the Baker Trinder Shield, which was not played in 2012 due to floods in Moree.

The team were victorious winning all their matches against North West, Central North & Western. A great effort.

Congratulations on a great win.

The full report will be posted when details come to hand.

HITTING A SHOT OFF CONCRETE

Click on the link below to learn how. You never know when you may have to.

http://www.golfaustralia.org.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=76054

 smokey bobbed up to win the Dave Parkinson Shield and District Junior title at Scone on Sunday 10 March, 2013. Oscar Field, who hails from Scone, returned a 75 off the stick to win the title, in a 3 way countback.

To read more click here.

The roster of the 2013 Club Open Days, kicks off with the Branxton Open day on Saturday 9 March, 2013. The District encourages clubs to support each others Open. If each of our 17 Clubs arranged a group of 4 players to participate, that would guarantee 64 players, which would be a full field and ensure a successful event for the Club. The camaraderie will grow with each open and make the days an enjoyable outing.

Arrange a group and book in early to avoid disappointment.

SCONE OPEN

Scone golf Club have been given permission to bring their scheduled open day by two weeks to the 8 September, 2013. The original fixture list has the 8th as Father's Day, which has been officially listed as the 1st September.

Please note the changes on your fixture list.

Congratulations to Aberdeen/Muswellbrook junior Dylan Perry on his excellent performance in the Australian amateur.

Dylan qualified for the matchplay after rounds of 73 - 68 at the Woodlands & Commonwealth Golf Clubs. Dylan qualified in equal 7th spot,and reached the quarter finals of the matchplay rounds, where he met Geoff Drakeford, who was fortunately playing on his home track. Dylan took Drakeford to the last hole, where he went down by one hole.

A great effort by one of our many promising junior prospects.

Thirty six weary, but happy travellers returned from the Melbourne Tour on Sunday 25 November, 2013. The customary supply of lemons were on hand for the trip home to assist the players to take the smile off their faces. The trip didn't go without its share of incidents, but probably the best one was at Huntingdale when the contingent were enjoying and after golf ale in the clubhouse, when two well suntanned golfers entered the  Clubhouse and approached the bar. Both were wearing their golf caps, when one of the District wags jokingly chipped the pair about having to shout the bar for wearing their caps inside.

Looks of awe overcame the faces of the group, when the two gentleman removed their caps to reveal none other than Brian Lara & Viv Richards. Responding to the taunt, Brian placed his credit card over the bar, and shouted our travellers a round of drinks.

It doesn't get any better.

One member of our group failed to take advantage of the opportunity to quiz Viv Richards why he had reneged on his appearance, as the guest speaker at a Sportsman Lunch scheduled for his Club, the following week. 

The 2012 AGM was held at Maitland on Sunday 18 November, 2012. The financial result of a $12,800 profit stands the Association in a healthy financial position, and the affiliation fee, will remain at $5.90 + GST.

Bob Scarr, after 7 years as President has stood down, to allow new blood to take the reigns in the form of Bob McKenzie of Maitland. Bob will move to the back bench, where his guidance will be appreciated.

Paul Brennan has stood down after serving 25 years as a committeeman, due to poor health. Our thanks and best wishes for good health are extended to Paul. Richard Craft who was invited onto Committee last year did not seek re-election.

New faces who have come onto Committee are Cameron Benkovic (Muswellbrook), Mark McKenzie (Kurri) & Bruce Rose (The Vintage).

District superstar Dylan Perry, is off to China to represent Australia in the  Aaron Baddeley World Junior Championship, after winning the 17yrs age division and coming second overall, in the Australian final of that event. The event was played at the Nicklaus designed Heritage Golf Course in Melbourne.

After day one Dylan was in 4th spot, but shone in the tough blustery conditions of the second round, to win the 17yrs division by 6 strokes and finish 3 behind the overall age winner.

Great stuff.

A total of 165 players participated in the 2012 District Championships, justifying the decision to play the event over two courses, Branxton & Kurri. Players at both venues were treated to the best greens in the District, which brought many a player undone on the slick surfaces.

At Branxton, evergreen Bryan Gulliver continues his "purple patch" with a thrilling two stroke victory, for the A grade Championship, whilst promising Denman junior Khan Gallagher was best in B Grade.  Course Super at The Vintage Steve Harris is the C grade Champion for 2012.

Click here for the details.

ABERDEEN COME & TRY DAY

The District endeavours to have Clubs arrange their "come & try " days to encourage new members is bearing fruit, if the day arranged by Aberdeen is any indication. Branxton & Paterson have been running their days for some time now, but if the enthusiasm shown at Aberdeen is any indication, golf will certainly grow in the area. Below is an excerpt from the report submitted by Craig Symington, who was instrumental in organising the day.

"Our day was a huge hit with the kids and the weather was great. Fourteen kids turned out, of which six were girls and they had so much fun they did not want to stop. I had them hitting tennis balls, high bounce rubber balls, pvc yellow golf balls and then real golf balls. We hit to a target area similar to the course that we did, we had chipping, bunker shots and putting. They loved the putting as you will see in the photos. We hit full and half shots to our target area and finished off with long drive shots. Two of the parents were a great help, Jason Hallett and Gerard Partridge, I let them do the warm up and down as I am not much good on stretches. From set up to pack up 4 hours had passed in no time. I would also like to thank my wife for cooking the sausage sizzle."

Check the photo below. This young fellow has the potential looking at his swing. The back swing is almost in the correct position, eye is over the ball, the left knee is bent in and he is ready to launch the downswing.     l

 If all clubs put in the effort & have the same success with their days, then golf in the Hunter will have a healthy future.

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